The beat will not go on for five big-name staffers at Z95-3 FM. Last Friday, the adult Top 40 radio station dismissed Nat Hunter (Morning Show host), Drew Savage (Morning Show host), Kelly Grant (mid-day announcer), Remo (evening announcer) and Darren Schilling (morning show producer).
"It's a very sad day. These are very good people and friends with a lot of us and this is the most difficult part of this business," said Z95-3's Vice President/General Manager Gary Russell, who spoke with 24 Hours shortly after Hunter and co. were told their services would no longer be required at Z.
"It's very tough for all of us, this is not why any of us get into this business. But it's tougher on those who don't get to come to work on Monday."
Still, the question remains why?
"We're making some major changes and part of those changes involves having to dismiss those people."
Making changes is nothing new for Z. Since it launched as a dance station in 1991, it's undergone four format transformations. What this latest "change" will be has yet to be revealed.
"I'm unable to offer any details at this time," said Russell. "But I'll be happy to discuss it when the appropriate time comes."
Which he said will be sometime this week.
