Media Frenzy

By Rob Holbert Managing Editor

After six years together running WABB-FM’s morning show, Matt McCoy and Jay Hasting abruptly resigned together March 2, citing “irreconcilable differences” with the station’s new management.

Hasting was one of the station’s longest tenured employees, having worked at the Top 40 station for a dozen years. McCoy came to WABB after a stint at a station in Memphis. McCoy said he and Hasting plan to stay in the Mobile area, adding they are both “too young to retire” from radio. However, the two have one-year non-compete clauses in their contracts, so they will have to take at least a 12-month vacation from the airwaves.

“Neither of us is leaving the market,” McCoy said.

For its part, the station released a statement March 5 saying the hosts of the “Morning Guys” show “cited changing personal priorities and new business interests as reasons for their departure. Jay has a new family business, and Matt will be a new father in the next few weeks. We wish both Matt & Jay the best with their new ventures. WABB is more than a radio station, we are a family and we consider both Matt & Jay family.”

The station’s programming director, Jammer, said there will be a national search for a new lead personality to take over the morning show. In the meantime, current on-air personalities Q-Tip and Mena will hold down the fort.

The station’s longtime owner Bernie Ditman passed away last year, and his daughter Betsy Ditman has taken over operation of the business.

Rob Holbert is Lagniappe managing editor. Contact him at rholbert@lagniappemobile.com.

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