Interview with Toucher

I got the chance to interview Toucher via email on Wednesday,  shortly after he posted the news of his departure.  I agreed not to publish this interview until after his final show  Fred declined to answer questions specifically related to Boston:  "I really don't know where we will end up yet." 

You've said that you knew you wanted to leave in November.  This fact seemed apparent to many, when Jimmy pranked you about John Dickey intervening on behalf of Brand Atlanta.  What was the straw that broke the Camel's back?

I got the chance to look for other jobs.  I saw changes coming asked for permission to look and got it.  Crash and Rich were available so the timing was perfect.  Actually everyone was really cool.  They didn't have to let me look.

Was Chris Williams' firing used to scare you into compliance?  Did it work?

Chris was butting heads with some people at the station.  He is very talented and I think he can do more of his own thing at the Buzz.

You had mentioned that you have a lot of respect for Randy Lane.  What makes him a good consultant?

Randy is a great handler of talent.  He doesn't just work as a mouthpiece for management.  I have become 100 times better since I started working with him.

At one point you stopped referring to the Anti-'neck Army in any way other than the ANA.  What happened?

We were encouraged to portray the Regular Guys listeners as rednecks.  When they got fired I thought we should probably lose it.  It was kind of a dumb idea in the first place.  I will take responsibility for that one.

Why do you think Susquehanna invested a great deal of money promoting the Bert Show, while investing almost nothing promoting your show?

I think I really scared them for the first year i was on the air.  I don't think they were comfortable enough with me to promote the show.  Face it Bert and I couldn't be anymore different.  However, his show kicked our ass in the ratings most books.

Prior to the 2004 presidential election, you were very critical of President Bush.  One day it stopped.  What happened?

I figured what's the point of harping on it.  People in the south take it so personally.

Sources have told me that Crash was fired more for cost management reasons than outrage over his bit at Jack Rabbit Lounge.  What do you think?

I think Crash was fired for the Jackrabbit lounge.

How do you imagine the Toucher and Rich Show will be different than the Toucher, Jimmy and Leslie Show?

Jimmy and Leslie had 10 years of heritage when I came on board.  This is Rich and my vision completely.

I happen to think that the dynamic between you and Jimmy is very entertaining.  What will you miss about working with Jimmy.  What will you not miss?

Jimmy has been around 99X for so long for a reason.  He is a pro.  However, I think we don't belong on the same show because we both rub people the wrong way. You need one nice guy.

It seems that part of that dynamic of TJ&L was the "Cool Guy" verses the nebbish (Jimmy) or rube (Wally).  With you, Rich, and Crash, it seems like three "Cool Guys".  Do you see a risk in that?

Believe me Rich, Crash and I are NOT cool.

It seems that at one point, you sort of lost interest in FredToucher.com.  Are you going to continue FredToucher.com?

For sure.

The one effect that I believe that 99XWatch.org had was to cause you guys to pay a bit more attention to your facts, as you had a realistic expectation that you might get called out on a mistake.  Did 99XWatch.org have any effect?

I know Jimmy and I read it all the time.