99X RIP--1 Yr. Anniversary

[top16]

It has been exactly 1 year since 99X officially signed off Atlanta's airwaves. I know there's 99X.com, but there seems to be issues with the streaming of their programming.

Essentially, Rock 100.5 replaced 99X. They even kept some of 99X personalities in making the move to 100.5.

Since it has been a year, how do you rate Rock 100.5? Also, which musical acts have been virtually gone from Atlanta's airwaves since 99X demise?

IMO, Rock 100.5 gets a 5.5. The Regular Guys just sounds like a broken record daily. The music mix is okay, but wish it would lean more from the 80's to the present. Was glad to see Axel, English Nick, Matt Jones, & Deborah come along from the old 99X to Rock 100.5.

As far as musical acts who might get a lot less airplay in Atlanta now can include My Chemical Romance, Muse, Paramore, and Hawthorne Heights. I know I left a number of acts out, but those came to mind off the top of my head.

 

[RTibbs]

RIP - IYH

We hardly knew you.

 

[trig]

Yeah Rock 100... What are they offering me in terms of exposing me to something out of the box, new and compelling? The offices of 99X/Q100 went from a creative environment without any boundaries to puppet management and micro managing suits peering in with a corporate microscope. Though, be happy Rock 100 offers what is has today as a result of that corporate abortion.

Terrestrial radio is as much to blame to their own demise as anything else out there. I find my new music everywhere but the radio these days so maybe one day someone at Cumulus will learn that. I am sure My Chemical Romance and the Muse offer much more access to their music individually through their own interactive opportunities and partnerships than anything 99x.com can ever provide them at a local level.

We can only hope that one day someone realizes corporate and dictator style ownership and creative based businesses really don't mix, nor serve the people in any type of positive way. The talents mentioned that were able to make those drastic punch in the face adjustment are all class acts over there, but they deal with it because they choose to stay in Atlanta rather than move to another city and be a part of something that they can prosper with elsewhere.

 

[jabba17]

I would agree that there's a hole in ATL radio for alt music that's too hard for AAA/Dave and too soft for Project.

I've been reasonably happy with Rock 100.5, although I do think TRG could mix things up a bit. They are getting repetitive and, to some extent, too safe. I'm not talking about talking dirty on the air--I'm talking about being afraid to anger someone with a controversial topic, like the AM dial does 24/7 (or, from 2 hours after sunup to 2 hours before sundown in the case of WGST ).

A perfect example of this was when some caller was talking about the 21 national drinking age last week. Instead of exploring the topic, they took the easy way out: "it's the law--it's good--case closed." I don't know if this was legal CYA (the caller was 18 and it was George Stein legal-advice bit) or they just wanted to spike the caller (if so, why?), but you could tell that they were playing it safe. I'm not saying that they should pander to the younger members of their 18-35, but clearly They Didn't Want To Talk About It. Why? Snakebit? Done right it would have been great radio and a little more intelligent than talking about "poles that get erected every night at 10:30". Keep it up and they will turn into the Greaseman, with nothing but canned bits and nothing topical.

Back to the music, it's probably the best anyone could hope for on a BROADcast format. They are avoiding too-old/too-soft classic rock, for the most part (and leaving it to River), treading lightly with 90s and later rock (leaving that to Project), and not dwelling too much on 80s hair and becoming pigeonholed. The flip/downside of that is that the station lacks a clear identity. Of course, "The Best AOR of the 70s, 80s, 90s, and Today!" really doesn't roll off the tongue. They are walking a fine line of being so inclusive versus driving off people who don't want to hear "old" or "new" stuff.

Their target seems to be someone who likes harder classic/heritage rock, and can live through some spins of the oldest or newest stuff, or some older guy or gal who wants to stay current without losing a lot of old favorites, or some younger guy or gal wanting more time-depth than what they hear on Project.

 

[TheRealOtherNeil]

There is a facebook group called "I was 99X" that has over 1000 members. In honor of passing I wore my 99X shirt all day.

 

[radiojunki]

I'm reading these remembering 99x and what it was at its prime! How one concert would draw THOUSANDS the energy and excitement behind it all was something that can never be replaced.
As I am reading these I begin to imagine what if ... again.. WHAT IF... some one were to resurrect 99x??
What if there were a station small or large in Atlanta that you could get Steve Craig, Axel, Demery and some of the other great jocks who had personality to come back along with the GREAT music behind it all??
The new edgy music along with older alternative songs that Atlanta is missing and desperately needed in Atlanta.
What if one rich kid .. say I won the lottery .. was able to do this, do you think it would survive??

