I was at Q99 (98.7) WQMV in its top 40 days Vicksburg in the early 80's. The station went from 2500 watts to 100,000 watts to compete in Jackson around 1983 competing After another year I went to a bigger market. The station competed with Jackson's other top 40 station WTYX but never did very well. Since the station is no longer to 40 I want to know when and why the abandoned top 40 and the format it went to as well as what formats have occupied that frequency.. The station has major market programming people and sounded good. I personal think it never had a signal that was good enough to do well against other Jackson station.
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What ever happend to Q99 WQMV Vicksburg Jackson?
- Thread starter soundblast
- Start date
soundblast said:I was at Q99 (98.7) WQMV in its top 40 days Vicksburg in the early 80's. The station went from 2500 watts to 100,000 watts to compete in Jackson around 1983 competing After another year I went to a bigger market. The station competed with Jackson's other top 40 station WTYX but never did very well. Since the station is no longer to 40 I want to know when and why the abandoned top 40 and the format it went to as well as what formats have occupied that frequency.. The station has major market programming people and sounded good. I personal think it never had a signal that was good enough to do well against other Jackson station.
First who are you. I listened to Q99 all the time back than with my dads outside antenna. I remember Christian being there. I also remember a whistling type of sound when it was in stereo. Something was wrong with the procesing till.....It went Country
So Q99 went to..
Country
Rock (As 98 Rock WCKO)
Top 40 again as Hot 98 (Believe that was the name)
Country (again)
Than it gets kind of fuzzy
Urban??
AC?
Country (yet again) Sara K was there or was that before (1250 WHNY McComb early 80s)
Than to many diffrent AC Formats Hot AC/ AC Gold
Well theres my memories anyone else?
Urban????
B
bobrall
Guest
When Gene Underwood sold the station, the new owners (Ken Brown - Pepsi ?) built a 600' tower near Bolton to serve Jackson.
The result was not good. The station did not have a decent signal in Jackson until it was sold again and finally moved to a 1000' tower
near Raymond. It and Z106 shared the tower location. Both are Vicksburg licensees and that particular location was one of the
few available near Jackson that would also city grade Vicksburg. Z106 has since moved and is diplexed with another CC station.
That may not be entirely accurate..but close.
The result was not good. The station did not have a decent signal in Jackson until it was sold again and finally moved to a 1000' tower
near Raymond. It and Z106 shared the tower location. Both are Vicksburg licensees and that particular location was one of the
few available near Jackson that would also city grade Vicksburg. Z106 has since moved and is diplexed with another CC station.
That may not be entirely accurate..but close.
soundblast said:I was at Q99 (98.7) WQMV in its top 40 days Vicksburg in the early 80's.
I knew Roz, their news director. I remember that their studios were extremely spacious with lots of big heavily carpeted offices, big sales area, conference rooms. Their control room was particularly impressive. I believe that Q99 operated from a reinvaded school building. Right?
I was by there a few times to see Roz and what I remember most was that everyone was always having fun. I know Roz loved it. Hard to find that level of passion these days. And yes, the station sounded really good and a number of Q99 folks later turned up at Jackson stations.
PS Question - On the day Q99 moved to Jackson its transmitter building burnt to the ground and the station was off the air for weeks. Urban legend? If not, were you there then?
As for me I was The Increasable Thin Man for a year or so then they fired me and others but I came back as Cliff Tripper 91 to 83. I am the person who original asked about the station. I also was also on the air when the transmitter burnt down. I was doing afternoon drive and the signal faded in to FM hiss over a few seconds. We tried to call the transmitter getting a busy signal. Our PD Bill Wilson drove to the transmitter and said the phone would not work because it was welded to the audio prosing as a result of the fire. We were off the air for a month Then they brought in a new transmitter and we were up form 2500 watts to 1000.00 watts Yes we had nice studios equipment but it says in a bad part of town.
Mostly I did a high energy presentation at night. We took a pole letting people vote on the un coolest teacher. About the time I was going to announce the un coolest teacher teachers started calling in threatening to sue us. My PD told me to announce that I had gone over board so we were not going to make the announcement and were taking a poll for the coolest teacher the next night.
