Syracuse radio host exits 95X, splitting up longtime duo

Marty & Shannon are no longer on the air together, ending a radio partnership that lasted most of the past two decades.
Shannon (Wells) Thannhauser is no longer listed as part of “The Morning Mess” on 95X (WAQX-FM), and has not been heard on the show in recent days. The alternative rock radio station’s website now only lists Marty as the host of the morning show.
Representatives for Cumulus Media, which owns 95X, did not respond to a request for comment. Marty confirmed Shannon is no longer at the station, but did not provide any more details.
A Facebook page for “Marty & Shannon 95X Morning Mess” is still active but appears to have been hacked, recently promoting a series of videos from India. Older posts still appear, including videos of Shannon wishing Marty a happy birthday in the 95X studio on Nov. 20 and joking around about a Jason Kelce holiday song on Nov. 15.
Marty and Shannon, who both go by only one name on the air, had hosted 95X’s morning show together since 2014. The duo previously co-hosted “Marty & Shannon in the Morning” on Hot 107.9 (WWHT-FM) at Clear Channel (now known as iHeartMedia) from 2004 to 2010.
Both iHeartMedia and Cumulus, the two largest radio operators in the U.S., have undergone layoffs recently. Radio Insight and Radio Ink report Cumulus has cut jobs in more than two dozen markets over the past month, including Erie, Pennsylvania, on-air personality Justin Bryant, who was previously known as “Norm on the Barstool” at WPXY-FM in Rochester and “KJ Bryant” at Kiss 104.1 (WWYL-FM) in Binghamton.
In its most recent earnings report, Cumulus said it recorded a net loss of $10.3 million in the third quarter of 2024 compared to a net income of $2.7 million in Q3 last year. The company also has substantial debt, totaling $673 million as of Sept. 30.
Cumulus operates approximately 400 radio stations, including three in Syracuse: 95X, 93Q (WNTQ-FM), and The Score 1260 (WSKO-AM). The company also operates the streaming-only Syracuse station The SGNL (“The Signal”) and owns one of the five largest podcast networks.
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Editor’s note: Reporter Geoff Herbert was previously a Clear Channel employee who worked with Marty and Shannon from 2004 to 2010.