I’ve lived in Northern Virginia since 1990 and, for the most part, the talk radio scene was pretty barren. One of the bright spots was a guy named Chris Core on WMAL. When I first found him he was teamed with old radio hand Bill Trumbull and the show was pretty light-hearted. After 1996, when Core was mostly on his own it became arguably the best locally-based political talk radio show in the D.C. area.
Today, the Washington Post’s Marc Fisher reports that Chris Core has been let go:
After 33 years on the air here, Core was let go this afternoon in a massive nationwide bloodletting by Citadel Broadcasting, which last year bought ABC Radio, including three Washington stations.
Core, whose morning talk show on 630 AM changed its political colors in recent years, moving to a more emotional flavor of conservatism to match the station’s syndicated talk lineup of Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity, was remarkably sanguine about the move when I spoke to him just now.
“It is what it is–business,” he said from his Maryland home. “Nothing personal. If the station had their druthers, they wouldn’t do this. But they didn’t have their druthers. Over time, you can see where this business has been heading.”
(…)
WMAL has not announced what will replace Core. Managers informed Core after his Friday show, leaving him without the chance to bid his audience farewell. He says he’d like to talk to his audience again, and hopes to do so from another station someday. “I’m only 59 and I’ve got a 13-year-old kid, so I’m not ready to retire,” he says. “But I leave without a scintilla of bitterness. They gave me a job for a third of a century.”
The way the ownership did this strikes me as more than a little low-class but, you know, they’ll probably replace an intelligent talk show with some crap like Dr. Laura so I guess that’s par for the course.
I didn’t always agree with Chris Core, but I always enjoyed his show. It’s too bad I’ll have to find something else to listen to in the morning.
Update 3/3/08: WMAL has posted a goodbye message from Chris on their website:
My Dear Friends:
(And trust me, after 33 years I consider you all friends, if not family.) First of all, let me thank you for letting me into your radio for the past third of a century. In really trying to tell you how much your support has meant to me — well, words fail. And for an announcer, that is an odd thing.
WHAT HAPPENED: Radio is a tough business. The radio business is especially tough right now with the economy slumping and ad revenue increasingly going to the internet. The parent company of WMAL, Citadel Communications, made the decision last week to slash hundreds of jobs across the country, including mine. They treated me well for 33 years, including on my last day, Friday 2/29/08. I bear no hard feelings toward WMAL, and neither should you on my behalf.
WHAT’S NEXT: Well, this is where you come in. I may show up again on another radio station, on tv, or on a network. I have always had a real interest in politics, and it’s an election year, as you may have noticed. Perhaps that might be a career option. Or I may do something else entirely. One thing for sure, I don’t feel ready for retirement yet. Besides, I still have a 13-year-old daughter to raise and put through college. I have created a website (imagine that!!!) — www.chriscoretalks.com — and my e-mail address is cccore@aol.com Expressions of sympathy, while appreciated, are unnecessary. Leads for my next career are most appreciated.
HIGHLIGHTS OF MY WMAL DAYS: Well, they are too many to list, but here are three that stand out:
September 11, 2001. I was in the anchor chair for 8 straight hours, and to be honest, most of it is a blur in my memory. But I have had thousands of people tell me that hearing my familiar voice on that awful day helped them get through it. What a compliment!
Filling in for Paul Harvey on his national broadcasts, and receiving a hand-written note of thanks from him for doing it..
Raising literally millions of dollars for charities. And this is where you get the real credit. Every time I asked you for money for a charity, you always gave. Every time. You will never know how much that means to me.
One last note…and a personal one to my partner of 20 years on WMAL, Bill Trumbull: Bill, thank you so much for your guidance, patience and friendship. Heck without you I probably wouldn’t even have a job today. Ooops, um, well, nevermind.
Good Bye for now,
Chris Core
www.chriscoretalks.com
cccore@aol.com
Classy as always.
This is really tragic. I’ve met Chris Core a couple of times (and have won stuff from his former afternoon program), and he’s a really nice guy. My sister used to work for him many years ago, too.
I think Core’s politics drifted rightward as he got disgusted with the antics of the Democrats, both on a national scale and local as well (particularly in Maryland). I am really sorry to see him go.
Then again, the Post article said that 105.9 was being turned into an oldies station. I was saddened when 100.3 dropped its oldies format, so I’m glad there is a new one in town. Sorry to all you jazz fans.
Ron,
He certainly became outspoken on the immigration issue, that’s for sure.
