For several weeks now, the question has swirled around me: Where will you go? What will you do? Where will the story line that led me out of WBAP lead next?
I have not said a word, partially because there were a number of options to pursue, and then once the best option was obvious, confidentiality was vital.
Well, the deal is done, and we are back on the radio together on Monday morning, June 4. For weeks I have said and written much about how special the host/listener relationship is, and I have been blessed to find people willing to show that relationship the respect it deserves.
It will be my joy on that day to walk into the studios of Salem Communications’ KSKY (AM 660) to resume what I have done for 30 years, 18 of them here in North Texas-- sharing thoughts with listeners about things we all care about.
The show will air in a spectacular time slot-- 7 to 10 a.m., meaning I will still enjoy the midmorning audience I’ve always had, in addition to meeting earlier listeners I’ve never had the pleasure of speaking with.
You know I have about a thousand things to share about this new adventure-- some sweeping and profound, others merely details of how this all came about and what it will all be like.
But there is an order to things. My new employers want to issue a release for the industry trades, and that will happen by the time the work week dawns on Tuesday. They have been gracious enough to let me hit the personal blog button to share these words today, because as briefly as we’ve known each other, they already recognized my head was about to explode.
I wanted to be here as early as possible for the people who have read my updates and my constant assertions that we would be together again, somewhere.
Now I know where that somewhere is. And even though I’ve only known these people a short while, I will tell you they are cut from very special cloth. The station as a whole, with a full schedule of shows you are probably well familiar with, deserves your support. As you join me in partnering with them, it is good to know that there is a company that will still do what it takes to nurture a full schedule of shows devoted to issues that matter, and devoted to the community where we all live and work.
Producer Susan Cloud will be joining me, so the show will hit the ground running with a familiar energy that will make our adventure even more special.
Much, much more to come, but I am beyond thrilled to be able to finally say: Vacation over, everybody. I’m going back to work.
Mark, I'm so happy to hear this news...though your recent relative silence made it obvious that *something* was in the works. I'm also excited to hear that Susan will be joining you. She is clearly a very special, talented lady. I've enjoyed getting to know her on the tweeter.
All the best in your new endeavor. I'll be looking forward to hearing you on KSKY.
P.S. Any chance of your show being podcasted? I loved being able to take you to work.
Posted by: NNeufeld | 05/27/2012 at 08:22 PM
Welcome back,Mark. It will be very good to tune in to your show on the 4th. Can't wait to get to the office next week and tune the radio to my new listening home! Happy Memorial Day and.. it's about darned time!
Posted by: Roy Mitchel | 05/27/2012 at 08:23 PM
Beyond excited Mark to have you back on the air!
Posted by: Debbie Cooper | 05/27/2012 at 08:24 PM
Mark--
that's good; glad to hear you didn't have to relocate your family--you were able to find a job here in town. Good for you!
I may drop by for a listen. I have found a new home with Ben & Skin in the mornings, but thankfully I can rewind their program up to three hours so I can listen to your show and then get in on Ben & Skin.
Thanks for the update!
Posted by: Serpephone | 05/27/2012 at 08:29 PM
Yea, glad your back. Hope Mike is still going to be on too.
Posted by: Stephanie | 05/27/2012 at 08:29 PM
Awesome. Hope the show is also streamed.
Posted by: Benny | 05/27/2012 at 08:49 PM
Great! So tired and annoyed with who WBAP replaced you with
Posted by: Scott | 05/27/2012 at 08:59 PM
Yea!! So looking forward to June 4!
Posted by: Mindy Bateman | 05/27/2012 at 09:03 PM
Could not be happier!! Back where you belong.
Posted by: Chris P. | 05/27/2012 at 09:15 PM
Mark, Great news. So happy for you as well as for us. We will be at an Election Watch Party on Tuesday night if you would like to join us. Contact me on face book for the info. Love ya man!
Avie
Posted by: AVIE RABURN | 05/27/2012 at 09:15 PM
WOO HOO!!!
Posted by: Kyle Felts | 05/27/2012 at 09:19 PM
This was a blog post that was weeks in the making. But I knew that this day would eventually come.
Rush Limbaugh spoke highly of you not all that long ago on-air, and it will soon be clear that your new employers are going to benefit from the well of good will that will follow you to the shores of AM 660.
And to double down on the class, you even brought Susan along for the ride! Wow, wow, wow! While Sean will be missed, I am sure that there will be capable technical wizardry available to make your show a force to be reckoned with for years to come.
Congrats to you, to Susan, to AM 660, and to the rest of us as well!
Cue the James Brown, folks, because I FEEL GOOD!! :)
Posted by: Bryan Wicks | 05/27/2012 at 09:30 PM
Great!!!! Now if only Hal Jay and crew could join you.I am really glad you are back,really missed you.
Posted by: Patricia Holbert | 05/27/2012 at 09:35 PM
I now have a radio station to listen to again! Awesome news!
Posted by: Rhonda Berry | 05/27/2012 at 09:46 PM
Will you still be able to fill in for Rush, when needed?
Welcome back!!!
Posted by: David torres | 05/27/2012 at 09:51 PM
YAY!!!! This makes me so happy! You have been missed.
Posted by: Allison | 05/27/2012 at 09:52 PM
You AND Susan Cloud? God has smiled on us, indeed!!! It has been a bleak two months with no place to turn my radio dial in the morning -- my two previous choices are now both Cumulus stations and I refuse to support them ever again.
When I saw the article on DFW.com I went right out and changed my car's presets to 660 AM. I know you won't be there for another week; but when you are, I will be there, too.
I'm so happy! We get you back again! YAY YAY YAY!!!!
Posted by: Betsy | 05/27/2012 at 09:55 PM
I am overjoyed! I'll still listen to Rush on WBAP, but it will be wonderful to hear you in place of the very nice but very vapid Ben Ferguson. Now we just need someone at night to counteract the kindergarten romps of Chris Krok. (shaking my head over the decision makers at Cumulus)
Posted by: Mona Leo | 05/27/2012 at 09:59 PM
Yea! Fantastic! Glad you are back and I won't even have to change the dial. KSKY is wher I went when the new owners of WBAP made a huge blunder. Again welcome back. I can't wait.
Posted by: John Prindle | 05/27/2012 at 10:01 PM
Awesome! I'm so glad there will be something worth listening to on the morning drive again in DFW!
I hope they will still let you podcast it too.
Posted by: Eric S. | 05/27/2012 at 10:03 PM
Oh, thank goodness! Didn't realize how addicted we were to your dry wit and your program until you were gone. Our gratitude to KSKY! Will we be able to pick you up via our computer?
Posted by: Geri & Jerry Singleton | 05/27/2012 at 10:04 PM
My mornings will once again be complete! yay!
Posted by: Lindsey | 05/27/2012 at 10:09 PM
Glad it didn't take too long. Mornings weren't the same without ya. Glad Susan came with you.
Posted by: Troy | 05/27/2012 at 10:12 PM
So glad to have you back..Susan is a welcome bonus. Never thought someone could beat Obama at his game at taking something down the tubes, but those guys at Cumulus are sure giving it a try. There loss is our gain... Thanks for making our 4 day weekend even better!!
Posted by: Anna | 05/27/2012 at 10:13 PM
So happy to hear you are back on the radio! I had a suspicion you would end up there at KSKY!! Congratulations and good luck.
Posted by: Sally Dolan | 05/27/2012 at 10:14 PM