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Over & Out For "The Classics With Steve Downes"

Posted by ABRockNJock <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=ABRockNJock' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on April 11, 2024, 3:14 pm

Even though it's been nearly a decade since he signed off in 2015 as morning host at 97.1 FM The Drive, Steve Downes has kept busy over the years.

Downes has done some voiceover work for The Drive, as well as voicing several video games & hosting the nationally syndicated weekend show "The Classics with Steve Downes" for the last 24 years. His weekend show, which had aired on The Drive on Saturday nights in recent years, is now a thing of the past.

It seems as if United Stations Radio Network, "The Classics" producer & distributor, informed stations that production of the weekly Classic Rock showcase would cease production. That's exactly what has happened.

Re: Over & Out For "The Classics With Steve Downes"

Posted by Amanda Connells pimp <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=Amanda+Connells+pimp' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on April 11, 2024, 3:45 pm, in reply to "Over & Out For "The Classics With Steve Downes""

Where did you see this? I did not read it in any of the trades today.

Re: Over & Out For "The Classics With Steve Downes"

Posted by ABRockNJock <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=ABRockNJock' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on April 11, 2024, 4:33 pm, in reply to "Re: Over & Out For "The Classics With Steve Downes""

I was also trying to find confirmation as well before I posted it.

Host Steve Downes posted a farewell greeting on "The Classics" Facebook page that United Stations Radio Network was indeed ceasing production as of March 24. He also thanked longtime Chicago radio executive Greg Solk & 97.1 FM The Drive Program Director Keith Hastings for airing the show locally.

A couple of other things that I've noticed. Downes' voice is no longer heard doing the legal ID that The Drive and other radio & TV stations do at the top of every hour to identify themselves. Production Director Matt Bisbee is now voicing the legal ID. Downes' voice is also no longer promoting Janda Lane's "Behind the Song" podcast.

So it sounds it is indeed over & out for Downes at The Drive, even though he signed off as morning man in 2015.

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