99X at 98.9 becomes 98.9/The Bone, grabs Project 9-6-1’s hard rock mantle
99X at 98.9, owned by Atlanta-based Cumulus Media, is grabbing the active rock mantle from Project 9-6-1, which switched to top 40 Wednesday evening.
“We are the saviors of rock,” proclaimed John Dickey, head of Cumulus programming. “We ran Clear Channel out of format. We are going to save rock for all Atlantans.” He noted that they picked up the Regular Guys after 96rock dumped them. “Clear Channel tried to kill off rock. We’re going to save it.”
The station made the switch at noon Saturday with references to Green Day, Offspring, Linkin Park and Godsmack. The first song was Volbeat’s “Warrior’s Call,” followed by the Foo Fighters “Rope.”
Atlanta-based Cumulus, the second largest radio company in the country behind Clear Channel, has reserved 989thebone.com,which is just a black screen right now. The company has a rock station called the Bone in San Francisco. Someone found a Facebook page for 98.9 the Bone, too, with the logo above right.
(As for Clear Channel’s move to top 40 with Power 96.1, he said, “They have to get through Star and Q100. I don’t think that’s going to happen any time soon. Ryan Seacrest isn’t going to save the day for them. What a mess they’ve dug themselves into.” An effort to reach the new market manager at Clear Channel Matt Scarano failed to render a response.)
For fans of Metallica, Alice in Chains, P.O.D. and Shinedown, this is somewhat good news.
The downside: the signal at 98.9 is relatively weak, a far cry from what 96.1 can project, so it’s not going to be helpful to many harder rock lovers who live outside the Perimeter.
The official change is at noon Saturday with a new name. Right now, the station is airing a sampling of songs that are going to be on the playlist.
Fans of 99X’s alternative rock format are going to be disappointed, of course, especially since Dave FM, 99X’s closest cousin, is also dying off in a few weeks for sports talk.
99X’s ratings on such a weak signal were very modest so Cumulus probably figured the signal could pick up more listeners with active rock. It’s a fairly safe bet without a lot of downside.
As a personal fan of Triple A and alternative rock, I’m glad I have Sirius/XM and of course, umpteenth music options on my iPhone to boot.
Historically, 99X was a powerhouse in the 1990s but alternative rock lost its mojo in the 2000s and by early 2008, the station was left online only. In April, 2009, when a translator signal at 97.9 became available, Cumulus placed it back on the FM airwaves. The station in 2011 moved to the very weak 99.1, then to the slightly better signal at 98.9.
I have no clue if 99X will come back in any form. Sister station Rock 100.5 could potentially shift its music mix to attract the now lost Dave/99X listeners. Or not. We shall see soon.
Join my Facebook fan page and Twitter.
By Rodney Ho, Radio & TV Talk
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133 comments Add your comment
angry
August 31st, 2012
6:21 pm
WTF?! I want 99x back!!!
Longshore
August 31st, 2012
6:22 pm
Steve Craig made posts about 989thebone.com
99X Atlanta Is No More
August 31st, 2012
6:26 pm
[...] Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Rodney Ho quotes Cumulus’ John Dickey: We are the saviors the rock. We ran Clear Channel out of format. We are going to save rock for all [...]
sigh
August 31st, 2012
6:28 pm
Rodney – his name is Matt Scarano. Might be why he did not return your calls.
Q100 is the worst top 40 station ever
August 31st, 2012
6:43 pm
Q100 SUCKS and so does Star94. Both are not true CHR stations. I’m excited to have a Clear Channel CHR station in Atlanta. Sorry John but most Cumulus radio stations are HORRIBLE!!!
Mike Bell 790
August 31st, 2012
6:49 pm
FIRST!!!
steve cox
August 31st, 2012
6:58 pm
i dont understand. Why didnt they take rock 100.5 and make it active rock? It has a signal and keep 99x alternative. I cant belive a major city will not have access to new alternative music. Well, i guess thats why i will go to the internet to hear new music. Good bye Atlanta radio, its sucks.
Linda
August 31st, 2012
7:29 pm
Where are we suposed to hear up-to-date alternative music? Bad move
Stalag
August 31st, 2012
7:39 pm
Well that’s just great… if you live inside the perimeter and like “active rock” (wtf is that?). But since 70% or more of the “Metro Atlanta Area” lives outside the perimeter that will still just leave rock fans with just 97.1 (mostly just classic rock) and 100.5 (some classic and some less classic). And now Atlanta radio will be ‘alternative’ free no matter where you live… gee, thanks giant mindless heartless radio corps, just what we needed – another crap pop station. Time to break out the iPod.
charlton heston
August 31st, 2012
7:44 pm
You Maniacs! You blew it up! Ah, damn you! Damn you all to hell!
Judah
August 31st, 2012
8:08 pm
Who is going to play 311, red hot chilli peppers, pearl jam the foo fihhters and all the classic 90’s alternative music. Nirvana, no doubt, blink 182 etc they took 99x away like 10 years ago and now again
finally
August 31st, 2012
8:18 pm
Having been here since 68 it kills me to see 961 hemorraging that autotune excrement, and I ALWAYS loved z93/dave and 99x in the glory days. While I don’t run a station, I know they have to show a profit to keep going and why they think 4 stations playing the same exact junk is gonna make em rich is beyond me…sure the dance versions are slightly different but c’mon!!!!!!!!! Atlanta wants to rock this is just insulting to see all the best stations floating down the chattahoochee. Tuscaloosa Alabama has better stations my 77 year old mom and 75 year old dad can rock out better than Atlanta-wtf???? 5 million + are being force fed turds! Sorry for the rant but I just have to say boooooo to corp radio
alyson
August 31st, 2012
8:19 pm
98.9 The Bone? Could that name possibly be more juvenile? Blech.
Seriously?
