Dan​Tooker

Dan Tooker in the Morning In many ways it broke the country music morning show mold. The show regularly focused on topics and subjects that traditional country morning show stayed away from (Tooker often admitted to his addiction to Top 40 music). In addition the show became recognized nationally for its charitable nature with its close relationships with Children’s Miracle Network, LiveStrong, Heartsprings, Kansas Humane Society and the Leukemia Lymphoma Society. It wasn’t unusual for the show members Tooker, Jon Watkins and Colby Erickson to be at separate events hosting on any given day.  Tooker in a Bitboard Interview:” It is a show with a lot of moving parts. We have 6 mics open at all times and not to sound egotistical the show is in very high demand. Honestly, it is on Jon and myself to figure out how to manage it all.  With that being said it is hands down the best show that I have and will ever work on. The funny thing is I think we all deep down know it and are just riding this wave as long as we can. It’s full service radio at its best.” In a Radio and Records Interview Tooker said “I truly have found radio bliss. This team is hard to the core. Every morning it is like a pop culture battle royal.

 

If you are on this show you need to bring it EVERY single day and our returning guest know that as well.”  Dan Tooker in the Morning wasn’t just Wichita’s radio show it quickly became Kansas Morning Show. Regular guest included The Governor of the State Kathleen Sebelius, Martina McBride, Carrie Underwood, Darius Rucker, Kenny Chesney and Luke Bryant just to name a few. Despite a growing market (new stations coming on the air) Dan Tooker in the Morning Delivered record ratings and even more importantly record dollars to KFDI. DTIM last appeared on KFDI in July of 2007 after contract negations fell apart. Shortly after the shows departure at KFDI it was nominated and won a CMA (See CMA). With the shows stock being at an all-time high Tooker returned to his roots and love of Top 40 Music. DTIM debuted on KZMG Boise Idaho in early 2008. Tooker fell in love with Boise, Idaho in a weekend visit. “My goal was to own the market and end my career here” Tooker told Allaccess.com. Tooker continued “If I am honest I saw the writing on the wall. I began talking with industry friends and my agent about getting out of radio while negotiating with KFDI. Things where changing and not in a good way. Results don’t matter and the dollars you bring in don’t matter. We seem to be more worried about the salaries that are going out. I just began to lose my passion.” Tooker and his team where laid off (Citadel Broadcasting laid off over 50% of their on air talent on the same day) 11 months after debuting on KZMG despite record ratings and revenue dollars.