GREGG HENSON
I do not know if this is true, but I came home from shopping at Meijer tonight to some email asking about rumors that Gregg Henson had been fired from his station in Austin, TX. As most of you know, Gregg and I worked together at the old 97.1 back when it was good. I think the time he and I were both there was the station's heyday. If this is true I feel sorry for Gregg because he's had to bounce around quite a lot the last two years. I know he and his wife Nikki and his kids Noah and Cooper were settling in nicely there in Austin, and he's been through some personal losses in these last few years too which I'm sure has made it all the tougher to be away from his home state. Hopefully this is just an ugly rumor in which case I apologize if I'm helping to spread it. But if it is true I wanted to get word out so all Gregg's fans could send some positive thoughts his way.
posted by Jeff Deminski at
10:23 PM
19 Comments:
Yes sad news but true gregg was fired today.Go to gregghenson.com to read his post about it.But jeff you were right that was the great time for 97.1.I never turned off my radio all day.Now i just listen to howard on sirius.
January 10, 2008 12:29 AM
Its true, Gregg talks about it on his blog.
January 10, 2008 1:14 AM
I hope Gregg and his wife will do ok with the websites and the Java Jungle. I heard that Gregg wanted to be done with radio, but his wife insisted he take the job in Austin because she loves Texas and did not want to return to Michigan. I think she now has her wish of staying in Texas because they have already broken ground on the Java Jungle which they were going to originally do in Michigan before Gregg got the Austin job. Jeff you are right about the station's heyday. The post Howard transition might have been easier if they hadn't screwed with the midday show a few months before. It still would have been an uphill battle though with Howard's replacements struggling to get a 1.0 rating in the morning.
January 10, 2008 4:48 AM
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January 10, 2008 5:04 AM
http://gregghenson.typepad.com/gregg_hensoncom/
Looks like it is true, radio really is dying. I hope Howard Stern doesn’t get fired I would hate to have to follow three of my favorite radio personalities on their blogs.
Keep up the good work on the blog; it is good to hear from you and Gregg on this medium on what some of your thoughts on the world are.
January 10, 2008 6:30 AM
January 09, 2008
Wow! What a day...
The rumors are true, I am no longer employed at KVET in Austin. I don't really know why just yet, but I will find out in short order. I didn't get many answers today.
But, life is good. I am done with radio. After 22 years and a lot of success in Detroit, I am done with the medium that I love so much, but things change, times changes and sometimes you have to move on. Nicole and I have taken great care to ensure that the little "bumps in the radio road" wouldn't uproot us or shake our confidence.
We are excited about the launch of our business in April and thankful that radio has provided us with the resources to become our own bosses. We are gonna just lay low, be parents and run our own business, hopefully those who have stalked me from Detroit for two years will have solace now that I am no longer in the business, doubtful, but it is still a nice thought.
We are thankful that Clear Channel gave us the opportunity to return to Austin, we will take advantage of it by opening our own business here in this wonderful city. We have such a great group of friends that we couldn't possibly leave.
It is funny how things work, I have spent a lot of time trying to figure out what went wrong and where I go from here, but the bottom line is, I now have the resources to spend a lot more time with my little guys and to achieve my dream of being self employed.
The upside is, I can now concentrate on my web sites...I have 4 that very shortly will replace much of the income I was receiving in radio. GreggHenson.com has grown beyond belief and USSportspages.com has loyal subscribers who keep us going. GreggHenson.com will get much more attention as you guys have really embraced the site and made it a HUGE success. This web site did one million unique visitors and over two million page views in 2007, easily making is the largest blog in Detroit....even though I am not there. For that I am grateful to you. Thanks. I will continue to bring you the latest "inside" news on Detroit radio and media.
My short term goal was always to leave radio...I wasn't planning on it being this soon, but I am cool with how things are shaping up.
Radio is a business in flux, the revenue is shrinking and the industry is on the verge of panic, there is no room for risk takers. When Janet Jackson's hooter popped out, that was the end of risk taking in radio. The large radio companies have no incentive to take risk and that is where my story ends.
Thanks for the continued support, I will be podcasting for fun very soon, but I will not attempt another radio gig, I am walking away. I know this will make some small minded people ecstatic, but just understand, it was always about entertaining you.
Thanks.
January 10, 2008 7:13 AM
Gregg posted on his blog it is true, and hasn't gotten a reason yet.