August 31st, 2012
8:21 pm
*deletes 98.9 off of pre-set*
Why can’t we have nice things? Yeah, it was a signal that you couldn’t get OTP, but now we get a station of shouty, angry man-boy music. The “Bone” indeed. Couldn’t they have taken over 100.5 instead? I would imagine the Boner demo is super-OTP.
I wish someone besides Cumulus would take a stab at doing Alternative in Atlanta. The 99x title is meaningless at this point.
pjlmarietta
August 31st, 2012
8:51 pm
I expected Rock 100.5 to pickup the slack… This week has been full of bad choices… A fourth Top-40, loss of Active Rock, then loss of Alternative for a weak Active Rock… Hopefully they have a good plan for Wild 105.7/96.7 as that is all Atlanta needs in another hip-hop station as I believe two is enough: Hot-107.9 and Streets 94.5… What a waste of radio spectrum. At least for now Journey is safe.
beachmom
August 31st, 2012
8:59 pm
This is even worse news than 96 going pop, but like you said, the options are with Satellite and internet radio. The problem is this:
http://nielsen.com/us/en/insights/press-room/2012/music-discovery-still-dominated-by-radio–says-nielsen-music-360.html
“Radio is still the dominant way people discover music (48%) – followed by tips from friends/relatives (10%), and YouTube (7%), but more teens listen to music through YouTube than through any other source (64%) — followed by radio (56%) and iTunes (53% ) and CDs (50%) – according to results from a comprehensive, in-depth Nielsen study of consumer interaction with music in the United States, the Music 360.”
That means the vast majority of Atlantans over the age of 30 will never hear new alternative, indie, or even singer/songwriter music being released And that is sad.
Benjy
August 31st, 2012
9:23 pm
I don’t have an iPhone or Sirius/XM radio. 99X was the only thing keeping me current on new, good music. And boy, did it ever! I could go from System of a Down to Fun. From Dead Sara to the Black Keys to Green Day. This was what I listened to religiously during my morning and evening commute. I bragged about 99X to my non-Atlanta friends, who didn’t even know a new Killers album was coming out. All that is gone.
And they did it so unceremoniously, too! At least when 99x went off the air the first time, the DJs knew about it and (mostly) ended their set list with “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)”, the ONLY song to say goodbye with. Now, I listen to a little U2 and Social D and then BLAM, 99X is gone. I get the impression that the DJs didn’t even know this was coming.
jabster
August 31st, 2012
9:50 pm
You can now hear RHCPs and Pearl Jam on 97.1 The River…alt’s moved on to classic rock. Deal.
ann
August 31st, 2012
9:58 pm
Worst. week. ever. Atlanta radio now officially sucks. This makes me embarrassed to live here. Do other large cities deal with this? Sad.
JS
August 31st, 2012
9:58 pm
Dave AND 99x going away? Seriously.. besides business radio 1190, those are the only 2 music stations in ATL worth a hoot, and they’re both going off the air?
Moving full time to Pandora, Spotify, etc online.. good riddance Atlanta radio!
Calling It Lke It Is
August 31st, 2012
10:16 pm
Cumulus saves the day? My ass! They are the ones that started the downward spiral when they bought Sesquhana and killed the original 99x. They flipped frequencies with Q100, and killed 99x yet again (moving to the internet only), created a “Rock” station and moved it to a lower powered antenna. Only to move 99x to a translator antennae with no reach and moved it how many times?
Dave tweaks their format how many times, then announces they are going to Sports Talk. Project tweaks their format, trying to figur1e out what they wanted to be. Both Project and Dave were grasping at genres, trying to get some sense of identity. Project abruptly changes to Top 40, leaving only Classic Rock and weak signaled Alternative to pick up the listener base that was abandoned by Clear Channel’s amazingly bright idea that Atlanta needs another Top 40 station.
And now 99x abruptly goes down to be replaced by a Cumulus backed knock off of Project. They destroyed what was a nationally recognized Alternative station that was one of the best in the country. They are not going to get anywhere with a weak signal.
How many more stations are they going to flip in this market? 2 literally within the last week with no warning, and 1 within the next 30 days. This goes to show WHY Atlanta has some of the worst radio in the country. With all th flipping and new stations popping up, you don’t know what to listen to on what frequency. UNBELIEVABLE!!
Ammon
August 31st, 2012
10:50 pm
Bands like Black Keys, The Killers, Airborne Toxic Event, Keane, Grouplove, Walk the Moon, Fun., and Young the Giant aren’t classic rock.
TheLazyComic
September 1st, 2012
12:04 am
John Dickey is just another corporate mouthpiece. He ain’t doing squat because the people want it. He’s doing it because Cumu-sucks thinks they can sell it. Next lesson.
GT Alum
September 1st, 2012
12:23 am
I know someone in the radio industry who said that everyone at 99X was fired. If they were just going to move the alternative format to some other station, I wouldn’t think they would do that. Now, this is 2nd hand information, so it may not be accurate, but I believe this is likely the death of alternative rock radio in Atlanta.
I was thinking about cancelling my satellite radio subscription a couple weeks ago because I never use it anymore and it seemed like money flushed down the toilet. Now I’m happy I didn’t, because I will probably be using it all the time I’m in the car now. 99X was my primary station, and Dave had become my secondary. Without those 2, it’s probably not worth listening to radio anymore for me.
The project is where its at
September 1st, 2012
1:01 am
Bring back the project and its line up… Alternative rock is out of date and it sucks period
Sam
September 1st, 2012
1:16 am
God I am so sick of this crap! WTH am I supposed to listen to on the radio? I think it’s time for Sirius.
