Radio Silence: 14 months ago, GARRY MEIER left the airwaves in a contract dispute. He says he’s happy with his decision and is planning his return. But has his time run out?
Last March, radio personality Garry Meier was still off the air, but he declared, “I’m going to be working this year one way or another.”
As 2006 approaches, that hasn’t happened.
Chicago radio’s most famous sidekick, who stunned the industry and his listeners by turning down a five-year, $7 million deal in 2004 to remain with WLS-AM 890 afternoon host Roe Conn, had a two-day audition in late September at Los Angeles’ KLSX, an Infinity station run by a former WLUP boss.
In the last couple of months, radio stations WLUP-FM 97.9 and WCKG-FM 105.9 have filled coveted morning slots with Jonathon Brandmeier and Shane “Rover” French, respectively. Meier was said to be in the running for those jobs, and rumors swirl that he may yet wind up with Sirius satellite radio.
Meier did not return phone calls seeking comment. He remains the subject of a lawsuit by his former agent, Todd Musburger, for fees that the agent claims he is owed for negotiating a 10-year, $12 million contract offer that Meier also rejected. Twenty months later, that case has not been settled and could potentially affect Meier’s future earnings if he loses.
WLS’ Conn admits his show struggled to find its footing for many months after Meier left, but says it’s hitting its stride again with comedian Bill Leff recently added to the mix.
“People make choices. Some of them work out; some of them don’t,” Conn said recently of his former partner. “I think he missed an opportunity.”