He is done with radio he claims.
Maes me glad I have my m3 players and tons of CDs... Radio is dead.
January 10, 2008 7:20 AM
Aw... it's true. But he seems happy on the outside.
I love that you have a blog. Thank you.
Jen- listener from day one, which seems like yesterday.
January 10, 2008 9:25 AM
OTP
You know when I really miss D&D the most? When I am making dinner. I usually start getting dinner ready around 6 and my husband comes home around 7. Listening to them, especially on Friday, really made the time fly. I never got to say thanks - so too little, too late - thanks Jeff and Bill.
January 10, 2008 11:08 AM
I have been reading this blog since it started. One thing has always been on my mind. Are Doyle, Rudy or Beaver ever going to post anything? We would love to hear from them too.
January 10, 2008 11:42 AM
gregg was never any good. kinda boring to be honest.
but i wish him luck in the future.
January 10, 2008 1:12 PM
In this FCC PC world there is no room for people to express their views. Everybody has to fit the same radio mould . . .and radio now sucks!
Let's start an internet radio station. Get Gregg Henson, D&D and some of the other national DJs that were a risk to the FCC and get them back to work!
January 10, 2008 4:23 PM
Hey Jeff,
As others have stated, yes it is true that Gregg has been let go at the station in Austin. I am sure he and his family will be just fine. I wish him well.
I really miss listening to you and Doyle on the radio. I was happy that the D&D show was on the mornings the past few months because I work afternoons and I was able to listen from time to time. However, I do believe that you guys really clicked on the afternoon drive time. There was just something about you guys being on from 3-7 that made afternoons fun, especially during "game time" on Fridays. I hated to hear about the way that Rudy was let go and that Towers and McAllister could not even give him the common courtesy of at least a phone call explaining why they could not retain him. Very unprofessional, if you ask me; and I have always considered Bill McAllister to be a stand-up guy. Oh well, I guess it's true that you can't trust anyone, especially in the radio industry.
I wish you and your family well and give our best to Doyle. I am sure that you guys will pop up somewhere on the radio if that is the medium you still want to explore. I know you guys will succeed whenever and wherever you decide to start your show again. Best of luck. Now go home and get your 'effin shinebox.
Bob in Shelby Township
January 10, 2008 5:02 PM
"Two regular guys just doing a job"
That's the impression D & D always gave me and one of the reasons this town loves them.
I have never seen such an outpouring of support for any radio show...especially after it's off the air!
In this town, D & D are the equivalent to afternoon talk radio -- as Ernie Harwell is to Detroit Tigers play by play.
And there are no large egos in either case.
It must feel pretty special for these people to realize they affected people's lives... just by doing their job.
Bob
January 10, 2008 5:49 PM
Hey Jeff Deminski you kept me entertained for eight years on my ride home from work.You guys were the greatest,all good things must end,Happy Trails
LOYAL LISTENER
January 10, 2008 6:00 PM
Gregg Henson(like Mike Valenti) is the kind of guy you instantly dislike when you first hear him, but eventually, you come around. I did in both cases. I found them both to be extremely obnoxious but what they really are is "edgy". Gregg's a good guy (even though he likes the University of Michigan) and I wish him well. I'm sorry to hear that he's leaving the radio business. I was kind of hoping he'd come back to Detroit some day. Maybe he just needs some time away and he'll get the itch to return? Note to D&D: don't follow his lead. STAY IN THE BUSINESS, please.
-M-
January 10, 2008 6:58 PM
I'm so glad you put up this site. Please keep us up on what's going on with you and the guys here.
I found your show when I worked at Dearborn Assembly Plant. Thats where your Salen, and Doyles wife's (old) car were born. That was eight years ago, and I still listened each and every day until October. After that, I listened to the podcasts that the station put up.
I miss you guys dearly. I hope you can wait it out and stay here. But if you leave, let us know where you go, and what the web-site is where we can still listen to the show.
January 10, 2008 7:27 PM
I am very dissappointed that I won't be hearing you guys anymore. You are the reason that I started listening to talk radio in the first place. Its a sad time but I wish you guys the best and hope that Detroit finds you on its waves next year.
Keith
January 10, 2008 7:27 PM
Glad people are still recognizing you Jeff! We won't forget you even after the year has passed...
January 24, 2008 7:00 AM
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