With Luckoff and Swanson gone, KGO Radio stares down the abyss

Soon after Mickey Luckoff departed KGO after nearly four decades at one of SF's most celebrated radio stations, it became quite apparent the ABC news-talk giant was about to meet its maker.

Jack Swanson's see-ya on Friday confirms it. KGO, save for its coveted dial position and a few left-over relics like Ronn Owens, is but a ghost of its former self. And a sinking one at that.

The morale has never been lower. The mood is dour. Most people who work there are on edge, according to some of the air-talent who work there, two of whom spoke to me and requested anonymity because of the sensitivity of the subject.

In addition, not surprisingly, loads of resumes have littered the offices outside KGO. Even the most tenured producers, engineers, and on-air talent are looking around, (most, sadly, to no avail.)

Friday's mini-mass of staffers laid off included many long-timers in the production and digital dept. Craig Bowers, a staff announcer and production head was shown the door after fourteen years. He wasn't alone.

And things are only going to get worse, thanks to Cumulus and Lew Dickey, its repugnant CEO, who regards human flesh as nothing more than expenses that are under the guillotine. Welcome the lovely world of a guy who took a multi-million dollar bonus at the height of the recession in 2009. Way to rally the rank and file, Tricky Dickey.

A few souls said Friday they were "crossing their fingers" that the staff layoffs were in place and that no one else, at least for now, was due to be let go. Yeah, sure, dream on. Lew Dickey is not through. And KGO and KNBR, (and other Cumulus stations in the market) are still likely to see significant lay-offs.

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