Clear Channel has punched Sacramento radio listeners in the gut once again, with the announcement that KGBY 92.5FM will be switching formats after December 26th and will be dropping its long-run morning drive program. This means that Paul Robins, who once hosted the infamous Paul & Phil Show until 2005 and flew solo until now, will be leaving the station after more than 20 years at the microphone, ending any thought that Clear Channel would reunite Robins and former radio partner Phil Cowan.
A little over a month ago, Clear Channel announced that former Robins sidekick Cowan was asked to leave after his AM talk show garnished low ratings. 
Cowan signed off on November 16th and was replaced on KSTE 650AM with a syndicated consumer affairs program. Robins will be headed down that same path.
Sometime before the 9AM hour tomorrow, Robins will say goodbye to long-time Sacramento listeners (including myself). It’s unclear where Robins will be headed, though there is the chance that Robins will take over Kelly Brothers’ position at sister-station KFBK 1530AM, reading the morning news as he has over the past few weeks when Brothers has been out. Brothers has been getting ready to leave for a position at KCRA, taking over for Tom Sullivan who has since moved on to the newbie FOX Business Network. Brothers’ replacement by Robins hasn’t been confirmed, so all we have to go off of is that Robins’ last confirmed on-air date will be this Friday.
As for the format change, the Sacramento Bee reports that industry speculation points to a flip in a harder-rock format, such as that found on CBS-owned KZZO The Zone or Entercom-owned KDND The End, but without DJs and full automation as that found at KGBY’s Los Angeles sister station KBIG. This means when you call in to a station, you’ll likely get one of two things: a board operator or nobody. This hasn’t been confirmed either, though. We’ll see how Sacramento responds to the format change when the Christmas music ends on December 26th.
Tom
on December 20 2007
(Edited: Thanks Tom! Fixed it.)
On the topic, I wish I could see the look on the faces of all the people who suggested Phil Cowan would be headed back to Y92. No one saw this coming.
I actually grew up in Sacramento but live in Los Angeles so I have first hand knowledge of how well KBIG does and to be honest it’s not really that great in either content or the ratings. Should be intresting to see what happens (and by interesting I mean really, really sad)
Tom
on December 21 2007
P.S. Was that letter Paul taked about at about 8:40a from you?
Radio Matthew
on December 21 2007
@Tom: You have an excellent ear! The letter that Phil read at around 8:40AM was indeed from me.
Bobbi
on December 27 2007
The only reason I listened to Y92 was Paul Robbins. Paul and Phil before that. No reason to listen now so I won’t. I also will not patronize the places who supported this idea for example Raleys, Sleep Train and anyone else who promotes the new show. Good luck Paul, you are truly great and will weather the storm. Y92 shouldn’t be so lucky. Rotten thing to do at Christmas. But that reflects what sort of place it is. I know I have a lot of CDs to play instead of the radio.
Cheryl
on December 27 2007
After not listening for a few days I tuned into my favorite morning show with Paul & Lori. What a shock for me! I’ve since been on the internet trying to find out what happened. I started listening to 92.5 20 years ago when Paul & Phil first came to the station. I loved them and the soft rock format. Now with the format change and without Paul, I have no reason to listen to 92.5. I hope the idiots that decided on these changes ultimately realize their mistake.
Joy
on December 27 2007
I have to agree with both Bobbi and Tom’s previous posts — what a poor choice Clear Channel has made! For that matter, my husband and I were just talking yesterday, wondering what happened to Phil Cowan’s show. We didn’t listen every day, but often enough to notice he was gone.
I loved both shows, and really enjoyed both Paul and Phil. In fact, I saw the “Robins Kinney & Cowan Show” years ago when I was in middle school in the eighties, and 9.25 was being marketed as KPOP.
Both Paul and Phil are quality people, and had shows that the whole family can listen to. My own son is grown now, but I feel for the families who no longer have a “safe” station to turn on while their children are around.
I’ll be moving on to iTunes, I guess.
Radio Matthew
on December 27 2007
@Bobbi: I hadn’t even thought about the idea of DJs losing their jobs at Christmas. It’s an interesting angle.
@Cheryl: A lot of listeners are upset, but this is what happens in the radio business. When people stop supporting a station by coming to the events or writing in to the shows, or the station feels that another demographic brings in more money, they flip formats. There isn’t really a “stable” station out there (not that there ever was) because listener taste changes so frequently. In the meantime, there is another soft rock station you can listen to (Mix96) or you can give My925 a chance.
