so sad
Received: 12/20/2007 @ 8:57am PST
From: Claudia Del Rio

Seems like you were just here at CHLA and now I can't believe that my daughters and I are not be listening to you on our way in to work/daycare.

God Bless you for all you've done for the children and families we serve here everyday. You are missed, but I'm sure God has a bigger plan for you. I know we will hear from you soon!

Claudia Del Rio

Miss you
Received: 12/20/2007 @ 8:10am PST
From: Christopher Ponce

KBIG was good, but anywhere in LA you're the best. I've listened to you for years. Good luck and hope to hear you soon. God Bless you, your friend Chris Ponce.

Christopher Ponce
Records Librarian

long time fan
Received: 12/19/2007 @ 6:52pm PST
From: Jeff McKnight

Charlie,

I haven't lived in southern California since the late '60s but I remember you at KHJ. In '69 I went into the Army and spent 5 wonderful years in Germany and Italy working for AFN...and trying to be as clever and entertaining as you always were. I even stole and modified some of your bits...hope you don't mind. But I was pretty lame by comparison.

I just discovered your website from members of an AFN yahoo group to which I belong. There's been tons of chatter about you on the group recently...including the disclosure of your real name. Which makes me wonder: when did you adopt your radio name...and why...and how did you choose Charlie Tuna?

Congratulations on your magnificent career and your generosity to AFN and the troops. I haven't heard you on the radio for years but I have "stayed Tuna'd" ever since.

Thanx,
Jeff McKnight
Frankfurt, Ger. '72-'73
Vicenza, Italy '73-'77
now living on the west coast of Florida

(NOTE TO JEFF: In answer to your question of how I got my name, one of my first columns in the "NEWS" link was about how I actually came to be known as Charlie Tuna. Just click back to the Monday, October 1st column with the headline "Halloween's almost here. Today, How I got the name Charlie Tuna". Thanks again for "staying Tuna'd"!)

Miss You
Received: 12/19/2007 @ 5:28pm PST
From: Darlene A. Kuhn

Hi Charlie:

I wrote you when I got back from my vacation and found you gone without notice. I do not know why the show has been changed, I even gave it a try. I don't listen anymore, I have gone back to my CD collection for my drive to work and for my office hours. I do not know how many other people feel this way, but if they are anything like me, they have lost a lot of listeners.

I look forward to your return on any radio station - just let all of us know when and where. My mornings are no longer the same - no one to laugh with on the way to work and while I am working. I am a little older than you and have been following you around the radio dial since you arrived in the LA area. So where ever you end up - just let us all know - I want to laugh on the way to work again.

What happens to the Tunathon? Those kids need you too.

Warm regards,

Darlene A. Kuhn

Happy Holidays
Received: 12/19/2007 @ 4:02pm PST
From: Mel Raschke

Charlie,
I cannot believe it has been 3 months. You are so missed. The radio in LA right now is driving me crazy. Nobody fun to listen to anymore. Thanks for the driver's license website. My middle schoolers in the library thought that was funny.

I look at your website daily to see what is going on. I know we will hear you soon on the radio.

Fondly, a former KHJ listener,

Mel

Melvina Raschke Librarian
LBUSD

Where are You??
Received: 12/19/2007 @ 2:05pm PST
From: Mary Horning

Hey Charlie,

I am a fan of many, many, many years -- and was completely shocked when I returned from vacation and found out you were gone from KBIG. Not sure what possessed the powers that be to make all the changes to the station that they did, but I suspect they are losing listener's like mad since everyone I have asked has stopped tuning in.

Are you going to another station or have you decided to just take it easy for awhile??

Hope you are well and know that you are missed,

Mary Horning

Still in Shock
Received: 12/19/2007 @ 11:46am PST
From: Sarah A Freed

I have been checking your website every day just to see what the latest and greatest is and I am happy that you’ve added me to your email log for notification as to when we can “tune” in again. Again, I go back to KHJ so I’ve been with you for a while. I look forward to hearing you across the airwaves very soon.
And to be fair to everyone (not that it’s warranted), I’ve given the 104.3 morning show a listen and so far for me it is a huge flop. Irma is no longer on fire as she was with you and I personally don’t give a flying leap about Valentine’s wife or their marriage or his personal life. He hasn’t brought one half of the energy or interest to my morning as you and your morning crew did. I always thought work was supposed to be fun. Irma doesn’t sound like she’s having a good time any more. L

Sarah A. Freed
QWL Coordinator

We miss you
Received: 12/19/2007 @ 7:39am PST
From: Tina Khalaf

Hi Charlie

We really miss you , we used to listen to your show every morning. it is not the same without you. I was on vacation and when I came back, no Charlie ! What happened? Why did you leave ? Are you working on another station?

