Access Atlanta > Entertainment > Radio Talk > Archives > 2005 > December
December 2005
12/30: More on oldies
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I do stand corrected about Chicago. Apparently, in September, rock station 94.7 The Zone in Chicago switched to oldies. (A petition to bring back the rock station has drawn only 2,780 names with a goal of 10,000.) So that leaves only Portland, Baltimore, New York and Atlanta as the major markets without oldies stations at the moment. It’s unfortunately unclear if anybody in this market will give oldies on the FM dial another try at this point.
12/28: Oldies stations
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A poster just complained that Atlanta has no oldies station anymore, which is truly a shame. But he made it sound as if there are no other major markets without oldies stations. Here’s the brief list of top 30 markets (besides Atlanta and Puerto Rico) with NO major oldies station:
- New York City
- Chicago
- Baltimore
- Portland, Ore.
Both New York and Chicago had heritage oldies stations — WCBS-FM and WJMK-FM, respectively — turn into “Jack” equivalents, which play music from the 60s until today in a much broader fashion than oldies stations. Jack stations are also targeting a much younger audience.
12/27: Atlanta radio top stories
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
So what were the biggest stories of the year? I haven’t really ranked them but here are some notable ones that we all talked about on this blog this year. I’ll post some more as the week goes along since nothing much is actually happening on Atlanta radio right now (though it’s fun to listen to the “B” teams, as Kicks 101.5’s Sandy Weaver dubbed herself and others on air nowadays while the “A” teams are on vacation.)
Clearly, the housecleaning at Clear Channel radio stations was the biggest Atlanta radio story because it impacted so many stations. First, Clear Channel hired back the Regular Guys in March, first at WGST-AM (where they promised to be more “mature” but became frustrated by the constant breaks for news and traffic), then back to their original home at 96rock. Besides a much more restrictive environment when it came to cuss words and sex, the show is missing a real whipping boy now that “Southside” Steve has his own show. But it’s great to have them back.
Clear Channel also killed off Cool 105.7 and placed its Viva Spanish station there. So far, so good there. It then moved its alternative rock station Buzz 96.7 over to the much stronger 105.3 signal and it has started taking greater bites out of rival 99x. WGST and 96rock also began playing Braves games, which seemed to help 96rock more since it’s far easier to listen to Braves games at night on the FM dial. Finally, Lite grabbed some of the old Cool audience and dumped Gene & Julie for Randy & Spiff. Again, so far, so good.
A close second were the changes at V-103, notably the return of Ryan Cameron to V-103. After Porsche Foxx was arrested for DUI, V-103 let her go. That left an opening for Ryan to return after negotiations between Hot 107.9 and him fell through. He did have to sit out six months for a noncompete but returned to his old home in the afternoon slot in July. Mid-day man Magic Man was dumped, too. And so was Toss Swaid, in return for a full-time Greg Street. The station also got a new program director and revamped sales people, too. The early returns look promising as V-103 has stocked up talent like the New York Yankees.
12/26: Dava’s Mara back 1/3
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
For folks who missed Dave FM’s Mara Davis while she was on maternity leave, she will be back Tuesday, January 3.
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12/25: More xmas radio airplay factoids
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
This is all info courtesy of Mediabase 24/7, a tracking firm:
Lite 94.9 from Dec. 5 to 18 played 17 different versions of “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.” They included Gene Autry, Frank Sinatra, the Pretenders, Vanessa Williams, James Taylor, Ruben Studdard and Tamyra Gray, Lee Ann Womack, Christina Aguilera, the Carpenters, Chicago, Gloria Estefan, Amy Grant, Kenny G, Kennly Loggins and Judy Garland.
You’ll hear 15 takes on “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” including the Pointer Sisters, Frank Sinatra with Cyndi Lauper, the classic Bruce Springsteen version, Mariah Carey, Chris Isaak with Stevie Nicks, the Crystlas, Burl Ives and the Jackson 5.
Lite has nabbed 13 versions of “Silver Bells” by artists such as Andy Williams, Clay Aiken, Percy Faith, the Stylistics and Stevie Wonder.
