2012 Atlanta radio year in review: hello the Game, Power 96.1, All News 106.7; goodbye WGST, Project, Dave, Frank Ski
Frank Ski's final day at V-103 was Dec. 20 after 14 years on the station. What's his next move? We shall see in 2013. CREDIT: Frank Ski
2011 was a quiet year in Atlanta radio. No major format changes. A handful of personality changes. Not too much action.
But 2012 was all about crazy upheaval, easily the most changes on the dial in a calendar year since I began covering radio in 2001.
At least five AM/FM radio station formats disappeared and several new ones appeared. Pop, sports talk and news fans benefited. Rock and 1980s/90s nostalgia fans? Get thee to Pandora or Sirius/XM! And the biggest morning show in town ended on Dec. 20.
In no particular order, here were the biggest stories of the year:
A big goodbye: Frank Ski and Wanda Smith ended their 14-year reign at No. 1 at V-103 after the two sides couldn’t agree on a new contract. They brought the station a steady mix of humor, pop culture, spiritual vitamins and serious discussions. Hometown favorite Ryan Cameron takes over the morning slot next week.
- Power on: Clear Channel Atlanta, seeing how popular top 40 has become, decided to dump its successful rock format Project 96.1 for top 40 Power 96.1. Why? Higher potential for big ratings. Clear Channel ran a huge ad campaign and brought Justin Bieber to Philips Arena for a big Jingle Ball. And so far, it has certainly succeeded, beating its closest rivals Q100 and Star 94 in what is now going to be a rough-and-tumble battle in 2013.
- End of the project: Power’s gain was Project’s loss. The edgy rock station, targeting young men 18 to 34, survived nearly six years. It was the baby of Chris Williams, who ended up moving to Cincinnati with Clear Channel and convincing his morning host Kidd Chris to join him. Chris was just starting to gain traction in Atlanta when he was pulled after just 15 months on air.
Rush Limbaugh is now on AM750 and 95.5FM News/Talk WSB after a long run at the now defunct 640/WGST-AM. CREDIT: AP
- WGST signs off: Back in the 1990s, WGST was a serious competitor to what was then WSB-AM (and now 95.5FM and AM750 News/Talk WSB). But when GST lost its FM simulcast in 1999, the station lost many of its suburban fans and slipped further and further behind the news/talk race. In 2006, it dumped key local talent, including the beloved Kimmer. For many, it’s been a shadow of its former self for years. Clear Channel officially threw in the towel in September and turned the station into ESPN Desportes, a syndicated Hispanic sports talk station.
- Rush moves up the dial: WGST’s departure allowed WSB to pick up GST’s strongest asset, syndicated talk show behemoth Rush Limbaugh, who joined WSB in early October and helped pump up ratings immediately. The tradeoff for WSB: moving popular hometown consumer expert Clark Howard into evenings.
- A long goodbye: In June, syndicated talk show host Neal Boortz (heard locally on WSB) announced his retirement from radio after more than four decades but gave himself more than seven months notice. His final day will be January 21, 2013, after Pres. Barack Obama is sworn in to a second term. Herman Cain will replace him.
- Another long goodbye: adult rock station Dave FM announced its departure in late July, with a pending sports format forthcoming. But it wouldn’t officially change for nearly three months. Management gave the jocks a rare opportunity to say goodbye in late September, a classy move few DJs ever get to do. But as of this month, nobody locally has swooped in to take over Dave’s mantle. In the meantime, Dave jocks Rich Sullivan and Mara Davis are seeking new climes while somehow, the ousted program director found a job overseeing three stations in Minneapolis. (Steve Craig is working part-time right now with 97.1/The River.)
- Bring on the Game: 92.9 on Oct. 24 became 24/7 local sports talk, with a mix of outsiders and locals. Ratings have been modest so far, but the station has yet to launch a big marketing campaign. CBS hopes to eventually overtake the two existing sports talk stations 680/The Fan (with 93.7 FM, too) and 790/The Zone due to its relatively big signal. It’s way too early to tell if this expensive gamble will pay off.
2 Live Stews remain on the sidelines for now but will likely find a home in 2013, perhaps at the Game. CREDIT: The Zone
- Silenced. The 2 Live Stews, who started a decade ago at nights on 790/The Zone, saw its influence at the station wane the past two years as new management changed the station’s direction. After losing syndication, Doug and Ryan Stewart soon lost their local show as well. And nearly four months before their contracts were up, the Zone simply took them off the air in September. This was merciful because with their six-month non-compete clause, they could return on a rival station (the Game perhaps?) in March instead of July.
- Ray who? In one of the most mysterious firings in recent radio history, Star 94 canned Ray Mariner, long-time morning co-host with Cindy Simmons in May. I still have no idea why.
- Hurt feelings: Star in November hired a replacement for Mariner, Jimmy Alexander from D.C. What made this strange? Alexander is close friends with Bert Weiss over at rival Q100. Bert felt hurt because Jimmy didn’t tell him ahead of time about the news. Bert read it here. They eventually cleared things up. (Bert also went into therapy about his drinking spells and blackouts though he doesn’t think he’s an addict.)
