ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, March 20, 1996 TAG: 9603200037
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG
SOURCE: LISA APPLEGATE STAFF WRITER
The magic is gone for a former disc jockey, who plans to return home to Florida after being fired from Majic 105 (WVVV-FM) last month.
Dean Tyler, former morning personality and program director, spent 10 months on the air after the station switched to an "adult hot contemporary" format last summer.
After he was fired by the New River Media Group, which owns Majic 105 and Eagle Country 107 (WPSK), Tyler consulted a lawyer and considered suing his employer to be released from his contract.
The "noncompetition" agreement he signed when he joined Majic 105 states that Tyler can't work for another radio station within 60 miles of the New River Valley for six months.
Tyler said that left him with few options, because Roanoke radio stations are within the 60-mile limit. Tyler is engaged to be married and said he wanted to stay in the area.
He had managed to get out of two other noncompetition agreements while disc-jockeying in Florida. But after talking with a lawyer, Tyler said this week that the cost of suing New River Media wasn't worth the possible gains.
"Even if I had the chance to go back to work, where would I have gone?" he asked. Tyler said he couldn't find any other openings in stations around this area.
Dave Roderer, New River Media Group general manager, could not be reached for comment Tuesday.
Another disc jockey, former WPSK-FM personality Collins Knighton, tried to challenge his noncompetition agreement three years ago. After several appeals, the case made it to the Virginia Supreme Court. The court ruled in favor of the company and the contract.
Tyler said he's already sending demo tapes to radio stations in Florida, and hopes to leave by June.
LENGTH: Short : 42 linesby CNB