Longtime Myrtle Beach Radio Hosts Lose Jobs in Recent Cutting
Radio veterans bid farewell
Scott Mann and Dave Priest, two veteran radio hosts who have been familiar voices to the community for several decades, lost their jobs in recent cuts at the Dick Broadcasting Co., a North Carolina-based company operating five stations in the Myrtle Beach area.
The unexpected job loss
Both Mann and Priest were taken aback by the news. Mann, whose career in the local market spanned over 25 years, spent more than 22 of those at Wave 104.1. Priest, who has been on air since 1987 and joined the ‘Hot Talk’ morning show on WRNN 99.5 shortly after the 9/11 terror attacks, had a dedicated following. He was the constant factor with a host of various co-hosts and iterations of ‘Hot Talk’. The pair were reportedly told the cuts were budgeting decisions and were unrelated to performance issues.
Community response
The community reacted, upset and disheartened by the news of the departures of Mann and Priest. Priest, in particular, noted the heartening response from listeners. “It kind of makes you feel like what you’ve been doing all these years matters, that people actually like what you had to say,” he said. During his radio career, Priest was known for his extensive interviews with celebrities, backstage meetings with bands such as R.E.M, Van Halen, and Aerosmith, and even interviews with then presidential candidates Barack Obama and Donald Trump, making his departure significant.
Mann’s farewell in light of JerryFest 19
Mann, despite having initially declined to host JerryFest 19 after receiving the news of his job cut, opted to participate. JerryFest, an annual free event honoring the birthday of the late Grateful Dead guitarist and singer, Jerry Garcia, is a tradition Mann had spearheaded for 19 years. “This is just a big family reunion,” Mann said at the event. “Why would I turn away from the people who love me at a tough time?”
Future prospects
Like all changes, these departures come with questions about the future. The remaining local hosts have had to discuss the impact on air. Both Mann and Priest have expressed gratitude for the opportunities their time on air provided them and have indicated that they are ready to take on the future, whatever it may hold.
Despite these cuts at the broadcasting company, the local stations including Wave 104.1 (classic rock), WKZQ 96.1 (alternative rock), WRNN 99.5 (talk show), Energy 92.1 (Top 40), and Hank 105.5 (classic country) will continue to provide content to their listeners. Though the voices may have changed, it is hoped that the long-standing dedication and commitment to the community will continue in their absence.
© HERE News Network, 2024.
Author: STAFF HERE MYRTLE BEACH
The HERE Myrtle Beach Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Myrtle Beach community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Myrtle Beach Our team includes lifelong Myrtle Beach residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent developments along the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach’s tourism and hospitality industry, and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Coastal Carolina University programs). Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
