Jimmy “Mad Dog” Matis has barked out his last show on WFBQ-FM 94.7, ending a 23-year run
at the radio station known as Q95.
San Antonio-based Clear Channel Radio, which owns WFBQ,
did not renew Matis’ contract, which expired Dec. 31. He was officially let go Jan. 7.
“It was just
a business decision not to renew his contract,” said Rick Green, Clear Channel’s local market
manager. Green, who was hired as Clear Channel's local market manager in late 2006, declined to
elaborate on why Matis was not retained.
Matis, an Indianapolis native, was a popular on-air
personality at the station, filling the 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. slot as well as making frequent guest appearances over the
years on WFBQ's highly rated Bob & Tom Show show, and handling fill-in duties and sports news updates on sister
station WNDE-AM 1260.
More recently, however, the listener ratings for
Matis’ show had slipped below that of classic rock rival WJJK-FM 104.5, according
to New York-based Arbitron Inc.
Matis said he wasn't told exactly why his contract
wasn't renewed.
"The ratings were down a bit and I make a pretty good salary,"
Matis said. "That's the only thing I can figure. But I had a good
run there, so I can't be too bitter."
Matis, who has five children
ranging from a senior in college to a pair of fifth-graders, said he'd like to stay in the Indianapolis
market. Matis, 52, has no plans to retire.
"I like to entertain, and I like to work," said Matis. "So
I'm just now catching my breath and trying to figure out what my next move will be."
Matis
has been replaced at WFBQ by long-time local Clear Channel
employee Dave “Gunner” Gunn, who was most recently morning host on sister station
WRZX-FM 103.3.

















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Try and blame it on the fcc and 911 but they lost their edge before 911 they are syndicated and making money but they really need to bring a couple of new faces in, Christies whinning got old years ago. I rarely listen to the station now but when I did at least Jimmy understood there was more to rock in the 70's and 80's than Van Halen,and Tom Petty. You could count on him giving a few deep cuts that you don't hear 50 times a day. And he was funny and fun to listen to. I like Gunner and wish him well but Maddog will be hard to follow. Should have kept Gunner on B&T dropped Christie and Kept Maddog.
I haven't listened to Q95 for a number of reasons. When we were mowing the trim work own lawn, I'd have the headphones on and I always enjoyed, "Dawg House" [sic].
Two of my favorites were:
1) -- There'd been an ongoing argument between husband and wife. He'd been at some sport softball? bowing? at his MIL's house. The car door was unlocked and he climbed as far out & low as he could - so she wouldn't see him. As she was backing down the drive, he jumped up, she was still in [R] and ended up hitting a rather large tree (see: Not Tiger). They were to a point of calling Mad Dog for an intervention. He'd have the phone put it down and say, "It's your turn" and leave the room, "I'll get it - just get out of the #$()&*##$R room." It went back & forth until he bailed them out.
2) There was a guy who was going to meet his (future) in-laws, meeting them and her daughter for the first time. They were very, very conservative, and he knew he would need to wind down a bit.
He & his buddies sneaked out early, and hit their favorite bar. Several snakebites later, they dropped him off to meet up with his fiance and wait for his future ILs.
They picked them up headed for a nice restaurant. A nice appetizer is ordered and the face::face discussion is underway.
Not long after the meal is served... If the term "dinosaur call" isn't familiar, pretend you're a dinosaur and you're going to roar - like a lion.
It's good the mower had a kill switch because I fell down
it had a kill switch. By the time I heard the word, "restaurant", I knew what was coming.