Absorb 13 variations of “The Christmas Song” by acts such as Al Jarreau, Mel Tomre, Luther Vandross, Michael Buble, the Carpenters, Natalie Cole and Toni Braxton.
There were 13 versions of “Let It Snow!” including Andy Williams, Michael Buble, Aaron Neville, Vince Gill, Gladys Knight & the Pips, Carly Simon and Bozy II Men.
There were also 13 acts who tried out “Winter Wonderland” including Darlene Love, Barry Manilow, Johnny Mathis, the Eurythmics, Aretha Franklin, America and Air Supply.
If you like “Sleigh Ride,” Lite has 12 versions: Air Supply, Herb Alpert, Leroy Anderson, Boston Pops, Carpenters, Chicago, Harry Connick Jr., Ray Conniff, Debbie Gibson, Amy Grant, Johnny Mathis and the Ronettes.
The station played 12 versions of “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.” Among the choices: Tony Bennett, Carpenters, Harry Connick Jr., Bing Crosby, Amy Grant, Johnny Mathis, Martina McBride and Elvis Presley.
Check out 11 stabs at “O Holy Night” by Josh Grobin, Clay Aiken, Kelly Clarkson, Mariah Carey, Nat King Cole, Michael Crawford, Martina McBride, MercyMe, Anne Murray, LeAnn Rimes and JOn Secada.
You can sit back and sing along to 11 attempts at “White Christmas” by acts such as Michael Bolton, Garth Brooks, Chiago, Bing Crosby (the classic!), the Drifters, Elton John, Barbra Streisand, Bette Midler and Kenny Rogers.
The station tried out 10 different versions of “Little Drummer Boy” by the likes of Jars of Clay, Ray Conniff, Bob Seger, the Harry Simeone Choral, and David Bowie with Bing Crosby.
It spun 10 versions of “Joy to the World” including the Supremes, Jewel, Percy Faith and Mannheim Steamroller.
12/23: Best of Atlanta magazine awards
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I finally got around to reading the December “Atlanta” magazine’s “Best of Atlanta” issue.
Among the media picks:
— “Cowtipper’s Delight on Album 88 (WRAS-FM 88.5) Every Tuesday night from 10 to midnight, sink back into that porch swing and twang along with the best country playlist in the Bible belt.
— Best comeback: Regular Guys.
— Best time travel: 1160AM, the self proclaimed “Voice of the Arts” station. “Oldies means everything from Al Jolson to Big Band, Robert Goulet to James Brown, Beatles to Beach Boys (and lotsa Sinatra.)”
— Best new radio sidekick: Miss Sophia on V-103
— Best global radio: “Inidan Masala” on Georgia Tech WREK-FM 91.1. Every Monday night from 8 to 9, Tech’s student-run station combines hot and spicy Bhangra with classic Bollywood tunes.
— Best Oldies for Gen-Xers: Dave FM.
Reader’s choice:
Best local TV anchor: Monica Kaufman
Best sports reporter: Fred Kalil
Best traffic reporter: Capt. Herb Emory
Best weather forecaster: Ken Cook
Best morning show: The Bert Show
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12/22: More Arbitron info
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I procured some interesting info about local radio stations - which daypart is the most popular on each radio station? In terms of overall listeners, mornings tend to bring in the most, followed closely by 3 to 7 p.m., then mid-days, then nights lagging far behind. This information is based on October 2004 through September 2005, covering about 15,000 Arbitron diaries for 12-plus. As an aside, advertisers rarely use 12-plus numbers but they are purely ego numbers readily available to the public.
Kiss: Tom Joyner is by far the most popular portion of that station
Classic Soul: It’s a tie between 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
WAOK-AM: the 3 to 7 p.m. segment draws the most listeners, currently covered mostly by Coz Carson
The Beat: 3 to 7 p.m. with Maverick
Buzz: It’s a tie between mornings (now with Whip) and 3 to 7 p.m. (currently with Chris Williams)
680/The Fan: By far, Buck & Kincade are the most popular from 3 to 7 p.m.
