I enjoy virtually all genres of music but Country is my go-to. When I moved here in 2002, I was still loyal to Country 99.5 WKLB out of Boston. If I held the radio the right way I could get a staticy signal. Alas, my arms got tired and eventually I started listening to WOKQ 97.5 out of Dover. I found Mark and Danielle and The Morning Waking Crew. They became my constant. I’m a creature of habit. I crave routine especially in the morning. With a routine, my internal operating system can boot slowly while I function on autopilot. OKQ and the Morning Waking Crew have become embedded in my morning routine. Looking at a clock means processing information and I’m not ready for that until I’ve eaten and had my tea, but, I can tell roughly what time it is by what’s happening on the radio. If Mike Geary is doing the weather live it is either 20 after or 10 of the hour. If discussion is about Birthdays is it 7:20 am and if breakfast better be on the table or we’re running late.
Mark Ericson is the brains behind the show. He’s the experienced radio guy who makes sure sponsors get their due and things stay relatively on track. I say relatively because Danielle had a way of derailing things. She rarely meant to, but she had strong opinions and an infectious laugh that could break me out of my stupor even on my worst mornings.
I speak of Danielle in the past because today Mark Ericson announced that Danielle would not be returning to the airwaves. It’s been change long in coming. The fact that I feel like I’ve lost a friend is a testament to how well Danielle did her job.
At the end of August Mark and Danielle went on their annual vacations. Mark returned Danielle did not. She was slated to return mid-September. The day came and went. Danielle did not return and no mention of her was made. The Morning Waking Crew’s Facebook page exploded with demands for information about Danielle. Eventually an announcement was made that Danielle had taken a leave of absence and that WOKQ was unsure when, or if, Danielle would be returning. This mollified most but conspiracy theories abounded. In the meantime former producer Megan “Bunch” Brady came back for a brief stint in the cohost chair. Eventually traffic reporter Karen Kiley (a.k.a. 2K) took over those duties.
Ericson’s announcement this morning was emotional and leads me to believe there is more to the story than they are able to share with the listening public. Situations like this put a radio station in an awkward position. In order to promote listener loyalty stations encourage personalities to connect with their audience. On-air talent promote products and appear at events and if they are good at what they do a bond is formed with the audience. The trick for the individual behind the on-air personality is to maintain whatever level of privacy he or she deems to be appropriate. When situations like Danielle’s arise where there is a medical issue, all sorts of legal protections are invoked on behalf of the employee limiting what the employer can say. Then what do they do? The radio station looks like the villain for not telling the audience about someone they view as a friend when in fact the station’s hands are tied. It’s a hard row to hoe and I think given the circumstances WOKQ did the best they could with the information they were able to share publicly. Something else that came through in this morning’s announcement was that Danielle’s absence has been hard on the staff too.
Mark and 2K will stay on the air through the holidays and although Kiley appears to be the heir apparent to the co-host throne Ericson clearly stated that was not a done deal by any stretch. They will be interviewing to fill the position.
This morning they played an example of one of Danielle’s more humorous rants. Hearing her laugh reminded me of how much I’ve missed her. Karen Kiley has made the best of a difficult circumstance and if she were to stay on I would not be disappointed but I will miss Danielle.
I hope the new cohost is a woman. Although Mark complains about living in a vat of estrogen I think the show needs a female touch. I also hope that when hiring, they seek out a vibrant personality who can handle Mark’s macho persona. Radio operation skills can be taught, but a personality is something you are born with and a successful morning show co-host requires a certain type of personality.
So to Danielle Carrier, Adios and vaya con Dios. I hope our paths cross again.
To Mark and 2K, I look forward to hearing your voices on Friday morning.
Live Fearless Lee 
I was driving in to work when they mentioned that they were going to give an update, I got to work first. This is the closest I can find to the update. If I understand your post the reason for her leaving was medical. I know they can’t release much info without the Employee’s consent but when you become a celebrity your life becomes much more public and I don’t think you choose that path unless you like connecting to me people so I really wasn’t sure how much they would share. My initial thoughts were either something medical for her or her mother (or maybe some other relative) that she was taking time off to deal with… that she won’t be returning… means it’s a life changing event and/or the time required to deal with it is much longer than originally thought. Thank you for the update, I wish they had posted the update once they were able to make one but I couldn’t find it if they did.
