Paul Robins Says His Goodbye
When Clear Channel Communications asked Phil Cowan to leave last month, it was announced unexpectedly at the end of his KSTE 650AM lunchtime talk program. After twenty years on the Sacramento airwaves, most notably as part of the “Paul and Phil Show” on KGBY 92.5 before the KSTE gig, fans had little to no time to flood his e-mail account with letters of gratitude, thanks and well-wishes for the future. 
Shortly after his departure, Cowan’s e-mail address went offline.
Yesterday, fans of the Paul Robins morning show on KGBY had a little more advance notice to hear that the other half of “Paul and Phil” was also asked to leave the Sacramento airwaves by Clear Channel, and they took advantage by flooding the morning show e-mail. “There has been a very flattering flood of e-mail that started pouring in before the show even started this morning. I emptied the sent box and the deleted box and the thing still ran out of room to hold ‘em all,” Robins said in an e-mail reply to select listeners.
It was hard for me to hear the end of a local radio legend’s twenty year career unfold on live radio, as I and thousands of listeners tuned in on the dial and online to hear Robins bid his listeners farewell (which you can hear above). “Most people in my career field never have a chance to say Thank you and good-bye…it was very cool of the boss to let me have a few moments,” Robins’ e-mail said.
As former partner Cowan did, Robins stated that he wasn’t upset at Clear Channel’s impersonal decision to show him the door. “To have had a job that has been so incredibly fun for twenty years, to cover the mortgage and pay for braces while sitting in a comfy studio and talking with my friendsthere’s just no room for complaining,” he said.
I had the privilege of being the last person ever to e-mail the twenty year morning show program and have my letter read on-air just before Robins made his announcement with a tearful co-host Lori Sacco attempting to choke back the tears. 
“I wanted to say thanks for the very kind and encouraging e-mail you sent this morning…it was quite a treat to read it on my last day at Y92.”
I explained to Paul that his appearance seventeen years ago at the Nut Tree Family Park in Vacaville (which I later worked at for a short time when it reopened last year) sparked my wide interest in the broadcasting field. I was three then; I’m twenty now and chasing a career in either radio or television broadcasting, a dream that started when I met the nicest guys in radio.
Despite the idea that all good things must come to an end, and with respect to the twenty years of hard, dedicated work both men put into the show, it still seems to me that the decision to boot two radio legends in Sacramento came too soon—an idea shared by CBS 13 anchor Chris Burrous. In a casual phone conversation this morning, Burrous and I discussed the decision shortly after Paul’s morning show announcement today, and we both were in disbelief by the choice to show both men out because of ad revenue and ratings.
Paul’s not worried about that. He views his departure from KGBY as a great opportunity for family time. “I’m taking off the day after Christmas to chase my wife around Australia and might just take my time coming home,” he said. “I bet I pop up somewhere sooner or later. To be honest, I’ll be disappointed if a job turns up too soon.”
In my past life, I was a tree or something. If not a tree, something that grew old and didn't move very much. I'm pretty convinced of this.
January 2nd, 2008 at 12:04 pm
I am so sad to see Paul (& Phil) was asked to leave. I have listened to both these wonderful men in the mornings on my way to work for several years. I even tried to listen to Phil on the talk station when I was able to.
I do not listen to automated shows as there is nothing there to relate to. I want the human quality present as I commute to work daily.
Soon, Clear Channels will run all their programs by robots. Very sad.
January 3rd, 2008 at 7:50 am
I really was sad today when I turned on y92.com and Paul and Lori were not on there. I was really disappointed in the playlist as well. It sounded impersonal without a DJ. I won’t be listening to that station in the future.
January 3rd, 2008 at 9:33 am
Sad, sad, sad. I’ve been listening to Paul for almost all his 20 years; I could always count on him for a good chuckle during my wake-up call. He (before it was he and Phil) was the only reason I listened to y92. So now they can count me out, I will no longer frequent that station at all.
January 7th, 2008 at 9:23 am
I always listen to Paul and when I heard what happened floored me. I will no longer listen to that station. When a business treats its most valued employees with such disregard and disrespect well I hope they go out of business.
January 7th, 2008 at 2:22 pm
Sad. I feel like I have lost a friend. What are these people thinking! I too will not be listening anymore.
January 8th, 2008 at 9:21 am
This has got to be the saddest news I’ve received in a long time. I will miss the human touch Paul and Lori put in the morning…the music was always secondary to the antics Paul and the gang were up to. I will not listen to that station anymore also…so sad
January 8th, 2008 at 12:43 pm
So sad. I have listened to Paul and Phil since the beginning. In fact I heard them in Detroit and Dallas (way back in the early eighties). Can’t stand the new format. I will no longer be listening to Y92. Clearchannel, you’ve made a big mistake going auto.
January 8th, 2008 at 11:01 pm
I’ve been ckng for Paul & Lori every morning for the past 2 weeks and thought maybe they were on vacation. So I was tuning into other stations because I did not like the format being used. Then I checked the website and really had to do a search to find out what happened. What a total upset. Paul has done so much for this community. This really sucks the big one!! Talk about biting off the nose to spite the face. These decision makers have just made the biggest mistake of their careers. Good luck Paul and Lori. We will follow you where ever you go!!