- Hobby goes Nashville: Jenn Hobby left Q100’s Bert Show after nearly a decade with the show and is pregnant with her first child. She quickly segued to be solo mid-day host on country station Kicks 101.5, a studio across the hallway at Cumulus.
- All news, all the time: For the first time ever, Atlanta has an all news FM talk station at 106.7, debuting in May. It has picked up a modest but growing fan base, picking up many reporters from the shuttered CNN Radio operation, plus former Bert Show host Melissa Carter. Atlanta’s Greatest Hits, which played hits from the 1960s through the 1980s, died as a result.
- Journey’s journey was short: Journey 97.9 debuted in 2011 but lasted less than 15 month, ending its run in September. The station was a mix of pop music from both the 1980s and 1990s with Rick Dees at the syndicated helm. But with the advent of Power 96.1, Cumulus Media has (presumably temporarily) created a Q100 spinoff station playing the top 20 current hits only and nothing else. I can’t imagine this will be around long.
Rashan Ali found a new morning host at Streetz 94.5. CREDIT: Rodney Ho/rho@ajc.com
- Hip hop arrival: The modest signal 94.5 picked up a new format hip hop station Streetz, directly competing with Hot 107.5/97.5. Former V-103 and Hot jock Rashan Ali is now morning host there.
- Bad to the Bone: With Project gone, Cumulus in September changed once dominant alternative rock station 99X at 98.9 to 98.9/The Bone, which is a merger of Project and 99X. But Cumulus is hedging its bets by keeping the 99X website alive so it might not be gone quite yet.
- Miracle survival: B98.5 morning host Kelly Stevens was driving to work in August going south on 400 when a drunk driver hit his vehicle head on. Miraculously, he survived with a mashed up knee and elbow but no life-threatening injuries. He was able to get back on air a couple months later, getting engaged and married quickly to his girlfriend once he said he realized how precious and short life can be.
- Sirius XM update: As Atlanta stations disappeared, many people are finding the option of paying $14.49 to $17.49 a month more appealing. And Sirius/XM is gaining popularity nationwide with a record 23.4 million subscribers through the end of September with an outside shot of hitting 24 million by year end. (I don’t have local numbers.)
- Pandora update: While growth is strong, this service is reliant on advertising and harbors very high costs for royalties. It recently saw its shares plunge after it came in short on revenue for the third quarter and warned that it may have struggles moving forward. But with the ubiquity of smartphones, hundreds of thousands of Atlantans now use the service on a regular basis and even drawing local advertising.
- Bah humbug? B98.5 decided not to go all Christmas after eight years. The new program director cited research, that its now more youthful fans didn’t want to hear Dean Martin, Andy Williams and the Carpenters all the time. And the ratings boost last year for Christmas music was the lowest in many years. 104.7/The Fish became the lone all-Christmas station between Thanksgiving and Dec. 25.
- UPDATE: Someone below noted one bit of news I forgot to mention: Kelly McCoy left B98.5 in April after 27 years there. That’s a virtually unprecedented run at one station.
Join my Facebook fan page and Twitter. Oh, and Google +, too!
accessAtlanta Partner Sites
Sections
Advertise on accessAtlanta.com »
Reach the audience you want by advertising on accessAtlanta.com
Join the Access Atlanta Network »
Advertisers and Publishers, expand your reach by joining the Access Atlanta Network.
Tell us what you think about the site
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement | About our ads
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
117 comments Add your comment
Highlander
December 28th, 2012
7:22 am
Good write-up, Rodney! It was definitely hard to keep track of all the changes in Atlanta radio this year. And we’re left with just so much pablum!
dagadawgs
December 28th, 2012
7:41 am
In summary, there is entirely to much pop garbage music in this town. 98.9 the Bone comes in within 50 feet of the station. XM here I come
Oxwinkle
December 28th, 2012
8:03 am
What Matt “The Monkey” Scarano did to WGST makes Nancy Zintak (Planet Radio) and Randall Bloomquist (Reign of Stupidity) look like programming geniuses.
jv
December 28th, 2012
8:12 am
3 things: WGST was doomed once they fired Kimmer; who was the greatest! We need an oldies station, with Randy and Spiff. The game is awful.
TG
December 28th, 2012
9:05 am
I had forgotten about the Stews leaving also this year. Wow, it really was a year of transition for Atlanta. Some good, some not so good. While V-103 and Q-100 I think will be okay with the new faces of their morning programs, I think the biggest loser this year was WSB. They are losing Boortz (who is mildly tolerable) and basically Clark Howard (how do you marginalize a hometown STAPLE like Clark Howard???) in favor of more trash right-wing garbage.
Snorgleburp
December 28th, 2012
10:43 am
Lowest common denominator garbage music for the seething masses.
FM Fats
December 28th, 2012
10:52 am
No need to program the second tier of presets in my car.
G
December 28th, 2012
12:25 pm
As bad as many of the shows are on 92.9, the Stews will be welcomed.
TRUTH
December 28th, 2012
12:28 pm
OMG, they couldn’t agree to a contract with Frank & Wanda??!!! (shudders….) Good riddance!! Ryan has been waiting to get back on mornings!!! And the ATL wants him back…. Frank Who?
missnadine
December 28th, 2012
12:36 pm
I am way beyond the years of a typical top 40 listener, and I have found myself drawn to kicks more and more, especially since it has added some earlier tunes. It seems to be easy listening in the car, and they don’t play the same 10 songs over and over. What may surprise people is that Jenn Hobby is not nearly as annoying as she was on Q100. She no longer ends all of her sentences on a high note for one.
