R.I.P 99X

[deadman]

The more I have been thinking about it. Alternative rock is dead. Alternative used to mean many genres that were not mainstream played altogether on 1 radio station. 99x playing Tony Bennett and Nine Inch Nails in the same hour is what to me was 99x.

 

[Hunter]

Just curious, but does anyone have a real handle on the exact new format for 100.5? I've read that it will be "Rock", but what type? With Personal People Meters on the way, it would be foolish to do away with 99X and not replace it with another format targeting M18-34. Due to poor compliance for this demo with the diary methodology, Young male targeted stations tend to do significantly better in the ratings when PPMs are deployed. Perhaps their research is showing that a similar format with a completely fresh new identity is in order. Something Alternative/Active to pull from WKLS.

I can't imagine Citadel would want to hand a huge chunk of young men to CC and KLS. I also can't imagine that they'd do something stupid like Classic Rock, or Jack, but if they do, I'm sure CBS will redirect Dave in a second. Due to PPM's CBS recently relaunched many short lived Free FM Talk stations back to Alternative.

I'm not in the market and don't hear what's being said on the street, so my thoughts/theories may be way off, but I used to be very familar with Atlanta radio, but that's been a few years ago.

 

[uglyredhonda]

My freeloader card number is only 5 digits and starts with a 1. Haven't found anyone yet with an older one.

Littlejohn's got the winner, but mine's five digits starting with 006. Got it in the summer of '94 when they were giving away the Pearl Jam Live at the Fox CD (which I was desperate to get until I found out that it really was only one disc, and, therefore, only a little over half of the entire show). I remember showing the card to get into a show at the Cotton Club in '96 and having the guy exclaim, "Damn! This is old!" Old always seems relative.

Man, Pendarvis was great. Spent two hours riffing about Filet O' Fish until somebody brought him one. And that kind of thing happened night after night.

Perhaps their research is showing that a similar format with a completely fresh new identity is in order.

You know, I wouldn't discount that. Clear Channel's 99Sux campaign notwithstanding - a lot of people have very strong negative feelings about 99x regardless of the music they play. They've often been perceived as the "cool" kid in class that everybody hates. I think their heritage might have been hurting them more than it helped.

I've been wondering that for a while, mostly because I can't figure out how Project has been getting the kind of ratings it's been getting, despite having a full-on awful morning show, confusing classic rock selections, and some seriously bad songs in regular rotation. (99x has played it, too, but Saliva's "Fake It" has to be the worst #1 Modern Rock Tracks song in the last five years.)

I kept wishing that 99x would have been more challenging in its new song selection, but I doubt that would have been the answer. Most people looking for an Indie 103.1 kind of station have turned to iPods or satellite radio. Even on 100.5, I'm not entirely convinced that Atlanta can carry three alternative-ish stations. (I kept imagining that 99x would go off the air, Dave would tip a little more classic alternative, and the area would be pretty well covered.)

 

[Hunter]

Even on 100.5, I'm not entirely convinced that Atlanta can carry three alternative-ish stations.

When PPMs become currency for ratings, the whole radio landscape in Atlanta MAY look very different. Perhaps under the diary methodology there wasn't room for 3 Alternative-ish rockers however, there very likely will be in a PPM world...based on what has been coming out of initial markets. Also, typically Urban's have been more challenged than the rest of the market with PPMs in use, so the Vee may not be quite so dominant. CBS and others are looking at ways to exploit their holdings, especially if they may lose ground in another area. If Citadel leaves WKLS unchallenged in M18-34s, will CBS skew Dave younger in preperation for PPMs arrival?

Most people looking for an Indie 103.1 kind of station have turned to iPods or satellite radio.

Indie is a great station and while they get a lot of buzz about how cool they sound, the fact is, they aren't getting any ratings to speak of here in L.A.. Granted, their signal is limited to the west side of L.A. and Orange County and they don't get into the valley at all...but their signal does cover significant geographical areas that have a higher propensity to contain the lifestyle groups to build a strong listener base to their quasi free form style. They haven't made the slightest dent in KROQ in the four years they've been on the air. Even if they did have KROQ's signal (which is a full market signal, but crappy) I still don't think they'd make a serious dent in them.

As a side note, in preperation for PPMs here in L.A. Clear Channel has morphed Mod AC Star 98.7 to an Alternative Rock station. They don't sound too exciting so far....mostly relying on a lot of 90's based established hits....To me, they sound like a station to go to when KROQ and Indie are in spots or playing songs I don't like.

 

[Hunter]

If Citadel leaves WKLS unchallenged in M18-34s, will CBS skew Dave younger in preperation for PPMs arrival?

I am so embarrassed...I've been typing Citadel instead of Cumulus. Pardon me while I pour another drink ;D

 

[radioatlantis]

HUNTER

I am certain everyone understands. Cummulus, Clear Channel, Citadel......they all begin with C
and pretty much have the same M.O. ... it's like, no matter what the name on the wrapper..
Cheese is just cheese. C?

