LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – A couple of local radio personalities in Lincoln are speaking out after recently losing their jobs amid a company merger of their radio cluster.
Jon ‘The Animal’ Terry and ‘Local Bandwidth’ host ‘Luna’ were both on the air at 104.1 The Blaze for decades. The alternative rock station is based in Lincoln and reached thousands of listeners in southeast Nebraska.
As the station’s corporate ownership Connoisseur Media moves in a different direction, the two say a decision was made to let local talent at The Blaze go.
“The timing was shocking but you always kind of had that in the back of your head,” Luna said. “You’re seeing it in other studios and other stations and other markets, that it could be you next.”
Terry, who’s been a familiar voice on the airwaves for over 30 years, said the arrangement was out of local management’s control, adding that he and Luna are thankful for the outpouring of community support this past week.
“This was just a decision that came from on high,” Terry said. “We’re not happy about it, and we’re glad that people have the passion that they do, that they care that much to get on social media. We are going to take this and we’re going to make this a positive thing.”
Terry adds that this is the ninth time during his tenure that another company has taken over the station, and he’s gotten used to seeing changes.
“We always felt like when the next company would come along, it’s like what little piece they might take away from The Blaze, just a little bit here and there,” Terry said.
Despite speculation on social media about AI personalities, management at the station said The Blaze will continue using human talent, instead outsourcing to national radio hosts Mighty Iris and Jon Kamal for shows.
But Terry and Luna say the local aspect is what drew so many listeners in the first place.
“We were boots on the ground, we’re here,” Terry said.
“We know our listeners. We know what they want,” Luna said. “They can walk up to us and go ‘oh my gosh, you’re Luna, I heard you and now I’ve met you.’”
Terry and Luna said despite losing their jobs, they both have future plans aimed at promoting local music, with Terry working to bring local and national bands to the Bourbon Theatre downtown.
“It’s so important for us to perpetuate that, keep it moving,” he said. “Because we will not let Lincoln fall off the map when it comes to music.”
Luna, on the other hand, is looking to keep ‘Local Bandwidth’ going in another form. The show was a weekly, 2-hour segment featuring Nebraska bands and their original music, as well as where people could see them play live. She estimates it was on the air for about 15 years.
There’s so many amazing things happening with the music area they’re making downtown,” Luna said. “The sky’s the limit honestly on what can happen to keep things local and interesting in the music world.”
Both hosts said the public can follow them on their social media pages to continue supporting local music and get updates on what’s next.
Click here to subscribe to our 10/11 NOW daily digest and breaking news alerts delivered straight to your email inbox.
Copyright 2026 KOLN. All rights reserved.