January 9th, 2008 at 11:06 am
I was in the same boat as Karen, I was hoping that it was temporary due to the holidays. I am so disappointed that I can’t hear them in the morning. What a huge mistake that station has made. I will bet that Paul and Lori will be back on the air soon. I am looking forward to that day. Have a great time off. WE love you guys. JIm
January 9th, 2008 at 3:33 pm
To not hear Paul and Lori in the morning for me is like not having a hot cup of coffee for most people. It’s something I enjoyed to get the morning going and I am saddened by the whole thing. This new format is cold and so unappealing that I will never listen to it again and if radio station owners think that listeners tune in simply because of the music, then they don’t have a pulse either. Most people want that human contact with a DJ. They want to be able to interact with what is going on. As for me, I will just listen to my CDs and not care about the airways. Paul & Lori thank you for so many wonderful mornings and giving us a reason to tune in. You both will be missed by so many and we hope that where ever the road takes you may you always remember how much joy you gave to us… not to mention the great recipes, Paul! As Bob Hope would say, “Thanks for the Memories!”
As for Clear Channel Communications, you’ve obviously lost your minds. Well, may you lose your automated butts on this mistake, too!
If you ever have the opportunity to bring them back, I hope you take out plenty of billboard adds on the freeways, because we won’t be listenting, that’s for sure.
Kathy
January 10th, 2008 at 12:06 am
My heart is broken.
I am lost in the mornings. It’s like losing my best friends…I was out of town when this came down, and never had a chance to say goodbye…
January 10th, 2008 at 9:49 am
Y92.5 has made a very big mistake - Paul and Lori were the best morning talk show in Sacramento. Paul and Lori - Peace be with you and I wish you both much luck. Hopefully we will have the opportunity to hear you both soon in Sacramento. I for one will be scanning the channels for you.
Now with the wave of going “cheap” there are either automated music channels or DJ’s that can’t read the news without cursing or being downright rude. Paul and Lori in the morning was the only talk radio I would let my daughter listen to, well not anymore: besides as automated radio stations go, JACK FM beats My925 hands down. I have already removed 92.5 from my car radio list and don’t intend on going back.
January 10th, 2008 at 4:45 pm
I am lost. I have been a fan of Paul, Phil, Lori, since I moved here in 1987. I have listened every morning. What do I do now? I hope to hear all of you again.
January 11th, 2008 at 11:40 am
I agree with Kathy. If you come to your senses and bring Paul and Lori back you better advertise somewhere besides Y92.5 because I also no longer tune to this station. The new format is terrible. Thank you Paul and Lori for all the years of fun you provided your listeners.
January 11th, 2008 at 6:52 pm
I had been on vacation and out of my morning routine. Back into routine turned on my favorite radio station only to be rudely greeted by unknown persons. I don’t like the new format/style and miss Paul and cast terriblly. Without this listeners vote you-My 92.5 have taken away one of the bright spots in my day. Paul you will be missed more than you know.
January 11th, 2008 at 8:47 pm
After being away for the holidays, I returned to a VERY different experience on 92.5. Unfortunately, I do not consider it a positive experience. I don’t enjoy hearing all of the negativity in the music that is played now. I truely miss the easy banter between Paul and Lori in the morning and the type of music that you could listen to in the car, at work, etc. all day long. My hope is that the radio station will realize their mistake and return things to “how they used to be”. But, I’m not holding my breath. Instead I am now looking for a new station that I can enjoy. Best wishes to Paul and Lori. Thank you for the enjoyment you provided and the positive support you have given the local community.
January 18th, 2008 at 9:02 am
I was also away for the holidays and upon returning, I turned on my favorite morning team for my commute only to find they were not there. How terribly disappointing. Paul and Lori always provided a great start to my day. I wish them all the best and will be looking for a new radio station. I don’t appreciate the impersonal nature of the new format on 92.5.
January 18th, 2008 at 2:36 pm
I agree with many of the above comments…
Paul & Phil were great for years and the last year and a half with Paul & Lori have been part of morning everyday. I think the new format is awful, I have changed stations and will follow Paul when he pops back up on a new station. Y92.5 has blown it BIG TIME!
January 23rd, 2008 at 8:17 am
For many years the only reason I’ve tuned into Y92 was the Paul and Phil Show. I continued to tune in even after Phil left because Paul and Lori were so fun and engaging. Now that they’re gone I have no reason to listen to Y92 anymore. I refuse to listen to any station that uses automated formats.
If I’m not mistaken, I believe Paul and Phil and, perhaps Paul and Lori too, were for several years in a row voted best AM radio show by the readers of Sacramento Magazine. Why would Clear Channel get rid of their best asset? Stupid, stupid, stupid.
If Paul, Phil or Lori turn up at another local station, that is the station I will listen to.
January 24th, 2008 at 7:44 am
In this world today, the one thing that I counnted on to make me feel good every day was the morning show with Paul and Lori. How unfortunate that such joy was removed from the radio, only to be replaced by emotionless junk!!
January 28th, 2008 at 9:28 pm
The new format of the station is pathetic at best. Paul and Lori brought alot of good to the lousy list of radio stations out there. Now 92.5 really sucks!!!!!
January 30th, 2008 at 12:54 am
I heard the rumor that 92.5 was going to be like Jack FM….but thought it wasn’t true. I was IN town during the switch over and still didn’t believe it was happening.
It is a sad state when everything loses it’s personal touch…automated voice answering systems, self check outs and now radio with an announcer that sounds about as enthused about announcing the song and artist as I am about having to clean the bathroom.
Paul and Lori’s morning show was one of the few live shows I could have on while I drove the kids in my carpool to school.
Good luck to both of you - you were much appreciated!
February 3rd, 2008 at 10:52 pm
Wow! I didn’t hear the announcement on 12/21 as I had to be to school early, and I was blown away when Paul and Lori did not return after Christmas! I just heard the news above and want to Thank Paul, Phil, and Lori for many great mornings! I hope they will all be back on the air in Sacramento soon….We miss you! And if anyone at “My92″ reads this….I don’t like the music and have takes 92.5 off my buttons in the car! The Y92 DJ’s were so much a part of our community. (including Dana Hess)! Good Luck to all of them! You were loved!