SaveProject961
September 1st, 2012
1:19 am
See what I dont understand is that project played bands like the black keys, foxy shazam, foo fighters and many band which are heard on 99x and Dave. SO it’s one or the other not both.. How bout adding the new format with the current? Nooooooo then it would be tooo simple.. It then be the Old 99x and we can’t have that now can we… -_-
nCNhonky tonk man
September 1st, 2012
4:14 am
Ok nit wits ,wise guys aye !The time has comelready for alternative music to die.Ok ita road kill people, Garbage, Pixies,everything else 99x trys to reach back an play is older than father time .Get over it and get a life. Wah wah grown babies crying over spilled milk. 99x was good ten years ago people.Not Now!!!!!! 96 rock should come back. Remember the days of playing Mrs Pacman in the Arcade,listening to Sammy Hagar “I cant drive 65″ only on pure Rock n roll 96 rock.Bring it back guys dont be Beef Jerkeys.
epic quibble
September 1st, 2012
7:31 am
Willie B. was my first gorilla.
Shari
September 1st, 2012
7:39 am
Again Atlanta shoots itself in the foot of being anywhere near having a great Alternative rock station. Will definitely miss 99x – thank god for Pandora in the car!!
dojomommy
September 1st, 2012
8:01 am
wow. guess i’ll be listening to lots more WABE (i have eclectic taste…) NPR and classical music, at least it drives my kids crazy.
Stephen
September 1st, 2012
8:24 am
Hideous news. Can Atlanta please, please have some intelligent programming, somewhere?
Andy
September 1st, 2012
9:02 am
ATL has the worst radio stations in the country bar none. Thank god for SiriusXM.
really ....
September 1st, 2012
9:03 am
The 98.9 has no signal strength for us south of the city. Saddens me to think of the good ole days when we rocked downtown, bigday out, or even stone mountain park where my wife and i went on our first date. We dont have anything like that now. I am 99X!!!
hey now.....
September 1st, 2012
9:11 am
this week’s radio musical chairs is why I don’t listen to music radio in Atlanta anymore. 790 the Zone is the only local station I listen to. All of my music is streamed on my phone. Atlanta music radio is embarrassing! It’s a joke! I stream KNBT, out of New Braunfels, TX. in the last year, I have, literally, several hundred songs that I had never heard and now have in my collection. 99x/DaveFM quit breaking new ground years ago. They only played what caught on. Both stations were complete jokes!
David Briel
September 1st, 2012
9:13 am
I wished ATLANTA had a 1970’s/1980’s oldies station that plays all types of classic hits such as DONNA SUMMER’S MacArthur Park and MECO’S Star Wars Theme. There were much more better songs in my opinion in those two decades, than now partly because most OF “TODAY’S MUSIC AIN’T GOT THE SAME SOUL.
former RegularGuy listener
September 1st, 2012
9:16 am
Does this mean they are also going to play that God awful Phil Collins’ song–”I Can Feel It Coming In Her Hair Tonight” over, and over, and over again like the other so-called Atlanta’s Rock Stations>?
carla
September 1st, 2012
9:25 am
I’m so sad:( I don’t watch tv…It’s music all day every day in my house. When 99X died it’s horrible death I switched to Dave and it’s been fun…but they are killing that too. Now THIS NEWS???? I’m always amazed when I drive through Knoxville at the awesome rock stations up there…I always hear Tool when I drive through. but here in ATL we can listen to Adele 400 time a day. or Katy Perry. Now on 96.1 too? Really? Way to fill a need there. I guess it’s time to look at satelite radio because what is going to be left to listen too? And I agree…I miss BIG DAY OUT. Best time..awesome music. 99X was THE best in the day. 96.1 Has been rock since I move here in the early 80’s. It makes me sick to think they have debased themselves to play top 40. I’ve been upset about Dave going away since they announcement..but this….I have no words. BAD day for radio in ATL.
Default Settings 2.0
September 1st, 2012
9:29 am
YouTube has become my radio station of choice. (While I am at the house, not driving.)
I am 99X
September 1st, 2012
9:41 am
The DIckey’s are the saviors of rock? What a pompous ass.Cumulus has always been about the money, NEVER about the people or the music. The Dickeys are the walmart of radio…and they will never ‘get it’.
David Puddy
September 1st, 2012
9:42 am
Let’s move Chuck and Turnoff over to The Bone so we don’t have to deal with their pompuos ‘know it all’ schtik anymore.
Calling It Lke It Is
September 1st, 2012
9:53 am
As much as everyone wants P:roject back….it won’t. Clear Channel owns the name and sure as hell wouldn’t give it to Cumulus. The smart thing Cumulus did was to jump on the format as soon as 96 flipped, but to take down a heritage station in the process?? They are going to HAVE to boost the signal if they are planning to have an on-air staff. Otherwise, how are they going get the ad revenue to pay anyone? And, knowing Cumulus, they will take those same songs they are playing in their “teaser” and those will be their playlist. Gone will be the days of playing new bands or new music until it catches on everywhere else.
They should be using Atlanta like Sesquehana did back in the day..lead, not follow. They have the money and power to make something out of this, but do they have the brains and guts? My bet is no. They will take a handful of bands and songs and you will hear the same ones over and over, like Top 40 does. Let’s see them prove me wrong! I doubt they have the guts to.
Cyril
September 1st, 2012
9:58 am
Just when you think radio in this city could not get worse, these 2 stupid out of town companies find a way. Congrats Cumulus & Clear, you have driven another radio listener away.
Mike
September 1st, 2012
10:00 am
And with this move, Atlanta has 0 radio identity. Great job.
