Bert Show’s Jenn Hobby’s new gig: mid-day host at Kicks 101.5, replacing Sari Rose
Sari Rose was let go from Kicks 101.5 Wednesday. CREDIT: Kicks
A good source tells me Sari Rose, mid-day host on Kicks 101.5, was let go Wednesday.
A good sign this is true: her name has been wiped off the front page of the Kicks web site.
Rose joined the country station as a fill in in 2007 and became a full-time mid-day host a couple years later.
Who will replace her? Jenn Hobby of Q100’s Bert Show! The rationale: she wants a new challenge. (”I’m jealous of all the sleep you’re going to get,” Bert Weiss said.) She announced to the Bert Show Monday that she was leaving after nearly a decade.
Jenn made the announcement this morning at 7:50 a.m. and expressed excitement working with country artists. “I can stand on my own,” she said.
“I’m nervous to do something without you guys,” Jenn added. “You’re my security blanket.” But she’s okay with those nerves.
“I’m so happy to have everyone’s support,” she then said, her voice breaking.
Jenn Hobby is moving about 25 feet to a neighboring studio as Kicks 101.5's mid-day host Dec. 10 after she leaves the Bert Show Dec. 7. CREDIT: Rodney Ho/rho@ajc.com
Jenn said she is more familiar with recent country than older country and noted her husband Grant Rivera introduced her to country.
She has never been a solo jock at a music station. She did promotional work at 95.5/The Beat and helped with a morning show briefly there before joining Q100’s Bert Show in 2003.
She is the second Bert Show member to leave the show but stay in the same building. Kicks 101.5 and Q100 are both owned by Atlanta-based Cumulus Media. Melissa Carter, who left the Bert Show last year after a decade, joined the new all news 106.7 station earlier this year as an afternoon news anchor.
That is probably why I sensed so little emotion when I was in the Bert Show studio Monday for Jenn’s departure announcement. She wasn’t going very far and will see her soon-to-be-former colleagues every day.
In fact, Jenn is moving about 25 feet to Kicks’ studio, which is right across the hallway from the Bert Show.
I have no idea about how this will affect her pay but certainly, a mid-day gig can’t possibly be as lucrative as a spot on a popular morning show as big as the Bert Show.
My guess in Monday’s post that Jenn would venture to TV was wrong.
If you don’t know much about Rose (and I don’t), here’s some bio info from a Kicks 101.5 page that was still accessible Thursday evening:
I am a true Georgia Peach having grown up west of the City in Carrollton. But there is one snag… both my parents are from Brooklyn New York, which makes me more of a southern Yankee. I have been working in radio for 10 years and have been a part of your Kicks family for over three year now. I currently live in Smyrna with my husband and the princess of the universe (my phat cat) Phillie. I am passionate about animals and have worked with shelters over the years to find great pets great homes.
Another major passion of mine is Georgia football. I graduated from the University of Georgia and have gone back every year to sit in Sanford Stadium and yell GO DAWGS
When I’m not at a Georgia game or hanging out on the radio with you there are a few other things you can find me doing. I’m a sucker for reality TV and the cheesier the better ( I still watch the Bachelor and Apprentice). Travel is something else I love to do when I get the chance. I’m always up for a trip the Vegas or better yet the beach!
If you want to read more:
Jenn Hobby’s Bert Show departure announcement.
Jenn Hobby’s pregnancy announcement
Melissa Carter’s 2011 departure announcement.
Join my Facebook fan page and Twitter. Oh, and Google +, too!
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80 comments Add your comment
ATLRadioFan
November 30th, 2012
7:43 am
I broke this news.
Steph
November 30th, 2012
7:57 am
Rodney, do you think she took a salary cut? I can’t imagine the pay is as good.
NetRadioJock
November 30th, 2012
8:03 am
I hope that she is successful in that move from a syndicated show to a local music DJ hot-jocking country music. I would not have made that move. I would have worked both since they are the same company in the same building. I would double-dip.