PM
December 28th, 2012
12:45 pm
WGST was at its best LONG before they ever had an FM side. I’d suggest the best of GST was during the time they moved from 920 down to 640 and then for a few years after. They slugged it out with WSB in a way nobody now could ever imagine. They began to decline when they lost Boortz and Howard and went into freefall when Jacor got bought out and Planet Radio flopped. Then they got the Braves back but just in time for it to no longer matter. Having that FM side was already what I would call a hail mary and they missed the net. Likewise, losing the FM side wasn’t the end either. Just another nail in the coffin.
Hey!
December 28th, 2012
1:08 pm
LOL @ missnandine
Jen was annoying to me too!!!
Jack Diamond
December 28th, 2012
1:12 pm
One thing didn’t change — Wendy is still out of radio!
ylojkt
December 28th, 2012
1:15 pm
Why would anyone listen to the pop drivel played on the airwaves? Atlanta radio is dead to me since the Project left.
Chris
December 28th, 2012
1:16 pm
Worst move of the year was DaveFM going to an all sports format. Not that a sports format is bad but that one is. That is the worst sportstalk station I have ever heard. If done right it can be entertaining and fun, not like that garbage they are putting on the air
joe
December 28th, 2012
1:35 pm
The new sports talk on 92.9 is the WORST ever broadcast. No way it survives…they’d be smart to rebrand and relaunch Dave before springtime.
Tancred
December 28th, 2012
1:42 pm
All I can say is I’m glad there still are alternatives to commercial radio here in The ATL. Big shout outs to WRFG, WREK, WRAS, and all the college stations out there. As Aliien Sex Fiend used to sing, “Ignore The Machine.”
Cari
December 28th, 2012
1:58 pm
I got a new car in October and I’ve not set one station on the radio dial. With Dave’s departure there is nothing to listen to anymore. All 2012 did was weaken and already very weak radio market. Mara and Sully on Dave and Axel on the Bone were (are) the only bright spots in this dismal market. So happy I can stream WHFS via Radio One and Pandora in my car. With this ability I’m not even signing up for satellite.
HEHAHHH
December 28th, 2012
2:09 pm
HEY THE FISH IS STILL PLAYING CHRISTMAS TODAY 12/27/2012- HOW BOUT THEM APPLES MR. SCROOGE B98.5?????
David Puddy
December 28th, 2012
2:10 pm
Haven’t decided who’ll I’ll tune to regularly to be tortured on a regular basis….Herman Cain or Chuck& Turnoff. Any opinions?
OTRFAN
December 28th, 2012
2:17 pm
Still hoping we can get and Adult Album Alternative station here in ATL…but doubtful, ATL isn’t the hip city it thinks it is…
We don't know Jack
December 28th, 2012
2:24 pm
I’ll keep flipping between Arch&Bell and Chuck&Chernoff, and hoping to catch Barnhart and Durham when they grace 790 with an appearance
Bill
December 28th, 2012
2:26 pm
I love how this article promotes WSB as this great station, with the addition of Rush. Not to mention how All News 106.7, a major format change, is below Bert’s drinking problem. Who the hell cares?
We don't know Jack
December 28th, 2012
2:34 pm
The Stews were good, but their schtick got old. The Game (which isn’t as bad as comments here suggest, although fans of DaveFM are probably irreparably biased against the new format) doesn’t need their constant bickering, self-promoting, loving-up of the Lakers/Heat, etc.
We don't know Jack
December 28th, 2012
2:37 pm
What ATL really needs is a Jack-FM station…
We don't know Jack
December 28th, 2012
2:38 pm
…and an FM affiliate (or stronger signal) for 790 so we can hear the games after dark.
We don't know Jack
December 28th, 2012
2:42 pm
(sorry for the multiple short posts, but for some reason the longer combined comment won’t publish)
G
December 28th, 2012
3:01 pm
Just for the record, I’m not a former Dave listener so I’m not negatively biased to 92. I’ve been trying to give it a chance because I’m a regular sports talk listener. There’s too much “playing radio” among most of their shows. They just need to be real about their positions on topics. Their Saturday AM college football show is decent.
We don't know Jack
December 28th, 2012
3:01 pm
Finally, can’t Lincoln finally put Steak Shapiro and particularly Beau Bock out to pasture! Bock has been canned so many times that he had to start his own station (with Shapiro and Saltzman), but I’d rather listen to the endless and indistinguishable pop of PinkKaty Manij-a-Beiber than the so-called Dean’s tired, bitter act.
Tim
December 28th, 2012
3:03 pm
I like the show with Carl, Rachel, and Kordell on 92.9 The Game. What’s so great about the other two stations?
Why are there no Blues stations on the radio? I was watching the Kennedy Center Honors on Wednesday night. They did a tribute to Buddy Guy and the music was phenomenal. I’d love to be able to listen to a Blues station.
