Radio host's fans rally to get him back on air

Every war has its collateral damage. And when K-Rock conceded Seattle's alternative-radio war to The End on April 22, it was morning host Andy Savage and his crew who went MIA.

As Savage's fans have organized a Web site to bring him back, it's remained unclear for most listeners how events went down and what's going on with the well-known Seattle jock.

On that April day, K-Rock 96.5 FM ended its rivalry with KNDD 107.7 FM with an abrupt change to "Jack-FM," whose new motto is "playing what we want."

The new format, targeted to listeners in their 30s and 40s, is an iPod-like hodgepodge of familiar tunes from a variety of musical styles, from the '70s to today.

"After a year of working in one of the three most congested rock marketplaces in America, it became clear to us that we weren't making any headway against more entrenched and long-lived competition," says Jack's program director, Jim Trapp.

Although Trapp says the decision had been under discussion for months, "It came down like lightning. It was as close to instantaneously as I knew how to do it. It was undoubtedly a surprise to everyone involved."

Jacked and sacked: Savage and cronies Steve the Producer, Jodi and "Big Dumb Gay Ron."

Trapp says everyone else affected in the format change found jobs inside the building at 1000 Dexter Ave. N., where Infinity Radio owns four other stations.

Savage recalls getting the news right after his show that morning: "There was a lot of swearing and it was like, 'This is a joke, right?' It turned out not to be."

Decision was unexpected

Unpacking boxes at his new house while talking on the phone, Savage says, "I guess K-Rock wasn't getting the ratings they had expected, so I believe corporate in New York made the decision to flip to Jack to get better ratings. It kind of blew us away. We didn't expect that."

Trapp says Seattle management made the decision.

Abrupt disappearances are common in the radio world. Still, Savage says, "I'm disappointed because, in my opinion, we're letting people down by being off the air. We weren't allowed to say anything, and I think that's pretty lame. All of a sudden, we just weren't there. I don't appreciate that. I would have liked to say something."

Savage says he's gotten 3,000 to 4,000 letters from fans since then. And on Monday, disgruntled Savagephiles launched www.bringbackandysavage.com.

"The only benefit I've seen to Jack so far," the site proclaims, "benefits the companies that manufacture parachute pants and would really like to see crystal Pepsi make a comeback."

Savage says of the site, "I'm honored, actually. That's pretty nice of somebody to even take their time. It's humbling."

Back at Jack-FM, Trapp claims listeners have embraced the new format.

"The stuff that is still negative — calls, e-mails, letters — they're all about Andy. They're not about the radio station. The complaints we receive now are universally and exclusively about people missing Andy Savage."

Still under contract

For his part, Savage says, "I've been doing this for 25 years and I've never known a jukebox to win, and I don't think jukeboxes will win over personalities — especially not in the mornings."

He isn't likely to repack his boxes yet, either. Savage says he's still under contract and due to be paid for 2 ½ years, plus six months severance.

He's been getting together with fans every couple of weeks to have drinks and keep in touch. (See www.andysavage.com for details.)

His plans: "To enjoy my summer because I just bought a new house, do a few things and kind of wait until after the summer to see what develops in Seattle.

"There's a few things going on that my agent said I would be stupid to leave town. We've gotten calls from out of town, too, but don't want to leave."

Mark Rahner: 206-464-8259 or mrahner@seattletimes.com