WE had a lot of good talent like Jim Jamison JJ Mc Kay who had his one uhual trailar for moving station to station I guess and when he got married he got her one too.
Our GM midday guy was Capitan Kirk Sherwood. We even had a guy who who had word top 40 in Dallas. Scott Matear was with us for a short time. There were 2 kinds of jocks at that station. One kind was there for years and the other kind was there for 4 months or less.
Among the many weird things that took place there was when we hired a new PD from JDX/
After a couple of weeks of jocking at JDX and begin our PD he did not show up for work.
Upon investigation our GM found that his live in girlfriend after having a fight with him tuned him in to the police for giving he a stolen TV set. Of course the real crime was having stolen the TV
Mostly I did a high energy presentation at night. We took a pole letting people vote on the un coolest teacher. About the time I was going to announce the un coolest teacher teachers started calling in threatening to sue us. My PD told me to announce that I had gone over board so we were not going to make the announcement and were taking a poll for the coolest teacher the next night.
WE had a lot of good talent like Jim Jamison JJ Mc Kay who had his one uhual trailar for moving station to station I guess and when he got married he got her one too.
Our GM midday guy was Capitan Kirk Sherwood. We even had a guy who who had word top 40 in Dallas. Scott Matear was with us for a short time. There were 2 kinds of jocks at that station. One kind was there for years and the other kind was there for 4 months or less.
Among the many weird things that took place there was when we hired a new PD from JDX/
After a couple of weeks of jocking at JDX and begin our PD he did not show up for work.
Upon investigation our GM found that his live in girlfriend after having a fight with him tuned him in to the police for giving he a stolen TV set. Of course the real crime was having stolen the TV
Wow that's some good radio story telling there, stolen TV sets, pissed off teachers and a torched xmitter! What was the teachers' beef? I mean if there is a coolest, then in theory someone would be at the bottom of that list. I guess some teacher was in denial about not being the coolest... ???
soundblast said:I am the person who original asked about the station. I also was also on the air when the transmitter burnt down. I was doing afternoon drive and the signal faded in to FM hiss over a few seconds. We tried to call the transmitter getting a busy signal. Our PD Bill Wilson drove to the transmitter and said the phone would not work because it was welded to the audio prosing as a result of the fire. We were off the air for a month
Interesting story about the transmitter. . . never heard of a transmitter building catching on fire and taking a station off the air for a month!
I never knew Scott worked at Q99. I think the Dallas DJ you mentioned was Ted Hartley, who is still the best voice talent in Mississippi. I had always associated Kirk with Z106. I believe Bill Wilson is still in Jackson. You had a lady DJ who was hired as the morning sidekick with Walt (I remember seeing her at WYYN one day ‒ brown hair and eyes. . .maybe she was Wendy, but I am not sure of that) . BTW: I lost track of Roslyn. . . any idea if she is still in radio? After Q99 moved to Jackson I do not recall ever seeing your Jackson studio.
Since you worked the afternoon shift, we probably met in passing. I was visiting Roz one afternoon when you all were celebrating something, the conference room table was filled with catered food. They were handing out Q99 coffee cups, stickers and t-Shirts. . . I still have the Q99 coffee cup but the calls letters are extremely faded. As is my memory!
Great reading on the latter days....Too bad that many of you never experienced the founder, Gene Underwood and his wife, Tillie, that Bob Rall referred to.
The original call letters meant " Quality Music Vicksburg"...and it was just that.
Anybody know if they are still around? Thanks JBI.
The original call letters meant " Quality Music Vicksburg"...and it was just that.
Anybody know if they are still around? Thanks JBI.
I remember Scott Mateer on 98.7, but it burnt down not long after he started. It seems like he was at 94 TYX by the time Q-99 got back on the air. As a matter of fact, he kinda got mad at me on this website because I joked that it was strange that both Rock 102 (101.7) and Q-99 burned down not long after he started. I was joking of course, but he sounded like he was mad. BTW. I vagely remember Q-99 in the seventies as some sort of underground album rock station, kinda like ZZQ, It was hard to pick up back in those days, but I thought it was cool. How long did that last? I also remember it used to simulcast with its sister station WJFL 1490 even after they moved to Jackson.
