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.<\/p>\n
Jon \u2018The Animal\u2019 Terry and \u2018Local Bandwidth\u2019 host \u2018Luna\u2019 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.<\/p>\n
As the station\u2019s corporate ownership Connoisseur Media moves in a different direction, the two say a decision was made to let local talent at The Blaze go.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe timing was shocking but you always kind of had that in the back of your head,\u201d Luna said. \u201cYou\u2019re seeing it in other studios and other stations and other markets, that it could be you next.\u201d<\/p>\n
Terry, who\u2019s been a familiar voice on the airwaves for over 30 years, said the arrangement was out of local management\u2019s control, adding that he and Luna are thankful for the outpouring of community support this past week.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis was just a decision that came from on high,\u201d Terry said. \u201cWe\u2019re not happy about it, and we\u2019re 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\u2019re going to make this a positive thing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Terry adds that this is the ninth time during his tenure that another company has taken over the station, and he\u2019s gotten used to seeing changes.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe always felt like when the next company would come along, it\u2019s like what little piece they might take away from The Blaze, just a little bit here and there,\u201d Terry said.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
But Terry and Luna say the local aspect is what drew so many listeners in the first place.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were boots on the ground, we\u2019re here,\u201d Terry said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know our listeners. We know what they want,\u201d Luna said. \u201cThey can walk up to us and go \u2018oh my gosh, you\u2019re Luna, I heard you and now I\u2019ve met you.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s so important for us to perpetuate that, keep it moving,\u201d he said. \u201cBecause we will not let Lincoln fall off the map when it comes to music.\u201d<\/p>\n
Luna, on the other hand, is looking to keep \u2018Local Bandwidth\u2019 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.<\/p>\n
There\u2019s so many amazing things happening with the music area they\u2019re making downtown,” Luna said. \u201cThe sky\u2019s the limit honestly on what can happen to keep things local and interesting in the music world.\u201d<\/p>\n
Both hosts said the public can follow them on their social media pages to continue supporting local music and get updates on what\u2019s next.<\/p>\n