Tommy B (Minneapolis, St. Louis Park, Golden Valley: 2014, gated, move)

[knke0204]

Originally Posted by mn55110

Whether you like Tom Barnard or not, you have to admire him the success he has had since taking over mornings at KQRS-FM Golden Valley back in 1986 (and formerly KQRS-AM as well) KQ92 consistantly had low ratings dating back to its Album-Rock days back in the 1970's when it was referred by some as "the stoner station". Tommy B. was really helped by the Minnesota Twins magical run in 1987 because him and the KQ Morning Crew spent so much time talking sports with Mark Rosen from channel 4 during the late 80's.

Almost instantly shot-up to the number 1 listened to FM morning show and a couple years later did what most people , myself included, thought could never be done, and that was have higher listenership than WCCO-AM 830 to be the number one listened to station in Minnesota, not just in morning drive time, but carring over listeners to keep their radio dial's tuned to 92.5 FM for all the dayparts.

Now just within the last two-years or so has KQRS reliquished the #1 spot for the entire day after an unpresadented 25-plus year run as the number one listened to station in the Twin Cities for every part of the day(presently 3rd or 4th place behind KSTP-FM 94.5, KEEY-FM 102.1, KDWB-FM 101.3 ). This is unheard of for a Classic Rock station. In most major radio markets classic rock is maybe middle of the pack as far as ratings a very best- mainly lower rated. MSP is the only market I can think of where the Classic Rock station was #1 at all, yet alone for 25-years.

Tom Barnard still has the the number#1 listened to Morning show in the Twin Cities. In fact throughout the 1990's and for most of the first decade in this new millenium, Tommy B. had 4-times the listeners of his nearest competitor. At one time Tom Barnard had a 27%-share of the morning listening audience whille the 2nd place show at that time, Dave Ryan on 101.3 KDWB-FM Richfield , had actually gotten as close as 8% of the morning radio audience for a time. Those numbers were unheard of anywhere else in the US.

Although Tom Barnard is still #1, his lead has closed cosiderably in the last two-years. The Power-Trip Morning Show on Sports radio KFXN-FM 100.3 is closing in, especially in the key male demographic's. Dave Lee on WCCO-AM is starting to has increased listenership, Dave Ryan's numbers on KDWB-FM are rising, and the K-102 Wake-Up Crew on KEEY-FM 102.1 are strengthening in relation to Tom Barnard's numbers on KQRS-FM who's contract runs through 2016 (30-years at KQRS 92.5).

Tom Barnard is one of the few if not the only local morning show host in the USA to beat Howard Stern badly, as he did consistantly every quarter, from 1997-1999 when Howard Stern was on Rock 100.3 FM forcing 100.3 to cancel Stern's show in the Twin Cities and even change formats to classic hits 100.3. In nearly every market Howard Stern would run the local radio personality out of the industry.

Tom Barnard and KQRS radio have been helped by keeping the show local talking about local current events, local politics, local sports, local weather, local concerts comming to town. Tom Barnard also says what alot of Minnesotans are affraid to say but are thinking and agreeing with Tommy B.,because Minnesota is very politically correct. He is heavily critical of public officials of both political parties and is not affraid to be very critical of local sports teams and local athletes who are not performing as they should. This is refreshing because so many media outlets are such homers and only make excuses for the the local sports teams in order to protect their close personal friends. There is too much "Minnesota Nice" when it comes to the local sports scene in the Twin Cities.

It will be very, very intersting to see what happens to the Twin Cities Radio market if Tom Barnard retires at the end of 2016; there could be some seismic shifts in the radio landscape in Minneapolis -St. Paul !

Very nice post! +1111111111

i agree with everything you wrote. I used to listen to Half-Assed Morning Show, 93.7, for a while and still flip between them and Power-Trip Morning Show 100.3, with most of my commute time going to KQ Morning Show. I like the show, although it's nearing it's run. There has been a lot of backlash about Tom's politics and political incorrectness or percieved ignorance, and I think it's restricts a lot of what they can do.

