Does Michaels Move Mean Brandy's Back?

I don't know how closely you follow local media but whether you do or not,let's concentrate today on two media figures with which you may or may not be acquainted.

One is Randy Michaels. Randy Michael's made his name running radio stations and his programming at those stations has sometimes been described as crude which should never be mistaken for unsuccessful. According to the Chicago Tribune, (business section 6/22/2011) he is seen in radio circles as "outrageous and creative" .The story goes on to say that Michaels presided over a raunchy radio format in Tampa called "The Power Pig". Michaels came here as part of the package when Sam Zell bought the Trib and its associated holdings and didn't do well here as CEO of the radio side of the deal. It was he who presided over sweeping changes at WGN that sent the popular "Kathy and Judy" to the sidelines. And in a new book written by a former Chicago Tribune honcho, Michaels tendency to be more frat boy than radio exec is detailed with a story about his adventures out on his balcony outside his office that I won't recount here.

The other media figure is Jonathan Brandmeier.

Known affectionately as "Johnny B" but sometimes referencing himself as "The Lebanese Lord of Lumber" among other humorous monikers, Brandmeier is a Chicago radio icon sitting silently on the sidelines foregoing podcasting or satellite radio ,depriving listeners of one of the premiere radio comedians in the country. Brandmeier bits are the stuff of legends and his "We're All Crazy In Chicago" song still serves a rebel anthem that can stir a crowd gathered anywhere to make merry. In fact,Brandmeier boasts a collection of original songs that need not take a back seat to any of the music heard on his former radio home,The Loop,or other local stations. And besides his gift for comedy ( How I miss his calling Toys R Us at the holidays asking for outrageously named fictional toys) he was no slouch in The Love Dart Lounge - a segment of the show where a musician or group would play live on the radio after a free wheeling and interesting interview conducted by Johnny B. He would ask things the listeners really wanted to know . Brandmeier was irreverent,funny and caring Chicago and the fact that he is not on the air while several radio blowhards preside in this market is an audio crime.

BUT, can the irreverent frat boy Michaels and the similarly equipped Chicago icon come together to make beautiful radio harmony? Why not?

Michaels new company,Merlin Media,just purchased some local radio stations including WKQX and....get this, Brandmeier's old stomping grounds,The Loop. Speculation is heavy that a format change is ahead for at least one of these stations and that format will be talk. Could Michaels make a bigger splash than to bring Jonathan Brandmeier back to The Loop to anchor a new format and gain a foothold in the Chicago market?

I'm no Robert Feder who is the gold standard when it comes to media reporting and opinions on the local radio-tv scene, but I'm going to predict that before 2011 is out, Jonathan Brandmeier will be a player once more on the Chicago radio scene.

Or maybe not.