I would like to wish you the best , I would love hearing from you and I will be checking your web site more often.

God Bless

Christina

Hey Charlie
Received: 12/19/2007 @ 6:36am PST
From: Bob Hamilton

Charlie

Hope you're well! Would love to program a station in LA and make you a bigger star! We could! Miss you! Hang in there! YOU ARE THE BEST!!

Hammy
Hamilton Communications

you are missed
Received: 12/18/2007 @ 8:45pm PST
From: Sue Young

Imagine my disappointment when I found you were “replaced!” You can never be replaced!

I so enjoyed spending the early morning hours with you as I work alone in a part-time job from 5:30-7:30 each morning before going to my full-time job. You made the tedium pass quickly and were a real person out there who was working those same hours.

I know you had the April Fool’s joke a couple of years ago that you were retiring, so I hope this is a move to another station where I can find you. But if it is really a retirement move, I completely understand that, too.

Wishing you all the best in whatever endeavor you pursue.

Thanks, Charlie
Received: 12/18/2007 @ 6:20pm PST
From: Guy Slater

I'm Guy Slater, once upon a very short time ago, an announcer on the American Forces Vietnam Network (AFVN.) I think it was there that I first heard you, but am not sure. I didn't stay "in the business" except as an avid listener.

I am sure that in 1972 (until 1975), when I went to Germany for the first time, and again in 1982 until 1986 on my second German tour, I heard you ... often!

Now, I heard you are retiring, and I wanted you to know that you made a difference, you touched someone, and made someones day.

Thank you, Charlie Tuna. And know that I'll "stay Tuna'd!"

Guy Slater
AFVN, Det 3, Pleiku Vietnam
Jan-Apr 1970

(NOTE TO GUY: I really appreciate hearing from all my former Armed Forces Network listeners, it was 6000+ shows from 1971 to 1996 until budget cuts to the Defense Department eliminated a lot of us personalities. Thank you too to all you men and women for your service to our country. BUT I'M NOT RETIRING, quite the contrary. My agent and I will be talking to interested parties, and I hope to return to the air in the new year after my current Clear Channel contract is done on December 31. You and everyone who's written me will be notified by email where I'll turn up, and of course, details will be here on this website.)

Where are U...
Received: 12/18/2007 @ 4:30pm PST
From: Robert Lopez

I have enjoyed you on KBIG...it's not the same without you....Good luck and hope to find you soon....KBIG was not the same. I weaned off the station (even the music was different).

Take care and good luck.

Robert Lopez
Programs Administrator
Child Care Information Service

You are greatly missed!
Received: 12/18/2007 @ 1:26pm PST
From: ELizabeth Rogers

Hi Charlie,
I just wanted to let you know that you are greatly missed in the morning. I will keep checking this website and with my co-workers to see where you will be so I can hear that great voice in the morning again.
Take care,
Liz Rogers

Where did you go?
Received: 12/18/2007 @ 11:45am PST
From: R T Kida

Charlie,

I was on vacation and missed your goodbye announcement. I turned on the radio and heard a different person along with Irma. I thought to myself ‘ok, he’s on vacation’. So I wasn't thinking anything about it, next day comes along and same thing. I already knew about the community of the day no longer happening, but still no mention of where you were. Then I noticed that Irma was doing traffic, ‘where is Lori?’ I thought to myself. The new website didn’t list the personalities so now I was really curious.

The third day I googled you and found your website. I was so sorry you’re weren't returning back. Your website is great by the way, you did a fine job raising your son. The circle of life, I like that bit of reflection you had. I guess as they say when one door closes another one will open. I hope to hear from you again. Boy this is worse than your April fools announcement you made. You really had me going.

Take care,

Bob

Wishin' you were on the radio again....
Received: 12/18/2007 @ 11:02am PST
From: Steve Nieto

Hello Charlie: Guess what I'm listening to? It's a ReelRadio.com recording of you on KHJ from February,1969, right after the presentation of the Original History of Rock 'n Roll. Do you remember working SUNDAY evenings back in the day? Though in some ways if you worked a Sunday evening you weren't setting your alarm clock to get up at 3 a.m to be on the radio at 5 a.m.....am I right?

