Exclusive: Max Schaeffer discusses WHO Radio exit

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WHO Radio morning show listeners have been asking one big question: what happened to Max and Amy? The iconic co-hosts took over for Van Harden and Bonnie Lucas after their retirement in 2021, but are no longer with the station, Maxwell Schaeffer confirmed to Justin Brady of The Iowa Podcast.

What happened? And why?

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What happened to Max and Amy on WHO Radio?

“We got a little surprise.” Schaeffer said to Justin Brady host of The Iowa Podcast in an exclusive interview at his home. “We lost our driving privileges.” For now, the Iowa Rock and Roll Hall of Famer said he’s working in his vegetable garden and spending extra time with grandkids. He’s also developing a new podcast that he will be launching in the future.

Schaeffer has a long radio career in Iowa, spending much of his career at KIOA in Des Moines with host Pam Dixon. After Dixon’s tragic passing due to her battle with cancer, Amy Sweet continued the morning show until the shows cancellation. That’s what led them to WHO Radio where they would eventually replace Van and Bonnie after their retirement.

Schaeffer didn’t announce specific plans but will be making an announcement soon on his digital channels. “Stuff happens in business, I hold no grudges, I can’t hang onto bitterness.” he said. “Life changes in a heartbeat, but in the end always persevere.”

This departure follows the exit of Big Show host Andy Petersen early last year.

We connected with Peter Thiele, Director of Spoken Word / Program Director for iHeart Des Moines, who is in charge of WHO Radio programming. He declined to comment for this story. Thiele replaced Michael Dorwart who was dismissed as program director at WHO Radio in October of 2023. (As of 8/19/24 Thiele was also fired a month later.)

New WHO Morning Show Lineup

Today, WHO Radio has made the decision to move Jeff Angelo into 5-9a morning slot ending the apolitical and fun morning format that has been an Iowa entertainment staple for decades.

Emery Songer, formerly producer of the morning show and who has since moved to Omaha, will be taking over the 9-11a slot on WHO Radio, while continuing his 2-6pm show on 1110 KFAB.

These changes reflect the broader changes from iHeart, as they continue to cut local programming in favor of regionalizing programming.