All I know is that AM Radio in this area pretty much sucks now. I’m sick of listening to syndicated stuff all the time.
And my wife is not going to be pleased about what happened to 105.9
Don Imus? Does he have a station yet? Isn’t he owned by the people who own WMAL? I remember writing the station a while ago when Imus first came back, urging them not to put him on the station.
In response, they specifically told me they would not be replacing Grandy and Andy. I noted then that they did not specifically mention Chris Core.
I would bet Chris could have a top-rated show on any other DC station he wants to go to that doesn’t already have a cheaper nationwide syndicated show to put in the slot.
That’s the problem — once you are paying somebody to talk, it’s almost always cheaper to pay them a little more to have their voice appear on another station than it is to pay someone else a full-time salary to do the same job.
It means that you lose good local talent if they exclusively speak to local issues, since you can’t syndicate people who don’t deal with national issues.
Thus, WMAL fires one of their best guys. But they will keep Chris Plante. He’ll probably end up syndicated.
Couldn’t believe that he was GONE! From the website, from the On Demand section (which I listened to almost daily commercial free)… will really really miss you Chris! I trust that you will return somewhere local in the very near future (there’s SO much to talk about this year!) You have so much radio experience and are so great to listen to. Hope to hear you again soon!
Chris Core was the kind of guy with whom you don’t always agree, but who you always respected for his genial style and willingness to listen. I love Rush, Sean, and Mark Levin, and frankly, would have liked to listen to Neal Boortz during that time slot. Nevertheless, Chris will be missed.
And as for the way he was sacked, that was entirely classless.
[...] I noted yesterday, WMAL fired Chris Core after his show ended Friday [...]
How classless of them to not even let Chris say goodbye to his fans and for such short notice to him! How clueless of the station’s owners to get rid of one of their most popular hosts. Chis will land somewhere on another station and I’ll be listening. First Graham and now Core….what idiots!!!
I can hardly wait to see what dumb show they substitute for Chris’s thoughtful approach to everything. I have called in many times and had my two cents worth and have enjoyed he and Bill for more years than I am willing to admit.
Tragic mistake by the station owners. I loved Chris and will miss him dearly. I like conservitive talk radio, although not really a fan of Hanity. I can find Rush elsewhere so this may be it with WMAL for me.
Chris was a most entertaining and engaging host. He was also smart, compasionate and insightful. We will miss him greatly and certainly regret the classless sacking of one of the good guys. Shame on you Citadel…congratulations for losing north of $1 billion last year. This episode certainly shows why.
I too will miss Chris Core. I have listened to him for the past 30+ years. Life will not be the same without him.
I’ve been listening to WMAL for almost 20 years and loved to tune to Chris Core in the evenings and later during the morning shows. It is a shame to see him go, Citadel did not give him the chance to say bye to the many loyal listeners he had over the years. Chris, I wish you the very best to you, your wife and daughter Tabatha.
CHRIS WAS THE BEST – A REAL LOSS FOR WMAL!!!! DORIS HARRIS
I am so sad to see Chris go. I immigrated to United States in 1978 – a faithful listener of WMAL since then – and it was Bill & Chris who shaped my political opinions, love for the Redskins, Nationals and everything wonderful about America and Washington, DC. I will miss Chris dearly.
Waiting to listen to him in another local Radio station, soon. WMAL has drifted too much to the right with syndication and has lost touch with Potomac listeners. WMAL could have been more gracious to its listening audience in letting go Chris. Many loved him – and agreed to disagree on issues – always a window to Potomac people. One of the great fund raiser for local charities. Our value system deteriorate before our eyes and we do not raise our voices!
Chris wish you & your family the very best. Love you.
Write note to chris.berry@citcomm.com
at Citadel
To share your thoughts.
http://www.citadelbroadcasting.com/citadel_broadcasting.aspx?call=WMAL&submit.x=12&submit.y=9
I ran across Chris’ show leading up to the 2004 Presidential elections and have been a loyal listener and fan every since. To tell the truth, he’s the only reason I listened to WMAL. I followed his program when they switched him from the afternoon to the 9:00am slot. Hell, when I was sent to the middle east, I would download the podcasts to keep up with what was going on at home. He was frankly the most fair and thoughtful commentator on the radio and would always give both sides of an issue a fair hearing. A big supporter of local charities and the local teams, he will be sourly missed.
Chris, good luck, and you’ll have another hit show again in no time; and your loyal fans will be waiting. As for WMAL, I’m sure your listeners and sponsors will be leaving as well. I look forward to your next show and will be listening from day one.