I wonder if programmers read Rodney’s blog. The reaction to the Dave switch, 96.1 and now this has been very positive. (sarcasm)
Sam I Am
September 1st, 2012
10:21 am
Dang! I am still grieving that 106.7 went news and I can’t hear The Beatles on Atlanta radio if my life depended on it. All in all, Atlanta radio is a poor excuse for radio. Does anyone in Atlanta have a clue how to program a radio station anymore? If everyone would find a format and stick to it, instead of going all over the place trying to please everyone and not pleasing anyone, Atlanta radio might once again offer listening pleasure.
finally
September 1st, 2012
10:27 am
A Dedication to Clear Channel and Cumulus
Killer in the Home
Adam Ant/Marco Pirroni
I live the life that I’ve been left
I leave most things unspoken
But deep inside Geronimo is tearing me apart
I’ve seen him in the streets
And I’ve seen him in the pictures
Killer in the home
Killer in the home
Now’s the time I must digress
From going through the motions
Take my head out of it’s sling
Free the warrior
I’ll fight him in my dreams
And I’ll fight him till he kills me
Killer in the home
Killer in the home
They cut you in half with a gun
And give you a bandaid
They cut you in half with a gun
And give you a bandaid
Killer in the home
Killer in the home
Killer
IS the home
Stevereeno
September 1st, 2012
10:31 am
Radio in Atlanta is pretty bad. Sad that this is the case but, for a city with so much music industry, we don’t have the airplay.
Horsetoothedjackass
September 1st, 2012
10:39 am
@TheLazyComic, John Dickey’s family OWNS Cumulus Media and he is Co-Chief Operating Officer of the company, hardly someone who can be referred to as a “corporate mouthpiece”. Had his comments been coming from one of his lackeys, they could be considered to be a “corporate mouthpiece”.
Any respect I had for any of the Dickeys went out the window when they could have bought the Thrashers and kept them here. After all, they were among several local groups trying to buy the Braves prior to Time Warner selling them to Liberty Media. It would have made perfect sense to buy the Thrashers, the Hawks and the arena rights from Atlanta Spirit seeing as the most money spent on arena improvements since ASG had bought the two teams was the studio stage Dickey Broadcasting built there plus they already had the radio broadcast rights to both teams.
Radio in Atlanta has sucked for years and as a result, I’ve been a satellite radio subscriber for nearly 7 years. You couldn’t pay me to listen to any of the music stations in Atlanta, as they all suck.
Mike
September 1st, 2012
10:39 am
Atlanta radio died years ago when the old 98Rock changed it’s format and stopped playing true Classic Rock and 97.1 The River who says they play it can’t seem to get it right, they must be owed by Elton John since every other song is his and can’t reach out too far past 285….. What happen to REAL Classic Rock???
Long live Pandora !!!!!!
Lindsey Gain
September 1st, 2012
10:39 am
This is BS. The only decent radio in Atlanta will be GSU’s Album 88. Not everyone wants to hear the same songs on EVERY station. Way to introduce music with talent and meaning to Atlanta! We want more Nicki Minaj!!
Mike
September 1st, 2012
10:44 am
How about some good Blues, I would love to hear some Joe Bonamassa on the air…..
Zanna
September 1st, 2012
11:24 am
Looks like the only radio station I’ll be listening to now is WRAS 88.5 FM. These huge corporations are severely out of touch with what people really want to listen to.
Mark Farner
September 1st, 2012
11:24 am
I hope they dig into the vault. There’s some stuff we never hear anymore that is incredibly current. Blue Cheer, 13th Floor Elevators, Grand Funk Railroad, Cream, Rare Earth, Deep Purple (and it doesn’t have to just be “Smoke on the Water”). Sure, some of this might not fit the “active rock” category, but it’s the heavy end of “classic rock.” Blue Cheer is considered the first heavy metal band. Give that dog a bone.
steven head
September 1st, 2012
11:25 am
I very mad about what had happen to project 96.1 this station has been on the air since 1974 and it was the only station i listened to and the only station in my book who played nothing but rock of all types and had the best host this is truly a sad time in ga to change this station in to a hiphop station I can tell you i will not listen to power961 i will encourage any one i know to not listen
Tom
September 1st, 2012
11:27 am
Bring back ‘Ross & Wilson’!!
steven head
September 1st, 2012
11:31 am
I can say for 98.9 you have you work cut out for you I hope the music you play as good as how the project done it thanks for taking the project rock mantle
Kel
September 1st, 2012
11:36 am
The Bone??? Why do they have to refer to themselves as an inanimate object? Why not, 98.9 / The Mower Blade? Of if body parts are essential, 98.9 / The Appendix? What does it mean to be, “The Bone”?
Rowdy
September 1st, 2012
12:40 pm
Listen to this guitar driven Atlanta band! NO pop here. Music like it should be! If you agree, sign and make a comment omn their Guest Page.
http://www.notquitedevils.com
ANDREA H. KIDD
September 1st, 2012
2:18 pm
Enter your comments here
CA
September 1st, 2012
2:21 pm
Sirius, Sirius, Sirius! XM,XM,XM! There are reasons satellite is growing. Check subscriber numbers. It’s also nice to drive around the country and not lose a signal.
ANDREA H. KIDD
September 1st, 2012
2:22 pm
WTF????
Stephanie
September 1st, 2012
2:38 pm
I’m sorry you guys are losing your station, too! I hate to think that Cumulus is screwing you guys over the same way Clear Channel screwed over Project 9-6-1 fans.
If any of you feel like joining our fight to get our own station back (so we can leave yours alone), please check out http://www.facebook.com/SaveOurProject.
