Mark Thompson Steps Away

ENTERCOM Classic Rock KSWD (100.3 THE SOUND)/LOS ANGELES morning legend MARK THOMPSON, host of the “MARK in the Morning” show, will hand over the reins of the show to his former co-hosts, ANDY CHANLEY and GINA GRAD. His final “MARK in The Morning” program on KSWD will be WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3rd, from 6-10a.

Beginning on THURSDAY, AUGUST 4th, 100.3 THE SOUND’s morning drive time show will be called “ANDY & GINA in the Morning.” While keeping some of the most popular features of “MARK in The Morning,” the new program will devote more airtime to playing music.

THOMPSON first rocketed to fame as half of the popular “MARK & BRIAN” morning team, first on WAPI/BIRMINGHAM and then on KLOS/LOS ANGELES from 1987 to 2012.

“Doing ‘MARK In The Morning’ was the best job I’ve ever had and the best staff I’ve ever worked with. We did it right, and I will always be proud of that. THE SOUND has decided that they need to play more music in the morning, and that’s not really the type of show I do. I try my best to entertain those who are listening with humor and shenanigans. So it wouldn’t make sense for me to host a music-intensive show. Both THE SOUND and I knew that,” said THOMPSON.

In the near future, THOMPSON plans to launch a syndicated weekend show on THE SOUND called “Cool Stories in Music,” in which he takes a famous group or artist and, along with their timeless hits, tells the story behind the music that few people know.

“THE SOUND brand is built on Classic Rock,” said PD DAVE BEASING. “ANDY and GINA will play a lot, and they’ll continue to offer sports with TODD DONOHO, LA RAMS reports with SAM FARMER of the LA TIMES and ‘Flick Chat’ movie reviews with GRAE DRAKE of ROTTEN TOMATOES. Plus, MARK’s daughter KATIE THOMPSON will remain as THE SOUND’s ‘Chick On the Street’ reporter.”

Speaking of his successors in mornings on THE SOUND, THOMPSON commented, “I love these people and I will be cheering for them. I also want to thank GM PETER BURTON and PD DAVE BEASING for having the vision to bring me back to L.A. morning radio. I will forever be grateful for the opportunity. They’ve asked me to continue my relationship with THE SOUND in other ways and we’re discussing options.”

“Working with MARK THOMPSON is a career highlight,” said VP/GM PETER BURTON. “We’re excited to help him launch ’Cool Stories,’ and we hope to partner with him in other ways, too."

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