LPT
December 28th, 2012
3:03 pm
The Bert Show needs some new blood fast! I listened before they went on their holiday break…. and they are flailing. Its a hot boring mess. They’ll never make it with the 3 they have left. I like her but Kristen doesn’t mesh well with Bert and Jeff. She sounds out of place. Jen filled in those blanks. But now that she’s gone…. And those stale bits. They better get Melissa Carter on the phone but fast!!!
G
December 28th, 2012
3:06 pm
THE BEST thing about 92 is the strong signal. Kind of like the stinch of a landfill.
ATL4LIFE
December 28th, 2012
3:10 pm
I will miss Frank Ski, but not Wanda. I think his morning show was better during the first five or so years when he became the morning host Vee. I love it when he would play new music from just released CD’s, he would play some of his mixes, also, he stopped with the frequent serious “Michael Baisden” type discussions that he had frequently. Frank is a good DJ, I just wish he hadn’t have gotten away from what made him hot IMO. I hope to hear from him again on another station here in Atlanta; I just hope he doesn’t bring Wanda with him.
Ryan Cameron could not have been a better replacement. That’s my homeboy, and he gone keep it live on Vee.
We don't know Jack
December 28th, 2012
3:21 pm
Jerome and Jamie are the best sports-talk option from 1- to noon, although that isn’t saying much (vs. Cowherd and Dan Patrick). The noon-2 slot is dead air on the Fan and Zone unless Wes and Tony are on 790.
We don't know Jack
December 28th, 2012
3:21 pm
sorry: 10-noon
Jack Diamond
December 28th, 2012
3:58 pm
Beau Bock is still alive?
DWW
December 28th, 2012
4:41 pm
I will miss Frank & Wanda. They made my day. The morning show will not be the same. I will not be listening to Ryan Cameron. Didn’t like him on at 2:00. He talks too much.
Tee
December 28th, 2012
4:49 pm
2 Live Stews morning drive on The Game……the current show SUCKS!!
God-awful
December 28th, 2012
5:22 pm
And once again, The Regular Guys survive due simply to the incompetence of their competitors. I would’ve bet money that they wouldn’t be able to last beyond their current contract, but now I think one day we’ll be listening to 80-year-old Larry and 80-year-old Eric ask 80-year-old Southside about his 20-year-old nursemaid / diaper-changer. And they’ll still think they’re doing great radio.
Atlanta is without a doubt the worst market in the known universe.
Your Name Here
December 28th, 2012
5:26 pm
At least no one commenting in this thread has had the total lack of taste as to suggest that Power is an improvement over Project.
ExATLradiolistener
December 28th, 2012
6:27 pm
7 years ago I thought that paying for radio was crazy and the subscription was too high. I can easily say that you get a lot of product for about 55C per day. (what is 55C today?) All music stations on Sirius are COMMERCIAL FREE! Get satellite radio and you will be glad while these Atlanta stations change and change searching for the perfection they will never achieve at your expense (being forced to listen to yet another Tom Shane or D.Gellar commercial)
Disgusted
December 28th, 2012
6:37 pm
I hope the Game does not pick up the Stews — the Game is a station that actually talks about sports — not the schtick we had on the other 2 sports stations.
Cannot stand the Stews. They do not even talk sports.
Disgusted
December 28th, 2012
6:40 pm
I like the show with Carl, Rachel, and Kordell on 92.9 The Game. What’s so great about the other two stations?
Absolutely correct — they are far superior to what is on the other 2 stations.
The Game is giving me what I want in sports talk.
I do not want 24/7 college football — cannot stand Kincaide and cannot stand Mike Bell and Chuck Oliver.
grip
December 28th, 2012
7:06 pm
Disgusted,you have to be joking!! 92.9 is a joke, they talk increasingly bad about the ATL sports fan, claim the falcons are not legit, and hardly anyone that works their has legit ATL ties, you and that sorry station can go back to what ever city they came from……….with out the stews they have no shot of making it here in this city!!! I promise you their ratings are bloody horrible……..RODNEY could you PLEASE report the horrible rating that I’m sure 92.9 has earned. thanks………
grip
December 28th, 2012
7:12 pm
Jamie Dukes is LEGIT!!!!!
TooSlim
December 28th, 2012
7:57 pm
RE;Tim- if you want to hear the Blues, it’s on EVERY morning from 6am. to 10am. on WRFG 89.!!! Good Morning Blues!!!
David Puddy
December 28th, 2012
8:03 pm
“I do not want 24/7 college football — cannot stand Kincaide and cannot stand Mike Bell and Chuck Oliver.”
You didn’t mention Matt Turnoff. Certainly you don’t consider he and his ‘talk really, really fast schtik’ as anything but horrible talk radio, right? He’s the worst I’ve heard in several major markets. I’ve navigated to 92.9 since they seem to have reasoned discussion of current sports news and don’t act as if they’re splitting the atom like Turnoff comes off. He is such a joke.
Jeff Dauler
December 28th, 2012
8:22 pm
You forgot to mention that I became the world’s fattest triathlete this year.
Matthew Lane
December 28th, 2012
8:44 pm
@Disgusted, you have to be kidding. The afternoon show on 92.9 is terrible. So is the show that’s on after it. Chuck and Chernoff are great
Julian
December 28th, 2012
8:54 pm
Really sad about Dave FM, and due to their departure, I’ve gone all XM all the time.