Whatever happened to the jock that had the throaty voice who called himself "the Rock and Roll Animal" who was that? used to listen to him every night at Hinds Jr. College.
Whatever happened to the jock that had the throaty voice who called himself "the Rock and Roll Animal" who was that? used to listen to him every night at Hinds Jr. College.
Firs of all Ted was the Dallas jock in middays. For some reason they let Scott Mateer do a live audition in afternoon dive. He did a lot of long controversial phone bits and barged that he was going to be the new PD. When I asked Kirk Sherwood our GM at the time if this was true he said not only is he not going to be the PD but also would not be on the air at all. Then a few days later he shows up at 6AM telling the overnight jock he was the new morning man and PD, All turned out to be true.
Before and after the transmitter fire the station was late paying us regular. Scott suddenly exited the station. The way I remember it he was in the GM's office behind closed doors arguing with our GM about the pay checks. Now Kirk the GM was a laid back person. One of those people who is you ever did get him mad it would be like a volcano and that happed when he was talking to Scott about the money situation . Suddenly Kirks door opens it it seems like Scott was ejected and that was it for him. The PD who stole the TV was Scott's replacement.
No doubt I had great stories from Q99, It was a wild place I remember Roz, but my Xwife was Roxanne doing overnights. She became very good I have more stories about this Q similar to what I have shared. It was one of the most insane stations I was with.
By the way After a few years at Q99 as the Incredibleness Thin Man I left for a while and returned as Cliff tripper the rock and roll animal at night,
I did this kind of research on WQKT in Alabama because it was an extremely fun place to work and posed questions about what happened to that questions. If you go to the Alabama board you will see stories about that station.
Before and after the transmitter fire the station was late paying us regular. Scott suddenly exited the station. The way I remember it he was in the GM's office behind closed doors arguing with our GM about the pay checks. Now Kirk the GM was a laid back person. One of those people who is you ever did get him mad it would be like a volcano and that happed when he was talking to Scott about the money situation . Suddenly Kirks door opens it it seems like Scott was ejected and that was it for him. The PD who stole the TV was Scott's replacement.
No doubt I had great stories from Q99, It was a wild place I remember Roz, but my Xwife was Roxanne doing overnights. She became very good I have more stories about this Q similar to what I have shared. It was one of the most insane stations I was with.
By the way After a few years at Q99 as the Incredibleness Thin Man I left for a while and returned as Cliff tripper the rock and roll animal at night,
I did this kind of research on WQKT in Alabama because it was an extremely fun place to work and posed questions about what happened to that questions. If you go to the Alabama board you will see stories about that station.
First of all Ted was the Dallas jock in middays. For some reason they
let Scott Mateer do a live audition in afternoon drive. He did a lot
of long controversial phone bits and braged that he was going to be
the new PD. When I asked Kirk Sherwood our GM at the time if this was
true he said not only is he not going to be the PD but also would not
be on the air at all. Then a few days later he shows up at 6AM telling
the overnight jock he was the new morning man and PD, All turned out
to be true.
Before and after the transmitter fire the station was late paying us
regular. Scott suddenly exited the station. The way I remember it he
was in the GM's office behind closed doors arguing with our GM about
the pay checks. Now Kirk the GM was a laid back person, one of those
people who if you ever did get him mad it would be like a volcano and
thats happed when he was talking to Scott about the money situation .
Suddenly Kirks door opens and it seems like Scott was ejected, and
that was it for him. The PD who stole the TV was Scott's replacement.
No doubt I had great stories from Q99. It was a wild place I remember
Roz, but my Xwife was Roxanne doing overnights. She became very good,
I have more stories about this Q similar to what I have shared. It was
one of the most insane stations I was with.
