Williams, who had a short life at Randy Michaels' Chicago News station, has posted a note to the Chicagoland Media website. The station has been trying to find its way, launching with a female-focused news format. When that didn't seem to catch on, and the station shifted more toward traditional news delivery, Williams was out the door. Here's his note to Chicago listeners.
As I get ready to leave Chicago and return to my family in SoCal I have taken a few minutes to check the message boards here and I must say I'm blown away by your kind compliments and best wishes. You can be a tough crowd but you reek of dignity and passion. I want to be on record with two points that are very important to me:
First, I take nothing but warm and wonderful memories of my brief time at FM NEWS 101.1. Doing a startup is an exciting and nerve-frazzling experience. Sometimes exhilirating, sometimes humiliating, I always sprang out of bed each day anxious to get to the Mart. Most of all, I adore every single person who works there. We helped each other, we laughed a lot and we became friends. To his everlasting credit Andy Friedman promised he wouldn't hire any divas or high-maintenance types. He kept his word. I miss every single one of them.
Most of all I would like to thank you Chicago radio freaks for continuing to care about the business I have loved my entire life. I don't know if you're aware of it but the industry at the national level is contracting on a daily basis. Radio isn't what it used to be. Some of us feel like the gaslamp lighters of the 21st century. This is the main reason I was so excited to come to Chicago. It's the last major market that clings stubbornly to radio's Golden Rule, often forgotten these days:
"Live and local".
I am head-over-heels in love with Chicago, its people and your Midwest values. Thank you all for that.
I'm anxious to see my family but a large piece of my heart will stay here.
Dave Williams
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