KQ92 morning show sidekick Terri Traen's getting her own show, Tom Barnard told me on Monday.

"Terri went to management and said she wanted a shot at her own show, wanted to leave the morning show and do her own deal. So they said OK," said Barnard, anchor of Twin Cities radio's No. 1 morning show. "You know, I've announced this on the air several times to people … and they just won't believe me.

"Terri still hasn't signed her new contract. I am totally out of that deal because I run the morning show. I don't know what the holdup is," said Barnard. "She is supposed to very soon, from what I understand."

Shelly Malecha Wilkes, market manager for this Cumulus station, said, "She's in contract negotiations. That's really all I can tell you at this point in time."

Another radio source told me that Traen has said on Facebook that she's off to do her own thing. I could find no such reference on Facebook, but I posted a message seeking a comment.

Traen's behaving mysteriously on Facebook. For example: Her profile photo appears to crop out the letters KQRS, although the font on the wall in the background looks like the station's. Traen's Facebook profile also described her as an "Entertainer." No mention of KQ.

Neal Karlen

She's been entertaining Facebookies with corny jokes about "the difference between Niagara and Viagra? " and "Did you hear about the constipated accountant?"

Every posting from a fan is a missed opportunity for Traen to share a tidbit about her plans. Sheila Eve wrote, "Miss you on the radio. At least now I don't have to get up so early — show not the same without you on it." Cassandra Ingli posted: "I HEART YOU! I'm hoping you are undertaking an insanely awesome adventure/chapter." And when Greg Warren posted, "Miss you guys, Terri. KQDS is just not the same," Traen could've pointed out that Warren might miss her less if he tuned into KQRS, 92 on the FM dial.

KQ listener Wes Holtz posted this on Traen's Facebook page: "You need to tell Tom to let you talk more! Tell him I said so … that [should] do it!"

Barnard said he's fine with Traen seeking her own show; he said he couldn't have been a sidekick for as many years as she has.

"I don't blame people. You want to try your own deal and head up a show? Good for you," said Barnard.

I raised the matter that some listeners think he's mean to Traen. "You know what that is? Basically Tom's the biggest [expletive] on Earth and we'll blame everything on Tom. I'm the kind of guy who, if you do your job, I get along very well with people. And if you have a hard time or just refuse to do your job, then yeah, I'm probably not all that pleasant to work with, but that's for everybody."

Barnard said truthfulness is sometimes confused for meanness.

"I loved your interview with Neal Karlen," said Barnard. (It's on startribune.com. Stay tuned for Part 2 next Sunday.) "I love the fact that he was so honest. That is a perfect example of what I'm talking about; Karlen talking about some of those guys [such as Prince and Garrison Keillor], some people would think that's mean. [Karlen's] not being mean. He's being honest. Was I ever mean? No, I was Neal Karlen-like. If you don't behave, yes, I get pissed off. My whole thing is that she wasn't happy, she wanted to try something else. I understand and good luck."

And Barnard sincerely wishes Traen good luck.

"If she doesn't do well in her day part, it would hurt my show because you need all day parts to do well. So why would I not want her to do well?" Barnard said.

One source told me that listeners went crazy when there was talk of Traen being taken off the morning show, and that may have been the genesis of plans to give her an afternoon slot. "Whatever. I don't really know or" care, said Barnard. "I've got a show to run and I will tell you this — nobody supports her more than the management. They support her much more than they do me over at that station. Once again, I'm successful. There are people who want to believe that anything that happens over there is my fault."

Barnard also cited examples of defending Traen from insulting listeners who "don't know her." That's one reason Barnard avoids social media. Barnard's also rather busy between the morning show and his Tom Barnard Podcast Network show that airs from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

C.J. can be reached at cj@startribune.com and seen on Fox 9's "Jason Show" unless, as will be the case Wednesday, she's back on the "Buzz." E-mailers, please state a subject; "Hello" does not count. Attachments are not opened.