Sid Kelly, the host of 92.5 KISS-FM’s “The Morning Rush” was let go by the radio station’s corporate owners, Clear Channel Media and Entertainment, over a salary dispute, Kelly said during a recent telephone interview.
Kelly’s one-year contract came up for review and Clear Channel decided not to renew, he said, leaving the radio host “heartbroken.”
“I said, ‘Give me what I was normally making, I’ll sign the contract,’ and they withheld the contract until the vice president people came through. [Then] I was told, ‘You no longer have a job,” Kelly said.
Kelly said he was “shocked” after learning of the separation.
“We were the biggest morning show in Toledo for two years running,”
Kelly said. “We hit every one of our bonuses. … To say the least it came as an extreme shock to me and my family.”
Kelly said about four weeks ago, Clear Channel asked him if he was interested in signing a new contract, but after several reviews, corporate decided not to renew the contract. Kelly said he was shocked and surprised because “everything was going extremely well.”
“I said, ‘What’s going on?’ ‘Corporate has decided to go in a different direction.’ I didn’t understand because over 80 percent of content on the show was my idea. I didn’t understand why I would be fired,” he said.
In an emailed statement, Clear Channel Regional Marketing Manager Kellie Holeman-Szenderski said:
“As of May 9, 2014, Sid Kelly is no longer a part of the 92.5 KISS-FM Morning Show. We appreciate all of his contributions during his time with us and wish him well. For the immediate future, “The Morning Rush” will continue on schedule with Demetrius Nicodemus, Sara Hegarty and Meaghan Mick.”
Kelly’s last day on the air was May 9.
The radio host has been in the business for the past 17 years, three as “The Morning Rush” host. He said he fell in love with Toledo and has many friends in the city. He would like to keep his family in the area. He is the father to a 9-month-old, a 3-year-old and a 5-year-old.
“I poured my heart and soul into this city and I absolutely loved working here and I would love the opportunity to stay in Toledo,” Kelly said. “I’m going to miss them, my family is going to miss them. I have so many friends in this area. My heart is broken.”
A post on Kelly’s Facebook page said he is taking the “high road” and will not engage in any bashing of the company. He said he doesn’t want to burn his bridges with Clear Channel even though he believes the company did not treat him honorably.
Kelly said the “The Morning Rush” show was No. 1 in its 18-34 age demographic and also No. 1 in the 25-54 age demographic.
Kelly said he turned down jobs in St. Louis and Boston to take the job at 92.5 FM three years ago. He said he is currently looking at major market cities “willing to talk” to him. He’s eager to find a new position so he can continue to support his family, he said.
Kelly’s column in Toledo Free Press will continue as long as Kelly lives in the area, said TFP Editor in Chief Michael S. Miller. Miller is news director for Clear Channel’s Newsradio 1370 WSPD.
“Thank you to everyone for making ‘The Morning Rush’ the most listened to morning show within its demographic and beyond,” Kelly posted to his Facebook page after the separation. “I will miss you all and hopefully (sooner rather than later) I’ll see you on the air again.”
To contact Kelly, post on his Facebook page or send an email to Sidradio@hotmail.com.