Hotrod
December 28th, 2012
9:04 pm
Gotta tell you, I have lived here all of my 52 year life and Atl. radio is really at an all time low. Can’t put a finger on it but its just hard to find decent music to listen to. So I turn on the sirius which came free with the new vehicle purchase this year. Its ok , but still way too many commercials for me. Probably wont renew when year subscription is over. So I am planning to load up the mp3 with a variety of stuff and see how that goes.
hotlanta
December 28th, 2012
9:23 pm
GOOD BYE Frank and Wanda. Frank nailed his coffin when he went on CNN taking up for Eddie “Jeri Curl” Long. He wanted Eddie Long to be standing with the verdict not guilty and Frank would say the whole world was against you but I was the only one who had your back. You have young sons to think about. On the air by himself he was terrible so he needed Wanda. Their relationship advice sucks. My college educated daughter said he acts as if a woman is not supposed to have nice things and for Wanda to say let a man be a man. A real man doesn’t need your permission to be an adult. He should be a man before he approach a woman. Good riddance to the both of them. If they went national with that raggedy advice they won’t last a minute. We were tired of Frank saying who stopped by his raggedy restaurant. I have had some friends who wen there and they said the service and food was terrible and it was overpriced as well. So Frank wants everyone to know who he is. The whole world saw you on CNN and Bill O”rielly and you made a fool of yourself both times.
Jay
December 28th, 2012
9:24 pm
Rodney, you may have missed it, but Ray Mariner popped up as a fill-in for 680 in the past weeks.
Your Name Here
December 28th, 2012
9:28 pm
I have fallen back on iHeart radio when I’m on the computer. I’m aware iHeart is synonymous with Clear Channel and Clear Channel, at least in my mind, is evil because they killed off Project 9-6-1. However, there are a few stations on iHeart that have similar playlists to that of Project 9-6-1, so it’s better than having no alternative whatsoever.
Hate ATL Radio
December 28th, 2012
9:54 pm
1st,
Good riddance to the Frank & Wanda show. The only reason they were number one in the ATL market was due to their strong signal. They were about the only “urban” radio station that people could pickup at work in their buildings. Frank has gotten extremely corny trying to sound hip like a teenager when he is forty/fifty something. He was always annoying with his constant name dropping. Wanda was okay at times but most of she was just to silly/ghetto.
2nd,
The reason Rodney’s article touts the right wing nut job Mush Limbaugh so hard is WSB radio is owned by Cox Enterprises who also owns the AJC newspaper/website. It’s basically self promotion/job security. About the only show worth 2 cents during the daytime was Clark Howards Show. For it to be replaced by Right Wing Filth Mush Limburger is treasonous!!!!!!!!!
3rd,
About the only thing worth listening to now is Jamie Dukes sports talk show.
Cloudodust
December 28th, 2012
10:26 pm
Regarding Dave FM, if one of the stations in MSP is Cities 97 he/she gets to oversee, the ousted program director got a good deal. We in ATL on the other hand, got, er, nailed. If you were a Dave FM fan, tune into Cities 97 on your computer. It offers us what was taken away in the name of sports (which I love, too), but music IS music…
Cloudodust
December 28th, 2012
10:28 pm
To make it easy, try it….
http://www.cities97.com/main.html
evander holyfield
December 28th, 2012
10:59 pm
I LISTEN TO THE……………….”RYAN CAMA MORNING SHOW”- HA, ONLY TRUE HOT 107.9 PEEPS WILL GET THAT. LOOKING FORWARD TO FRESH AIR IN THE MORNINGS.
Bring Dave back
December 29th, 2012
12:00 am
I completely agree that Dave FM was by far the best radio in town, and needs to come back now. Sports radio is fine, but we have plenty already, and no good music.
Hillbilly D
December 29th, 2012
12:04 am
Why are there no Blues stations on the radio?
Sirius/XM Channel 70, B B King’’s Bluesville.
David Puddy
December 29th, 2012
8:56 am
Mathew Lane: “Chuck and Chernoff are great..”
You and your friends must be a modern day Algonquin Rountable, huh?
Jazz Man
December 29th, 2012
8:56 am
Atlanta seems to be the only major market without a smooth jazz station. Come on Atlanta, we can do better than that!
Atlantarama
December 29th, 2012
9:00 am
The only decent radio left in Atlanta are the non-commercial stations.
Tripp
December 29th, 2012
9:48 am
92.9 The Game is a big bore. Love the new 106.7 – especially when big news is breaking. 104.7 The Fish has become one of my favorites. I really enjoyed their Christmas music and the heartwarming things they did during the holidays for people in need. Miss Ray on Star 94. Guess he did something bad behind the scenes. Too many latino stations taking over the dial. Kicks and The Bull are still great.
Mr J
December 29th, 2012
9:50 am
The DJ does not have any control over the music they play anymore anyway. I am glad I switch to XM radio years ago. It is a great feeling to avoid the same comercials and music played over and over. Ryan Cameron will be successful at V-103 as a kids DJ. Adults have simply grown away from him as a person who can relate to politics, finance and more. The kids will love him for now.
derp
December 29th, 2012
9:59 am
Who listens to radio anymore? Seriously. Commercials, commercials, commercials. It’s the tens, man, get some tech!