The show used to have phone pranks, skits and better people, like Mike Gelfand. They just seem to have gotten lazy lately. I know the station has new ownership recently and the Morning Show has openly discussed their discontent on-air.

Overall I like the Morning Show. It'll continue to catch my ear.

[jayhopethismeeturstandard]

I read a star tribune article about him and some of his personal history and how it was for him growing up in North Minneapolis so I can relate to him on a certain level.

[Jestak]

It's a great show for people who like anger, racism and flatulence humor.

[ocsid]

From 1987 through the early to mid 1990's, the KQ morning show was must-listen radio. There was nothing funnier, and a lot of those old bits are still hilarious to this day (I have some of the best-of tapes and CD's).

Several things happened that changed that, albeit gradually. (I can't remember exactly what order this was all in).

When Stern came in, the show got noticeably dirtier. Worse language and more dumb sexual jokes. I don't mind dirty humor at all, and I'm not offended, but a lot of it was just dumb. The thing is, for all the flack that Stern got over the years for being a shock-jock, he's always been a first-class interviewer with the right guests - the dirty stuff was just a part of the package. When Stern left the market, KQ didn't go back to the old show - they kept the stupid stuff.

When Jeff Passolt left to move to Denver for a few years, it hurt them. He was the heart of the local sports part of the show (after Rosen was no longer allowed to be on the show). Jeff grew up here, unlike Sansevere, so he was really kind of the everyman sports guy.

The single biggest thing that hurt the show in hindsight though (IMO), was when they fired Tony Lee. Nothing else comes close. The Tony Lee bits were the funniest things that had ever been on the radio here. Then one day, Tony was gone, and nothing was ever said about him - it was as if he'd never existed, yet he was a huge part of the show. The original bits never came close to the level of humor after that, and a lot of them (the constant ripping on Ventura or Denny Green) were just mean and stupid. The show still had high ratings and there were still bright spots, but it's never been the same. It's devolved into a bunch of ranting and everyone (except Stretch) basically being bobbleheaded yes men to Tom over the years.

[jayhopethismeeturstandard]

Originally Posted by Jestak

It's a great show for people who like anger, racism and flatulence humor.

Ya i guess its not for the faint of heart...
I personally have experienced worse in real life though so I guess ive developed tough skin

[Oildog]

Used to listen to him and Dan Culhane back in the 80s when I lived there. Gotta commend the guy on his run.

[Ghengis]

KQ's Tom Barnard says he'll receive treatment but will remain on air | StarTribune.com


funniest bit he ever came up with

[nick is rulz]

Originally Posted by jestak

it's a great show for people who like anger, racism and flatulence humor.

:d

[Ghengis]

Originally Posted by Jestak

It's a great show for people who like anger, racism and flatulence humor.

with plenty of derision doled out to those phoney Hollywood-types that run to their treatment centers whenever they are caught being ***-h****.

[stevei]

I am the same about the same age as Tom Bernard. I think the guy is an amazing talent. He is so smart and quick on his feet, funny and fearless. I have read stories over the years about run-ins with colleagues. Nobody is totally faultless, but can anyone go that many years at the same company without some clashes with colleagues? His costars are good, but he has made a lot of money for a lot of people, and the company.
Someone mentioned the old skits, I agree they were fun. I appreciate the fact Tom Bernard takes things head on and expose many hypocrisies of both major political parties.
That same "poster" mentioned "better people like Mike Gelfand". I liked him early on. I mean no personal disrespect to Gelfand (sp?). I don't know him or whether he is a nice person or not. Gelfand's on air persona seemed to go from a smart usually quick witted person, to someone with an ax to grind. He came across as an angry-arrogant person in his last several years. Once again, I do not know him and mean no disrespect. I am just giving my opinion of his on air persona. Many times I would change stations when he started whining or complaining.
Nobody can stay on top forever, but Tom Bernard and his colleagues will come as close as anyone - until they decide to move on. Please excuse any misspelled names. I didn't look them up prior to writing this.
Kind regards,
Steve Iversen
Plymouth, MN