 

[RadioFreeAtlanta]

It still hurts that 99X is gone.

I was listening when it signed on in October 1992 and when it departed in January 2008. It is difficult to believe that there will be another station like it - full of passion and experimentation.

While the music waxed and waned, it was the imaging that gave it the feel that made it stand out, that made it so unique.

While we may have another alternative/progressive format here in the ATL, it is doubtful that it would have the same following or stamp 99X had.

WNNX ATLANTA...........................99X

 

[RadioFreeAtlanta]

It still hurts that 99X is gone.

I was listening when it signed on in October 1992 and when it departed in January 2008. It is difficult to believe that there will be another station like it - full of passion and experimentation.

While the music waxed and waned, it was the imaging that gave it the feel that made it stand out, that made it so unique.

While we may have another alternative/progressive format here in the ATL, it is doubtful that it would have the same following or stamp 99X had.

WNNX ATLANTA...........................99X

 

[RhubarbFan]

the good thing is Rock 100.5 brought in Erin,I want to marry her. Jesus Christ she s hot.

 

[agentUrge]

Ah yes. RIP. I still listen to 99x.com which I've discovered that the more I've listened to lately, the more I've found it like the 99x of old.

RadioFreeAtlanta made a good point, the music may have taken a different direction in the latter years...alternative rock was no longer alternative, just as the heavy-metal played on radio in the late 80's was no longer heavy...but the approach they took made the station seem like it belonged to the listeners. As I see it, in the beginning 99x was kind of like college radio. They played what they liked, they had a presentation that spoke to the demographic and they had a great collection of talent. But the biggest constant with the station was the music...it was always about music. Local artists, national artists..even to the bitter end with "The New Morning X" they pushed new music with the Fresh Stack. Ultimately, they had music-smart people working there.

I like that 99x.com still has that musical essence that it's predecessor had (much of that play list remains....short of the Retroplex play list, but I'm sure that was part of Steve Craig's collection) it's just not the same without all the jocks. I can appreciate the angle they've taken with it (and what exactly did happen with that visual-radio thing?), it was a good effort at being progressive...taking that approach that 99x was known for, but it seems like it came down to being a major buzzkill.

Anyone remember that contest 99x ran where they gave the winner an on-air job? What ever happened to that guy?

I remember calling in to win a chance to qualify when they were giving away the Chili-Pepper Red Jeep. I had taken my kids to school, and was on my way home when then said they needed on more contestant so i called in, got the chance..but there was no way I was going to make it to the 99x studio in time since I lived OTP. Totally missed my window.

The one moment my kids and I remember the most: Chicka-Chicka-Waaaa-Wahhhh!!! 99x HUH!! (I believe it was for the Deck The Hall Ball in 2000)

Favorite Morning X bit: Know Your Metal!!! One time, Jimmy had his money on this one kid....cause he was 15.

 

[burksy]

There is a facebook group called "I was 99X" that has over 1000 members. In honor of passing I wore my 99X shirt all day.

Sadly, that group represents 99x's entire cume by the time it was taken off the air...

 

[Inside your head]

top16 thanks for starting this tribute post. wouldve done it myself but i was /tied up/

RIP - IYH

We hardly knew you.

rite back at u tibbs. had to practiclly sell my soul to come back

It still hurts that 99X is gone.

I was listening when it signed on in October 1992 and when it departed in January 2008. It is difficult to believe that there will be another station like it - full of passion and experimentation.


WNNX ATLANTA...........................99X

radiofree if u r female we r getting married


they shoulda just killed 99x all the way if they were gonna do it. 99x.com is insult to all of us who listened to the real thing.

 

[Inside your head]

I'm reading these remembering 99x and what it was at its prime! How one concert would draw THOUSANDS the energy and excitement behind it all was something that can never be replaced.
As I am reading these I begin to imagine what if ... again.. WHAT IF... some one were to resurrect 99x??
What if there were a station small or large in Atlanta that you could get Steve Craig, Axel, Demery and some of the other great jocks who had personality to come back along with the GREAT music behind it all??
The new edgy music along with older alternative songs that Atlanta is missing and desperately needed in Atlanta.
What if one rich kid .. say I won the lottery .. was able to do this, do you think it would survive??

i got $42 to pitch in dude

 

[top16]

Good to hear from you again Inside Your Head. I am a little surprised 99X.com has made it a whole year online now. I do wish their website was a little more user friendly.

