Exclusive: KGO Radio Talker, Pat Thurston Reaction to Latest Purge --"Not a Huge Surprise But a Huge Disappointment"

I MADE CONTACT with veteran KGO Radio talk host, Pat Thurston--she began her stint at KGO in 2004 and was one of those let go on Thursday.

"Jack Swanson opened KGO's doors to me when it was still the greatest talk station in history. It was there that I worked and befriended the greats, most importantly Gene Burns. We became friends and he became my mentor. It was an amazing environment to be immersed in and I will always be grateful.

When the station sold to Cumulus it didn’t take long before the greats were laid off and the long time talk format was changed to all news. Odd since KCBS already owned that niche but we worked hard to make it work The format was changed again, more than once, and it is true that Cumulus put a lot of money into it. But the brass never really got it right. Finally when they realized we needed to go back to what put us on the map in the first place-real talk radio, they were done with investing in us. There were lots of personnel cuts, more responsibilities on the shoulders of fewer people, salary cuts … and as we had fewer and less, they expected more and better in our performance.

So this decision was not a huge surprise but it was a huge disappointment. We had some good things going for us - great people doing their best and management that believed in us. Morale lifted and the ratings began to increase with each book recently. Still not what they should be but they were getting better, headed in the right direction.

My colleagues were dedicated and truly cared about the on air product. We had fun, worked hard and grew close. Sure there was room for improvement but we did a lot with the little we had to work with. I’m sad today, heartbroken. Because I saw the potential. I don’t see the potential in a sports betting format. I saw the benefit of a local station with local issues in addition to national and world affairs where local listeners were part of the show, participating. No one else was really doing that. Our listeners too are gobsmacked by KGOs demise.

There were a lot of people behind the scenes who lost their jobs and who most listeners never heard of, but they were pros. Good, dedicated, reliable and talented people. And there was Lee Hammer who all of us looked up to.

I will miss all of my colleagues, and I love every one of them. This truly is the death knell of the goat in radio.

And yes Rich this happening so close to the important elections is also egregiously disappointing."

*EXCLUSIVE