Jamz 97.1: 3 to 7 p.m. draws the most listeners
Fish : Kevin & Taylor in the mornings
GST: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. is the most popular, with Rush Limbaugh covering most of that
Hot 107.9: Emperor Searcy in late afternoons draws more listeners than the “A” team
Jazz: Middays with the at-work crowd
Kicks 101.5: Cadillac Jack in late afternoons
96rock: The Regular Guys, of course
LIte 94.9: midday work crowd
99X: Toucher, Leslie & Jimmy
Praise: Sonja Hamm in the morning
790/The Zone: 2 Live Stews in the drivetime hours
WSB-AM: Scott Slade in the morning
WSB-FM: mid-day at work crew with Jordan Graye
Star 94: Steve & Vikki (though Cindy & Ray pull in a higher share from 3 to 7 p.m. from a slightly smaller pool of listeners)
V-103: Frank & Wanda
Viva: Yogi & Panda in the morning
Q100: The Bert Show
Eagle: Steve Mitchell from 3 to 7 p.m.
Dave FM: Mara Davis in the mid days
12/22: Arbitron monthlies
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Radio & Records’ Arbitron ratings are available. The latest “trends” are out covering September/October/November 2005.
These are only 12-plus overall numbers. Advertising companies don’t buy off these numbers and they don’t look at “trends.” Only specific quarterly totals matter. But they give us a sense of where stations are over a period of time.
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12/21: Those annoying TV commercials
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Someone over at www.radio-info.comhas noticed that some TV networks are advertising their TV shows on the radio using fake morning show gabbers discussing their network’s TV shows (in a peppy, positive way, of course.)
TBS is doing it with “Daisy Does America.” And NBC has done it, too, to tout its shows in a way that sounds kind of like canned morning show patter.
Do you find this annoying or misleading or actually more effective than the usual radio ads promoting TV shows?
12/20: Xmas music analysis
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Naturally, on a Christmas rotation, all three local xmas stations play fewer songs than normal. B98.5, which normally plays 300 songs, spun only 158 Christmas songs last week, according to Mediabase 24/7. Of those songs, 35 are exclusive to B98.5. Most spun songs were “Litte Saint Nick” by Beach Boys (39), “Last Chrismast” by Wham! (39), Ray Conniff’s “Ring Christmas Bells” (38), “Feliz Navidad” by Jose Feliciano (38), “Wonderful Christmastime” by Paul McCartney (38), Monica’s “Grown Up Christmas List” (38), Atlantic Starr’s “Silver Bells” (38) and Brenda Lee’s “Rockin’ Around the Christmas” (38).
Lite 94.9 plays the most, 407 different Christmas songs, about 230 exclusive to the station. Top songs: Brenda Lee’s Rockin’ (38), Nat King Cole’s “The Christmas Song” (38), Bobby Helms’ “Jingle Bell Rock” (36), Burl Ives “Have a Holly Jolly Christmas” (34), Andy Williams’ “Most Wonderful Time of th e Year” (33), Carpenters’ “Merry Christmas Darling” (32), Amy Grant’s “Winter Wonderland” (30) and Bing Crosby’s “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot LIke Chrsimtas” (29)
The Fish spun 201 different Christmas songs. About half the songs are exclusive to the Fish, mostly by Christian artists, of course. Top songs are MercyMe’s “Joseph’s Lullaby” (44), Casting Crowns’ “Away in a Manger” (42), Big Daddy Weave’s “Go Tell It On the Mountain” (41), Chris Tomlin’s “Angels We Have Heard on High” (41), Josh Grobin’s “O Holy Night” (40), Brenda Lee’s “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” (40) Burl Ives’ “Have a HollY Jolly” 940) and “The Christmas Shoes” by NewSong.
As you can probably guess, the most heard Christmas song the past week is Brenda Lee’s “Rockin’ Around.” — 139 spins. It was heard on seven different radio stations.
12/19: Five predictions for Atlanta radio 2006
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I have been known to be a horrible prognosticator but since all AJC bloggers are offering predictions in their respective blogs, I’m joining the rabble. I do promise to come back in December, 2006 and see how well I did.