TG
November 30th, 2012
8:22 am
Some speculated she would take a break to play mommmy, but her history shows she is one who pretends. She pretended to be vulnerable and alone when she got divorced, but had a new hubby waiting in the wings. She pretended to be cautious about being a new mother and wanting to take it easy, but had a new radio gig waiting in the wings. She will do well because she knows how to play on people’s feelings, how to sniff out their vulnerabilities and pretend to relate. Politics might be in her distant future. lol
Southside Steve
November 30th, 2012
8:23 am
Thank god I still get to flirt with her in the halls. She can’t resist me. Yeah C’mon. ‘Snif’
Wendy Adams
November 30th, 2012
8:25 am
I can’t wait to rejoin The Bert Show and tell everyone what’s been going on with Billy Elliot!!!
Jenn Hobby
November 30th, 2012
8:27 am
I can’t wait to share with everyone that my new babies poopies smell like flowers and sunshine!! And he/she will be granted immediate membership to MENSA!
Mark
November 30th, 2012
8:31 am
@TG… You nailed it…
Yawn
November 30th, 2012
8:39 am
Funny she “wants a new challenge.” What from top 20 to country? Whoa slow down there. Way to push yourself.
CarolinaGrl
November 30th, 2012
8:40 am
I think much of KICKS audience will see right through her facade and have little patience for her disingenious nature. Country fans are known for being the kind of folks who will call you on your BS.
Atlien
November 30th, 2012
8:45 am
Of course it’s a pay cut, but a pay cut is better than nothing. They weren’t going to keep her around.
FM Fats
November 30th, 2012
8:54 am
She’s got Renee Zellweger eyes.
Lydia
November 30th, 2012
9:03 am
Enter your comments here
Lydia
November 30th, 2012
9:04 am
Wow, some of you are just rude and need a better way to fill your time. Jobs perhaps? Congratulations Jenn. This schedule will work out so much better with a new baby.
Bobby R
November 30th, 2012
9:05 am
“Country fans are known for being the kind of folks who will call you on your BS.”
—-
HAHAHAHAHA.
—-
Like its discussed somewhere, “oh yeah, we aren’t pulling one over on a country audience”… A country audience is just as dumb or smart as any other audience but I would imagine the stereotype there is that its dumb rednecks so I’m really doubting anyone is too worried.
Hwy1
November 30th, 2012
9:09 am
@Atlien: “They weren’t going to keep her around.”
You are crazy… She was by far the most relate-able and insightful member of the Bert Show! They were definitely not planning on letting her go, she is a staple to that show. The only reason she is leaving is because she is having a baby… Morning hours don’t exactly work with a newborn baby. And Kicks will be a challenge for her… It’s new to HER. You people are so critical.
jack
November 30th, 2012
9:09 am
Hobby is making a third of what she made on TBS. Midday makes no money so there is no money for a host. Spin however you want, JH was effectively fired from TBS.
Julie Short
November 30th, 2012
9:11 am
CONGRATS to new ‘Mom-to-be” Jenn! I have listened to The Bert Show every morning for years, and she’s been a great part of that team. But, she will do well anywhere she goes. Get ready country fans — you’re getting a real peach of a personality!
Calling It Like It Is
November 30th, 2012
9:13 am
Just another sign of how bad Atlanta radio sucks. A contract doesn’t get renewed on one station, so Cumulus recycles jocks and puts them on a different genre. But the interesting thing for her is the fact that she was part of an ensemble cast on TBS, but now will be flying solo. Will she be able to carry her show on her own?
Sideline Dude
November 30th, 2012
9:17 am
Who cares where these radio “personalities” go. Way too much advertising on the airwaves. Satellite radio is the way to go. Just wish they had it for TV as well. All the lawyer & car ads spoil my day.