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Robert, they posted the update to their Facebook page a few times in the days immediately following the announcement. I think now, they have put it behind them. It will be interesting to see what they do in 2010,
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2k is ericson's live-in squeeze
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more like live in squish
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I found this on http://nh.mypublicnotices.com/PublicNotice.asp?…, 30 Apr 2010. Don't know if this is the same Danielle Carrier or not; but doesn't look good.MORTGAGEE'S NOTICE OF SALE OF REAL PROPERTY By virtue of a Power of Sale contained in a certain mortgage given by Danielle M. Carrier (“the Mortgagor(s)”) to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., dated October 19, 2006 and recorded with the Strafford County Registry of Deeds at Book 3451, Page 268 (the “Mortgage”), which mortgage is held by Federal National Mortgage Association, the present holder of said Mortgage, pursuant to and in execution of said power and for breach of conditions of said Mortgage and for the purposes of foreclosing the same will sell at: Public Auction on Friday, May 7, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. Said sale being located on the mortgaged premises and having a present address of 33 Bramber II, Unit 33, Bramber II Condominium, Rochester, Strafford County, New Hampshire. The premises are more particularly described in the Mortgage. For mortgagor's(s') title see deed recorded with the Strafford County Registry of Deeds in Book 3451, Page 267. NOTICE PURSUANT TO NEW HAMPSHIRE RSA 479:25, YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO PETITION THE SUPERIOR COURT FOR THE COUNTY IN WHICH THE MORTGAGED PREMISES ARE SITUATED, WITH SERVICE UPON THE MORTGAGEE, AND UPON SUCH BOND AS THE COURT MAY REQUIRE TO ENJOIN THE SCHEDULED FORECLOSURE SALE. The Property will be sold subject to all unpaid real estate taxes and all other liens and encumbrances which may be entitled to precedence over the Mortgage. Notwithstanding any title information contained in this notice, the Mortgagee expressly disclaims any representations as to the state of the title to the Property involved as of the date of the notice of the date of sale. The property to be sold at the sale is “AS IS WHERE IS”. TERMS OF SALE A deposit of Five Thousand ($5,000.00) Dollars in the form of a certified check or bank treasurer's check or other check satisfactory to Mortgagee's attorney will be required to be delivered at or before the time a bid is offered. The successful bidder(s) will be required to execute a purchase and sale agreement immediately after the close of the bidding. The balance of the purchase price shall be paid within thirty (30) days from the sale date in the form of a certified check, bank treasurer's check or other check satisfactory to Mortgagee's attorney. The Mortgagee reserves the right to bid at the sale, to reject any and all bids, to continue the sale and to amend the terms of the sale by written or oral announcement made before or during the foreclosure sale. The description of the premises contained in said mortgage shall control in the event of an error in this publication. Dated at Newton, Massachusetts, on April 7, 2010. FEDERAL NATIONAL MORTGAGE ASSOCIATION By its Attorneys, Wayne E. George, Esquire, HARMON LAW OFFICES, P.C. 150 California Street Newton, MA 02458 (603) 669-7963 201003-1426 – ORE (UL – April 15, 22, 29) 201003-1426 FCL /Notice of Sale – NH/Carrier, Danielle “Matter” “MPTeamDeptAbbrev” “DocCat”/”Document”/”PrimaryParty
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Guys. I know Danielle, and you need to understand this. She left for medical reasons, and just because. She IS NOT a celebrity, she is a regular person. JUST LEAVE IT BE! Yes, you miss her. I understand that. But, just stop. Let this sleeping dog lie, NOW.
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Dear “Friend”,
The next time you see Danielle, please wish her well for me. I hope that whatever her current situation, she is happy.
Danielle may have put on the naive voice for the radio, but I don’t believe for a minute she is stupid. I’m sure she understood the ramifications of her job. In 2009, WOKQ put her up for New Hampshire’s Best Celebrity and she won.
Just like the Marines, there is no such thing as an ex-celebrity. Gary Coleman’s is a perfect example. I wrote this post in December and it is one of the most heavily trafficked on this blog.
People care. Some a little more aggressively than others.
Like I said, Danielle, isn’t stupid, she has laid low since her departure and unless she chooses to step back into the spotlight, she will fade from most people’s memories.
You can best help her by following her lead and ignoring what others say about her. It is the only way.
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really think the people that supported her had a right to know a little bit more than what they were told. we were loyal fans
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Well, the entire Morning Waking Crew is now gone… they have a new morning radio show but it’s not the same…
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