The 92 KQRS Morning Show (also known as the KQ Morning Crew) is a popular, long-running radio morning drive time show originating from KQRS-FM in Minneapolis, Minnesota. From the 1990s into the early 2000s, it was one of the highest-rated morning shows in the U.S.[1][2]
 | |
| Genre | Comedy - Hot Talk - Classic Rock |
|---|---|
| Running time | 5:40 A.M.-10:00 A.M. Central Time Zone |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Home station | KQRS-FM Minneapolis–St Paul |
| Created by | Mark Steinmetz, Dave Hamilton |
| Original release | 1986 – current |
| Website | 92 KQRS Morning Show |
| Podcast | Podcast |
The show was hosted by Tom Barnard for 37 years, retiring at the end of 2022.[3] Barnard was replaced by Steve Gorman of the rock group The Black Crowes.[4] Brian Zepp, Candice Wheeler and Tony Lee are also heard on the show.
Controversy
editAsian-Americans
editOn June 9, 1998, Barnard was reading a news item about a Hmong girl who had killed her newborn son. The crew made several derisive remarks. In particular, Barnard stated that Hmongs should "assimilate or hit the goddamn road."[5] and, in response to his reading of the $10,000 fine levied against the girl, "That's a lot of egg rolls."[6] KQRS weathered protests from the Asian-American community and eventually issued a public apology in addition to making several PR-building concessions to the community. In a related concession, Tony Lee's stereotypical character "Tak" and his segment, "A Talk with Tak" was removed from the show.[7]
Native Americans
editIn September 2007, Bernard made comments about the Minnesota Chippewa and Sioux tribes. The American Indian Alliance that raised concerns from the tribes.[8] The tribes mounted several protests throughout October, and the station again issued a public apology.
Footnotes
edit- ^ NAB 2006: "...In the past 48 books, KQRS has ranked #1 during Morning Drive. He has achieved a 23.7 share (WI Arbitron 2006) among A25-54 while the nearest competitor posted a 6.7 share."
- ^ Lambert 2007: "How popular is Barnard? According to the most recent Arbitron ratings, released last week, [...] Barnard, put simply, IS morning drive radio in the Twin Cities. Everyone else could save the electricity. Among men 25-54 his show gobbles up a 31.7% share of the audience. 93X, (KQ's sister station), is second with 8.2."
- ^ InsideRadio.com "Tom Barnard to Retire" July 1, 2022. Retrieved July 31, 2023
- ^ InsideRadio.com "Steve Gorman Named as Tom Barnard's Successor" Jan. 9, 2023. Retrieved July 31, 2023
- ^ Evans 1998:"In a June 9 broadcast, Barnard sparked controversy by mocking news reports of a 13-year-old Wisconsin Hmong girl who was accused of killing her baby. Minnesota's Hmong community responded with outrage to Barnard's comments, which concluded, 'either assimilate or hit the [redacted] road.'"
- ^ Collins 2007: "... Barnard and his co-hosts made fun of a teenage Hmong girl who was charged with killing her newborn son. [...] They said of her potential $10,000 fine: 'That's a lot of eggrolls.'"
- ^ AP 1998: "KQRS officials said on Friday that the station would no longer use an Asian character called "Tak", or his segment, "A Talk with Tak", on the show. "
- ^ Collins 2007: "The uproar stems from a broadcast last month in which Barnard and Traen talked about the Red Lake and Shakopee tribes while discussing a report by the state Health Department that Beltrami County has the state's highest rate of suicide among young people. The jocks then mentioned Bemidji and the Red Lake Indian Reservation, which are both located in Beltrami County. "Maybe it's genetic; isn't there a lot of incest up there?" Traen said about the tribe. "Not that I know of," Barnard replied. "I think there is," Traen continued. "Don't quote me on that, but I'm pretty sure." "Well, I'm glad you just threw it out there, then," Barnard said to laughter in the background. Barnard also criticized the Shakopee Sioux, who own the Mystic Lake Casino, for "doing a hell of a job helping them out." Traen commented, "They don't give them anything?" "Hell, no!" Barnard replied."
References
edit- Associated Press (via wire), KQRS morning show host addresses racial controversy, Minnesota Daily, October 21, 1998. Retrieved May 29, 2008.
- Collins, Terry, KQRS remarks upset Indian leaders, Star Tribune, October 29, 2007. Retrieved May 28, 2008.
- Evans, Melanie, 'Free speech' wins in KQRS case, Minnesota Daily, November 15, 1998. Retrieved May 27, 2008.
- Lambert. Brian, Tommy B: King of All Radio, The Rake, October 29, 2007. Retrieved May 29, 2008.
- ––, Howard's End, St. Paul Pioneer Press, April 11, 1999. Retrieved May 29, 2008.
- National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), 2006 Large Market Personality of the Year Winner: Tom Barnard, KQRS, 2006. Retrieved May 29, 2008.
- Silverstein, Tom, Packer Notes: Favre ponders lawsuit, Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, December 4, 1997. Retrieved May 29, 2008.