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99X - Everything No Longer Alternative

January 12th, 2008

Here’s some breaking news from Radio & Records about 99X:

Cumulus Clouds Gather Over Atlanta
by Kevin Carter

Huge changes began behind closed doors Friday (Jan. 11) at Cumulus/Atlanta, which witnessed the surprising exit of longtime WNNX (99X) PD/”Morning X” anchor Leslie Fram, her co-host Jenners and longtime 99X APD/midday talent Steve Craig, ahead of pending frequency swap with top 40 sister WWWQ (Q100).

The swap, which will reportedly be announced Monday (Jan. 14), would upgrade Q100’s 13kw signal at 100.5 to the far mightier 100kw stick at 99.7, which would immediately vault the station from toaster-oven to the blowtorch status that it has craved since it signed on in 2001 and succeed in leveling the playing field with 100kw Lincoln Financial top 40 rival WSTR (Star 94).

Through several sources, R&R has learned that the timeline leading up to the swap will look like this: On Monday, Jan. 21, Q100’s Bert Show will begin simulcasting on both frequencies, but the formats will remain separate until Friday, Jan. 25 at 10 a.m., at which time Q100’s top 40 format will move over to 99.7 and a revamped rock format may replace the old 99X alternative format on 100.5. The only nebulous piece of the puzzle is that market vet Larry Wachs has been telling everyone he was resurrecting the Regular Guys on 100.5, a claim Cumulus honcho John Dickey denies. Another scenario is a flip to AC with former Star 94 morning team Steve & Vikki appearing after their noncompete expires.

In a related story, Q100 welcomes new APD/MD/afternoon talent Johnny O, inbound from PD/afternoons at WYOY/Jackson, Miss. Mr. O, who lands Jan. 28, will fill the shift formerly held by ex-Q100 PD Dylan Sprague.

(Originally posted on Jan 11, 2008 - 7:55PM EST)

15 Responses to “99X - Everything No Longer Alternative”

shelbinator Says:
January 12th, 2008 at 9:29 pm
Jeebus. Not like 99x was that great, but at least it was something. Now it’s going the way of The River, which was plenty on its own? Goody. Glad I’ll be able to hear MORE Q100 crap all the way to North Carolina.
Tessa Says:
January 12th, 2008 at 11:55 pm
“a revamped rock format”
Srsly? One Dave station is enough.

@shelbinator Agreed. 96 Rock is gone. We don’t have a Triple A station. 88.5 is great but not a rock station. Please oh please don’t turn 99.7 into either a gospel, rap or country channel. We have enough.

Fingers crossed for a Triple A station!

I can’t imagine ATL without an alternative station. Gawd. At least bring back Power99 as maybe Power100? Ha.

In all seriousness, I’m really going to miss Organic X on Sunday mornings. *IT* is the closest thing to Triple A that Atlanta has had in a very long time. Big kudos to Matt Jones for some fantastic programming.

A little in shock about Leslie…
wes hoffman Says:
January 13th, 2008 at 6:04 am
man, this is a sad day. people can say what they will about cooperate rock radio but the bottomline is that WNNX was a staple on the ATL scence. People like Jay Harren, Leslie Fram and Steve Craig facilitated so many amazing things and ideas in this city in the past few years. i really wich that the HIGHER UPPERS would realize the true value of what these people had to offer. damn…
Chris Black Says:
January 13th, 2008 at 12:19 pm
99x hasn’t been relevant since the 90’s. Jay Harrens show was the only thing that made sense, Leslie Fram is out of touch and too old to be considered a “taste maker” by anyone with any semblance of a brain. Im sure we will all miss Live, Staind, and Mudvayne. Good riddance!
christian Says:
January 13th, 2008 at 6:15 pm
The only 99x programming I would miss on 99x is Sunday School - I used to catch it on my way back into town after a weekend trip. Between WRAS, WREK, NPR, WOXY, KEXP, and MP3s I can usually find something worth listening to. It’s entirely too possible that I might be subjected to some Creed or Staind on 99x - unacceptable. Marginal regular programming aside, if we lost a major rock station like 99x we’d also probably lose a few concerts with national acts and their opportunities for good local bands to open and get some (useful?) exposure.
greg Says:
January 14th, 2008 at 1:07 am
if i never have to hear leslie fram’s voice ever again i will die happy. i am sure at one time she was relevant to atlanta’s music scene but those days seem long gone. ever since toucher was let go 99x’s morning shows have been down right embarrassing.
spud Says:
January 14th, 2008 at 2:22 pm
The worst thing about this is that those dips–ts over at the Bert Show will get even bigger heads, if that is at all possible. If you like four limited personality types spend 4 hours talking about how important, cool and funny they are and what club they went to last night to “get their drink on”, then The Bert Show is for you. mE, I’ll stick with CDs and downloads during my “drive time”.
E Says:
January 15th, 2008 at 9:39 pm
Sorry guys…I tried
Sean Dettman Says:
January 16th, 2008 at 11:50 pm
Everyone should check out AM 1690. No shit, it’s not bad.
Sally Says:
January 22nd, 2008 at 8:23 pm
I can’t imagine driving to work every morning without 99X and Leslie Fram. Now just about all of the radio stations in Atlanta are for 12-year-olds. Great! Just what we need…more booty music and obnoxious DJs. I guess it’s time to hook the ipod up.

~Sad Sally
Jack Smythe Says:
January 25th, 2008 at 1:27 pm
It’s a sad day. A great alternative rock station is replaced by yet another plain old top 40 station. How many stations do we need in this city playing Britney Spears, and Timbaland (or Timberlake). Well at least there is talk radio, and my iPod.
Ed Says:
January 25th, 2008 at 5:01 pm
wow i am speechless
i thought it would just be the morning show but no…
to tell the truth 99x had become a part of me *not trying to sound corny*
im actually really sad and angry as if something i hold dear had died… ill miss the antics of 99x. well its online but it just wont compare i dont have a computer in the car so im just sad.
carmen Says:
January 28th, 2008 at 6:42 pm
I am 50 but I loved listening to 99x. Now there is no radio stations in Atlanta I want to listen to I ques it’s CD’s from now on I am sad too. How are we going to find the new alternative music that comes out? 99x was the only station that played new and old music.
Tessa Says:
January 28th, 2008 at 9:52 pm
Hey Carmen - Have you ever checked out Dave FM (92.9FM)? You can occassionally catch them on really great kicks (of new & old) alternative. They also have a 80s evening drive time show that’s pretty good.
Your mom gives great head Says:
January 29th, 2008 at 12:35 pm
Darn, no more nickleback and my chemical emo crap. good riddens 99X. Now its just a matter of time to get those old ladies off of dave fm so i dont have to hear john mayer and u2 every time i change the station. F*ck women program directors and their “taste” in music. that includes you leslie..

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