1) Jamz 97.1 will change format. Or finally add jocks. Or at least stop slamming V-103 every hour. (Who said I had to be Jeanne Dixon-level definitive?)
2) 96rock’s The Regular Guys will say something that will cause some sort of ridiculous, pumped-up controversy. But they’ll keep their jobs this time around.
3) 99X, struggling in the ratings and soon to be under new ownership, will see some major changes behind the scenes and possibly on the air.
4) WSB-AM, which now only have the Dawgs for sports, will try to get the Falcons from Dave FM. But are they willing to pay the price? (They’ve made huge profits by dropping the Braves.)
5) At least one major morning show will be blown up, one that nobody will necessarilly expect. That’s such a vague prediction, I might actually get that one right! :)
Bonus prediction: Porsche Foxx will find a new job in Atlanta. Will Hot 107.9 or Classic Soul find a spot for her?
12/17: Howard Stern leaves free radio
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Yesterday, Howard Stern did his final show for FM radio. He is off to Sirius satellite radio January 9.
His morning show has never aired in Atlanta though many folks have watched his E! highlights show (which is ending soon.) He will soon be available to anybody willing to pay for Sirius but in a sense, he will be less available now that he’s gone from E!.
Are you willing to pay for Sirius to hear Stern or are you looking forward to hearing him for the first time if you already are a Sirius subscriber?
For folks from cities where Stern used to air, how does he compare to the Regular Guys or Fred Toucher on 99X?
12/15: Create yr own radio station
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
There are several places to create your “own” radio station by placing your preferable artists onto a site. Many will also introduce you to music they think you’ll like based on your favorite artists.
I discovered one called www.pandora.com. I typed in a few favorite artists (Billy Joel, Indigo Girls, Sade, to name a few). It’s too soon to say how effective it is but it’s very cool. It’s free, too, if you’re willing to accept ads or pay a small amount for commercial free. (So far, I haven’t heard any ads because it’s so new.)
Here’s an explanation on how it works from the site:
For almost six years now, we have been hard at work on the Music Genome Project. It’s the most comprehensive analysis of music ever undertaken. Together our team of thirty musician-analysts have been listening to music, one song at a time, studying and collecting literally hundreds of musical details on every song. It takes 20-30 minutes per song to capture all of the little details that give each recording its magical sound - melody, harmony, instrumentation, rhythm, vocals, lyrics … and more - close to 400 attributes! We continue this work every day to keep up with the incredible flow of great new music coming from studios, stadiums and garages around the country.
We’ve now created an interface to make this available to music lovers so they could use this musical ‘connective-tissue’ to discover new music based on songs or artists they already know.
Pandoraâ„¢ is the doorway to this vast trove of musical information. With Pandora you can explore to your heart’s content. Just drop the name of one of your favorite songs or artists into Pandora and let the Genome Project go. It will quickly scan its entire world of analyzed music, almost a century of popular recordings - new and old, well known and completely obscure - to find songs with interesting musical similarities to your choice. Then sit back and enjoy as it creates a listening experience full of current and soon-to-be favorite songs for you.
12/14: Yvonne Monet back on air
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Former 99Xer and queen of coolness Yvonne Monet is now doing fill-in work at Dave FM. Good to hear her back on the air.
And folks who remember stunt guy Rich Shertenlieb from his 99X days will be interested to know he’s now seeking a home to do his own show after being a sidekick the past two years with the Kidd Kraddock show in Dallas.
12/13: Boss says Kimmer’s Gossett stays
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
According to a rather brief email from WGST-AM program director Randall Bloomquist, Jim Gossett (the man behind most of the fake celebrity voices on the Newsmaker line on the Kim “The Kimmer” Peterson show on WGST-AM) hasn’t quit. But I have heard nothing from Gossett himself. And I personally haven’t heard him back on the air since his girlfriend Kari Dean was fired on December 2. Has anybody else?
12/12: Royal Marshall elopes
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
According to the Neal Boortz Web site, his engineer and former WSB-AM talker Royal Marshall has eloped. Here’s what his site says:
BREAKING NEWS: It’s official. Royal Marshall is off the market. This weekend he and his lady headed to Vegas and eloped! Hear that? It’s the wails of thousands of disappointed women and the cheers of thousands of men on the prowl who have now had their chances increase exponentially.