 

[Hunter]

HUNTER

I am certain everyone understands. Cummulus, Clear Channel, Citadel......they all begin with C
and pretty much have the same M.O. ... it's like, no matter what the name on the wrapper..
Cheese is just cheese. C?

Thanks for your supportive words....a great reason to pour another.

 

[Hunter]

HUNTER

I am certain everyone understands. Cummulus, Clear Channel, Citadel......they all begin with C
and pretty much have the same M.O. ... it's like, no matter what the name on the wrapper..
Cheese is just cheese. C?

So what type of cheese would each company resemble? Clear Channel could be Velveta because they are cheap and bland, or would they be more like Limburger because of the stench associated with them?

 

[deadman]

I remember being in studio at 99x when i was 13 with my parents meeting Barnes, Leslie, Jimmy, Doug, Steve, and Sean. I was hooked ever since and it was great to be apart of the legend that was 99x. All good things come to an end. If it wasn't for 99x, I wouldn't have hung out with REM 4 times (including a trip to NYC). It was so cool to work with Mike Kee at Music Midtown 1998. I was there for 3 days at Lennox Mall fundraising for the victims of 9/11. Drinking with Freddy Tand Crash. I got Fred and Sean to workout at my LA Fitness at Ansley Mall. Sean and Leslie gave me cds of music and help build my knowledge. Jimmy was a guest on my college radio show. Sean sat down with me and taught me how to speak as a dj. I was there the Friday after Sean left and I thought there was hope to rebuild. As a listener, I know there was alot of hard feelings when Fred, Wally, and Jimmy were fired. I didn't listen to the station until Sean came back.

I don't think I will be listening to the Visual Radio 99x.... #1 Reason - The jocks made the station. Really awesome and interesting people made this station entertaining. 99x without jocks it's a joke. I will wait and see on 100.5. After my converstation with Whip, who Chris Williams screwed over, I really want 100.5 to do well. Karma is a bitch.

 

[monkeymanmoi]

The more I have been thinking about it. Alternative rock is dead.

That claim could probably have been made at any point past the mid-80's. I remember Rolling Stone's review for Teenage Fanclub's Bandwagonesque album (1991). The reviewer pointed to the album as the death of alternative music. Hilarious, because it was reviewed at almost the same month that Nirvana's Nevermind was released. Then Spin magazine called that Teenage Fanclub album the best recording of '91. Goes to show not everyone agrees with what alternative actually is or when it lived/died. I think it still goes on, but certainly it's not quite what it was pre-Nirvana. Mabye Project 96 is "alternative", but only in the sense it's an alternative from just about any good rock and roll currently being made ;D

 

[OutOfTheBiz]

Alternative Music died when record labels began to smell dollars and decided they had to find a way to make alternative more mainstream.

Very popular alternative music is an oxymoron.

 

[RAD1]

Enough already! If it's RIP 99X then let it rest in peace! It does suck when somene loses their gig or gets fired but get over it that's radio. Fram is out, freshblood will be coming in God Bless and looking forward to it. It's long overdue.

 

[deadman]

Fresh blood? The Regular Guys? Doesn't seem too fresh to me. Rob Roberts is just expanding his control over both frequencies and the Dickeys wanted Leslie out of their way.

 

[arum4me]

Ok where do I begin. Sean leaving was one of the best things that could of happend to 99x. It took off and ratings never were higher. Sesquahana saw the writing on the walls and sold 99x while it was still worth a sh!t. I think it all started when Steve Barnes Left the station to try for a movie career. I understand that behind the seens there was a lot of turmoil and Steve was spoken of as if he was some sort of arogant prick. All I know is that the chemistry between Barnes Leslie and Jimmy was one of a kind. After Barnes left there was know more Big Day Out no more Locals Only no more Celebrity Softball. To be successful in the atlanta market you must have a solid morning show. Thats why Q100 does so well and 95.5 the beat sucks. The same is true of country in ATL. Kicks does great and the bull sits in its shadow. Star 94 will go by the wayside as well now the steve and vicky are gone. 99x Should of tried to bring demory back after Barnes had left and Just kept everthing the same. If it ain't broke don't try to fix it. Even Big day out started to suck because they kept trying to change it every year. They should of kept it simple. BDO 500 was a complete failure. Barnse was still there and so I can't say thing weren't already heading south when he was satill there. All these people saying Tocher was some great talent are crazy. He was to crude for a morning drive show. He should of been doing what he is doing now and had the 3-7 show with axel. The T&A segments were always funny and something to look forward ro after a concert. The loss of talent mixed with the continues reiventing of the wheel led to this once great radio stations downfall. A core audiance was lost when 99x took a back seat to new rock and let clear channel take it with 105.3 later project 96.1. The music changed the people changed the station changed. R.I.P. 99x you were a big part of my teenage years and memories. Heres to Jimmy Baron in a dress at BDO. Farwell

 

[dyoungprod]

