Update 12:20pm: The Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports via Barnard’s attorney that he will now remain on the air while undergoing treatment.
Original Report 3/29 9:25am: Cumulus Classic Rock 92.5 KQRS Minneapolis morning host Tom Barnard will be taking a leave of absence from his morning show to enter treatment for substance abuse.
Barnard stated that he has become reliant on wine and pills to go to sleep and wake up in time to do his morning show along with needing to control his anger. The announcement comes just hours after a late night Twitter rant directed at the sales and management of the station.
I know a lot of advertizers are concerned about my longevity on The KQ Morning Show. I will tell you this,our sales dept. Is totally fucked!
— Tom Barnard Podcast (@TomBarnardShow) March 29, 2013
Talk about being on the wrong side of an arguement. Most of you in sales management should be fired!!
— Tom Barnard Podcast (@TomBarnardShow) March 29, 2013
@MinnTrusty @StPatrickGuy I took a $600,000 a year pay cut to make sure my coworkers didn't get the hook. Apparently they don't give a fuck!
— Tom Barnard Podcast (@TomBarnardShow) March 29, 2013
You know what? You guys are right . Fuck it. I'm done!!
— Tom Barnard Podcast (@TomBarnardShow) March 29, 2013
Barnard has been the local king of Minneapolis radio since his debut on KQRS in 1986. He signed a four year extension with Cumulus last summer that would’ve kept him at KQRS through his 30th anniversary in the morning slot. Since last August he has also hosted a daily podcast independent of his morning show duties.
As we compose this report however, all mentions of Barnard have been wiped from the KQRS website. His program is simply listed as the “KQ Morning Show“.
