John Phillips, Mr. K Fired By Clear Channel

More budget cuts at Clear Channel today: John Phillips, a local radio personality for 32 years, was fired this morning. And at 2:30 p.m., just confirmed that Mr K, midday guy on WEBN-FM, was let go too. (Heard of any others?)
Phillips had hosted the WKRC-AM (550) morning show with Brian Thomas for the past year, replacing Brian's father, Jerry Thomas. He's best known as the traffic reporter, starting at WKRC-AM in 1975 and moving to WLW-AM in 1983. (And for shooting at groundhogs from the WLW 'copter at the Blue Ash airport.
Phillips says he had a feeling he could get axed today, the rumored day for Clear Channel's budget cuts. Last year Clear Channel cut 20 people in early December.
"I had a one-year deal, with their option to renew. I asked them several times during the negotiating window, and they never got back to me... because they knew I wouldn't be renewed.
"They told me the position was eliminated. They're just going to go with one person on the morning show. I guess they just couldn't justify the expense of two people there.
"We all knew today would be the day they were making the cuts. I've been here long enough to know every year somebody gets it.
"I'm surprised I didn't get it a year ago. But being allowed to do that morning show for a year was great. Instead of just thinking I could do it, I know I can. I'm happy with the way I sounded on the morning show.
"There are no hard feelings. I'll be fine. People know who John Phillips is, they'll have something for me. I'll find something. I want to stay in town, and stay in radio."
Gregg Doyel, 9 a.m.-noon co-host on Clear Channel’s WCKY-AM (1530 Homer) was fired in a budget move Thursday.

When you think about, Clear Channel has lost a lot of talent (and salaries) since Andy Furman's firing on Nov. 1, 2006:
Andy Furman
Jerry Thomas
Angry Guys Tom Gamble & Richard Skinner
GM Karrie Sudbrack
Craig Kopp
Greg Waddell
Pat Barry
Gary Burbank & his sidekicks by Dec. 31?
Who else?