Buck & Coop Ride Again, Separately
Wise, the artist formerly known as “Buck Head,” is no stranger to the Portland market, having previously done mornings at iHeartMedia rival KKRZ (Z100) a few years ago. As the story goes, Buck got his radio start as a 17-year-old intern at WFLZ/Tampa under the tutelage of Dom Theodore, who later used him at the launch of KFMS (101.9 Kiss FM)/Las Vegas. After a stint at KYSR (Star 98.7)/Los Angeles, Theodore brought Buck to Detroit when WKQI (Channel 955)/Detroit launched. Buck went on to do mornings at KKRZ and B94/Pittsburgh until early 2010 when Theodore came calling — for the 4th time — and brought him back to Detroit to do afternoons on CBS Radio’s 98.7 AMP Radio. He later moved up to mornings as co-host of the Buck and Coop show (with Sean “Coop” Tabler) until 2013.
“I’m honored to be joining the talented Entercom Portland family,” said Wise. “I’ve admired Bill Ashenden and [PD] Brian Bridgman‘s approach to local entertaining radio and I’m excited to work with them as a member of the KRSK team.”
Coop’s impending departure naturally opens up a plum wake-up gig in a Top 50 market. Following his exit, PD Mark McKay has graciously volunteered to royally screw up his body chemistry as he temporarily moves from afternoons to cover morning drive while the search is conducted. Interested/qualified morning show candidates are urged to rush their packages to Max Media VP/Programming Rusty James at rjames@maxmediava.com.