By the way, after a few years at Q99 as the Incredible Thin Man I left
for a while and returned as Cliff Tripper the rock and roll animal at
night.
I did this kind of research on WQKT in Alabama because it was an
extremely fun place to work and posed questions about what happened.
If you go to the Alabama board you will see stories about that
station.
let Scott Mateer do a live audition in afternoon drive. He did a lot
of long controversial phone bits and braged that he was going to be
the new PD. When I asked Kirk Sherwood our GM at the time if this was
true he said not only is he not going to be the PD but also would not
be on the air at all. Then a few days later he shows up at 6AM telling
the overnight jock he was the new morning man and PD, All turned out
to be true.
Before and after the transmitter fire the station was late paying us
regular. Scott suddenly exited the station. The way I remember it he
was in the GM's office behind closed doors arguing with our GM about
the pay checks. Now Kirk the GM was a laid back person, one of those
people who if you ever did get him mad it would be like a volcano and
thats happed when he was talking to Scott about the money situation .
Suddenly Kirks door opens and it seems like Scott was ejected, and
that was it for him. The PD who stole the TV was Scott's replacement.
No doubt I had great stories from Q99. It was a wild place I remember
Roz, but my Xwife was Roxanne doing overnights. She became very good,
I have more stories about this Q similar to what I have shared. It was
one of the most insane stations I was with.
By the way, after a few years at Q99 as the Incredible Thin Man I left
for a while and returned as Cliff Tripper the rock and roll animal at
night.
I did this kind of research on WQKT in Alabama because it was an
extremely fun place to work and posed questions about what happened.
If you go to the Alabama board you will see stories about that
station.
Tripper...what's up?
I was at Q99 the same time you were...along with Bill Wilson, Scott Mateer, Ted Hartley, Kirk Sherwood and you and your wife.
I was the one that flew to Minnesota to get the xmitter to replace the one that burned up. Yes, the feds investigated that one. I was also the one who went to Chicago to get the flex coax for the tower at Raymond.
Coupla stories about Q99.
The only place I ever did a live remote from a bicycle racetrack.
Used to love watching Scott Mateer eat an entire roll of toilet paper while he was on the air.
We had a client that hated the first two spots we cut for him, so we cut 3 spots and played him the first one...waited an hour or two and played him the 2nd one...then, a couple of hours later we played him the 3rd, which, of course, he loved.
Ted Hartley was a devout Catholic, and when he was given a women's clinic spot to cut he refused. He was laid off...and the relationship between he and Q99 went downhill after that.
The studios were in the middle of a steep hill, and when it snowed or iced, getting to work was a true adventure.
On payday, the checks were tossed in the middle of the table...and if you weren't there, or you got out the door late, they weren't any good. If you were 3rd in line at the bank drive-thru, you were screwed. You didn't DARE deposit it in your bank account, 'cause if you did...it was no good.
Good to hear from you again, Tripper...
I was at Q99 the same time you were...along with Bill Wilson, Scott Mateer, Ted Hartley, Kirk Sherwood and you and your wife.
I was the one that flew to Minnesota to get the xmitter to replace the one that burned up. Yes, the feds investigated that one. I was also the one who went to Chicago to get the flex coax for the tower at Raymond.
Coupla stories about Q99.
The only place I ever did a live remote from a bicycle racetrack.
Used to love watching Scott Mateer eat an entire roll of toilet paper while he was on the air.
We had a client that hated the first two spots we cut for him, so we cut 3 spots and played him the first one...waited an hour or two and played him the 2nd one...then, a couple of hours later we played him the 3rd, which, of course, he loved.
Ted Hartley was a devout Catholic, and when he was given a women's clinic spot to cut he refused. He was laid off...and the relationship between he and Q99 went downhill after that.
The studios were in the middle of a steep hill, and when it snowed or iced, getting to work was a true adventure.
On payday, the checks were tossed in the middle of the table...and if you weren't there, or you got out the door late, they weren't any good. If you were 3rd in line at the bank drive-thru, you were screwed. You didn't DARE deposit it in your bank account, 'cause if you did...it was no good.