By the way Andy, I agree with you that Know Your Metal on the original Morning X was classic Atlanta radio.

 

[RTibbs]

top16 thanks for starting this tribute post. wouldve done it myself but i was /tied up/

RIP - IYH

We hardly knew you.

rite back at u tibbs. had to practiclly sell my soul to come back

It still hurts that 99X is gone.

I was listening when it signed on in October 1992 and when it departed in January 2008. It is difficult to believe that there will be another station like it - full of passion and experimentation.


WNNX ATLANTA...........................99X

radiofree if u r female we r getting married


they shoulda just killed 99x all the way if they were gonna do it. 99x.com is insult to all of us who listened to the real thing.

Am I hallucinating? First the board did not work for a bit of the day yesterday. Now it is back up and running and who should appear, Inside Your Head.

 

[RoddyFreeman]

Am I hallucinating? First the board did not work for a bit of the day yesterday. Now it is back up and running and who should appear, Inside Your Head.

Isn't that like giving parole to Scott Peterson?

 

[seabass]

Yeah Rock 100... What are they offering me in terms of exposing me to something out of the box, new and compelling? The offices of 99X/Q100 went from a creative environment without any boundaries to puppet management and micro managing suits peering in with a corporate microscope. Though, be happy Rock 100 offers what is has today as a result of that corporate abortion.

Terrestrial radio is as much to blame to their own demise as anything else out there. I find my new music everywhere but the radio these days so maybe one day someone at Cumulus will learn that. I am sure My Chemical Romance and the Muse offer much more access to their music individually through their own interactive opportunities and partnerships than anything 99x.com can ever provide them at a local level.

We can only hope that one day someone realizes corporate and dictator style ownership and creative based businesses really don't mix, nor serve the people in any type of positive way. The talents mentioned that were able to make those drastic punch in the face adjustment are all class acts over there, but they deal with it because they choose to stay in Atlanta rather than move to another city and be a part of something that they can prosper with elsewhere.

God, get over it, y'all!! The station had no ratings. Still doesn't, but at least they have TRG to save it from the rest of the day. Stop living in the past. Does anyone listen to 99X online? Probably not. So stop whining.

BTW, it's Rock 100.5, not Rock 100. Indicative of the fact that you probably don't listen to it enough either to form any reasonable judgements.

 

[Inside your head]

God, get over it, y'all!! The station had no ratings. Still doesn't, but at least they have TRG to save it from the rest of the day. Stop living in the past. Does anyone listen to 99X online? Probably not. So stop whining.

just cuz it didnt have huge ratings doesnt mean no 1 was listning, by definition ALT is alternative to mainstream so theyre not ever gonna get the #s the generic nothing special playitsafe stations do. u cant compare apples to oranges. or alt to the pop /ancient rock oldies every other station is playing.
& its not living in the past if u r hoping the change the future or fix what cumlus f*d up. lot like the prez election, rite?
and i always root for the underdogs GO CARDS

Isn't that like giving parole to Scott Peterson?

roddy innocent till proven guilty ;D

 

[trig]

The ones running 99X were the ones living in the past, that was the problem. Not enough new blood allowed to take over and they aged themselves. I was over it well before they jumped they shark with talking about making 300k a year and all their days at the spa that the average core 25 year male rock listener old couldn't and didn't want to relate to.

Rock 100.5, whatever, When Q100 put .5 on the billboard's, it was still Q100 to the listeners smart guy.

TRG saving the day? Lets see what the PPM's say about that... Putting them on a signal with little blue collar listener coverage.... priceless!

 

[bclark71.]

just cuz [99X] didnt have huge ratings doesnt mean no 1 was listning, by definition ALT is alternative to mainstream so theyre not ever gonna get the #s the generic nothing special playitsafe stations do. u cant compare apples to oranges. or alt to the pop /ancient rock oldies every other station is playing.
& its not living in the past if u r hoping the change the future or fix what cumlus f*d up.

By and large, non-commercial music doesn't work on a commercial station. Hence the definition non-commercial.

Stations like 99X were selling an attitude moreso than a particular brand of music. When that fad attitude died away, those stations faltered and started disappearing.