4DaBirds
December 29th, 2012
10:11 am
I literally haven’t listened to local radio in 4 years. Cheesy POP and DJ’s (The Bert Show) running off at the mouth like they are smarter and better than everybody, drove me away. Country and Hip Hop stations are terrible as well.
I’ve been a subscriber to Sirius for the last 4 years and I love it. I get to hear exactly what I like, I also get uncensored comedy hundreds of stations that offer great variety. Pandora is great as well.
4DaBirds
December 29th, 2012
10:13 am
HOT ROD, if your hearing commercials on Sirius, then you’re tuning into the wrong stations. I couldn’t tell you the last time (if ever) I heard a commercial on Sirius. Pandora on the other hand will play a commercial from time to time on the free version. You don’t pay to hear commercials on SIRIUS
Vashtai
December 29th, 2012
10:56 am
WSB really messed up bringing Rush to afternoon radio and moving Clark to nights. I believe you can go to Clark’s website and hear him live at noon still. Heck, I still miss Skinny Bobby Harper and Gary McKee! I guess the one good thing is now that the President was re-elected, Rush must be back on Vicodin.
Travelin' Man
December 29th, 2012
11:20 am
All of these stories are exactly why I love my I-pod. 800 or so songs and I am down the road listening to what I want to hear with no commercials. LOVE IT !!!
Glenn
December 29th, 2012
12:58 pm
When Dave.FM went off the air, as far as I’m concerned, radio in Atlanta went dark and I’m on my iPod now. I wouldn’t listen to any of the sports stations if you paid me, and the talk radio stations are nothing but a bunch of hot air. There are so many pop, rock, R&B/Hip/Rap, Country, Hispanic stations and zero alternative options like Dave.FM…in a size city of Atlanta. You’ve got to be kidding me. The heck with all the advertisers that can’t see how dumb these GM’s are. None of them deserve a paycheck.
netradiojock
December 29th, 2012
1:41 pm
Good write up Rodney.
Disgusted
December 29th, 2012
2:47 pm
Chuck and Chernoff suck — with 92.9 we finally have a real sports talk station in the ATL.
Agree with David Puddy about Turnoff — the only thing listenable with the Fan is the Braves and Hawks games. The Fan’s moring show is not terribly bad but the Game with Randy Cross and etc is better.
And the zone is a total joke now.
I don’t think the Game has any bias toward ATL fans , they pretty much tell it like it is.
The Stews were bad, but Mike Bell and Mayhem in the AM and PM were the worst. 790 is not even a sports station anymore (I have not listened in a good three, four yrs).
Disgusted
December 29th, 2012
2:49 pm
Coolest thing about the new 96.1 is the Elvis Duran and the Morning show and the phone taps are the best.
Entertaining for a morning show. Like the hot female personalities like Danielle and Carla Marie.
Sensei John Kreese
December 29th, 2012
2:51 pm
92.9 is the worst sports talk station I have ever heard. 790 kills those guys. There’s not one person on 92.9 (or 680) that could touch Chris Dimino and Nick Cellini. They have had the best show (in one form or another) in Atlanta sports talk for almost 15 years. Even with Shapiro, they’re still light years ahead of anything on 92.9 or 680. 92.9 has “personalities” that simply regurgitate national sports media opinions and 680 is almost unlistenable. As bad as Cowherd is, 790 still trumps the others. I just wish they had a stronger signal.
joseline1
December 29th, 2012
3:38 pm
The 2 Live Stews and Frank and Wanda were “Full Of It”…..Please take several seats on the rear of the bus.
David Puddy
December 29th, 2012
4:54 pm
Sensei: I just wish they had a stronger signal.
Yeah, just a small issue, huh?
Disgusted, thanks. How anybody can’t see through the bafoonery of Chuck & Turnoff is a mystery. Can’t believe this market can continue to pay these nitwits. Turnoff opens the show with rapid-fire idiocy, mocks Oliver several times each segment, then closes each segment with a moronic exit tease……I’m sure he ran tem by his wife the previous evening and she agreed they were really, really clever just so he’d shut up and go to sleep. Gosh, that show is bad.
92.9 has reasoned discussion about sports and don’t act as if they are changing our lives forever.
Sage of Bluesland
December 29th, 2012
5:20 pm
I’ve said it many times now, but I’ll give The Game credit for one big thing: they actually get people calling in. It’s why I listen–and seems to define the whole concept of “talk radio”.
I think blowhards like Dimino, Shapiro, etc. have misunderstood the concept of “talk radio” in believing that I should feel honored to listen to them talk. Not the case, Cha-Cha.
I want fan interaction–and The Game is winning on this concept hands down. I have bounced over the years between 680 and 790, as their arrogances and idiots would drive me here and there (such as Steak, Buck/Kincade, Stews, Perry, Bell, etc.)….however, I’m finding I’m giving this new station more and more of a chance–and I actually like hearing PEOPLE CALLING IN and their opinions at all hours…even holidays, for heaven’s sake.
All things considered, 790 still has the best morning show despite its insufferable arrogance at times–but most everything after you can flush. If I want to fall asleep, let me find Hans, Ray-Boring, Beau, Wes, Tony, or “Arch” (who I still can’t shake the memories of him being such a disaster of a QB back in the day–and he actually thought that QB wasn’t a need for the team when the Falcons drafted Chris Miller; trust me, Dave, it was the biggest of needs!).