@Joy: There are many great channels streaming on iTunes Radio, as well as AOL Radio and Yahoo! LaunchCast, that can serve as alternatives to the new My925. As for Paul and Phil, they will likely be scooped up by another station or another market, it’s just a matter of time, and in the day of streaming radio, you’ll probably be able to tune in to their show(s) online if they do move on to other cities.
Susan
on December 28 2007
I won’t be listeninganymore no need to if you don’t have Paul lori Lymon Heather or anyone at all!!.
I really liked Y92 but not My92. Too bad for all of loyal listeners
Wendy
on December 28 2007
Bobbi: Why not go to the places that they endorsed? I’m sorry but every radio station plays them. Maybe some one else endorses. But it was not a Paul or Phil thing. Get a grip on life. Do not give up on things. Listen and learn. I also wanted to say: As soon as My92 took over a few songs down the line I switched. I keep trying and I do do like robots. So I gave up. Happy at 96.1
Radio Matthew
on December 28 2007
@Susan: Where will you go now that Y92 has flipped formats? Is there another morning show you’ll enjoy?
@Wendy: Have you considered investing in Sirius or XM satellite radio for their soft rock channels? Was the music the decision to leave Y92?
Wendy
on December 30 2007
Matt my decison to move was the Music. They played my stuff and then went into this I cant even explain. All I know is I hate it. And its played way to much.
I will look into XM and Sirius Thanks so much for he info!
Pam
on January 3 2008
I am in shock! I have listened for 18+ years and will no longer tune into this computerized version of radio. Paul and Lori were my only reason for tuning in! I am very sad and will miss my morning show!!!
Linda
on January 4 2008
Ditto being in shock. Having listened to Paul & Phil since the late 80’s, I was bummed when Phil left - but Paul and Lori kept it going and the morning show was still great. Paul and Phil (and later Paul) created a sense of community across Sacramento that you didn’t get in other towns. I still can’t believe it’s really over. Gotta thank Paul and Phil for the last 20 years of fun, though. We were lucky to have them!
Steve
on January 6 2008
I’m with the rest of you on this. It’s bad enough that Phil Left, then Paul and Lori, then the “My 92″ junk. Clear Channel, if I want to listen to MyMusic, I use an iPod or CDs. And I hate to say it, but much of the music that has shown up sucks! I have no reason to continue listening. I’d guess they will loose some local advertisers as a result, but they probably don’t care since they are so big and will get other advertisers.
I’m searching a new station!
kim
on January 7 2008
It is a very sad day for radio and the listeners from the Paul & Lori show. I commute every day for approximately 1 hour and I have faithfully listened to this station. Last week when it was so boring and digitized I thought they were just on vacation, I am shocked to know the truth. You have lost one faithful listener and I’m sure more will follow!
Janet Carter
on January 8 2008
I have to agree with everyone else so far. The new myY92 is terrible. Awful music and tinny, robotic announcements of the song titles. Yuck. I hope Clear Channel learns a lesson and I hope that this new format fails miserably. Paul, Phil and Lori–you will be sorely missed.
Judy
on January 9 2008
First I would like to thank Paul, Phil and Lori for so many years of great positive programing. I commute to work and to just hear robotic music morning after morning is so boring! They kept me awake at the wheel. Even Delila was great coming home late at night. I also appreciate how positive their perspective on the world could be even during disasters when the media sounded so negative and repetitive. They will be missed!
Laura M
on January 10 2008
I am so disappointed at the automated format that the radio stations are following. I always looked forward to listening to Paul and Lori; Paul and Phil before that. Now, Y92 sounds so sterile and dispassionate. Where are the funny stories and that sense of community? Clear Channel is so out of sync with Sacramento! So long Y92.
Nancy
on January 12 2008
I only have two words to say: This sucks! I will not listen to Y92 again. When 1320 took Sinatra off on Saturdays and discontinued the oldies of the 40’s and 50’s I was very upset. Now this. And I just told my friends and family during the holidays how much I enjoyed the Paul and Lori show because they are so decent, polite and fun. Now I have to resort to my CDs. How sad for all of Sacramento. Love you Paul and Lori! Loved Phil too!
Jack Seibert
on January 13 2008
I am really disappointed in Y92.5 management. I and several friends of mine have listened to Paul and Phil from day one. They always had something interesting going on that would keep you tuned in. I have been listening to Paul and Lori since the split up of Paul and Phil. I also listened to Phil from 10 til noon after Paul. These guys are two class and down to earth people that brought a very influential audience to your station. In my opion they will also take that same audience from your station, what a damn shame. These people have always been givers not takers. I can’t count the number of times I went by to see them at a Raley’s cooking or a charity golf tournament where they were MC’s for the night. These guys were Sacramento Icon’s, What are you thinking Y92?????