Good to hear from you again, Tripper...
superhet61568 said:On payday, the checks were tossed in the middle of the table...
The infamous Q99 paychecks. . . Roz said that the owner(s) needed the station’s money to keep their Meridian TV station afloat. At lunch one day Roz was contemplating an offer from WJDX but at the last minute she discovered that the amount JDX was discussing was “per month,” not “per week.” Basically, JDX was paying less than Q99 (welcome to the big city). She said she was going to hang in there because Pepsi was buying Q99. I lost track of whatever happened, although I saw in an earlier post someone said Pepsi did buy Q99.
Flash forward to today and Q99 is now Mix 98,WJKK (no idea why those call letters). It is a soft robotic sounding AC station that usually has a lowly two-point-something in the in the Arbitron. Although this summer 98.7 had a 4.0 ‒ the surge was due to their morning show ratings. Brock and EJ were #1 with women 25-54 and #2 persons 25-54. (I feel it is necessary to mention that these are non-urban format results. . . the urban stations here are very touchy. . . the term non-urban sends them into whinnymuffin land!)
Your other Vicksburg station (WKYB?) became Z106 and your Q99 manager Kirk was their GM. Z106 has done much better in Jackson than Q99. I don't think money was a problem there - I once heard them offer a Ferrari as a prize! Trivia (from my sister). Originally 106.7 was to be called Y106 and the “Y” was to look very similar to a football goal post but at the last minute (when they had to change their call letters) he picked “Z.” The “Z” was written in lipstick on a napkin and then transposed (that’s why it looks ragged. . . using a napkin as a canvas does that!). Although I like the Z, my favorite was the “Y” with the rebel flag coming through the goal post. . . . at one point that logo was nearly a “go.”
106 was WKYV. Originally built by Bill Hosington, and featuring Morris Currie as a DJ...it was a ground breaker as it was the first country FM in the area...I think they were a little before their time...it was different, that's for sure. Thanks JBI
First of all Ted was the Dallas jock in middays. For some reason they let Scott Mateer do a live audition in afternoon drive. He did a lot of long controversial phone bits and braged that he was going to be the new PD. When I asked Kirk Sherwood our GM at the time if this was true he said not only is he not going to be the PD but also would not be on the air at all. Then a few days later he shows up at 6AM telling the overnight jock he was the new morning man and PD, All turned out to be true.
Before and after the transmitter fire the station was late paying us regular. Scott suddenly exited the station. The way I remember it he was in the GM's office behind closed doors arguing with our GM about the pay checks. Now Kirk the GM was a laid back person, one of those people who if you ever did get him mad it would be like a volcano and thats happed when he was talking to Scott about the money situation . Suddenly Kirks door opens and it seems like Scott was ejected, and that was it for him. The PD who stole the TV was Scott's replacement.
No doubt I had great stories from Q99. It was a wild place I remember Roz, but my Xwife was Roxanne doing overnights. She became very good, I have more stories about this Q similar to what I have shared. It was one of the most insane stations I was with.
By the way, after a few years at Q99 as the Incredible Thin Man I left for a while and returned as Cliff Tripper the rock and roll animal at night.
I did this kind of research on WQKT in Alabama because it was an extremely fun place to work and posed questions about what happened. If you go to the Alabama board you will see stories about that station.
Before and after the transmitter fire the station was late paying us regular. Scott suddenly exited the station. The way I remember it he was in the GM's office behind closed doors arguing with our GM about the pay checks. Now Kirk the GM was a laid back person, one of those people who if you ever did get him mad it would be like a volcano and thats happed when he was talking to Scott about the money situation . Suddenly Kirks door opens and it seems like Scott was ejected, and that was it for him. The PD who stole the TV was Scott's replacement.
No doubt I had great stories from Q99. It was a wild place I remember Roz, but my Xwife was Roxanne doing overnights. She became very good, I have more stories about this Q similar to what I have shared. It was one of the most insane stations I was with.
