Changes are afoot at 95.3 WDAE in Tampa. After it was announced on social media that the station’s afternoon show Beckles and Recher was done, local listeners wondered who would take over the drive time slot. What they learned is that this wasn’t a solo move but rather a WDAE makeover.
Late Friday afternoon, WDAE announced that starting on Monday all dayparts would look and sound different. The station’s longtime morning show Ronnie & TKras would move to afternoons, the midday team of Pat & Aaron would shift to mornings, Jay Recher who previously led afternoons with Ian Beckles would guide a new midday show alongside Zac Blobner titled ‘Jay and Z‘, and The Dan Patrick Show would occupy the 9a-12p slot. The Tampa station also announced Colin Cowherd’s show would air weeknights from 7p-10p.
The one host not retained through the station’s lineup changes was Ian Beckles. The former drive time host was appreciative of listeners in his statement, and told those interested in his future not to worry.
“I want to let all my fans know that I was just informed that I will no longer be working at iHeart,” Beckles said in a video posted to Instagram. “It’s all good. Don’t worry for me. Don’t cry for me. I’ll be fine. I was there for over twenty-something years, and I was blessed to be there for even one year. Beckles & Recher will no longer be with us. They’ll have a different lineup there on 95.3, but don’t cry any tears for me. I’ll be just fine. I’ll land on my feet. I’ll be doing podcasts for a long time.”
Monday October 24th will be a new day for WDAE. Though the timeslots will be different, local listeners will still hear many of the same voices they’ve trusted and enjoyed listening to.
I am wondering if showing Ian the door had to do with him comments last week about how difficult it is for Tom Brady to “find a piece of tail”.
I’m so not happy about the loss of in my opinion your best radio host Ian Beckles. I will continue to listen for now. At least until Ian lands elsewhere.
If true, a suspension would be a more reasonable reprimand. More to it, I think, but I agree with everyone who dislikes the new lineup. I usually waited until 3pm to push the DAE button in the car.
This is the second time you’ve gotten rid of your best air personality. Listening to that loudmouth from the morning drive is a great reason for me to turn the dial.
I must agree. Starting my day off with Pat Donavon, his loudness and self-deprecating humor isn’t going to work for me. I rarely listened when he was on at noon but don’t see that happening at all now. It will be a quiet ride to work until I find something else. Bad move.
Not a big fan of the new line ups. Jay and Z aren’t very good. Sounds like 2 whiny kids who are such homers it’s ridiculous. Pat Donovan not someone I want to wake up too. You didn’t retain the most real radio personality you had in Ian Beckles. Don’t know how long I will continue to listen. Accept you made a mistake and bring back Beckles.
I agree with the other comments. Ian knows his stuff and was easy to listen to. Tkraz is a loud mouth. And most of the time is sighing with his co hosts.
Ian was the reason I listened in the afternoon. I did not like Jay. He was whiney and came across as fake. I like the others but listening is no longer automatic. I guess I’ll be streaming Ian’s podcast on the way home. Did you guys actually think that Ian was the drag on the show? I liked it better before Retcher came on. Just Ian was awesome.
There had to be a reason behind why only Beckles wasn’t “retained “. His mouth got him removed once before.
My thought is his constant mentioning of his business and his tolerance for marijuana use.
Will follow Ian what a great unnecessary loss
Wasn’t the biggest fan of Ian, he was okay, but he was sure to let everyone know everyday he played in the NFL, and he was kind of living in the past. Some of the comments he made were way off in my opinion, and he always seemed to take the opposite view of any subject or opinion. I really liked Ian better when he was solo, he was okay with Diaz, but when he teamed up with Recher that’s pretty much when I quit listening. I’m sure Jay is a good person, but he doesn’t have the voice to be hosting a radio show, he sounds like a high school kid playing “radio” and most of his comments seemed forced and robotic. Thankful that iHeart Radio lets me listen to Cowherd from noon to 3
Loved the line up ! Will miss Ian and jay ! Thank god for Dan Patrick and the herd !
This new line up Sucks!! Getting rid of the Only one who knows football and tells it like it is? Absolute stupidity! My morning drive in and out on I-4 will both be done without this clown show you put on! Rather make my ears bleed with political talk radio than listen to this garbage!
What bonehead decided to let Ian go? I’ve always like Ian’s take on things, honesty but not with the over the top arrogance.
Another example of how clueless media kingpins are.
Having these 2 in the leadoff is like having Brett Philips leadoff for the Rays.
So sad they got rid of Ian Beckles. I’ve been listening to him for more than ten years. The new line up is disappointing. Beckles and Recher was great. Why mess with it?
I listen to sports radio to hear insight on the games and teams. I also like to laugh when listening. T Katz makes me laugh and is my favorite on the channel. Ian was the most insightful. I loved his stories from the NFL and college.
Hard to listen to Pat and Jay. Everyone is ok. I will still listen as it is the only game in town.
Will miss Ian.