Observer
November 30th, 2012
9:24 am
I’m very surprised. This is a better fit for Jenn because she doesn’t need to share personal parts of her life on air. However, when she would unexpectedly carry the show at 5:30 a.m. (Bert couldn’t make it at the start for some reason), I thought she was very nervous. She’s been a country fan for a while just like when she announced she’s always been a strong Christian (coincidentally, just after marrying Grant, whose family is very religious). She “never watches TV” (trying to be an intellectual) but name one E! show she can’t comment on. #Big Sigh.
94.9 transplant
November 30th, 2012
9:29 am
Wow, another blow for Kicks. So sad to see.
@ TG : you’re exactly right.
Joey
November 30th, 2012
9:32 am
So will Sari Rose be taking Jenn’s place on the Bert Show?
Xavier
November 30th, 2012
9:44 am
Definitely a downgrade in the looks department … but, it IS radio.
RK
November 30th, 2012
9:49 am
From a work-life balance standpoint, it makes sense…
aon
November 30th, 2012
9:53 am
I accidentally stumbled on the Bert Show when the radio stations shuffled around, and I am hooked. I’m not that familiar with the talent – yet, but I absolutely love the show.
Kicks Fan
November 30th, 2012
9:55 am
Does anyone know where Tug from the Cadillac Jack and Dallas show has been? He’s been MIA. Best wishes for Sari Rose.
Rusty
November 30th, 2012
9:57 am
I will not miss her at all. Her annoying upspeak is just the beginning. I find her to be very fake, very hypocritical, and very self absorbed. So sorry KICKS fans!
dagadawgs
November 30th, 2012
10:11 am
FM Fats
November 30th, 2012
8:54 am
She’s got Renee Zellweger eyes.
Good call, was thinking the same thing
Amy
November 30th, 2012
10:15 am
I was not a huge fan of Suri’s voice.. I do, however, love Jenn!! She is so sweet. I guess I can still liste to Q100 in the A.M (in between The Bull and The Regular Guys;)). Congrats to Jenn!!!
joe
November 30th, 2012
10:26 am
Yuck. I am listening to 101.5 more and more since Dave FM was taken off the air (and because ATL radio now sucks so bad)…now you tell me I have to listen to little miss whiney voice?
KimmerRocks
November 30th, 2012
10:43 am
Three truths:
Nothing is more lame, self absorbed, and useless than the Bert Show.
Radio is business, and if MelissaC./JennH. were making the BS and the station money, they’d still be there. Don’t think for a millisecond they left of their own accord, or without the reality of a major pay cut.
Satellite radio rules; my 45 minute commute is filled with outlaw country, Blue Collar comedy, and as I’ve found out in the last 2 years, the best interviewer I’ve ever heard, Howard Stern.
BruceYoung
November 30th, 2012
10:49 am
I am always surprised to see the comments after these types of announcements. I have been listening to the Bert Show for about 4 years now, and I for one am sad to see Jenn Hobby go. I’m sure it is extremely difficult to live your life on the air, and I wonder how each one of us would do in such an environment. How can we expect other’s to show compassion, grace and dignity when we are so quick to throw fire? Good luck to you Jenn!
Yawn
November 30th, 2012
11:25 am
I listen to country. Here’s a crazy thought: stick a DJ in there who actually KNOWS & LOVES the genre?! Crazy right?
Lance
November 30th, 2012
12:02 pm
Sari really got screwed.
This is a terrible call and will bomb HUGE. Jenn doesn’t even know how to run the freaking board.
Godawful
November 30th, 2012
12:03 pm
So what’s the over/under on Hobby sleeping with a country star and busting up her second marriage? Six months?
Once a cheater, always a cheater.
wut?!
November 30th, 2012
12:23 pm
They fired someone to place Jen there? I haven’t listened to Kicks in years, but man, that blows! I remember it as having a very large conservative listener base so as long as she doesn’t talk politics, she should do well!
Darth Fornicator
November 30th, 2012
12:24 pm
Any Brunette > Any Blonde
Steve
November 30th, 2012
12:37 pm
When is The Bert Show gonna get wise and fire that insipid Kristin? Her voice is like scraping your nails on a chalk board.