Here’s Royal’s take on things via email:
Well, we thought it would be fun to elope in Vegas and we had a great time. Took Airtran out on Friday night and got married at the Little White Chapel. We were told it was the very same chapel used by Michael Jordan and Britney Spears but I’m sure they tell that to everyone (in every one of their 6 chapels no less).
All in all, it was a fantastic wedding. It was our first time in Vegas so that made it even more special. What a town. We had a spectacular room at Cesar’s Palace.
We had hoped to share our wedding day with friends and both families but the logistics were making it impossible to get everyone together at a reasonable time and price. We will have a couple of receptions for them.
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Clark Howard site
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
http://www.clarkhoward.com
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Neal Boortz’s site
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
http://www.boortz.com
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Regular Guys blog
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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12/12: WXIA’s Wes Sarginson goes part time
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
WXIA’s Wes Sarginson, their evening anchor since 1997, will be going part time after New Year’s, dropping his 11 p.m. duties but staying on at 6 p.m. His replacement at 11 p.m. will be Ted Hall from Knoxville, Tenn.’s WBIR-TV, who had been there 18 yeares.
Sarginson, over 41 years, has worked in Montgomery, Pittsburgh, Philly and Tampa. He also did six years at WSB-TV.
Sarginson’s bio is here on the WXIA-TV Web site.
Hall’s info is here on the WBIR-TV Web site
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12/11 92.9 Dave FM’s funky playlist
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
People have been bidding for songs on 92.9/Dave FM for Habitat for Humanity. Among the oddball songs heard: Pink’s “Let’s Get This Party Started,” Deee-Lite’s “Groove is in the Heart,” Temptations “Ball of Confusion” and Kanye West’s “Gold Digger.” “Sweet Home Alabama” cost one guy $150.
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12/10: Where’s Jim Gossett?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Mr. Newsmaker Line himself Jim Gossett, the comedic voice on the WGST Kimmer show has been off all week and hasn’t been heard since his girlfriend and former WGST news woman Kari Dean was fired.
I have left messages with Gossett on his cel to no avail and have contacted some friends who have no clue whether he plans to return. I need to find out what’s up with him with the bosses next week.
What do folks think of Gossett, who will imitate anybody from Bob Hope to Bill Clinton for a laugh?
12/9: Kiss/Star 94 radio concerts
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I missed both the Star 94 concert at Gwinnett Arena with Switchfoot, Gavin DeGraw, Howie Day, Jason Mraz and Jason Blunt — and Tom Joyner’s Sky Show at the Civic Center with Earth, Wind & Fire. Anybody go see it? Throw me a review!
12/8: Tom Joyner in Atlanta tomorrow!
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I have a major final to take Friday evening and I need to study so I’m not sure I’ll be able to make it to see Earth, Wind & Fire tomorrow morning with Kiss 104.1’s Tom Joyner at the Atlanta Civic Center. But these shows are a lot of fun if you’re willing to boogie that early in the morning. (I’ve seen the Gap Band, the Whispers and Al Green in years past).
Here’s info about the Sky Show off the Kiss 104.1 web site:
KISS 104.1 Southwest Airlines Sky Show
December 9, 2005 6am - 10am
Atlanta Civic Center 395 Piedmont Avenue Atlanta, GA 30308 [directions and map]
Live performance by Earth, Wind & Fire. Admission is free!
Parking: Atlanta Civic Center- $5
Please bring your non-perishable food items for the Hosea Feed the Hungry and Homeless Food Drive.
Unwrapped toys for the SCLC Women’s Toy Drive benefitting the 27th Annual Children’s Holiday Party presented by the City of Atlanta also accepted at the Skyshow
12/8: Q100 Frosty the Showman concert
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Will Smith, internationally known A-list actor who pockets $20 million a film, has absolutely nothing to prove or gain by doing concerts.
