CRIDER TO STAY WITH K103

Crider has been the host of the country music station's morning program for six years.

He will return to his on-air job Monday.

The deejay said that Terry Hester, program manager for the five Zimmer Group stations in Cape Girardeau, came to his house Tuesday morning and made him "a very fair offer."

"At the time, I really didn't think anything could be worked out," Crider said.

Crider will return to the station as a deejay, while also taking on the job of program director for K103. He replaces Chad Elliot, who remains as program director of rock station KISS.

In addition to becoming program director, Crider said he will start his morning show at 5:30 a.m., a half hour later than before.

For now, Crider said he won't be making any more money.

"Money was not the issue," he said. "The issue was creative differences. As program director, I've got creative freedom."

In a written statement Gera LeGrand, Zimmer Group market manager, wrote, "Those differences have been worked out to the benefit of Crider, the station, and the thousands of people who listen to K103."

The radio station had no further comment.

Crider maintained that at the time he left, he saw no possibility that he would return to the station.

Crider concedes that many people probably doubt his motives for announcing his resignation, but he would swear that his actions were honest.

"I am red with embarrassment, and I apologize to anyone whom I've offended," he said. "But people have to understand that circumstances change, and mine changed."