Longtime Kansas City radio personalities Shorty and Mike Savage have returned to radio, bringing with them the only Rhythmic CHR station serving local listeners.

That's the story today as the pair launch Shorty and the Boyz Radio online at www.ShortyAndTheBoyzRadio.com. The station features artists like Lady Gaga, Black Eyed Peas, and Jay-Z, without the mainstream pop/rock acts that have become a staple at the duo's former home, 95-7 the Vibe which shifted from Rhythmic CHR to Mainstream CHR last October.

It's a labor of love and faith for the two, as they seek to serve listeners and fill a radio void that Cumulus created while simultaneously giving both walking papers. Shorty tells BroadcastKC, "We were told corporate didn't believe the city could handle a Rhythmic Top 40 station. They said it wasn't what Kansas City wanted. With corporate out of the picture, we put all those thoughts out of our head and just listened. Listened to people in this city tell us what they want to hear."

"The listeners gave us the idea of doing this internet radio station," Shorty continued. "We were bombarded with e-mails, Facebook, Myspace, and Twitter messages... People saying they feel like they have nowhere to go in order to hear the music they want." After initially planning for a December launch, the rollout of the station was pushed back in order to be completely ready in all areas - from music & site design, to a soon-to-air TV commercial and February launch party.

The well-known husband and wife team will be heard live on the station during middays (11AM to 2PM weekdays), beginning Monday, February 15th. Their program will be rebroadcast nightly from 7PM to 10PM, with podcasts available through the website. Shorty and the Boyz Radio also features a pair of mix shows - Beats with Your Eats at noon weekdays with DJ Cam (aka Cameron during the KCHZ days), and club DJ (and former Z95.7 weekender) DJ Overpour Friday afternoons from 4PM to 5PM.

Long-time Shorty and the Boyz listeners may remember that DJ Overpour had a short run performing weekly mixes on their show at The Vibe, before Cumulus higher-ups squelched his appearances. Even though they were unable to continue working together in those days, Savage tells us that Overpour "has always been a friend, and we have always been fans of his mixes."

Indeed, a number of former KCHZ names (including Bobby Keys and EZ) have been a part of the Shorty and the Boyz Radio launch. Shorty tells us, "I have an amazing team that I couldn't have done it without. First and foremost Jeremy Gard. He helped build the site and I appreciate his patience and his work. Bobby Keys from SIP Productions for his help and talent. Brian Arenson (DJ Overpour), Ken Cox for long hours, David Hamilton (House of Style), Keith May and most of all my boyz, Mike Savage and Cameron Morgan."

Prior to launching Savage Communications and Shorty and the Boyz Radio, Mike and Shorty have had long runs on the Kansas City radio dial, primarily at KCHZ and KQRC. Shorty began at 95.7FM (then Z95.7) in 1999 co-hosting nights with another Mike - former KC programmer Mike O'Reilly - before being joined by Danny Wright. In 2001, during one of Z's many shifts between Rhythmic and Mainstream CHR, she shifted to mornings alongside "Just Plain" Dave Johnson, before exiting the station in 2004. Following a short stint on The Johnny Dare Morning Show at 98-9 the Rock, Shorty returned to Z95.7 in its waning months as afternoon host. Mike, of course, was a longtime part of KQRC mornings, where he worked under the name "The New Kid." After the November 2005 launch of 95-7 the Vibe, the two were paired as Shorty and the Boyz until being released October 16th.

Shorty and the Boyz Radio will hold a launch party on Saturday, February 13th at The VooDoo Lounge, which will be presented by Bobby Keys' SIP Productions. For more information, or to listen live, check out the station at www.ShortyAndTheBoyzRadio.com.