Cumulus Media could not come to terms on new contracts with Dan McDowell and Jake Kemp, so The Hang Zone is no more. Both hosts submitted their resignations on Monday and are out effective immediately.
Radio Insight obtained an internal memo sent to Cumulus staff by Dallas market manager Dan Bennett.
“Today the Ticket is announcing that talk show hosts Dan McDowell and Jake Kemp are parting ways with us after being unable to reach terms on new long-term employment agreements for the hosting of the 12n-3pm time slot,” it says. “Dan and Jake both resigned their positions effective July 17, 2023. We began negotiations with both in December and remained productive and positive until late last week. At that time, talks broke down over competing digital media interests Dan and Jake wished to pursue outside of a Cumulus Media partnership. Obviously, we are all disappointed that we could not reach an agreement but we are all appreciative of the great contribution both employees made to our Cluster of stations. When Norm retired we immediately posted the position and we have received an enormous amount of interest. That talent pool will be a great help to Jeff (PD Jeff Catlin) as he goes to fill noon to 3pm.”
McDowell’s exit comes after 24 years with the station. He has been in middays on The Ticket since 1999. He hosted BaD Radio with Bob Sturm until 2020 when Sturm moved to afternoon drive. At that time, Kemp was promoted from producer to co-host. He also hosted shoulder programming for the Cowboys and Mavericks on The Ticket.
This leaves things very much in the air for The Ticket in middays. Norm Hitzges announced his retirement from the station last month. In the Dallas spring ratings book, The Ticket finished 1st in all weekday dayparts.
