Cumulus chills out on "Warm," launches a refreshed "Ninety Nine X" @ 98.9

[acheron1982]

Hi - So while I'm a huge fan of classic alternative, with the current thirst is for new music, I don't think 99X wants to go down the road of older alternative music. Radio 105, all be it very hit based, does a huge focus on 90s alternative/mainstream rock music.

I sent a message to 99X just a few days ago asking about possibly doing a little deep dive into the 2ks so we can again hear stuff like Blue October, Interpol, The Strokes, OK Go, etc. The response was while they may be something they look at in the future, the really want to focus on new music. I guess they are just trying to form their identity right now. Remember, when 99X first came on the airwaves, it was very new music centric with an occasional 80s single. 99X actually broadened it's playlist to include 80s, 90s and 2k's in the mid 2K's when Cumulus started playing around with the station and well, the station lost it's national identity as being the station breaking new music.

I still think they are a bit weak if they want to go back to a true new music beacon it once was and I shared with them a list of alt spins that are updated about every week and they were very interested in it and would dig further into it (list is attached). http://www.americasmusiccharts.com/index.cgi?fmt=R3

Iheart Radio station in Denver; Channel 933, is one of Ihearts most unique alternative stations because they also dive into the local scene and lean very new (the iheart active rock stations takes care of the 90s since new active rock is doing so poorly across the nation).

99X will get their name out and could "could" become another underground cult station if they continue with a appreciable focus on local alternative music. Never saw X107 get as much interaction on facebook as I do with the 99x page.

 

[awp69]

Hi - So while I'm a huge fan of classic alternative, with the current thirst is for new music, I don't think 99X wants to go down the road of older alternative music. Radio 105, all be it very hit based, does a huge focus on 90s alternative/mainstream rock music.

I sent a message to 99X just a few days ago asking about possibly doing a little deep dive into the 2ks so we can again hear stuff like Blue October, Interpol, The Strokes, OK Go, etc. The response was while they may be something they look at in the future, the really want to focus on new music. I guess they are just trying to form their identity right now. Remember, when 99X first came on the airwaves, it was very new music centric with an occasional 80s single. 99X actually broadened it's playlist to include 80s, 90s and 2k's in the mid 2K's when Cumulus started playing around with the station and well, the station lost it's national identity as being the station breaking new music.

I still think they are a bit weak if they want to go back to a true new music beacon it once was and I shared with them a list of alt spins that are updated about every week and they were very interested in it and would dig further into it (list is attached). http://www.americasmusiccharts.com/index.cgi?fmt=R3

Iheart Radio station in Denver; Channel 933, is one of Ihearts most unique alternative stations because they also dive into the local scene and lean very new (the iheart active rock stations takes care of the 90s since new active rock is doing so poorly across the nation).

99X will get their name out and could "could" become another underground cult station if they continue with a appreciable focus on local alternative music. Never saw X107 get as much interaction on facebook as I do with the 99x page.

X98.5 in Greenville has a bit more flexibility as a translator, but even they focused almost entirely on new music at first. They still do. The classic alt is probably one of 12 or so songs. My thing is just that it's fine being a "top 40 alt station" like most are these days, but a sprinkling of some classic stuff really gives the playlist an added kick. I can do with one less spin of Cold War Kids or 21 Pilots to be surprised by an older classic.

Believe me I love to hear as much new music as possible too and am constantly hounding the PD here to add things, which I'm sure annoys the crap out of him.

 

[Radio_Alex_1990]

Hi - So while I'm a huge fan of classic alternative, with the current thirst is for new music, I don't think 99X wants to go down the road of older alternative music. Radio 105, all be it very hit based, does a huge focus on 90s alternative/mainstream rock music.

I sent a message to 99X just a few days ago asking about possibly doing a little deep dive into the 2ks so we can again hear stuff like Blue October, Interpol, The Strokes, OK Go, etc. The response was while they may be something they look at in the future, the really want to focus on new music. I guess they are just trying to form their identity right now. Remember, when 99X first came on the airwaves, it was very new music centric with an occasional 80s single. 99X actually broadened it's playlist to include 80s, 90s and 2k's in the mid 2K's when Cumulus started playing around with the station and well, the station lost it's national identity as being the station breaking new music.

I still think they are a bit weak if they want to go back to a true new music beacon it once was and I shared with them a list of alt spins that are updated about every week and they were very interested in it and would dig further into it (list is attached). http://www.americasmusiccharts.com/index.cgi?fmt=R3

Iheart Radio station in Denver; Channel 933, is one of Ihearts most unique alternative stations because they also dive into the local scene and lean very new (the iheart active rock stations takes care of the 90s since new active rock is doing so poorly across the nation).

99X will get their name out and could "could" become another underground cult station if they continue with a appreciable focus on local alternative music. Never saw X107 get as much interaction on facebook as I do with the 99x page.