RC
September 1st, 2012
2:43 pm
I got rid of Sirius because their billing is so screwed up. They were always messing up on my bill. But I actually think I will go back to them. Atlanta radio is bottom of the barrel. All the stations that I like are getting axed. I will miss Dave FM and Mara. I hope she stays in ATL but can’t see her at The River or at 100.5. Don’t see her playing tired old songs at The River and don’t see her playing Bon Jovi at Rock 100.5. Sad days for radio in this city!!!
Billy
September 1st, 2012
2:56 pm
Rock is dead, has been for many years. All we’re doing now is reruns of past rock. The musical chairs exercise that has been going on for years has moved all of us to CDs and beyond. The next Dodge Charger I get will have XMSirrius on it. Tired of the BS. When I was a kid, you had Z93 for mainstream rock, 96Rock for heavy rock, and 94Q for jazz flavors with Australian Craig Ashwood. Long live the past, it’s gone for good. The self righteous grunge crap that came along started the ball rolling, and except for a time in the late 90s, early 2000s, (Thanks, Rob Thomas), rap helped nail the coffin shut. Steve Miller, I didn’t think much of you in the late 70s, but compared to what’s out their now, you’re almost a g-d…
steve
September 1st, 2012
3:06 pm
jimmy baron is the only one who can save us now.
aps
September 1st, 2012
4:06 pm
Radio in Atlanta has sucked for decades. Too many commercials with the same songs repeated. All you have to do is travel to any other city in the US to see how bad Atlanta radio really is.
Sluggo
September 1st, 2012
4:19 pm
These corporate radio folks and the idiot consultants have ruined the business. The radio business is like McDonalds. A hamburger in Miami tastes just like a hamburger in Spokane. There’s no individuality. Here in Atlanta, they’ve made so many changes I have no idea what music is played on what station or dial position. I just have to scan if I am in the mood to listen. Most of the time I just pop in the cd of choice.
mike "hussein" smith
September 1st, 2012
4:35 pm
You folks are living in a hick town. Columbia, SC, has better radio stations.
Chad
September 1st, 2012
4:50 pm
99x was the only good station in Atlanta for YEARS and now it’s gone too. IDC about 96.1 I like Dave But to get rid of Alternative radio in a city like Atlanta is HORRIBLE!!
Jimmy B.
September 1st, 2012
4:59 pm
Hey everyone, with all the flips can’t someone find a place for me? Come on, I’m still here.
Ghoti
September 1st, 2012
5:03 pm
For a market this size, Atlanta radio absolutely sucks. Why can’t we get a decent rock station or an Adult Alternative station? Sirius/XM, here I come.
Rock and Roll
September 1st, 2012
5:42 pm
I’m 57 but I still love it loud@ Give me Slayer and Ted Nugent or give me death!
Jill
September 1st, 2012
5:45 pm
What, did everyone that ever listened to the AAA format in Atlanta just suddenly die off or something? Who are we supposed to listen to? 99X, while only a shadow of its former self, was still worth listening to, and Dave had me when they picked up Steve. So we lose both stations at the same time? Guess I’ll be sticking to my mp3 player from now on, but how will I find new music if I’m not willing to pay for a satellite subscription (which I’m not)?
atl
September 1st, 2012
5:57 pm
First of all I can’t believe they took off the only rock/live rock station 9-6-1-project, I thought I had on the wrong station wednesday when I got in the car. Atlanta don’t need another top 40 or hip-hop station please! Now that 98.9 has taken over where 96.1 the project left off.. I can listen to some real music..like the foo fighters, avenege sevenfold, five finger death punch,etc…I didn’t know what I was going to do…that is the only type of music I like and listen too….I will try this new staton 98.9
Your Name Here
September 1st, 2012
8:14 pm
Clear Channel killed off Project 9-6-1 for Powerless 96.1 and 98.9 has no signal to speak of, so OTA radio in Atlanta has officially died. Time to fall back on Ye Olde mp3 player, Sirius/XM and iheartradio.com.
sleeved
September 1st, 2012
8:54 pm
Atlanta, a city devoid of culture. Absent of jazz. Name a museum of substance. Food overcooked, sticky and sweet. Its time for the subculture to rise up and stand out. It will happen. The duopoly that is FM may have tried to extinguish what seemingly is the last flame. Now there is a cause. Bring it guys and gals that are cool. Time to reinvent. There is space now to do better than what 99x was trying to do. Who wants in?
Kappy
September 1st, 2012
9:10 pm
Mike “Hussein” Smith, you are totally right. WXRY in Columbia is like Dave/99x (RIP) got together and had a perfect child. Thank God I can still stream that station on my phone. How sad that a metro less than a quarter the size of Atlanta can have better variety than the crap they play here.
Todayswimpymusic
September 1st, 2012
9:16 pm
How funny my parents used to complain my music (clash, Led Zep, AC/DC) was too loud. Now I Complain my kids music is too wussy. Of course I am correct, todays music is for girls and wimps.
yeti
September 1st, 2012
9:50 pm
Enter your comments here
DS
September 1st, 2012
10:08 pm
Guess I will have to re-adjust my FM settings, and be thankful for my XM. Also means that about half my FM settings will be for WSB, WGST, NPR, and of course XM, especially since country makes me GAG and therefore is NOT in the line up.
James
September 1st, 2012
10:17 pm
What a horrible, horrible time for radio in Atlanta. I’m not that upset over Project 96.1 changing formats because they kind of did it to themselves by playing the same outdated songs over and over. Don’t get me wrong, I like GnR, Metallica, Nirvana, and all the great rock bands from the 90s, and before but I don’t need their songs in heavy rotation. I want to hear new, more recent stuff.