In fact, he almost never tours. But Atlanta top 40 station Q100 pulled a coup, convincing him to fly in for its annual Frosty the Showman concert. Smith did not disappoint, giving 8,000 fans plenty of reasons to dance during a 45-minute show at Philips Arena Wednesday night.
Flying in on a sleigh from the back of the arena, elevated several feet above the crowd, Smith made a suitably grand entrance.
He jumped into his recent hit “Switch,� as snowy confetti, fake smoke, and six backup dancers surrounded the singer. Buddy DJ Jazzy Jeff presided over the turntables and a Mac, while four Cirque du Soleil-style dancers twirled above him on white sheets.
Repeating a stunt he did during Live 8 in his hometown of Philadelphia back in July, he said he wanted to see if folks in the crowd were “real fans� and started to sing the theme to his 1990s sitcom “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.� The audience filled in most of the blanks.
Wearing a T-shirt boasting (ironically?) “I am hip hop,� Smith did an old-school interlude, bringing in breakdancers and working the crowd with snatches of his “Girls Ain’t Nothing But Trouble,� Rob Base’s “It Takes Two� and Sugarhill Gang’s “Rapper’s Delight.� He even imitated Carlton’s goofy dance made famous by Alfonso Ribeiro in the “Fresh Prince.�
After singing his biggest hit “Getting’ Jiggy Wit It,� he segued into a delightful “Miami,� though he subbed out any lyric mentioning Miami with Atlanta.
Pandering? Sure! The chorus includes the line “Party in the city where the heat is on/All night on the beach til the break of dawn.� That makes sense in Miami, but not exactly in Atlanta. (But we do have an aquarium!)
A sweaty Smith ended with his ode to summer “Summertime,� a welcome respite to the chill outside.
Earlier, Atlanta area’s own Brian Littrell and the Backstreet Boys did a more modest six-song teaser set with hits such as “As Long As You Love Me� and sing-along tune “I Want It That Way.� The quintent’s harmonies were a bit rough, their choreography a bit hammy, but the ladies loved it.
12/7: Kincade gets national ESPN show
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
John Kincade of 680/The Fan is getting a weekly ESPN syndicated radio show on Sundy mornings from 8 to 11 a.m. He’s been doing sub shifts for ESPN the past year and obviouslyi has impressed the Powers That Be there. He said about 400 stations nationwide will be running the show.
He said the Sunday morning crowd is a bit younger. “I want to be entertaining but not knock them over the head. I don’t think people want to think too much on Sunday mornings,” Kincade told me.
He will continue to do his Buck & Kincade show on weekday afternoons on 680.
12/7: Dave FM charity playlist “sale”
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Dave FM has its station up for sale this weekend — in a way.
The rock station, raising money for Habitat for Humanity, is charging listeners $50 per request as long as it’s compatible with the playlist (i.e. Jack Johnson, the Police, the Rolling Stones). It’s also auctioning off more than 30 prizes such as tickets on a Carribean cruise with Dave Matthews and a private concert with Marc Broussard.
But there will be a tax, at the discretion of management, if your request is way off the “rock without rules� playlist. “Toxic� by Britney Spears might cost you $75 or $100, said program director Michelle Engel. One-hit wonders such as “Rico Suave� or “Achy Breaky Heart� could set you back upwards to $250.
How about Air Supply?
“That’s going to be really expensive,� Engel said.
Call in your requests at 404-741-9393 from 9 a.m. to midnight Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.
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12/6: Update on ex-93er Kaedy Kiely
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Kaedy Kiely spent 22-plus years as a popular jock on 96rock and Z93. She was let go when Z93 switched to Dave FM in early summer 2004.
Besides voiceover work (not locally), Kaedy said she has three partners in a startup company called Viva Horchata, a Mexican nonalcoholic rice-based drink. “It’s about to take flight,” she said. Two partners used to work with Coke. “It takes like melted vanilla ice cream but more refreshing,” she said. “It’s very sweet.”
“It’s something totally different and exciting,” she added. She has four brothers in the food and beverage industry.
Does she miss radio? “If the situation came up and was ideal, I’d love to be back into it. At the same time, that’s not where I am. This is a different time of my life. I’m looking forward, not backwards.”
