Having lived in the wonderful Atlanta area for quite a while I've determined a few things. I have over 25 years in radio and have worked for stations on both coasts and everywhere inbetween. So, I'd like to think I kind of know what I'm talking about. But, I'd like to critique a few stations based, not on my professional experience, but rather my experience as a radio listener. Here's what I've observed from a LISTENER'S POINT OF VIEW...not a radio employee.
FM Dial--
WWEV 91.5...announcers sound pleasant but they play more music I don't know than what I do. Preset 1 on the car radio.
DAVE FM...I have to listen to 5-6 songs I don't know before I hear one I do. Don't think the format is very entertaining. Not listener friendly.
J93.3...Used to like it a LOT! Then Jerry Williams left and it crashed BIG TIME. So sad, it could have given the Fish a good run for their money.
Star 94...My daughter loves most of the music played on it and, I must admit, I'm finally becoming a fan. Typical pop station but it's really not trying to be anything but mindless fluff anyway and it succeeds.
95.5 the Beat...Frankly, just don't like the attitude the station presents. Do hear a song I enjoy every once in a while.
96 Rock...Love the music, hate the jocks. Plain and simple. Trash 'em all and start over with folks less into themselves and more into the music.
97.1 the River...Another great station. Can hardly wait until they announcers start. If done right, this could be big except that, most folks in Atlanta do not want to admit they like Peter Frampton and the Little River Band.
B-98.5...Used to be a good station but, let's face it, I can only take so much of the same few songs over and over with the same announcers over and over. Time to come up with a new format. Frankly, I'd love to see it go country.
99X...Used to be good at Alternative Rock but recently has lost a great deal of focus. I doubt it can recover.
Q-100...This is probably the station that has the potential to kick Star 94's butt. Lots of energy and drive. I may not like all the music but I enjoy it enough to keep listening.
Kicks 101.5...From 10AM on it's a solid country music station. The new morning show is horrible. Like Jill Kelly and Jim Vann. Frankly, Moby needs to come back...PERIOD. (and I'm not a big fan of his)
V103...Another station that's lost focus. Truly sad that what was such a good voice for Atlanta's black community seems to be disconnected (no disrespect intended).
104.7 the Fish...Would like to hear just a big more music from the past but otherwise, not bad. Christian music in the Bible Belt...can't help but succeed.
105.3 the Buzz...Frankly, it does nothing for me but somebody must like it as it keeps broadcasting.
Eagle 106.7...A cross between what Kicks morning show could be and what a good country music station with a broad music playlist should be. Unfortunately, everything sounds too "scripted". It could use a bit more spontaneous ad-libbing.
WJZZ 107.5...I would prefer more instrumental jazz tracks and less vocal tracks but it succeeds at it's mission. Smooth Jazz.
AM Band
590 Radio Disney...My children would love to listen but the signal is dismal, at best.
640 WGST...Turn it off and make it go away.
750 WSB...WAAAAAYYYYYY TOOOO MUCH SHAMELESS SELF-PROMOTION. I can't even listen and truly wonder how they stay #1. Maybe they're bribing Arbitron.
920 WGKA...Good, solid satellite broadcaster. Still sounds a bit automated but each week they slowly seem to get better. If I were WSB I'd be afraid.
970 WNIV...The ONLY place to get the preacher's sermons on the radio 24/7. Need to be a bit more "friendly" sounding but they are good at what they do.
1160 AM...Wierd format but I like it. That's all I can say.
I do understand that many stations were not included but these are the ones I regularly listen to. On the whole, Atlanta radio has become a very stale market. Not much variety, personality or creativity. They are NOT giving listeners a reason to keep listening. But then, the same goes for Los Angeles, Denver, Chicago, New York...every other radio market. Obviously, radio has a problem and from what I've seen, they just don't care about how it sounds to the listener. I am a radio guy but I am, first, last and always, a radio LISTENER! I implore all who read this to listen to your radio and ask yourself, "Am I truly entertained, or is this just background noise?" You can comment on this if you'd like. I just had to get this off my chest. Thanks for reading.
FM Dial--
WWEV 91.5...announcers sound pleasant but they play more music I don't know than what I do. Preset 1 on the car radio.
DAVE FM...I have to listen to 5-6 songs I don't know before I hear one I do. Don't think the format is very entertaining. Not listener friendly.
J93.3...Used to like it a LOT! Then Jerry Williams left and it crashed BIG TIME. So sad, it could have given the Fish a good run for their money.
Star 94...My daughter loves most of the music played on it and, I must admit, I'm finally becoming a fan. Typical pop station but it's really not trying to be anything but mindless fluff anyway and it succeeds.
95.5 the Beat...Frankly, just don't like the attitude the station presents. Do hear a song I enjoy every once in a while.
96 Rock...Love the music, hate the jocks. Plain and simple. Trash 'em all and start over with folks less into themselves and more into the music.
97.1 the River...Another great station. Can hardly wait until they announcers start. If done right, this could be big except that, most folks in Atlanta do not want to admit they like Peter Frampton and the Little River Band.
B-98.5...Used to be a good station but, let's face it, I can only take so much of the same few songs over and over with the same announcers over and over. Time to come up with a new format. Frankly, I'd love to see it go country.
99X...Used to be good at Alternative Rock but recently has lost a great deal of focus. I doubt it can recover.
Q-100...This is probably the station that has the potential to kick Star 94's butt. Lots of energy and drive. I may not like all the music but I enjoy it enough to keep listening.
Kicks 101.5...From 10AM on it's a solid country music station. The new morning show is horrible. Like Jill Kelly and Jim Vann. Frankly, Moby needs to come back...PERIOD. (and I'm not a big fan of his)
V103...Another station that's lost focus. Truly sad that what was such a good voice for Atlanta's black community seems to be disconnected (no disrespect intended).
104.7 the Fish...Would like to hear just a big more music from the past but otherwise, not bad. Christian music in the Bible Belt...can't help but succeed.
105.3 the Buzz...Frankly, it does nothing for me but somebody must like it as it keeps broadcasting.
Eagle 106.7...A cross between what Kicks morning show could be and what a good country music station with a broad music playlist should be. Unfortunately, everything sounds too "scripted". It could use a bit more spontaneous ad-libbing.
WJZZ 107.5...I would prefer more instrumental jazz tracks and less vocal tracks but it succeeds at it's mission. Smooth Jazz.
AM Band
590 Radio Disney...My children would love to listen but the signal is dismal, at best.
640 WGST...Turn it off and make it go away.
750 WSB...WAAAAAYYYYYY TOOOO MUCH SHAMELESS SELF-PROMOTION. I can't even listen and truly wonder how they stay #1. Maybe they're bribing Arbitron.
920 WGKA...Good, solid satellite broadcaster. Still sounds a bit automated but each week they slowly seem to get better. If I were WSB I'd be afraid.
970 WNIV...The ONLY place to get the preacher's sermons on the radio 24/7. Need to be a bit more "friendly" sounding but they are good at what they do.
1160 AM...Wierd format but I like it. That's all I can say.
I do understand that many stations were not included but these are the ones I regularly listen to. On the whole, Atlanta radio has become a very stale market. Not much variety, personality or creativity. They are NOT giving listeners a reason to keep listening. But then, the same goes for Los Angeles, Denver, Chicago, New York...every other radio market. Obviously, radio has a problem and from what I've seen, they just don't care about how it sounds to the listener. I am a radio guy but I am, first, last and always, a radio LISTENER! I implore all who read this to listen to your radio and ask yourself, "Am I truly entertained, or is this just background noise?" You can comment on this if you'd like. I just had to get this off my chest. Thanks for reading.
