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95-5 the Beat Turns 10 on Thursday

R

RadioDoogie

Can anyone believe it has been 10 years since the launch of the Beat? I sure miss the days when it first launched. I wonder if it would have been as successful if it had stayed mainstream top 40.

I believe that WNGC was originally on 95.5 and WBTS moved over to 316 and 81 in Winder while WNGC moved to 106.1.
I remember "Wild Thang" being played all weekend long before it went live on Monday.
It took a few weeks for them to come up with "The Beat" name.
The calls were originally WYAP in which the station manager, was it Lori Sheridan??? came on and stated that we are reapplying immediately for new calls. In the meantime enjoy the 10,000 songs in a row...

"Cup of Life" Ricky Martin
"Genie in a Bottle" Christina Aguilera
"I Wanna Know" Joe
"I Do" 98 Degrees
"Crazy" Britney Spears
"One" Brian McKnight
"Steal My Sunshine" Len
"Bailamos" Enrique Iglesias
"Nookie" Limp Bizkit
"Tell Me It's Real" KC and JoJo
"She Likes Me for Me" Blessed Union of Souls
"It Feels So Good" Sonique
"I Knew I Loved You" Savage Garden
"Get It on Tonite" Montell Jordan
"Larger Than Life" Backstreet Boys
"American Woman" Lenny Kravitz

If anyone remembers anymore please post. I remember these being in rotation for at least a month. I think it was a great sounding station until Q came around and forced it to go Rhythmic. The last two top 40 songs I ever remember being played before switching to Rhythmic in 2001 was "Stonger" by Britney Spears and "If You're Gone" by Matchbox 20. Man I sure do miss those days.
 
I remember that very well. They were mainstream CHR but with a dance slant. The one thing that I disagree with you on is it took a few weeks to become "The Beat." They were The Beat as soon as "Wild Thing" ended. I had heard rumors they would be called The Beat, but when they looped Wild Thing, I thought they might be "Wild 95.5, Atlanta's Party Station," but nothing doing there.

For the first time in a really long time, young people had an alternative to Star 94. (Of course, they already had V-103 and Hot, but those weren't CHR's.) Star's ratings for the year before, the first one under PD Dan Bowen, had been huge. In one Trend, Star was #1 12+. That would start to change.

The one thing that amazed me was how long The Beat was automated, with no jocks at all. It seemed like a really cheap thing to do. Eventually, about 3 months later, they brought in Stick for nights. Then they added Toddzilla in PM drive. Around July 4th of 2000, they finally added PJ in middays. But they did not add a morning show, just ran automated, for about 15 months, until Q100 signed on. That forced Cox's hand, and they introduced "Woody & the Morning Beat."

Mike Abrams was the first PD. He did some weekend shifts as "Big Daddy." Sandy Thomas was the first voice guy. And yes, Lori Sheridan was the first GM. When Stick eventually got fired, an interesting rumor as to why went around. But this is a family board so I won't repeat it. I doubt it's true.
 
Looking at it like this, it makes you realize those ten years went by VERY quick! Reminds you just how short life really is... I remember events of 2000 as if it were just two days ago.
 
After the loop of "Wild Thing" ended, the first song they ever played was "Unpretty" by TLC.

It was a smart move on WBTS's part as it was the #1 song in the country that week, plus Fallin' Star 94 was not playing it.

"Unpretty" was TLC's last #1 hit and last major hit.

I remember being glued to the Beat the first few weeks as it was such a departure from Star; plus, they were playing "Bailamos" every few hours - a GREAT song.
 
Wow, when I moved here to Atlanta in 2004, 95-5 The Beat (WBTS-FM) was (then) just five years old. The first thing I heard when I came here was the "Beat The Buzzer" game. Do they still play that?
 
Here's one...Lou Bega - Mambo Number 5. Sorry to have to mention that one.

BTW, the Holder family walked away with $78 million for the 95.5 license.
 
My friend Walt built the original new transmitter site when it signed on and I thought the music was terrific. Now it just another piece of urban crap.
 
amlover said:
My friend Walt built the original new transmitter site when it signed on and I thought the music was terrific. Now it just another piece of urban crap.
Click to expand...

95.5 The BEAT is no where near Urban!
 
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