I will miss Chris. I am already having withdrawal problems. He was the only talk show host I have listened to who listened to both sides of the issue and if you thought he was wrong he let you speak your peace. I now have time in the mornings to go to the gym.
570 AM looks better all the time, I’ve already switched over. What a classless way to “drop” Chris Core. Didn’t always agree, but appreciated his courtesy & kindness & soft heart. Sorry to you Jazz fans!
Unbelievable! A Warner Wolf “Boo-of-the-week” to Citadel for their utterly classless dismissal of the unique Chris Core. They won’t find anyone with his singular combination of smarts, fair-mindedness, good manners, sense-of-humor, and insight into local issues. Chris was easily the most listenable and interesting host in the WMAL lineup, even better than the big-name bloviators like Rush and Hannity.
I’ve been a Chris Core fan since his drive-time show with Bill Trumbull, which was laugh-out-loud funny most of the time–anybody remember “Jackie Bill”? Those days are long gone, but Chris subsequently developed a great show on his own. I was always curious about what topics he would be discussing, and Chris usually chose interesting ones.
Mornings won’t be the same without Chris, but I trust he will turn up elsewhere on the dial, probably very soon!
The one highlight of my radio listening has always been the Chris Core show. His even handed and polite manner with all his callers has always been a joy to me. I can take Rush, Sean or Mark for about 15 minutes before I have to change to another station. To say the least, WMAL has lost a listener after many years. I grew up listening to Hardin and Weaver and Trumbel and Core and now have to find another car radio station. Some people do not like strident radio and I am one of them. Chris Plandt (?) is okay, but even he has a too know it all attitude for me.
To Chris, I wish you all the best and will be praying for your continued success in your broadcasting career or wherever the Lord may lead you.
Thanks for many years of enjoyable radio listening.
In His love,
Ruth Haydon
Terrible…just terrible. I hope he gets a new slot soon…
Can’t send a message to Citadel. Tried twice. They seem to not want feedback right now. I think firing Chris Core means that the company just wants to go out of business. Look at the listener graphs for the area. They are high, very high for the Morning Show and for the Chris Core show on WMAL. The listener graph shrinks with each subsequent syndicated show.
Chris will be missed, but perhaps he has been set free.
Beth
Chris Core was the best show WMAL had. It offered tremendous, tremendous insight on local and national issues. It was great listening to Chris talk about local problems, and more often than not, hear a solution created as the show progressed. Grandy and Andy are fun, and Coast To Coast is “out of this world”, but the syndicated stuff is HORRIBLE. Chris Plandt is terrible because he sounds like the syndicated guys with a slight local flare. Chris Core is a conservative who actually talked and reasoned about topics and issues. These other guys scream and yell, and accuse all liberals as being facists commies. Where’s the intellectualism in that? I am very disappointed and irritated by this business move. It’s downright, stupid.
I started listening to Chris Core back in 1977, when I first arrived in Washington as a Georgetown student. I found WMAL within a week of arrival for no other reason than my radio had been tuned to 620 AM, the frequency of WTMJ in Milwaukee, and WMAL was one slot over on the dial, at 630.
I listened to the Trumbull and Core program through the major upheavals in Washington radio. Back in 1977, WMAL was still basically a music station; through the 1980s it became more talk-oriented, but the transition was gradual.
It’s always sad to see a broadcasting fixture go: One thinks of Johnny Carson leaving The Tonight Show after 30 years, or even of the longest-lasting morning drive-time team in radio history, Harden and Weaver on WMAL, ending only with Jackson Weaver’s death.
Given Chris Core’s natural affability and talent with a microphone, he’ll be sure to land on his feet. Maybe he can go back to the USIA and let his career go full circle.
[...] More details [...]
I, too, listened to Trumbull & Core. Got started with a stint about South Dakota. Really became a fan when Rush started on WMAL for only 2 hours per day. A few years later, in a program re-alignment, Bob Levey of “The Washington Post” was placed in the 9 – 12 slot. Bob lasted a few years and was replaced, by who(m) I forget.
Kinda knew when Chris drew that slot his time at WMAL was coming to an end.
Chris Core will rise from the ashes and re-appear on radio, and I hope quite soon, and I pray its on a local station I can get at night in HAGERSTOWN. (Having left the Peoples Republic of Montgomery County some years ago now.)
