Q: Why can’t Atlanta hold on to an oldies station? The most recent 98.9 is now country. Don’t we have enough country stations?
—Pat Brannon, Duluth
A: Poor ratings or ad sales generally are factors in radio format changes, but most likely not in the Good Time Oldies 98.9 – it was called True Oldies 98.9 until late June – switch to NASH Icon 98.9 earlier this month. Atlanta-based Cumulus owns both Kicks 101.5 and the signal at 98.9, and since it already has Kicks 101.5, it can sell NASH Icon as a bonus. Cumulus also is pushing its NASH brand nationally.
There have been several oldies stations in Atlanta in the past 25 years, including Fox 97 (1989-2003), Cool (2003-05), True Oldies/Atlanta’s Greatest Hits (2008-12) and True Oldies/Good Time Oldies (2013-14). Without an oldies station, options include SiriusXM and services such as iHeartRadio, Pandora and Spotify, among others.
Q: Did President Barack Obama meet the airplane carrying the body of the general who was killed in Afghanistan?
—Carol Murphy, Woodstock
A: Obama didn't meet the plane or attend the funeral of U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Harold Greene, who was killed by a gunman in Afghanistan on Aug. 5. Obama addressed Greene's death in an appearance at Fort Belvoir, Va., on Aug. 7, saying: "Our prayers are with the Greene family, as they are with all the Gold Star families and those who have sacrificed so much for our nation." Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel attended Greene's burial in Arlington National Cemetery on Aug. 14.
Andy Johnston wrote this column; Atlanta Journal-Constitution staff writer Rodney Ho contributed. Do you have a question about the news? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
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