Sue
on January 17 2008
Y92.5 lost another listener. If Paul, Phil, and Lori stay in the Sacramento area, will someone post where I can listen to them when it’s known for sure? Please? Paul and Phil and Paul and Lori - thanks for all the enjoyment over the years. I’ve spent ennumerable hours laughing over the “wrong game”, “party line”, “fake commercials”, and the “April Fools Day Parade”, to mention just a few. And, here’s to Wanda . . . My very best to you all.
Liz
on January 19 2008
How sad to lose something that I looked forward to every work day morning, Paul and Lori. They felt like family, and always made your day better by being themselves, warm, honest and funny! My new iPod scared me, but now I will conquer my electronic fears and set it up because I just can’t stand the robotics of the new “cold” format. Went on vacation for a week during the holidays and came back shocked! Good luck to Paul and Lori and their families! I miss you….
Brenda
on January 22 2008
My sentiments exactly to all of the above!!! I always looked forward to listening to Paul and Lori in the morning as I took my daughter to school. They always gave me a laugh! I too wondered what in the world happened to them! How sad! They will be greatly missed! And the new format does stink!
Paul B
on January 25 2008
I am not in the Sacramento area however Y92.5 comes in loud and clear here in the Bay Area. I have been listening to Y92.5 for years. I felt when Phil left the show it was done correctly, a big goodbye and departure, so unlike the way Paul was sent out. When I first heard the “new format” I was under the impression that it was a temporary post holiday thing. After learning how the original formats plug was pulled I tried listening to the new change for a few days but found I was forced to remove it from my preset dial. I just could swallow the “My life my music” motto and the more than terrible computerized post announcements of each song just made my insides crawl. I think Clear Channel Communication has misjudged their listening audience taking them for something much more droned and simpleminded.
Paul B
on January 25 2008
And most importantly, no more Delilah. What happened to if it aint broken dont fix it.
Victoria
on January 26 2008
I’m so sad still about what has happened. Does anyone know how Paul and Lori are doing? I miss them all so much! I’m still trying to adjust to not having them for my morning show. I’m lost without the Y92 format! There just isn’t anything out there to replace such a wonderful format like there’s so family friendly! Most of the other DJ’s are such potty mouths! Wouldn’t it be nice to hear that someone got a clue and hired Lori, Paul & Phil or maybe they could start their own radio station! I can only hope!
D Smokey
on January 26 2008
Our family has enjoyed listening to real people and music. Every song punctuated by a computer voice xxks. We want Delilah back! Our favorite radio station has been ruined. We will have to find something else. My favorite radio station is now not Y92 and definitely NOT My925… that seems stuck on MY My my.
Does anyone know where we can find Delilah?
Kathy
on February 10 2008
Like Victoria, I’m wondering if anyone knows how Paul and Lori are doing. I would love to hear them again somewhere on the radio. I barely listen to the radio anymore. I can’t find anything that compared to their show.
Jeff
on February 20 2008
Paul and Phil made more bank than most radio-guys. Don’t feel sorry for them!
They are millionaires who talk for a living.
Good for them - riding that wave for 20 years.
Diana
on February 27 2008
I have been listening to Paul & Phil since my son (now 21) was in pre-school. I have been a loyal listener and, like others, am in shock that the radio station turned such a fun morning show into horrible robotic nonsense, playing some of the worst “music” I’ve heard. I missed Phil when he left, and now I miss Paul and the rest of the gang at Y92. I have no idea what to listen to anymore - certainly NOT Y92!
Fred
on February 27 2008
I won’t fit in with the majority of comments, but I say good riddance. He was fine but the show format was old, lame, and tiresome. The music was repetitive and aimed solely at women between 30 and 50. Paul and Phil were at their best when doing the “unplugged” show on KSTE. Their viewpoints and knowledge were apparent without the burden of the horrible music (same 40 songs) and cutesy contests. Paul apparently scurried back to the mindless format and that was his undoing. The era of talking heads on radio is over. Too much money and they are the same. The irritating duo on 101.1 will be next to go. That station is in the same rut as 94.7. Same 100 songs over and over and over.