I have stopped altogether even bothering with 680, as there is not a single person there I want to listen to (I believe this is the station truly suffering). I think 92.9 will tweak their lineups on what’s working and what’s not–but PLEASE keep the people calling in. I’ve listened to entire shows on 790 where practically NOBODY calls in….That’s boring radio, folks.
Keep up the good work, 92.9, and keep tweaking. Based on the relatively pitiful competition you have, you should own this market sooner rather than later….
B C
December 29th, 2012
6:09 pm
STAR 94 getting rid of Ray Mariner is the best thing they have done in a LONG time. He was boorish, rude, condescending, and arrogant. He would argue on air with listeners after he would ask them to call in with their opinions. He is the reason I stopped listening to STAR 94. I even listened after they dumped Steve and Vikki, but they should have left Ray in the afternoon or alone. At least we don’t have to listen to him going on and on about his college girl friend. Enough was enough. Thank goodness for SiriusXM – I don’t have to listen to any ATL stations any longer. From what I have read, I have missed nothing!
Mrsbanks
December 29th, 2012
7:11 pm
Loving The Game!!!!
Matt the Brave
December 29th, 2012
8:21 pm
Count me as one of those who has switched to XM this year. Atlanta radio is a wasteland if you’re a moderate for talk radio, and if you don’t like pop, then nothing again. I have at least 16 stations that I listen to on a regular basis on XM.
buck
December 29th, 2012
8:23 pm
the game sucks
Eric
December 29th, 2012
8:50 pm
Other than a 2012 Atlanta radio in review… perhaps a 2012 Atlanta TV in review.
Likely to be included in the TV review… Monica’s retirement from Channel 2 back in July… 5 getting new FOX O&O graphics package… Amanda Davis’ DUI arrest… Ron Gant replacing former Good Day co-hot Mark Hayes, along with Joanne being moved to mornings, and Jeff being moved back to weekend evenings, and Cheryl’s departure… Guy Rawlings’ short-lived run as CBS Atlanta evening anchor, and Justin Lock’s departure.
With 2013… Over at 2, we’ve got Linda moving to weekday morning news, and Carol moivng to noon news… possibly Erin co-anchoring 4PM news with John Bachman. We’re still awaiting word on Amanda’s future at 5. Could 11 and other Gannett stations be getting better graphics package, similar to sister station WTSP Tampa Bay.
Eric
December 29th, 2012
8:57 pm
Other 2013 suggestions… If 11 doesn’t get the graphics similar to what WTSP recently debuted, I could picture 11 getting NBC O&O Look F graphics package, since NBC Arthouse appears to be willing to sell the graphics package to non-O&O affiliates, including WHEC Rochester. I could also picture 11 getting a new set, as well as new music.
MattMD
December 29th, 2012
9:09 pm
Is “Frank Ski”’s last name really “Ski”?
The Stews are washed up now, there show was decent before they got into all the Mike Vick racial nonsense. The “ghetto show” format only lasts so long. Doug is a punk, too.
92.9 is garbage now, I’ve heard better sports talk from my farts.
Ted
December 29th, 2012
9:37 pm
Larry and Eric are the worst of the worst. Please give Atlanta a break from them. PLEASE oh PLEASE
Disgusted
December 29th, 2012
10:10 pm
I’ve said it many times now, but I’ll give The Game credit for one big thing: they actually get people calling in. It’s why I listen–and seems to define the whole concept of “talk radio”.
Absolutely correct Sages of Blueland. 680 is the worst in that they really do not want people to call in — they clear the lines every segment. 680 is the arrogant bunch of schmucks and they and Thompson and the rest of that bunch need to be gone.
Kincaid’s time in this town has run its course — I just hope the Game does not regurgitate the Stews.
They have done one good thing and that is giving us new voices and giving the sports talk back to the fans.
Rodney
December 29th, 2012
11:47 pm
If everyone would just listen to the stations they actually like, then the rest will take care of itself. You don’t have to hate one station in order to like another one.
But, if you do turn to sports radio, you’d like them to talk about sports.
reno88
December 30th, 2012
9:07 am
glad the racist black hosts are out. good riddance. perhaps their fans will follow them.
Meter reader
December 30th, 2012
9:55 am
Funny, more callers in sports talk has never meant more listeners. 92.9 is getting buried in the ratings. Their strongest point is weekends…which don’t matter to any advertiser.
David Puddy
December 30th, 2012
10:23 am
“92.9 is garbage now, I’ve heard better sports talk from my farts.
92.9 has an uphill battle. The market is filled with nitwits who support really bad sports talk. No other major market would put Chuck & Turnoff on the air. MattMD is an example. I’m sure he would tell us that he thinks Turnoff is great. When you have to compete with this mentality, yes, 92.9,has an uphill battle breaking into this idiotic sports talk market.
David Puddy
December 30th, 2012
10:26 am
The call-in component is not a big sell for me. I don’t have a lot of patience with mostly uneducated perspectives on why UGA will win the next game and what the exact score will be.
