Q95 fires ‘Mad Dog’ Matis

Jimmy “Mad Dog” Matis has barked out his last show on WFBQ-FM 94.7, ending a 23-year run at the radio station known as Q95.

San Antonio-based Clear Channel Radio, which owns WFBQ, did not renew Matis’ contract, which expired Dec. 31. He was officially let go Jan. 7.

“It was just a business decision not to renew his contract,” said Rick Green, Clear Channel’s local market manager. Green, who was hired as Clear Channel’s local market manager in late 2006, declined to elaborate on why Matis was not retained.

Matis, an Indianapolis native, was a popular on-air personality at the station, filling the 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. slot as well as making frequent guest appearances over the years on  WFBQ’s highly rated Bob & Tom Show show, and handling fill-in duties and sports news updates on sister station WNDE-AM 1260.

More recently, however, the listener ratings for Matis’ show had slipped below that of classic rock rival WJJK-FM 104.5, according to New York-based Arbitron Inc.

Matis said he wasn’t told exactly why his contract wasn’t renewed.

"The ratings were down a bit and I make a pretty good salary," Matis said. "That’s the only thing I can figure. But I had a good run there, so I can’t be too bitter."

Matis, who has five children ranging from a senior in college to a pair of fifth-graders, said he’d like to stay in the Indianapolis market. Matis, 52, has no plans to retire.

"I like to entertain, and I like to work," said Matis. "So I’m just now catching my breath and trying to figure out what my next move will be."

Matis has been replaced at WFBQ by long-time local Clear Channel employee Dave “Gunner” Gunn, who was most recently morning host on sister station WRZX-FM 103.3.