Like so many others who have commented about not having you on the radio these days, I am also unhappy about KBIG's changes...both in on-air personalities and music selections. MyFM isn't my station in any way, shape or form.

Here's wishing you a very Merry Christmas, and here's hoping you can give us a late Christmas present just after the new year when you announce your newest radio home.

I've always enjoyed you since the '60's here on Los Angeles radio (and even Garden Grove country radio on KIK-fm in the '90's...) You're always a cut above the rest with clean jokes that won't offend or degrade...never a cheap shot just for a laugh. For these things, I hope you're back very soon.

Steve Nieto

Yorba Linda

Unclear Channel
Received: 12/18/2007 @ 10:29am PST
From: Cynthia Wong

Dear Charlie,

I have had the privilege of listening to you through my teen years, and you are my all time favorite radio DJ. I feel that I have "grown up" with you through your Tunathons, radio chats, contests and more. Listening to KBIG in the morning has provided an uplifting and humorous start of each day, and I thank you for your insights, your kindness, and especially your genuine loving character. Our hearts are with you through this transition period, and I sincerely hope that you will continue to find ways to contribute to making people's lives better. Wherever you go, you have our support.

My favorite quote is " The purpose of life is to find your gift, the meaning of life is how you give it". Thank you for sharing your gift with us for all these years.

With heartfelt thanks,

Cynthia

What the heck happened?
Received: 12/18/2007 @ 9:02am PST
From: Nancy Gomez

Dear Charlie,
I listened to you every morning for the past 7 years. I went on vacation and came back to someone who was just WRONG. At first, I thought you were on vacation. Now that I know you are not on the morning show anymore, I listen to my CD’s and turned OFF 104.3. I’ve started listening to the news on the AM dial again. At least their traffic report is more interesting than who ever that guy is. The show was just too boring and way too slow. I turned it off 10 minutes into my 60 minutes commute and listened to silence…which was way more interesting. How do I contact the radio station to lodge a protest?
Nancy Gomez

MISS YOU
Received: 12/17/2007 @ 11:27pm PST
From: Elsy Duran

hi charlie,

sorry to hear you were gone, i really miss your laugh in the mornings, it would make me laugh hearing you laugh. take care and God bless you on your new journey

elsy

What happened?
Received: 12/17/2007 @ 10:05pm PST
From: Kris Mackey

I thought that my radio dial in my car had been changed while I was at the carwash. My drive to work had different people and it wasn't the same. My evening walk didn't have any music to give me energy to move along. Bah!! I don't like it. Please come back. By the way, your station was the only one I actually stuck with and remembered. Several years ago on a telephone survey, I couldn't differentiate one station from another and then I connected with yours.
Good luck Charlie!! Kris

miss you
Received: 12/17/2007 @ 9:17pm PST
From: Evelyn Mendoza

Miss the morning show and your familiar voice

Why change?
Received: 12/17/2007 @ 8:34pm PST
From: Denise Dunne

Charlie,
I had been out of town and turned on my radio and you weren’t there. I heard Valentine and kept thinking something had happened to my radio. Then I decided I needed to find out and to my sadness, you are no longer on 104.3. I have been in management for quite sometime and it still amazes me that management doesn’t appreciate what they have. Why change a GREAT thing? I have never emailed a TV or Radio personality before, but felt compelled to let you now how much you have touched others lives. You got me thru the morning rush hour with less stress and a smile on my face. So thank you. My mornings aren't the same.

I wish you all the best and hope to “hear” you soon!!!!

Denise Dunne

What a shock!
Received: 12/17/2007 @ 6:15pm PST
From: Andrew Veitch

HI Charlie,

Just as many others, you dont know me, but I've kinda gotten to know you over the air the last 4 years that I've been living in the USA and here in Los Angeles.
I went on vacation to Europe and when I came back and wanted to tune into your morning show while driving down to San Diego for work, you were not there! I thought perhaps you had a day off or were on vacation or something like that. Then I noticed that other presenters were also not on KBIG any longer. I thought I'd google you and that when I saw that you had been taken off the air.
I'm really disappointed about that as I thought you were an amazing presenter and you definitely had the experience behind you too.
I enjoyed the Friday morning car give-aways and "Inside the Actors Studio". Man, I'm going to miss all that stuff.I was never a community member, but just enjoyed listening to you in the morning and then the noon disco workout and hearing a familiar South African accent of Revin John.
Please keep us updated with the next show that you are going to be working on and I'll def tune in to Tuna!!
As for KBIG, they've lost a listener. I dont like the new format. Trust management to take something that works really well and screw it up.
Anyway Charlie, enjoy the break man and sleeping in late as I'm sure its not gonna last long with your popularity.
I dont expect an individual reply to my mail, as I'm sure you have WAY too many to reply to.
Just keep all your loyal listeners out there informed of your next career move.