Fox5 Viewer
November 30th, 2012
1:23 pm
Do KICKS listeners know she is a die-hard liberal democrat?
Confused
November 30th, 2012
1:42 pm
I don’t understand how someone who isn’t passionate about country can have her own show on a country station. She wants to “learn about country”? Isn’t that going to piss off a lot of born-n-bred country fans?
Evelin
November 30th, 2012
1:46 pm
I can’t think of a worse fit for the KICKS audience. I get that it’s just business, but even business should have it’s finger on the pulse of the listeners. The only thing she knows about Randy Travis is that he was in her entertainment buzz for being arrested.
Colonel Klink
November 30th, 2012
2:12 pm
I’m waiting for Oxwinkle to comment before I offer my opinion. Oxwinkle, are you out there?
Gus Hall
November 30th, 2012
3:01 pm
Anyone who supports Jenn Hobby should be shot in the face at point blank range. She is s a dimwhitted, selfish, whiny, fake, s*lut. She does not bring any value to anything as she takes any topic and immediately turns it to herself. It is a good thing that I neither listen to Kicks nor able to listen to the radio midday because I will NEVER have to accidently listen to her barage constant saying of “umm, yeah, fantastic, absolutely, and uhhhh.”
Long story short, Hobby should go play in oncoming traffic.
GSU Men's BB Fan
November 30th, 2012
3:13 pm
Rose will probably end up on B92 Country in Carrollton like Kim Fitz did.
TheLazyComic
November 30th, 2012
3:33 pm
Kicks 101.5… they’re still around? Why?
TheLazyComic
November 30th, 2012
3:35 pm
Oh, they’re still around because rude, ruthless people need jobs too.
wut?!
November 30th, 2012
3:48 pm
I always laugh at the haters. She isn’t exactly my cup of tea but I don’t mind her. When Bert isn’t there, you can tell how uncomfortable everyone is on air. I honestly think and in my opinion it was confirmed, that they are not allowed to do anything “entertaining” when Bert is away. His wife just said a few weeks ago when he was pondering the “Over the Edge” fundraiser that the cast is “nothing without Bert”. I’m sorry, what? They can’t stand out individually it’s probably in their contracts.
I have said it before and I’ll say it again, Kristin and Jeff would be a great duo on a country station.
I think Jenn will do fine, but she should definitely practice her country twang!
Sedj
November 30th, 2012
4:32 pm
Proving once again that if you are on-air and not already a Cumulus employee when they took over KICKS, you will not survive.
Fox5 Viewer
November 30th, 2012
4:40 pm
@BruceYoung, it you don’t want to “live life on air,” get out of the business. Everyone on TBS was expected to divulge the good, bad and ugly about their personal lives. Bert talked about that when he hired Kristin.
Stephanie
November 30th, 2012
5:13 pm
@Gus Hall – wow, you really need some anger management classes. You are WAY too invested in hating her! All you have to do is turn the station, it’s not that crucial…
Matt from Senoia
November 30th, 2012
5:16 pm
I have no issues with Jen, but Sari got the shaft. Hopefully The Bull will pick her up. She knows her country music and it shows.
Darryl
November 30th, 2012
5:58 pm
So, Jen Hobby has no experience doing a solo radio show. Just Like Kix Brooks who syndicates overnights on KICKS. So it looks like to get a job on a major market Cumulus station a prerequisite is not having any experience at all. My German Shepard was glad to hear that because he has no experience but apparently is qualified to get a job on a major market Cumulus station!!! Oh, there is one big difference between my dog and Jen Hobby……. he likes country music. What are those bozos at Cumulus thinking?
missnadine
November 30th, 2012
7:41 pm
It does seems really stupid to put someone on the station who is not familiar with country music. I know that Leslie Framm also took a job in country but for her it was program management job, which is a different thing. I can’t imagine JH as a solo jock, especiallty if she has shown that she is not comfortable in a solo seat.
