Tom Barnard signs new 4-year contract with KQRS

Local radio's morning drive king posted on his Facebook page Thursday that he has signed a new four-year contract with KQRS-FM, a station he's been with for more than 25 years.

Author:: BMTN Staff
Publish date:: Jul 13, 2012

Twin Cities radio drive-time ratings champion Tom Barnard says on his Facebook page that he has a new four-year contract with KQRS-FM, where he has been for 25 years, the Pioneer Press reports.

Barnard's future with the station has been the subject of much speculation in recent years, including in September 2009, when he announced his retirement, and then un-retired a few months later.

Barnard, who will have been at the station for 31 years at the end of this current contract, said Thursday that he hesitated a bit before signing, the Star Tribune reports.

Barnard hasn't given many lengthy interviews in his career. But the Star Tribune's Neal Justin profiled Barnard in this in-depth bio. Justin talks about the 2010 profile in this video.

Here's a few basics on Barnard from the Star Tribune Barnard File.

Take a fun look back at a 1988 interview Barnard does with KARE 11 – while he is on the air on radio.

And here's a look at a feud Barnard had with former Gov. Jesse Ventura:

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Local drive-time radio legend Tom Barnard, who just disclosed a new four-year deal with KQRS, has yet another announcement: He'll be starting a new podcast – not affiliated with the station – with former morning show partner Tony Lee. Barnard announced the new venture on his Facebook page.

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