Jeff Dauler, co-host of "The Bert Show" for nearly 15 years, quit Q100 for a position at Star 94 that has yet to be determined by management.
Dauler officially resigned from his post at Q100, owned by Cumulus Media, on Tuesday, Nov. 3. After being off the air all week, Bert made the announcement to the listeners on Wednesday, Nov. 4. The rumors surrounding Dauler leaving "The Bert Show" and heading to local competitor Star 94 had been circulating all week with no official remarks from Q100 until this point.
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Weiss let listeners know the news but had no further comments as he did not want to seem insincere in his remarks. Weiss's tone and word choice make it seem as if the break was not clean, though.
"The fact is that it was very, very sudden for us, and we were blindsided by it," stated Weiss on air Wednesday, Nov. 11. "I've been pretty angry. I've gone through a lot of emotions, kind of an emotional roller coaster over the last week."
Weiss read listeners a statement he had prepared, which he commented would only be said once. He stated that he took Dauler's departure personally as they had held a 15-year friendship. Weiss went on to explain that the every action by the initial team has a huge impact as the show is syndicated in over 17 areas such as Nashville and Charleston. He knows that Dauler's sudden departure might cause rifts in their business which thousands of people of people depend on for their income and livelihood. He also commented that he was proud of Dauler's successes and even said he deserved his own show.
Dauler will start with Star 94 in February when his non-compete clause will cease. The station has yet to announce what time or show Dauler will be a part of but has stated that no current hosts or DJs will be let go during this time. It is also rumored that "Bert Show" alumni Jenn Hobby might be joining Star 94 to join forces with Dauler. Note: Hobby and Dauler have been spending time together as seen on Dauler's Instagram account.
It was also reported that Weiss had his assistant purchase over 18 different domain names such as JeffAndJennOnStar94.com and JeffStar94.com. This is a tactic called cybersquatting that would prohibit Star 94 and Dauler, alongside possible co-host Hobby, from essentially having more searchable website titles. Weiss commented via text saying that it is "pretty common in our industry and that's just my staff being proactive." Dauler and Star 94 market manager Mike Fowler could have seemed to care less though when asked by an AJC media correspondent.
Weiss alluded to Q100 having to already start the search for a new co-host to work alongside side himself and co-host Kristin Klingshirn. With Dauler having already been mostly erased from thebertshow.com, the station must move forward to maintain ratings and syndication areas.