Rhubarb Jones
November 30th, 2012
8:37 pm
Jenn, if you need some hosting tips, give me a call. I can let you take my class at Kennesaw State for half price and you can learn how to be great at radio like I was Peaches.
jimbo722
November 30th, 2012
8:37 pm
for all you die friigin’ hard Kicks fans who refused to change the dial when they let go Kristen Gates, Tim Michaels and my others, maybe now you’ll send Kicks a message that they ain’t the only rodeo in town anymore. 94.9 The Bull is a really good station, who btw, has former Kicks personalities Gates and Michaels (Michaels is on opposite Hobby, so unstick that dial and give the Bull a listen). If your pissed off enough at Kicks for dumping yet another one of your favorite jocks, then just dump them already. Stop rewarding them for doing this crap all the time by continuing to listen.
jackass
November 30th, 2012
8:43 pm
i will give sara rose a job
Grown up
November 30th, 2012
9:15 pm
You all are a bunch of haters.
1. How the heck do you know that Jenn will take a pay cut? You don’t.
2. Bert was afraid she was going to leave, he even said it on air. She is important enough to her company that they went out of their way to keep her.
3. Why don’t you concentrate on something really important, like making the world a better place.
4. Leave Jenn alone, she is trying to start a new chapter in her life with a new baby and her own show, That means a great deal.
finally
November 30th, 2012
10:23 pm
These comments are hilarious-Jenn I don’t think you will cut it on Kicks, even though country music is very close to pop these days. The Bull is a very good station but I personally like 106.1 WNGC the best, but I know a lot of people don’t get the signal. Any job is better than no job in Jenn’s case, but I would seriously like to know HOW they decided to flip Sari for Jenn. Is Jenn going to do all those live appearances on Saturdays with that sparkling-gracious personality??? I met Sari at a remote and she was very nice and cared about and thanked the listeners. Time will tell.
chuck d
November 30th, 2012
10:41 pm
Bert wanted her GONE and they shipped her across the hall because you can’t fire a pregnant woman.
She’s talking about doing all these interviews…has she figured out yet that since Cumulus took over Kicks they have shut the station down and are killing it off slowly. She should have done her homework before she took the gig…but shes gotta pay her bills!
Yankeegirl
December 1st, 2012
1:15 am
Don’t really listen to The Bert Show anymore, they are always “on vacation,” and when they are back they are pretty arrogant and come off as so much better than the average person. I listen to Kick, but will probably stop now that snobby hobby is a host. She is a joke.
DebDoes
December 1st, 2012
6:47 am
Wow, the commenters here must still be angry about the election! LOL! Good luck, Jenn. It’s a baby thing no doubt.
DebDoes
December 1st, 2012
6:47 am
Wow, the commenters here must still be angry about the election! LOL! Good luck, Jenn. It’s a baby thing no doubt.
Wendy
December 1st, 2012
7:42 am
Can I come with u Jen? Working the graveyard shift is not good for my futur dancing carier.
rob
December 1st, 2012
9:00 am
midday DJ’s in Atlanta, Do not last!
Snark
December 1st, 2012
9:23 am
Paula Broadwell is looking for a new gig. She as plenty of life experiences to share.
Anne
December 1st, 2012
11:26 am
Jenn will do great! I’m sure she wants more balance in her life now that she is expecting. And, this move will offer her that! She’s probably grown past the Jerry Springer-ness of the Bert Show after all of this years too! Best wishes Jenn!
Billy
December 1st, 2012
3:49 pm
LOL, at all the comments. The haters coughing up their hyper criticism and the those that hate the haters, even though this is an EXPRESSION BOARD. If you don’t like what you read here, THEN WHY ARE YOU HERE?
