Fans Stunned as Ryan Chase Quietly Departs KRBE After Nearly 20 Years On Air

Roula Christie has officially acknowledged that her longtime co-host Ryan Chase quit Houston's 104.1 KRBE without a word being said. She told listeners this week that she cannot go into specifics about the decision that ended one of the city's longest-running morning show partnerships.

Chase helped start The Roula and Ryan Show in 2003 and was a key voice on the show for more than 20 years. He has not said anything since leaving the station. The news of his departure, announced on the air on Monday, surprised even KRBE's most loyal fans.

After Christie's news, fans flooded social media, asking why the station did not do a send-off. Someone on Reddit said the move was "completely unexpected and smells like drama," adding that Friday's show was "normal." Another longtime listener wrote that they thought Chase was sick when he skipped two shows in a row, but they grew worried when no one explained. They also said that his sudden stop in Instagram posting and his "off" status on the radio for a few months made the news even more shocking.

Christie told the people listening that she would not talk about what happened. She said Tuesday, "This is bigger than us." "You guys told us not to talk about personnel issues, so we won't." That is all we have to say about it.

The co-host, Eric Rowe, said he knew why people were upset. "I was like, 'What?' when I heard that on the radio," he said. "That stinks, and I am bummed."

Christie told fans of the show who have been watching for decades that she was sorry. She said, "I know it is a shock, and I am sorry." "Since we have known each other for a long time, I want to give you all a big hug."

In particular, she said that the show's weekly schedule would not change. She said, "Every week we do the same things." "I know it is hard, but there is only one voice missing..." "We cannot do anything about it."

The morning show airs daily from 6 to 10 a.m., and they just signed a new five-year deal. The show has been renamed to The Roula and Ryan Show with Eric at the beginning of this year. Now, KRBE calls the show "The Roula Show with Eric featuring Special K and Sam." 

Lisa Dollinger, a spokeswoman for Cumulus Media, told the Houston Chronicle that Chase "is no longer with the company," but she would not say more.