July 19, 2010, by
Vikki Locke,who has been solo since February when her long-time on-air partner
Steve McCoy
was let go from B98.5, can finally mention his name publicly.
On her Facebook page, she posted this note to her fans:
Steve's contract has run out … giving me the chance to speak to you about what happened back in February. Contractually, I was unable to say anything and it has been a stressful four months to say the least. I can only tell you that I believe the change to be an economical decision… Many of you are going through the same thing, not knowing from day to day if you will have a job when you wake each morning. In this day and time I am grateful to be employed. I have a mortgage just like you do. I miss my on-air husband of more than 25 years, and Steve and I remain great friends. If you don't know, he is currently working in Denver, Colo., and doing very well. I hope his ratings soar. This whole transition has also been difficult for Will and Jessica. This is Jess's first job in radio and her skin is not as thick as mine. I ask that you be kind to them. They had nothing to do with what happened either. So Steve and I are moving forward. Know that I will do my best to be the best I can be. I trust you will do the same.
On the first day back when she was on the air without McCoy in March, she gave a brief statement wishing Steve goodbye but wasn’t even allowed to mention him by name.
The Steve & Vikki show started at B98.5 in July of 2008 and the contract was set for two years. But the soft rock station cut McCoy off early in February (though it paid him through July 1.). He has since found a job at a station in Denver called Kool 105.
The pair had their ratings peak at Star 94 in the 1990s. The station let them go in 2007.
Locke signed a one-year contract with B98.5 that began July 1. She was on vacation last week so today was her first day back under her new contract.
Her ratings among 25 to 54 year olds since he departed has dropped 32 percent, from 5.0 in February to 3.4 in June.
B98.5 is owned by Cox Enterprises, which also operates ajc.com.
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