12/5: Cellini engaged
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I heard this morning that Nick Cellini of 790/The Zone’s “Mayhem in the AM” got engaged but didn’t sound like he did anything bizarre.
The Kimmer took Friday off, the same day the news department lost several people. I don’t know if there’s any correlation but he’s supposed to be back today. We’ll see what he says.
12/5: Toucher backs Crash
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
This from 99X morning host Fred Toucher’s own blog at www.fredtoucher.com (Sometime Monday, Toucher took this down for unknown reasons.)
Friday, December 02, 2005
Stop Preaching to the choir!!!!
If you are super p*ssed that Crash got fired do me a favor. Imagine if he was one of your best friends and few allies at yout job. It sucks way more for me than for you.
I actually think Crash will be back. I will be off the site for the weekend. Have fun!
I’ll be with Crash
Good things are going to happen. You will be happy. Trust me.
posted by Toucher at 9:07 AM
12/4: WGST changing its news dept.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Here’s a note from a WGST-AM sales person to clients explaining how they are changing their news department. Among those let go were Kari Dean, Vanessa Jones and Chris Bailey.
NEWS ALERT FROM WGST………
WGST does still have NEWS…..and….TALK……and is, in fact, still a News/Talk station!!!
On Friday, we have let 4 people go that were in our news department. It is because we are rebuilding that department to make it so that it is more blended in with the programming. That’s kind of a fancy answer, so let me give you an example:
NBC Nightly News has an anchor person that delivers the news. Straight on.
Fox News has a team of people that discuss the news. They deliver the news and then spend some time bantering back and forth about it. They have a little fun, they horse around, but you still get the news.
That’s where WGST is headed. The station cannot beat WSB-AM by going head to head with the exact same format and structure. This will enable WGST to sound different from WSB-AM…and hopefully attract many more people just as Fox News has done against the regular network’s news.
When we get the personnel in place to get this going, I will get back with you to have you listen. I’ll want to know what you think!
If you have any questions or concerns, please let me know and have a great weekend,
Katy Young Senior Account Executive Clear Channel Radio Atlanta
Dec. 2: No word from Crash yet
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I was at the Achievement in Radio Awards last night for the March of Dimes for the sixth time, this time at the InterContinental Hotel in Buckhead. Christopher “Crash” Clark was not physically there but he was there on video. There was a film of past AIR Awards highlights, which included a shot of an inebriated Clark hitting the stage last year after the Bert Show was named best morning show. The crowd murmured loudly.
No word yet from Crash. He must be in some sort of bunker right now. Will he be back in Atlanta radio? We’ll have to see. I just spoke with Tom Clark Friday, Crash’s brother and former Power 99 morning host. He said this is definitely not a prank but Crash is okay, wil get back on his feet again. Tom, now an actor and voiceover guy, would love to get back into radio himself. Maybe a Clark brother combo talk show?
I’m also trying to find out why he was fired previous times. I don’t recall exactly but I think the firings happened before I started covering radio in 2001.
Also, if you want to read a transcript of what Crash said Monday morning, check out www.savecrash.org, created by the same man who does www.99xwatch.org and actually the 99X morning show daily and parses out what they say (typically the political stuff.)
As for the awards show itself, there were no really big awards this year except for a lifetime achievement award for the voice of the Dawgs, Larry Munson. Plus, Tom Shane of the Shane Co. got a special award for supporting radio so much. That’s it. It made the proceedings much shorter but also cut the star power (since many jocks typically show up to hand out and maybe win awards). Seriously, the awards aren’t all that important and the judging criteria a bit creaky, but who doesn’t mind getting a pat on the back once in awhile?
I counted only parts of four morning shows there: Craig Cornett of Kicks, Bert, Jen, Melissa and Phil Terrana from Q100, Rashan, CJ and Beyonce from the A Team on Hot 107.9 and Steak Shapiro from the Zone. Others I saw included Cadillac Jack, Chris Dimino and Tripp West.
In other random news, the station with a knack for the silliest stunts, 790/The Zone, held a pig race this morning on Peachtree Road near their building for a chance to get SEC tickets.