By the way, after a few years at Q99 as the Incredible Thin Man I left for a while and returned as Cliff Tripper the rock and roll animal at night.
I did this kind of research on WQKT in Alabama because it was an extremely fun place to work and posed questions about what happened. If you go to the Alabama board you will see stories about that station.
I was kinda wondering that too. Fran, I've noticed the exchanges between you and others about urbans and I certainly dont want to spar over stations that I'm not involved with, but the Mix calls were chosen WAY before there was a such thing as a Jack format and the only reason I can figure is that they also own WOKK in Meridian. As for the Summer book, ALL dayparts doubled in shares, not just mornings. I suspect that will change after tomorrows trend. I dont really consider them soft with their currents being Kid Rock, Maroon 5, Coldplay and others. Just my opinion here but I wouldnt want to be programming an AC in a market the makeup of Jackson. Anyway, I think my pot-pie is ready.
I am the guy who originally started this subject and I was the
rock and roll animal. My first year at Q 99 I was the increasable
Thin Man but left the station for a couple of months and returned as
Cliff Tripper The Rock and Roll Animal.
Ted (I forgot his last name) was the Dallas jock in middays. For some reason they
let Scott Mateer do a live audition in afternoon drive. He did a lot
of long controversial phone bits and braged that he was going to be
the new PD. When I asked Kirk Sherwood our GM at the time if this was
true he said not only is he not going to be the PD but also would not
be on the air at all. Then a few days later he shows up at 6AM telling
the overnight jock he was the new morning man and PD, All turned out
to be true.
Before and after the transmitter fire the station was late paying us
regular. Scott suddenly exited the station. The way I remember it he
was in the GM's office behind closed doors arguing with our GM about
the pay checks. Now Kirk the GM was a laid back person, one of those
people who if you ever did get him mad it would be like a volcano and
thats happed when he was talking to Scott about the money situation .
Suddenly Kirks door opens and it seems like Scott was ejected, and
that was it for him. The PD who stole the TV was Scott's replacement.
No doubt I had great stories from Q99. It was a wild place I remember
Roz, but my Xwife was Roxanne doing overnights. She became very good,
I have more stories about this Q similar to what I have shared. It was
one of the most insane stations I was with.
By the way, after a few years at Q99 as the Incredible Thin Man I left
for a while and returned as Cliff Tripper the rock and roll animal at
night.
I did this kind of research on WQKT in Alabama because it was an
extremely fun place to work and posed questions about what happened.
If you go to the Alabama board you will see stories about that
station.
rock and roll animal. My first year at Q 99 I was the increasable
Thin Man but left the station for a couple of months and returned as
Cliff Tripper The Rock and Roll Animal.
Ted (I forgot his last name) was the Dallas jock in middays. For some reason they
let Scott Mateer do a live audition in afternoon drive. He did a lot
of long controversial phone bits and braged that he was going to be
the new PD. When I asked Kirk Sherwood our GM at the time if this was
true he said not only is he not going to be the PD but also would not
be on the air at all. Then a few days later he shows up at 6AM telling
the overnight jock he was the new morning man and PD, All turned out
to be true.
Before and after the transmitter fire the station was late paying us
regular. Scott suddenly exited the station. The way I remember it he
was in the GM's office behind closed doors arguing with our GM about
the pay checks. Now Kirk the GM was a laid back person, one of those
people who if you ever did get him mad it would be like a volcano and
thats happed when he was talking to Scott about the money situation .
Suddenly Kirks door opens and it seems like Scott was ejected, and
that was it for him. The PD who stole the TV was Scott's replacement.
No doubt I had great stories from Q99. It was a wild place I remember
Roz, but my Xwife was Roxanne doing overnights. She became very good,
I have more stories about this Q similar to what I have shared. It was
one of the most insane stations I was with.
By the way, after a few years at Q99 as the Incredible Thin Man I left
for a while and returned as Cliff Tripper the rock and roll animal at
night.
I did this kind of research on WQKT in Alabama because it was an
extremely fun place to work and posed questions about what happened.
If you go to the Alabama board you will see stories about that
station.
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