UTICA/ROME -- Since we first reported longtime Utica personality Bill Keeler was fired from 92.7 The Drive (WXUR) on New Year's Eve, fans have been showing their support in many ways. Message boards have been abuzz, and word is spreading on Facebook and other social media sites about a "Bring Back Keeler" rally set to take place this Saturday night.
According to Keeler's website, a fan by the name of Gary Johnson got the effort started, by lining up local band Dashboard Nixon for a rally to be held at the 12 North Sports Bar in Marcy, just a few minutes north of Utica. The rally is set to run from 10pm Saturday night, until closing time at 2am.
On New Year's Eve, it was revealed that Keeler and WXUR parted ways, after GM Mindy Barstein instead opted to install the Bob and Tom Show. In an official statement, Barstein lauded the nationally-syndicated show's success when it was formerly heard in the market on 96.9 WOUR. That ended in 2008, when Galaxy bought WOUR from Clear Channel and started simulcasting Gomez and Dave from Syracuse-market sister stations TK99/TK105 (WTKW/WTKV).
Keeler, on the other hand, told local media that the cancellation stemmed from the fact that both Keeler and Arjuna were competing to sell advertising time within Keeler's show, and the two sides could not resolve their financial disagreements. Arjuna had offered Keeler the chance to move to afternoon drive, but he declined.
On his website, Keeler says an announcement regarding his show's future will be made this week. Until then, the only hint came from Keeler's Twitter feed, "getting ready for the next step. 1.11.11."
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