THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, November 7, 1995 TAG: 9511070048
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E7 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: Short : 34 lines
POOR RATINGS have knocked Dan McClain from morning drive at Eagle 97.
McClain, who joined the country music station last January, replaced Jimmy Ray Dunn and Jay Francis when WGH-FM (97.3) brought him back to Hampton Roads. He had worked afternoon drive at WCMS-FM for 10 years before leaving for a two-year morning stint at WDRM-FM in Huntsville, Ala.
``It was strictly a ratings decision,'' said program director Randy Brooks. ``I have the utmost respect for Dan. He's a very good deejay.
``Dan lasted through three ratings periods, and each time they went down further. It's hard to say why listeners don't connect.''
In the summer Arbitrons, Eagle 97's morning-drive program ranked seventh, with a 4.7 share, among listeners age 12 and up. It was ninth (4.4) with listeners 18-34 and eighth (5.4) with those 25-54.
Mark Jackson, who usually works evenings, has been filling in since Friday. Brooks said the station will make an announcement about its new morning show within the week. He couldn't elaborate, saying only that it will be locally produced.
Brooks went on the air Monday to explain the change; he said he'd fielded nearly 500 calls by 11 a.m.
He'll be back on the air this morning at 7:15 to take suggestions for the new show.
Craig Shapiro by CNB