Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
By RODNEY HO/ rho@ajc.com, originally filed Tuesday, October 4, 2016
Nobody ever said radio was a stable business. Star 94.1 has been through eight night jocks over the past decade. The latest arrival is bow-tie wearing Zakk Babb, who has started from 8 to midnight.
Among the folks who have manned the night air at Star: Nudge (2004-2008. Remember "Hot mom check in… what, what?"), Darik Kristofer (2008-2011), former Dave FM jock Tim Orff (2011-2013), Sari Rose (2013), Ali Mac (2013-14) , Donny Michaels (2014-2015) and most recently Andrew Hart (2016).
Babb comes from WRWM (93.9/The Beat) in Indianapolis. (Star hired the Morning Mess from Indianapolis back in 2008. That only lasted a year. That was also before the ownership change. Entercom took over last year from Lincoln Financial.)
And look on the bright side; Star actually has a live jock on at nights. That isn't always the case in this day and age.
***
Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
Speaking of Star 94.1, former Star morning host Steve Tingle has landed a new job, reuniting with a former host in Chicago Brian Sherman. They will be working at classic rock station WDRV-FM / The Drive starting October 31.
Sherman and Tingle had previously worked at a Chicago station from 2007 to 2011.
Tingle worked with Drex and Cassiday Proctor for about 18 months at Star 94.1. But they were the victims of bad fortune. They were hired by Lincoln Financial but found out the day they signed their contracts that Lincoln was selling to Entercom.
New management came in mid year in 2015 and soon hired Jeff Dauler and Jenn Hobby, bumping the team to afternoons. This past summer, Star let them go with several months left on their contracts so they could get on with their lives and find new jobs since it was clear Star was not going to keep them around. Both Drex and Cassiday are still hunting for new jobs.
***
Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
Melissa Carter, morning co host at B98.5, will be representing the pop station at this weekend's 46th annual Atlanta Pride Festival at Piedmont Park, an event she has been attending for more than 20 years.
She was the first openly gay morning host in Atlanta while working at 99X, then Q100 with the Bert Show, which she departed in 2011 after a decade. She joined B98.5 in 2013.
Carter was Grand Marshal in 2002 before she had her kidney transplant. She recalled in an interview today having to place Band Aids on her arms to cover up bruises from her dialysis treatment, lest people think she was a drug addict.
"It's getting out there and letting people know I'm still on the radio," Carter said. "Just inspire people and be present and be visible. I think that as many strides as we've made in the gay community, I'd like to see in media more gay people out there sharing their lives and being professional and inspiring others. For me, that's a responsibility I think for all gay people to try their best to be there for the next generation and show them they can do anything."
Carter said she has seen the festival get larger over the years and more diverse, as well as more family oriented. "Pride began as a protest but now I enjoy the fact it's more inclusive. I have far more straight friends who go as part of their yearly festival calendar. There was a time when they'd say, 'Am I allowed to come?' Now nobody thinks twice about it. It's great."
B98.5 and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution are part of Cox Media Group.
***
Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
The CW69 has signed a deal to extend their current TV contract with the Atlanta Falcons for another three years. The network will continue to air Falcons pre-season games and air two hours of weekly Falcons-themed content during the regular season.
Here's what they offer:
The station also produces post-game shows during the preseason. Former NFL player and 790/The Zone host Dave Archer goes "Inside The Locker Room" to talk with coaches and players and get immediate reaction after each preseason game. During the regular season, "Inside The Locker Room" moves to a pre-game show format and its regular
time slot at 11 a.m. on Sundays. Randy Waters, D.J. Shockley, Wes Durham and Dave Archer break down the upcoming game and take an in-depth look at the opponent.
"Falcons Playback" airs Monday nights at 6 p.m. and looks back at the previous day's game with highlights, analysis and play breakdowns. Randy Waters and D.J. Shockley host and Melanie Snare has fan and social media reaction.
About the Author
