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Mark Larson Opts Out at KOGO

Is Washington, D.C., the next stop?

Mark Larson, a conservative voice in radio, has ended his show on KOGO. Mark writes: “As I said on KOGO this morning, I have decided to leave the station effective immediately. This is fully my decision, based on many factors. It’s no secret that the programming change a couple of months ago (from 12-3PM to 6-8PM for my show) has been a difficult transition, and something that was increasingly difficult to do with all of my other business interests.”

Mark will be on KOGO tonight at 6:05 p.m. along with Cliff Albert to talk about this move and what the future may hold for the station — and him. Mark has been mentioned as possible candidate for Congress and will explore that option. Otherwise, Larson Media Services will be taking most of his time.

KOGO Program Director Cliff Albert writes “I will be hosting his last show this evening and Mark will be on with me for the first part of the show to talk about his plans and I will be talking about our plans for a new show in that timeslot.”

(Photo: With Capt. Terry Kraft, Commanding Officer of the USS Ronald Reagan, on the ship’s bridge in the Arabian Gulf. March 2006.)

Before joining Clear Channel’s KOGO in August 2004, he was a well-known radio talk show personality on Salem Communications’ KCBQ/KPRZ San Diego and KRLA in Los Angeles. For several years he was also a guest-host on Hugh Hewitt, Dennis Prager and Michael Medved’s SRN network radio programs. At KPRZ/KCBQ, Mark was General Manager from 1994 to 2002. Mark joined KPRZ in 1994, after eighteen years with KFMB radio in San Diego. Mark was the Program and Operations Manager and an afternoon personality.

Also noted at [2] LarsonBlog.com: Mark lost a family pet this morning. “As a strange capper, this morning after doing my announcement on KOGO’s morning news, my wife and I found one of our two dogs had run out in the yard and died of an aneurysm. Trinka was a 7 year old Yorkie, and a real joy in our lives, along with our big black lab-mix, Eddie. Sort of reminds me on the old joke about life not really getting into gear in “empty nest time” until the kids move out and the dog dies. Well, we’re there, I guess (smile). Thank you for your continued support… hope you’ll check back as I move myself into “free agent” mode and explore the future… I’ll update this Blog regularly.”

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Update: Producer Anna writes at the KOGO blog: “After spending time with many inspiring people this past weekend at the NASA Astronauts Dinner, Mark decided he did not want to end up wondering “what if” in life. There are many different avenues Mark is pursuing and considering, including growing his business, a possible run for congress, and spending more time with his family (which is soon to include his first grandchild). Look out- you don’t know where you will see him next!

“Mark has not only been a great host to work with, and has become a great friend as well. He and his lovely wife, Marsha, have been a constant source of love, friendship and encouragement. It has been a pleasure to get to know their entire family and I look forward to a continuing relationship with the Larson family.

Mark went on the air Friday night and said it was “poppycock” about the rumors on his being pushed out at KOGO.

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