You are so correct on Channel 93.3 out of Denver, don't know why iHeart can't do the same in Atlanta I think it could help their ratings but weak signal, who cares, right?!

 

[RadioDoogie]

I still feel like the best sounding alternative station in Atlanta is classic alternative format 97-7 the Other Side of the River. I only wish it stretched out farther outside of Gwinnett and Hall. It really plays almost all of the old 99X stuff...and I mean all. Steve Craig (formerly of 99X now with 97-1 the River) must have his hands in programming this station. Fantastic station. They do throw in one new song per hour. Plus it is commercial free. It appears that the new 99X is all new. I've heard a few songs from maybe two years back. Definitely agree with the fact that it basically seems like X107.1 moved to 99X even though these are two different owners. The Clear Channel alternative stations back in the 90s were very Alt-40. Whereas now (as iHeart Media) it is an even mix of everything. I always felt that the 99X of the 90s was slightly active rock leaning. It seemed back then that you would hear a hit alternative song and a few weeks later it would be gone and you'd never hear it again.

 

[MrRadio]

And about Album 88: GPB was going to get their hands on 88.5, period. Even if Album 88 had a five share. It's not like they had a big ol' rate card.

Correct. And nothing has changed at 88.5 on the non-GPB hours. It's the same old, same old. No compelling student-produced programming, just unrecognizable song after unrecognizable song.

GPB will make a play for the rest of the 88.5 schedule, likely this summer.

 

[awp69]

I always felt that the 99X of the 90s was slightly active rock leaning. It seemed back then that you would hear a hit alternative song and a few weeks later it would be gone and you'd never hear it again.

This was true in the late 90s - early 2000s, when alt in general had a bit of a downturn with more active backfilling the playlists.

But in the early to mid 90s, 99X was very aggressive with new music and had the reputation of breaking a lot of new artists. They also played quite a bit of New Wave and 80s alt, much during lunch hours but also a bit in the regular playlist. That period was when 99X had the status of one of the best alt stations in the country, joining the ranks of the legendary WHFS IMO.

Sadly, it was all down hill from there.

 

[jabba17]

I still feel like the best sounding alternative station in Atlanta is classic alternative format 97-7 the Other Side of the River. I only wish it stretched out farther outside of Gwinnett and Hall.

It looks like TOSOTR has changed their pattern from a hard-due-west pattern to throwing a MAJOR null towards Lake Lanier. It looks like a clerical error IMO, although their signal is better lately towards the Perimeter.
http://radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/patg?id=W249CK-FX

TOSOTR has a CP to move from the Chateau Elan tower (River and WSBB-FM) to the huge cell tower near Discover Mills up on Peachtree Ridge, and up their power to a full 250W, moving to 92.5 in the process. The new signal will get them almost to Marietta and almost to Midtown, despite a null to the southwest.
http://radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/patg?id=W249CK-FX&s=C

 

[RadioDoogie]

That is perhaps that tallest cell tower I've ever seen right there at I-85 and Sugarloaf Parkway. Looks like this permit has been there awhile. I wonder when it's going to come into effect? Also I wonder if they will keep the 97.7 translator afterward?

 

[acheron1982]

I wouldn't call TOSOTR "classic alternative". They play a lot of new wave and 90s alternative but they also have a bit of new stuff as well (about every third song). They are not as aggressive with the new music however.

Lot of people forget that when 99X was the alternative beacon, yes, they played a few 80s alt songs from time to time (at that time, it was only 10 years old) but the majority of their music was, at the time, new 90s grunge and 90s alternative music. I'm not against the new 99x from playing a few older cuts, especially from the early and mid 2ks, but I hope they stick with hitting new alternative music hard.

With regards to 80s new wave, I would think you would hear that more and more on classic hits (97.1) stations leaving the 80s hair bands and 90s grunge to the classic rock stations (100.5).

 

[jabba17]

I'm guessing the southwesterly null on the 92.5 TOSOTR translator is to protect 92.5 The Bear in Griffin.

There's not much difference between 97.1 and 100.5, formatically. 100.5 is a little harder, but they are both classic ROCK. 97.1 calls themselves "classic hits" but they are not. Neither plays much 90s grunge.

To your point, though, 103.7 Chuck FM is an adult/variety hits station and they DO play a lot of 80s new wave.

 

[awp69]

I wasn't referring just to New Wave (even if 99X did play some of that in the early days). I'm also talking about bands like The Cure, New Order, Depeche Mode, The Smiths, R.E.M., the Pixies....bands that really made alternative a format before grunge.

New music should absolutely be the main focus of any alternative station. But what I hate, and I'm not saying that the new 99X is doing this, is when alternative stations play a LOT of grunge in addition to the new music and don't play any of these bands (even songs from the 90s from them). I think grunge gets way too much of a cut of what people consider "alternative". It did help the format explode, but there's so much more than grunge IF you're going to play things from the 80s/90s. And, I've said this more than a few times on this board, but bands like the ones I listed actually sound more like today's alternative hits than grunge does. Grunge fits better with active rock now a days.

