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Steve and Vikki sued in dispute over ads
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Last fall, on their final broadcast Steve McCoy and Vikki Locke’s co-workers greeting them held red and white signs aloft that informed them; “Star 94 FM Will Always Love Steve & Vikki!!”
Sometimes love can prove conditional.
After sending a cease and desist order last week, legal reps for Lincoln Financial, the parent company of Star 94 FM, are now suing their former morning team for breach of contract. The suit was filed last week in Fulton County after TV spots featuring the popular pair began airing on Atlanta TV, touting their return July 1 to host a new morning show at B98.5 FM.
The suit claims the airing of the spots violates the terms of a six-month non-compete clause in their Star 94 contracts.
Through a statement e-mailed to Buzz Central, Cox Radio President and CEO Bob Neil stated: “We are confident that there have been no violations of Steve and Vikki’s non-compete clause. It’s a shame that Steve and Vikki are being badgered while following the rules in pursuing their new career opportunities. Following their release from Star 94, Cox Radio eagerly welcomes these A-plus rated personalities to B98.5 FM.”
Last week in an interview with Buzz, Star 94 general manager Mark Kanov, the duo’s boss of many years, conceded that the current situation saddened him. But he explained that “Steve and Vikki just aged out of what Star 94 is about,” demographics-wise. The station’s new AM show, “The Morning Mess” was hired with the goal of youthening Star 94’s overall audience.
Atlanta attorney Everett Doffermyre, who is representing Lincoln Financial in the suit, did not immediately return a phone call Monday. McCoy and Locke were not available for comment. On Monday, the Steve and Vikki B98.5 FM TV spots remained on air.
B98.5 FM is a part of Cox Enterprises, which also owns The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
‘IRON’-CLAD PROCLAMATION
Politicians love to honor a winner.
Typically, the winners are athletes or entertainers. But on Monday, the Atlanta City Council celebrated the feat of its conquering culinary champion, Kevin Rathbun.
You may remember Rathbun, owner of some of the top restaurants in town, bested famed New York chef Bobby Flay on the Food Network’s “Iron Chef America.” The competition of cooking five dishes in 60 minutes using a particular ingredient — in Rathbun’s case, elk — took place last year and was aired in February.
Councilman H. Lamar Willis presented Rathbun and his staff with a proclamation for his victory.
The proclamation praised Rathbun for the win. He was also honored for raising $11,000 for the Atlanta Community Food Bank by hosting a benefit screening of the contest at Kevin Rathbun Steak.
Rathbun said the high-energy contest not only brought his restaurants some acclaim, but it got him out of going to the doctor.
“Being on ‘Iron Chef America’ was pretty much a stress test,” Rathbun told the council. “I’m still alive. My doctor called me the day after and said you don’t have to come in for a physical this year. You’re not going to have a heart attack anytime soon.”
SINGER REED RECALLS BLUESMAN COSTELLO
Upon her return to town Monday, Atlanta blues vocalist Francine Reed wistfully recalled Sean Costello, the 28-year-old Atlanta blues phenom who died unexpectedly last week on the eve of his 29th birthday. Last year while performing in San Francisco, Reed was out on her morning walk on Mason Street when she saw the fellow Atlanta performer’s name on the marquee outside the club Biscuits & Blues. After her show that night, she popped in to say hello during Costello’s late set.
“Oh, you know he was so thrilled to see someone from Atlanta, baby!” Reed told Buzz. “He called me up to the stage and we did ‘Evil Gal Blues’ and ‘Stormy Monday’ together. I just showed up to hear him and to watch him. It’s all just so tragic but I believe there’s a reason that God does what he does. He was a sweet boy. He was more like a son to me than a peer. I always called him ‘young ‘un.’ “
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Actress Charlotte Rae (“The Facts of Life”) is 82. Actress Estelle Harris (“Seinfeld”) is 76. Actor Jack Nicholson is 71. Director John Waters is 62. Singer Peter Frampton is 58. Actor Eric Mabius (“Ugly Betty”) is 37. Singer-guitarist Daniel Johns of Silverchair is 29.
SICK BAY
After rehearsing in Atlanta this month for the appearances, the Allman Brothers Band is now canceling the band’s annual run of performances at the Beacon Theatre in New York as founding member and Savannah resident Gregg Allman continues to recover from hepatitis C.
The band had been scheduled to play 15 sold-out shows at the Beacon.
The Allman Brothers Band announced on its Web site that the shows would be rescheduled for early 2009, the 40th anniversary of its founding.
“New York’s a second home to us,” Allman, 60, said in a statement. “We love playing there and are as disappointed as anybody not to be able to get there this time.”
Contributing: Eric Stirgus and news services
If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
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