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)