Losing daveFM is going to suck but I thought “at least I still have 99x” then I turned on the radio to hear this travesty! Not cool! Not cool at all! Guess I need to go find my old iPod radio tuner because there will be no more quality alternative rock stations once daveFM goes. It’s a sad, sad time on the Atl airwaves now. Is this part of the whole 2012 (end of the world) thing?
Steven
September 2nd, 2012
1:57 am
Hey Mr. “Q100 is the worst top 40 station ever”, I’m not sure if you know about this, but Power plays the SAME EXACT MUSIC as both Star 94 and Q100. Heck, most of that same music is ALSO heard on Wild and B 98.5. Radio needs to be alot more diverse, and Clear Channel did not help the cause by taken Project off the air. If anything, they just made it worse.
RaleighDawg
September 2nd, 2012
11:10 am
You need to check you blog filter Rodney…as well as the ‘Report this comment’ functionality. I tried reporting via this link and receive a “this comment does not seem to exist” (or words to that effect) reply…
Dave
September 2nd, 2012
1:07 pm
@ RaleighDawg, I should have worded my comments more carefully; my last statement carries a bad tone and for that I apologize. Over the last ten years, Atlanta’s culture has changed dramatically, both inside and outside the perimeter. 96 Rock was estabilished in 1974 I believe; it evolved into Project 96.1, and has now evolved into something of surplus for Atlanta. There’s no easy way to express the opinion of an average white guy rocker who just lost his #1 preset. We can dance around the issue; but it doesn’t change the fact that it’s corporate greed catering to an evolved populus. In any case, I meant no disrespect.
Laura
September 2nd, 2012
9:22 pm
I want my project 961 back!! I can’t even get this new station in villa rica.
Cherrie D.
September 2nd, 2012
9:50 pm
96 is the only ATL station I can get in that wasn’t 40 pop/hop, country or religion. What good is it if you’re OTP ? I can get one crap Chatt.station if the wind blows the right way and 98.9 doesn’t come in..Clearchannel and Cumulus screwed everybody… Just bring the Project back !
Jen
September 2nd, 2012
10:15 pm
99x was far and away the best station in Atlanta. I just left the station on and knew that a) I was going to hear good songs and b) I wasn’t going to hear the same fifteen songs every hour. I am seriously angry right now and am just going to play my iPod from now on. I can download the five songs I’d hear on Q100 and Star94 and not bother with those. And like hell am I listen to this new ratings grab by Cumulus. “We’re going to save rock.” Complete BS.
William
September 2nd, 2012
10:40 pm
What the hell is going on in Atlanta? So basically there is no station whatsoever worth listening to. You kill 99X and now about to kill Dave fm. WTF!!!!!!!!! Why are you trying to force the entire city to listen to hip hop????? I guess there’s always 97.1 the river where you can hear Hotel California for the billionth time. BRING 99X BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Clear Channel on a mission..
September 2nd, 2012
10:48 pm
Worth noting, Clear Channel owns iHeartRadio. Prior to iHeartRadio, they invested in XM Radio, throwing their weight around pretty heavily from what I’ve read. Didn’t sound like a good relationship from what I’ve read. And now, they have iHeartRadio.
Also, Atlanta isn’t the first city where they’ve screwed loyal alternative and hard rock fans. I found this nugget..
“On May 16 2012 Clear Channel bought the oldest alternative rock station on the East Coast, WFNX. All but four of the staff members have been fired. They will not continue with the current programming and plan to replace it with Spanish programming or country music.[54] This has sparked unhappiness in the Boston community, inspiring hundreds of posts, and a petition on change.org”
Jen
September 2nd, 2012
11:17 pm
Also, supporters of both Project 9-6-1 and 99x should feel free to sign this petition (if 96.1 comes back, maybe 99x will be forced to turn back to alternative):
http://www.change.org/petitions/atlanta-radio-station-bring-back-96-1-bring-back-project-961
Errrrr
September 3rd, 2012
2:18 am
I feel like Atlanta just got boned with this switch!
Myron Falwell
September 3rd, 2012
2:30 am
I’m sorry, Jen, but neither Clear Channel or Cumulus will pay attention to any online petitions. Project won’t return at all.
Myron Falwell
September 3rd, 2012
2:42 am
“On May 16 2012 Clear Channel bought the oldest alternative rock station on the East Coast, WFNX. All but four of the staff members have been fired. They will not continue with the current programming and plan to replace it with Spanish programming or country music.[54] This has sparked unhappiness in the Boston community, inspiring hundreds of posts, and a petition on change.org”
Okay. Time to set the record straight.
WFNX was owned by the leading alternative weekly in Boston, the Phoenix – ergo, the WFNX call letters. Had an okay signal based in suburban Lynn. The Phoenix cashed out and sold the signal to Clear Channel, who then tried to spread a rumor that CC’s then-2nd-tier talk station would replace WFNX upon takeover. As it turned out, 101.7 took a jockless adult hits format, and that talk station quickly flipped to all-comedy.
The Phoenix kept the rights to the call letters, and “uses” them for their jockless online radio station at wfnx.com. Many of the station’s former deejays were hired by The Boston Global, who launched an internet station of their own at RadioBDC.com.
WFNX was far from the only modern/alternative outlet in Boston. They still have “radio 92.9″ WBOS (alt-rock) and “92.5 The River” WXRV (AAA).
Myron Falwell
September 3rd, 2012
2:47 am
Unlike XM, which Clear Channel only invested in after its’ launch, iHeartRadio was their creation. They’ve also aligned with multiple broadcast chains (Cumulus, Greater Media, Cox, Salem, Emmis, Federated, etc.). The Cumulus iHeartRadio alliance was in exchange for Clear Channel stations promoting Cumulus’ SweetJack.com creation.
