The rumors were true. Russ Martin, the ever-popular vitriolic curmudgeon of DFW talk radio, is going back on the air.
Martin was taken off of the air in 2008 shortly before his old station, 105.3, switched to sports talk. He was paid $1.1 million to sit around while his contract with CBS Radio, and his noncompete clause, expired.
The drop from the airwaves took place after he was arrested on a charge of domestic assault against his girlfriend. Martin later pleaded no contest to the charges.
Martin will return to his station of old, 97.1 The Eagle, on Monday with his former 105.3 playmates Trey Trenholm, Dan O'Malley, Clo Raborn and Everett Newton.
Missing is longtime partner J.D. Ryan, who blasted his former co-host in an interview with the Dallas Observer's Richie Whitt in 2009.
When asked about why Ryan was missing from the lineup, the irascible host simply replied in typical Martin fashion, "Who?"
While Martin has recast most of his show with former members, it's plausible to speculate that without Ryan along to be Martin's foil, something will assuredly be missing -- and Martin may just come off too acerbic for most listeners.
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Martin, who also makes headlines for his foundation benefitting the families of fallen police officers and firefighters, will fill time on KEGL between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m.
According to StationRatings.com, KEGL cracked the Top 20 stations list in DFW with a No. 17 showing during last May's ratings period.