Ok where do I begin. Sean leaving was one of the best things that could of happend to 99x. It took off and ratings never were higher. Sesquahana saw the writing on the walls and sold 99x while it was still worth a sh!t. I think it all started when Steve Barnes Left the station to try for a movie career. I understand that behind the seens there was a lot of turmoil and Steve was spoken of as if he was some sort of arogant prick. All I know is that the chemistry between Barnes Leslie and Jimmy was one of a kind. After Barnes left there was know more Big Day Out no more Locals Only no more Celebrity Softball. To be successful in the atlanta market you must have a solid morning show. Thats why Q100 does so well and 95.5 the beat sucks. The same is true of country in ATL. Kicks does great and the bull sits in its shadow. Star 94 will go by the wayside as well now the steve and vicky are gone. 99x Should of tried to bring demory back after Barnes had left and Just kept everthing the same. If it ain't broke don't try to fix it. Even Big day out started to suck because they kept trying to change it every year. They should of kept it simple. BDO 500 was a complete failure. Barnse was still there and so I can't say thing weren't already heading south when he was satill there. All these people saying Tocher was some great talent are crazy. He was to crude for a morning drive show. He should of been doing what he is doing now and had the 3-7 show with axel. The T&A segments were always funny and something to look forward ro after a concert. The loss of talent mixed with the continues reiventing of the wheel led to this once great radio stations downfall. A core audiance was lost when 99x took a back seat to new rock and let clear channel take it with 105.3 later project 96.1. The music changed the people changed the station changed. R.I.P. 99x you were a big part of my teenage years and memories. Heres to Jimmy Baron in a dress at BDO. Farwell

Barnes, good to have you on the board.

 

[TheRealOtherNeil]

Ok where do I begin. Sean leaving was one of the best things that could of happend to 99x. It took off and ratings never were higher. Sesquahana saw the writing on the walls and sold 99x while it was still worth a sh!t. I think it all started when Steve Barnes Left the station to try for a movie career. I understand that behind the seens there was a lot of turmoil and Steve was spoken of as if he was some sort of arogant prick. All I know is that the chemistry between Barnes Leslie and Jimmy was one of a kind. After Barnes left there was know more Big Day Out no more Locals Only no more Celebrity Softball. To be successful in the atlanta market you must have a solid morning show. Thats why Q100 does so well and 95.5 the beat sucks. The same is true of country in ATL. Kicks does great and the bull sits in its shadow. Star 94 will go by the wayside as well now the steve and vicky are gone. 99x Should of tried to bring demory back after Barnes had left and Just kept everthing the same. If it ain't broke don't try to fix it. Even Big day out started to suck because they kept trying to change it every year. They should of kept it simple. BDO 500 was a complete failure. Barnse was still there and so I can't say thing weren't already heading south when he was satill there. All these people saying Tocher was some great talent are crazy. He was to crude for a morning drive show. He should of been doing what he is doing now and had the 3-7 show with axel. The T&A segments were always funny and something to look forward ro after a concert. The loss of talent mixed with the continues reiventing of the wheel led to this once great radio stations downfall. A core audiance was lost when 99x took a back seat to new rock and let clear channel take it with 105.3 later project 96.1. The music changed the people changed the station changed. R.I.P. 99x you were a big part of my teenage years and memories. Heres to Jimmy Baron in a dress at BDO. Farwell

Barnes, good to have you on the board.

This just in...dyoungprod has been sued by Steven Barnes.

 

[RTibbs]

So true on T&A. they were funny. IMHO though he was not that crude but to come tastes yet but no worse than the Regular Guys.

 

[littlejohn]

>Sesquahana saw the writing on the walls and sold 99x while it was still worth a ***.

Uh-uh. Susquehanna-Pfaltzgraff, the family owned company which owned Pfaltzgraff China, Susquehanna Radio, and some others, decided to cash out its businesses. As to why this decision was made, speculation runs from 'the plate wiorks wasn't making any money' to 'someone needed cash', and everything in between. The company had been in existance for nearly 200 years. The CEO was in his 70s, and none of his children were involved in the daily operation, leading to the speculation that it was time for the family to exit. At any rate, they announced to the employees roughly a year before the sale completed that the company would go to the highest bidder.

It is a matter of fact that the CEO travelled to each market, and spoke individually to each employee in each market. Susquehanna was truly a class act.

 

[Radio Misfit]

Littlejohn, couldn't agree more. Susquehanna was class all the way, even up to the final day. They threw a party their final day before Cumulus took over, so everyone had a chance to say goodbye. Even the employees that were laid off that same day came to the party.
Cumulus on the other hand, kills a radio station and instead of admitting what they are doing, they act as if they are 'pioneers' by shoving a heritage rock station into oblivion on the internet. No chance to say goodbye to eachother or the fans.

Today is a very sad day in rock history. :'(

 

[jabba17]

HUNTER

I am certain everyone understands. Cummulus, Clear Channel, Citadel......they all begin with C
and pretty much have the same M.O. ... it's like, no matter what the name on the wrapper..
Cheese is just cheese. C?

Don't forget Cox and CBS (Infinity). I call them the 5 C's.