99X Atlanta Is No More; The Bone Debuts
September 3rd, 2012
3:24 am
[...] Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Rodney Ho quotes Cumulus’ John Dickey: We are the saviors the rock. We ran Clear Channel out of format. We are going to save rock for all [...]
Clear Channel on a mission..
September 3rd, 2012
9:08 am
@ Myron Falwell,
I’m not sure what record you’re setting straight. You expanded that The Phoenix went to online radio, and that the dj’s went to work somewhere else (thankfully). Clear Channel took 101.7 which plays a “Variety Hits format,” anything from Aerosmith, to Bon Jovi, to Madonna. Simple ending to the story: Boston lost an iconic alternative rock FM station and Clear Channel was a factor.
In regards to your iHeartRadio comment, not sure, seems like you’re trying to argue a point. Sure it’s their own creation, that wasn’t contested. My reference to iHeartRadio was intended to paint a picture that appears accurate from all viewing angles.. Clear Channel is dismantling rock and alternative rock stations in Atlanta and other cities, while promoting their internet radio “creation” iHeartRadio. Go figure.
@ everyone,
Rock is NOT dead!! There are so many great songs and bands from the 90’s up. Take Chevelle’s Hat’s off to the Bull; that song reeks of classic sound made modern. Rock on Atlanta (somehow)..
dirtleg
September 3rd, 2012
9:23 am
Will u at least up the signal strength doesn’t pick up in griffin
Ganners
September 3rd, 2012
2:59 pm
Axel from 99X tweeted earlier today he will be on the radio at 3pm tomorrow…no idea what station or format.
Ghostnerd
September 3rd, 2012
3:21 pm
What? 99x gone again?! How could this happen? Every band in the county wants to do a Live X. They brought back Music Midtown after everyone said it would never happen again and now they won’t even be around to see it? Alt is NOT dead, it’s bigger than ever! Just because they don’t get played on one of the 4 top 40 stations doesn’t mean they aren’t big. I guess i have to go satellite now. I couldn’t really justify the price before but, if it somehow cuts into John Dickey’s profits, I’ll pay it twice.
Radio is the new tape player
September 4th, 2012
6:50 am
Spotify ! Get it now!
PS
September 4th, 2012
8:26 am
I am baffled that everyone keeps harping on “alternative is dead!” Can someone explain to me why some of the biggest songs of the year were initially played on alt stations, then, before pop stations grabbed them? “Somebody That I Used to Know,” “We Are Young,” etc. Star94, Q100, etc. didn’t even come close to touching these songs until well after 99X and Dave had them in their rotations for MONTHS.
Pippy Short Stockings
September 4th, 2012
9:17 am
After listening on and off over the holiday weekend I have determined Power 96 is just a rebadged Wild 105.7 FM. They play the same song again the next hour and are doing their best to force that juvenile Elvis Duran morning show down our throats. Sadly there isn’t a good radio station anymore in Atlanta. Not that it was good before, but it just gets worse!
Rebecca
September 4th, 2012
9:20 am
Why did they have to change 99x’s format? I love that station and why get rid of DAVE FM because I love that station too! Corporate radio sucks!
Suzanne McGuire
September 4th, 2012
9:28 am
Atlanta needs a REAL rock station! KBPI on iheartradio has been my savior!
Calling It Like It Is
September 4th, 2012
9:56 am
News flash…Rock and Alternative formats are not dead…just dead in Atlanta, thanks to Cumulus and Clear Channel. The only way anyone will be able to hear either of these genres is if they crack the Top 40 and Power, Star, Q100, or B98 adds them to their rotation. Now there is no terrestrial station where these songs will be played until they break the Top 40, i.e. Gotye.
Put up all the petitions you want, but it doesn’t mean squat to the big media companies. They could care less, as they are so out of touch with the local markets. Were there any focus groups done to determine that another Top 40 was needed for that Alternative needed to go away altogether or that we need a Sports Talk station instead of an Adult Alternative? The River is the go-to station if you want to hear The Eagles. There is so much more that The Rriver can do, but chooses not to. The same holds true for Rock 100.5. They tend to blur the lines between Rock/Classic Rock/Alternative. They are a station that can’t decide who they want to be.
Cumulus says “they are here to save Rock”. I laugh every time I read that. They already have a Rock station, but can’t get the program right to save their lives. 4 hours of TRG is way more than I can stomach. Dave is the only one that plays any kind of music during morning drive. It’s a novel concept. Rock 100 and Q100 are more or less Talk Radio in the morning, with Q targeting women and Rock 100 targeting adolescent and young males. Not everyone (including myself), falls in that demographic. We would just like to hear some music, with some talk sprinkled in.
Rock 100 need to redefine itself and 98.9 “The Bone” (obviously targeting the adolescent males) needs to be moved from a translator and given more signal strength. Otherwise, who’s going to hear it unless you are inside the Perimeter. Both need to start from the ground up and create a couple of clearly different, well defined formats. Listener input would only enhance the station. Remember the tag line of 99x (”I am 99x”)? Stations built and supported by loyal listeners…what a novel concept!
HD radio guy
September 4th, 2012
9:57 am
Does anyone know the status of the HD versions of the stations in flux? 96.1.2 hasn’t changed its format – still about the same as 96.1.
How about 92.9.2? Sticking with Country Rock/Yallternative
99X lived on after they killed it last time on 99.7.2, but none of its previous HD homes seem to have it now.