Gail
on March 13 2008
I just have to join the masses - I have listened to Paul and Phil for many years and am heartbroken that they are gone. I think they were wonderful together, not as great apart but still better than what is now on Y92 (yuck!) I certainly hope that Paul, Phil and all the other wonderful on-air talent that used to be on Y92 are doing well and on to bigger and better things.
Kris
on March 21 2008
I was browsing around the net this morning and I thought I’d listen to my fav radio show in CA (I live in TX now), and WAIT what’s this stuff - no Paul, canned commericals, crappy music. then I found out that he’s gone, as well as everyone else. I knew Phil had gone on to other places, even listened to his talk show for awhile on the net.
Sniffle! Paul, Phil where are you? where did you land? Let us follow you. With the net you have a built in following, just let us know where you are…
Linda
on March 27 2008
I hope Paul and Phil end up on 92.1 the great Oldies station. I can’t stand that electronic voice droning the name of the last song. Did a 12 year old think of that?
I don’t think the advertisers like Raleys and Sleep Train are going to appeal to the young teens and 20 somethings who are going to listen to that stupid station. Never again will I listen to 92.5
Joanne
on April 2 2008
I have listened to Paul, Phil and Lori since they came on Y92. After the Christmas vacation, I returned to my job of driving my grandkids to school and found a robot on the radio. I tried calling the station and could not get in touch with a person, I went into their website and tried to send e-mail and could not get that through. I could not figure out what happened to my favorite radio bunch until today when I found this website. I just want to say that I really miss my favorite radio show. I was listening to 96.1 this morning and heard Paul’s voice advertising Stringfellow Painting and it was great to just hear him. Best of luck to Paul, Phil and Lori. It was a dirty trick to you and your fans. Love you!
josh
on April 14 2008
this is no surprise. Free radio is seeing a slowly and surely death. I say, if you really wanna get good music 24/7, just get a satallite radio. You people watch, satallite radio will take over the fm buisness and over half the stations will be gone in 10 years. But this is great for me b/c i see clear channel failing and i want them to b/c for one they killed the whole music, concert scene, and two, i used to work for them a couple of years ago and they fired me for a stupid reason. if Clear Channel hasn’t slaped you people in the face by this, then they will when you go to a Clear Channel concert!
Rick
on April 14 2008
Evidently, Paul is aiming for the announcer and voice-over gig. You can check out his new web site at (removed web address) . You’ll find his smiling face, and his ‘demo’ tapes (video and audio). (Nicely done video demo, and you can hear some of his old fake commercials.)
I’ve heard a few of his radio commercials on 92.1 (oldies station, now my current favorite, even though the signal is a bit weak in some areas).
I’d like to have a ‘daily Paul’ audio or email with some of his funny observations on the daily news. And we certainly should be able to see a picture of his new grandson!
Kris
on April 15 2008
I just watched Paul’s video and I wish I could hire him - great stuff. Thanks for posting his website. Any news on Phil?
Rick
on April 15 2008
The only blurb I’ve seen about Phil Cowan is here
http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/ticket/archives/010771.html
From the entry there “Cowan tells us he’s giving up on radio. He’s accepted a job with Ross Marketing (”One of those full-sevice advertising agencies,” Phil says) in Fair Oaks Village. ”
A quick search doesn’t find a web site for Ross Marketing. I may have heard a commercial with Phil’s voice in the past few weeks, but don’t recall the details.
No personal web site found either.
Radio Matthew
on April 15 2008
@Rick: I grew suspicious when I couldn’t find any hits on a Ross Marketing as well—at least none that would be in the Sacramento area.
gene
on April 29 2008
The mornings are not the same without Paul. He actually show that he care about Sacramento.
stella
on May 30 2008
Please Tell me where his is. :( My soon to be 13 year old son is so sad. This very good boy scout lives up to the oath of the Boy Scouts. He loved listening in the morning with me on our way from home to downtown sac about 40 minute drive to school. We now no longer listen to the radio in the car no need to. WE dont want computer generated junk. We like live and being able to go and participate in a cruise or contests this is the way to do things. Good bye unless we find out where Paul is. Does anyone know where Laurie is performing? I would love to go see her and her husband. Thank you.
stella
on May 30 2008
I can one more thing even when we were on vacation we listened on the web. This made us feel like we were at home. I was in Idaho and still listened and called in. LOL My kids are so sad without radio. CD’s are very boring and so is computerized radio
Rick
on May 30 2008
I’ve moved to KHITS (92.1) for oldies; good guys working there: Joey Mitchell, “Big” Jim Hall. Good music.