Warm Regards,

Andrew

Hi
Received: 12/17/2007 @ 5:03pm PST
From: Gloria K.

Hi Charlie,

I can't believe you are not on the radio. What were your sups thinking? It has always been great to hear you as I go to work or just go about my day. It seems that just the other day you started on KBIG and now so soon you're not there to listen to. Hopefully soon you'll be back on the Los Angeles airwaves.

Thanks for great radio,

Gloria K.

You are very missed!
Received: 12/17/2007 @ 4:20pm PST
From: Joan Alma

Hi Charlie,

Just wanted to let you know you are very missed in the morning on k-big, my morning is not the same. I miss hearing your laugh and the stories about mom, i bet she a sweartheart, she sure does sound like one, i am not a big fan of the new station. Hope you are doing well, also sylvester, lucy and ricky lol, take care and hopefully we will hear you again on the radio

joan

Driver License Search
Received: 12/17/2007 @ 2:34pm PST
From: April Gomez

Dear Charlie:

That was a good one with the link to the "Drivers License Info". Of course I had to try it and you know it was just the laugh I needed on this Monday afternoon. As always loved you on the radio & love getting my daily "Tuna" Fix through your website. Keep up the great work.

Happy Holidays to you and your loved ones and I hope the new year is the start of something new for you.

Kindest Regards,

April

Thanks for the daily updates
Received: 12/17/2007 @ 10:41am PST
From: Janet Mallen

Hi Charlie,

I can’t believe 3 months have gone by and you are still not back on the air! So happy to hear you are exploring other opportunities and we you’re listening audience is waiting eagerly to hear you once again. You are so right about how much the whole music scene has changed but you have always been a forward thinking entertainer, and I believe that is why you have been around to keep us all entertained. Please tell Bryan thanks, he has done a great job on your web-site. Hope your Mom is enjoying her stay.
Take care and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Janet Mallen

The only time to say goodbye
Received: 12/17/2007 @ 9:25am PST
From: Jennifer Gonzalez

As with all the other writers and listeners, I was stunned to turn on my radio and hear a selection of songs that were out of the norm. WHAT is up, I think. I then logged into the KBIG website where I had been following the news and collecting my points. HMMM this is strange.

The next morning with the same results, I switch over to KROQ and JACK. So management is trying to get to women of a “certain age”?

As a 35 yr old business WOMAN, I am beyond displeased with the way radio stations feel they can just “switch off”. I have always wondered why radio has the right to just pull the plug on a show, change call letters, and switch gears in mid stream. NO warning.

Radio is a part of American History and the listener should be treated with more respect as well as the DJ who spend all their time entertaining their listener.

Charlie, I hope that everything pans out ok for you. We all miss you, the Tunathon, Free Care Fridays, and a number of other events you have supported and announced.

Jennifer Gonzalez

Miss You
Received: 12/17/2007 @ 7:31am PST
From: Harriet Rempel

Charlie
I really miss you. When are you returning to Morning radio.
Harriet

You're not on the radio anymore
Received: 12/16/2007 @ 8:45pm PST
From: Yvonne Mendez

I have been listening to you on the radio since I was a teenager. I remember you on KHJ and also The Real Don Steele. I listened to your last show and I cried. I miss you in the morning. Radio isn't the same. I just want you to know I miss you and I love you Charlie Tuna!!

Loyal listener forever
Yvonne
xoxoxo

Missing my morning radio show!!!!!!
Received: 12/16/2007 @ 11:19am PST
From: R Kerber

Dear Charlie,

This is the 2nd email I am sending you. My morning drive to work(preschool teacher in tustin)is just not the same without my daily dose of your morning show. I truly miss everyone!!!!I have been listening to you since the early 80's when first moving to LA from NY. I even won a night with my co workers to the red onion in Redondo beach from a radio station you were on. Do you remember what the station was? Let us all know when you will be back so I can change my station?
Good Luck to you!

R Kerber