Lyndsey Marie... 3 thumbs up
September 4th, 2012
10:23 am
Good riddance to 9-6-1……. Chris Williams is a loser
Travis
September 4th, 2012
10:31 am
Someone save us from these Big corporate jack holes. I don’t want rock or pop, or the boner, I want alternative, I want 99X
Roklvr
September 4th, 2012
11:05 am
download TuneIn app and check out 97.9 KUPD. Great format and morning show. We will never have anything like this in ATL. You will hear new music months before it makes it over here.
Luke
September 4th, 2012
12:10 pm
@PS that’s great but even Dave and 99X were STILL months behind online radio stations, sirius, etc. playing those songs. By the time they hit the local radio stations, they were already overplayed but that is typical Atlanta, having to be told what is cool.
More than ANGRY!!!
September 4th, 2012
12:34 pm
I am confused as to how any of these changes help me. Bring back 96 Rock and 99X on 99.7!
More than ANGRY!!!
September 4th, 2012
12:36 pm
…and Z-93!
Robert
September 4th, 2012
12:38 pm
I am 99X
Matt
September 4th, 2012
1:56 pm
Saviors of rock? Dissing the project family on their facebook? Yeah, thats gonna win us over…
Rockie
September 4th, 2012
6:26 pm
I began listening the the Project about a year ago on my iphone along with the Edge out of Little Rock because Memphis lost it’s only true hard rock/ metal station in 2009. (It’s now sports radio.) It was a very sad day. It broke my heart when 96.1 disappeared. What are these stations thinking? I know I am only one person, but I am boycotting all of Clear Channel’s radio stations be it here in Memphis or anywhere else in the country. Sorry, the Edge.
Marty Barringer
September 5th, 2012
7:06 am
What, you guys still in High School? “The Bone”. Who’s the genius that came up with that one?
Jimmy Foley
September 5th, 2012
10:33 am
Great! More D bag butt rock! Shinedown? Linkin Park? Finger 11? All garbage for the dumbest portion of the population.
Winners and losers in Atlanta radio with all the changes | Radio & TV Talk
September 5th, 2012
11:04 am
[...] Alternative rock station 99X at 98.9 on Saturday turned into a hard rock station 98.9/The Bone on a signal that doesn’t reach much beyond the [...]
thankfull
September 5th, 2012
12:35 pm
thank u cumulus for saving hard rock!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
as an hard rock fan for life it really hurt when clear channel dropped the project for a pop station we have like 3 or 4 already!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! cumulus are the saviors of rock and they will be even better than the project i can guaranty it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Damien
September 5th, 2012
4:25 pm
SAVE THE PROJECT PEOPLE NOBODY WANTS TO HEAR THIS POP CRAP!!!!!!!!
Kel
September 5th, 2012
10:20 pm
Who was the idiot who said satellite radio was a growth industry? I believe it was “CA”. Newsflash, satellite radio is a dying industry. They can’t pay their bills because their product is terrible and customers are dropping them in droves. They install it free in new vehicles and 90% of the recipients don’t renew when the free period is over because the product is so bad. They have more commercials, terrible fidelity, and the worst customer service in the world. Hey, why not invest some of your money in Sirrius/XM if you believe in it so strongly. It won’t be around much longer.
Tara
September 5th, 2012
10:24 pm
After threatening to jump to satellite forever, today I finally did it. Dave going away was the straw. No kore acoustic sunrise on Sunday and no more radio free lunch. How can such a major market have such crappy radio?
Don
September 5th, 2012
10:58 pm
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/save-project-961/?m=0
jmb
September 5th, 2012
11:37 pm
What’s wrong with alternative music?!?!?!?
No worries, the radio has lost my ear…Lithium and Alt Nation provide me what I need…advertisment free…even better!!!
steve
September 6th, 2012
7:46 am
Get Satellite radio people!!! Public radio is run by advertising agencies now!! After the regular guys go off at 10am turn on your satellite radio. There is nothing else on FM. Sports talk 790 used to be a great station with the 2 live Stews,The Saloon, and Mayhem is the AM but the hosts are now getting paid by big advertising. Sattelite radio is now the only way you can listen to great music,news and sportstalk.
chaz
September 6th, 2012
8:14 am
PLEASE do NOT pick up some idiot dj for “morning radio”, ie Kidd Chris or the Regular Guys. Just play music as is being done now. If I want to hear some idiot talk on the radio I’d tune in to Rush.
OLD TIMER
September 6th, 2012
8:45 am
Atlanta radio hasn’t been the same ever since 94Q got rid of Gary McKee and Yeta Levit.
McClain
September 6th, 2012
11:02 am
It really sucks that they brought back 99X just to send it to die on a lousy signal. All of this aggressive rawk is terrible and a big part of what killed the original 99X in the first place. Atlanta radio is going to hell and it makes me glad I have an iPod dock in my car
Longtime XM/Sirius Holdout
September 6th, 2012
12:58 pm
Goodbye Atlanta radio. It’s been a long, twisted, epic journey but it’s time to move on…..
Max
September 6th, 2012
2:17 pm
Bring back 99x!!
Samantha
September 7th, 2012
8:40 am
I can’t believe 99x is gone with no warning. I am 26 and have grown up listening to this station. I’m soooo upset.
Nate Plant
September 7th, 2012
3:08 pm
yes yes yes!!! HORNS UP EVERYBODY!! plaY some Devildriver, machinehead some metal with huge balls
Nate
September 7th, 2012
3:47 pm
Good Atlanta rock radio is dead, and you know who’s fault it is? Ours… I’ve been to tons of shows both station sponsored and not, the crowds have slimmed down, so the money’s not coming in. The lack of constant support for our genre was its undoing. So when Seacrest is blabbing on your old favorite preset, adjust your rear view to see who’s REALLY to blame.