Billy
December 1st, 2012
3:57 pm
On another note, I hate talk radio, listen only for the music. Back in the heyday of good music, the 70s and the 80s, I couldn’t tell you who the DJs were, because I DIDN’T CARE! I was too busy listening to good music, and the mouths didn’t tell you half the time who sung what. If the DJs make such a difference to you, you’re not listening to the music anyway, or the music is terrible, the ladder of which I believe. I’m too cheap to get satellite, esp after all the complaints I’ve heard about short, repetitious song lists, so self made CDs are useful. (I knew Napster would come in handy one day). Grunge killed music; it has never really recovered since. The 90s country was a welcome respite, but the grass has already overgrown the grave by now. You dumb kids listening to Katy and that cheeseball black chick with the yellow hair, among other losers, will never know how good music was. That day has passed and will never return…
Randy and Spiff
December 1st, 2012
4:08 pm
hey we need a job
Vashtai
December 1st, 2012
4:26 pm
I guess I’ll be changing channels next month when my Beloved Neal Boortz retires. If you look up “piece of work” in the dictionary, there’s our Neal. He’s been oh so entertaining since the President was re-elected. Love you Neal, and I’m going to miss your sense of humor.
Bob Barr
December 1st, 2012
8:48 pm
I’m glad she left. She’s one of those people that thinks she knows it all.
Kev
December 2nd, 2012
2:43 pm
Maybe Sari can be picked up by the bull and take over the weekends so that annoying new girl they hired Angie or whatever her name is can go away. She’s just awful!
Listener
December 2nd, 2012
6:28 pm
I wonder how her “valley girl talk” will go over with other country fans. You know, ending sentences in a higher voice (upspeak), everything is “absolutely” and too many “like” fillers throughout. Time will tell for us to all see how this goes! Good luck in whatever you end up doing, Sari. I’ll miss you.
Danielle
December 3rd, 2012
10:50 am
Hey Grown up, I mean, Jenn Hobby: thought you “never read these blogs?”
You all are a bunch of haters.
1. How the heck do you know that Jenn will take a pay cut? You don’t. (Jenn confirmed to some of her “friends” that she took a significant pay cut. So it is a FACT.)
2. Bert was afraid she was going to leave, he even said it on air. She is important enough to her company that they went out of their way to keep her. (Does “important” mean the same has blackmail? I’m sure sleeping with radio management is a good way to secure your job.)
3. Why don’t you concentrate on something really important, like making the world a better place. (The world is a better place now that Bert Show listeners don’t have o listen to Snobby Hobby anymore.)
4. Leave Jenn alone, she is trying to start a new chapter in her life with a new baby and her own show, That means a great deal. ((Enough with the “new chapter” crap. Jumping out a plane after cheating on your husband doesn’t start a new chapter and erase all the other wrongs she did. And if moving to a failing country station as an afternoon DJ is the highest Jenn Hobby aims for then good for her. She aims really high.))
PatriotKen
December 3rd, 2012
9:43 pm
So sorry to hear Sari Rose was let go. She did a very good job on the mid-day show (always enthusiastic). Just one more reason country music fans need to switch to 94.9 The Bull! Most of us listen to ‘music stations’ for the music, and not the mindless chatter. Best wishes Sari!
ManJ
December 4th, 2012
9:46 am
Haha.. my comment was deleted. oooh, truth hurts. Did poor Jenn take out the bad stuff? I know Jeff & Bert do… This blog is a waste of time. I won’t be back.
Wooby
December 4th, 2012
10:19 am
South 107 is an option too!
PatriotKen
December 4th, 2012
7:41 pm
It’s a shame when someone who “wants a challenge” knocks someone else out of their ‘livelihood’! Let’s see how long this lasts. I’ll give her an hour before she refers to Rascal Flatts as the ‘Rascals’.
94.9/The Bull appears to kick out Tim Michaels as mid-day host | Radio & TV Talk
December 6th, 2012
2:53 pm
[...] Just a week after Sari Rose lost her mid-day job at Kicks 101.5 so Cumulus could place Q100’s …, mid-day host Tim Michaels appears to have been canned from Clear Channel’s 94.9/The Bull as part of sizable nationwide layoffs. His name has been wiped from the front page of the Bull website. [...]