I disagreed with Chris Core’s opinions 75% of the time but I always respected him as a talk show host. Whether he agreed with your opinion or not he was always gracious and allowed your voice to be heard. Unlike many other shows like his, he gave ample time to express points of view. He was sincere and would criticize both sides depending on the issue. His charity work was also selfless. Good luck Chris, I have a feeling that you will be back soon.
Chris will be missed. Totally shabby treatment by Citadel. Needless to say I won’t be listening to WMAL anymore.
I’ve listened to Chris Core ever since I moved to the area in 1988… 20 years! I definitely feel I’m losing a friend. Chris, all the best to you and yours. I know you’ll move on to something great.
What an awful feeling I’m left with of big business looming over us and not the slightest bit interested in what this local area wants to hear or that they need to be heard.
Susan A.
G’burg
Core was a whiner for the most part, and he often came to erroneous conclusions. His program was painful to listen to sometimes. He has now shown class in accepting the sack gracefully saying that it was the nature of the business that he was in. It would be great if his segment were replaced by Dr. Laura. We need voices like hers to be heard in our sick society.
Roland,
With all kindness, Dr. Laura is an idiot and no more of a “doctor” than Dr. Phil.
I would hope that Chris Core will set up an online broadcast or podcast for his loyal listeners. With the right marketing and his already large listener base he could actually gain some advertising for it and build a new career. There may be difficulties with a scheduled show or a call-in format, but he is almost good-to-go in the new media.
I will miss him, since that was the main reason I listened to WMAL. I’d stay in my car or download his show just to hear what the pulse is locally and nationally.
Chris, those things happen, but the ignorant and naive punk with Chris Plant on Sunday’s ought to be gone first. I’d say it’s time to run for office in Maryland. Maryland needs some adult leadership. Best of luck to you.
[...] week after losing him as a radio host, Chris Core has joined the [...]
Chris as I posted in your site I’ve listened to you since 1978 when I moved here from CA with my stepfather at the age of 9. Citadel screwed up IMO but whats done is done I guess. Your voice was a comfort on 9/11/01, and it is one I will truly miss. You join some notable people I listened to if it helps you to know: Bill Trumble, Tim Brant, Ken Beatrice, Dr. Laura, among many others. You’re in great company as you should be. Post when / where you get a gig and I’ll tune in. Till then god bless and enjoy the time with your little girl. All the best.
Joke is on WMAL. I’ve now switched back to music radio and my ipod. Chris Plante sucks and is very boring. Chris Core had a rare talent of discussing issues from various points of view that lacking on all other talk radio. And most important -Chris showed respect to callers even if he disagreed with their stance on issue(s).
Been out of town, and just found out today that Chris Core has been replaced. Couldn’t believe it! Ruth Hayden’s sentiments are mine exactly. Guess I’ll tune in only to 103.5 for news and traffic, or my CDs.
At this rate I won’t even care about the early demise of radio.
Thanks for the memories. I have been in DC metro for 18 months contracting and working locally as an employee for 6 months commuting back to OH on weekends.
I have enjoyed your repartee.
We are poorer with your departure.
TJS
[...] Core, who found himself on the losing end of stupid-assed corporation at the end of February, has a great post about unemployment up today: [Y]ou would not believe how many of my friends, [...]
Thanks for always taking my calls. Although I rarely agreed with you…at least you tried to state the facts. My daughter who is also 13, like yours, and I will miss you. Have FAITH and I am sure our FATHER will place you in the right place according to His time….now the hard part-Be patient and KNOW that he knows what he is doing:-)
Hang in there, Mchelle
\
What I really miss is the Trumbull and Core Show – what a delight to feel you were visiting in someone’s home, listening and smiling as Syd-No-Rama (sp?) reviewed movies by the title alone. And Andy Parks’ Guest Flight Attendant routines were so funny! I guess it’s an age thing – humor doesn’t have to be loud and crude. WMAL used to have lots of really wonderful deejays, playing everything from the Cats score to jazz.
I only found out that Chris left WMAL very recently (oddly enough, from Don Geronimo, another former WDC DJ) and at about the same time started hearing his “Core Values” pieces on WTOP. I’m glad to see it was a business decision (although a bad one) that put Chris out the WMAL door and not some crazy editorial decision. He was and remains a favorite hometown voice.
hang in there
a shock to hear the news
cream comes to the top
let us know of your future plans
PS I went through a similar blood letting when I was 59 (1990). turned out to be good news when the dust settled
I would just like to say that WMAL made a bad decision when they let Chris go. I will turn on a another station. Maybe they will pick Chris up!