But yeah, I do agree that regardless, alternative stations' primary focus should be on new music.

 

[acheron1982]

But the reason why you are seeing this is the same reason why many classic rock stations are no longer playing The Byrds, Neil Young, Traffic, and Jefferson Airplane - As time progresses, classic rock or classic alternative or classic country progresses. Today, classic country is defined by 80s and 90s country (Hank Williams Jr) and no more 60s (Hank Williams). Same with classic hits/oldies stations - Instead of a focus on the 50s, 60s and 70s - Now, it's the 60s 70s and 80s and recently, less 60s and more focus on 80s.

So in the 90s, classic alternative was 80s alternative (10 to 15 years old) and today, that classic alternative would actually be your 90s alternative music. An occasional 80s alternative/new wave (New Order is new wave) could be mixed in occasionally but if classic alternative is defined by that 10 to 20 year old music - That would fall into the 90s category. Now, I will say that Radio 105 annoys me with their 90s picks because it's all grunge. 90s alternative was pretty much all over the place from grunge (Nirvana) to alternative pop (Garbage) to fun alternative (Pavement) to industrial (Ministry/Gravity Kills/NIN). Damn, throw in The Sundays. Yes, alternative is that diverse. My point though is while I love new wave/classic 80s alternative - Alt radio is getting away from that simply because of the progressive nature radio follows as time goes on.

 

[awp69]

Now, I will say that Radio 105 annoys me with their 90s picks because it's all grunge. 90s alternative was pretty much all over the place from grunge (Nirvana) to alternative pop (Garbage) to fun alternative (Pavement) to industrial (Ministry/Gravity Kills/NIN). Damn, throw in The Sundays. Yes, alternative is that diverse.

I get what you're saying about the 80s, but what you're saying about Radio 105.7 is exactly what I hate. Even in the 90s there was way more to alternative than grunge. Alternative, like you said, is diverse and always has been.

It took me a long time to wear down our alt station to get that point, but they finally have. And while they still play grunge, they also play plenty of other 90s tracks (and 80s in my case).

It's quite refreshing. I used to be a huge grunge fan, but I love all types of alt and it always annoyed me that grunge sort of became the face of alt in the 90s and still appears that way to many alt stations.

I'll take The Sundays, Garbage or even later Cure to hear one less Pearl Jam track a day. Heck, a lot of stations don't play anything by Radiohead other than "Creep".

 

[acheron1982]

Well that is my main issue with Radio 105.7 - They play a select few tracks from a select few artist. I love Pearl Jam but the same four over and over is a bit much. PJ has some amazing deeper cuts that Radio 105.7 refuses to touch. Same goes with Alice in Chains. Yes, Radio 105.7 basically ignores other genres of 90s alternative (though I was shocked when they played Sober by Tool last night).

They also play a select few artist and songs from post 2010. There are numerous new songs and new artists that most alternative stations are playing that Radio 105.7 is not touching. So glad 99x is back to show them what new alternative music is about.

 

[awp69]

Does the new 99X report to Mediabase? I can't seem to find them. Just curious to see their full playlist.

Edit: I did take a look at what they've been playing through their tunegenie listing. While the 90s stuff is up for debate, I don't think I've ever seen a station play almost exclusively currents and recurrents. Very few things from even the 2000s. And probably the first alt station that wasn't playing at least some grunge (that's a good thing for me, but, just saying....).

And very impressed with some artists that I've never even heard of (not sure if local).

Nice to see that they do look like they're trying to be "cutting-edge". I do wonder though if mixing in at least some 2000s and, yes, a bit of grunge, would appeal to a larger base. Think it would also really pull people away from Radio 105.7, although I realize this is a weaker signal. But lots of new music is fantastic considering the flip side that is WRDA.

 

[chrocket87]

At this point, I doubt they'll show up in Mediabase anytime soon. IIRC, the only translators that show up in the Alternative panel are X98.5 and WEBN-HD2 in Cincinnati. And they've only shown up recently.

 

[acheron1982]

They are sneaking in some one hit wonders you haven't heard since like 2013. All post 2012 music so far. I think the oldest thing they play is Walking on a Dream by Empire of the Sun which came out in 2009. Might be getting airplay though because of the Honda Commercial just released.

 

[acheron1982]

I'm just excited they are playing Queens of the Stone Age and Manchester Orchestra.

 

[awp69]

They are sneaking in some one hit wonders you haven't heard since like 2013. All post 2012 music so far. I think the oldest thing they play is Walking on a Dream by Empire of the Sun which came out in 2009. Might be getting airplay though because of the Honda Commercial just released.

Yeah, Empire of the Sun is charting as a current....re-released due to the Honda commercial.

 

[chrocket87]

Yup. It's even getting airtime on the Adult CHR in my market. Could this be the 'Renegades' of 2016, or will it just get a short-term boost from the commercial?