Dawg Daze
December 30th, 2012
10:42 am
And YES…The Regular Guys go untouched,WHY???? cus they are simply AWESOME!!! Rok on Larry,Eric and Steve I hope youre around for the next 50 years
David Puddy
December 30th, 2012
10:51 am
Dawg Daze [Steve]: Oh yeah. I tired of that show long ago. Can’t stand the thought of Southside and his ” c’mon” schtik in his mullet at 40 years old. The first time I heard him declare Journey as the greatest rock band [really?] of all time, I knew we were dealing with a big weanie here. I’m certain he has Boy George in his CD collection. As a rock fan of the 70s, 80s, well, I couldn’t get past this weanie stuff. Journey-best rock band-how could that come out of anybody’s mouth and get away with it? The other nitwits didn’t even weigh in and tell mullet man that he’s an idiot. Bad show and needs to go.
Lorena
December 30th, 2012
11:46 am
I miss Dave FM so much.
Dave Z.
December 30th, 2012
11:56 am
The most obvious need in radio:
790 The Zone needs an FM signal. It could become the best sports station in town with it, but might become obsolete without it. I thought the deeper-pocketed station owners would have this addressed by now. With the switch of 92.9, it’s more important than ever.
Fred Callender
December 30th, 2012
12:36 pm
“Voice of the Arts” AM 1690 – what happened? Where’s the daytime guy, Scott Glazer? I listened to him a lot. Very disappointed in your de-evolution…
Cold Front
December 30th, 2012
1:17 pm
I’m a satellite radio guy, but to hear WSBs addition of Mush Limbaugh boosted ratings makes me think it’s time to move. So sad.
No. 1 Braves Fan
December 30th, 2012
1:26 pm
Rodney: At one time WGST broadcast from the GT campus and when it announced call letters it included “the Georgia Tech station. What happened? Was it not owned by the State of Georgia? Seems like there should have been a way for a station rich in tradition to keep going.
Carter Joseph
December 30th, 2012
4:34 pm
One major improvement in Atlanta radio is 24/7 Comedy at 92.3. Only gets reception inside the perimeter, but what an absolute blessing! New when fighting dreadful Atlanta traffic, I can laugh instead of curse (and I am a world-class curser).
Turn it on, drivers, and enjoy life a bit.
Oh, yes, and “Good Morning Blues” on WRFG 89.3 weekday mornings from 6-10 is the best music show of them all.
Turn off the trash, Atlanta.
Jane
December 30th, 2012
4:53 pm
Satellite radio may be commercial free but it plays music in a loop also. I had satellite and got rid of it because I heard the same stuff on there everyday when I went to lunch which is how I realized that it was playing music in a loop just like the radio stations. Pandora has gotten to be kinda of crappy too I’ve been listening to it since the mid 90’s but now it doesn’t pay attention to your selections like it used to. I listen to my ipod in the car because its truly commercial free and I listen to what I want not what it wants me to listen to
Jane
December 30th, 2012
4:58 pm
As for V-103. I stopped listening to it when Mike Roberts left. I could not tolerate Frank and really couldn’t tolerate Frank and Wanda. I don’t like Ryan Cameron, he talks too much and he needs to grow up. He is not in his 20’s anymore. I listen to Kiss 104.1 but I’m starting to not listen to them as much because they play too many commercials. I’ve been on my way to work and only hear about 2-3 songs because of all the ads. I’m going to try the Tom Joyner app and see if it doesn’t have all the ads.. If it has all the ads then I will be listening to my ipod in the mornings also.
Lars
December 30th, 2012
5:21 pm
Never thought I would miss Same Old Lang Syne, but the lack of Christmas music was a bummer this year. 104 The Fish had the absolute worst Christmas music, by the least talented artists, and that’s saying a lot. And while the rest of the country dumped Limbaugh for his ignorant rants, WSB signed him right up. Ugh.
Craig (expatriate)
December 30th, 2012
7:26 pm
Kimmer at WGST yes, but let’s not forget Tom Hughes who was a real gentleman, delight to listen to in the morning and purged as well in what I consider the station’s death.
Sportznut
December 30th, 2012
7:38 pm
Hosts that take calls have nothing to say and use callers to fill time. The losers call in to make points the hosts should make in most cases. Not a measure of a good host at all. Disappointed in the 92.9 the game.
Frank Ski was overpaid on a station with the biggest signal they will always have listeners. He and Wanda were ignorant
Tom A. Edison
December 30th, 2012
10:09 pm
Noting my name, you may realize that Kelly & I are roughly the same age. We sat next to each other in Science class. Surprising no one, he was the 1st in our class to start a fire with his flints. He got an “A”. Marconi and I barely passed.
One story that apparently slipped through the cracks with AJC was Kelly McCoy’s retirement from the Atlanta airwaves. From many accounts, Kelly was the radio personality who has had the longest presence in Atlanta radio. He came to Atlanta via Athens – worked at Quixie (WQXI/790 AM), then of course on WSB-FM (B 98.5).
Kelly is as personable & knowledgable a person as you would ever want to meet, and his personality translated well over the air. He knew the profile of his average listener (in this case, profiling is a GOOD thing, kind of like knowing your customers). More importantly, he knew what music they liked and programmed it accordingly to keep his audience listening.
But, hey, he is still among us. This is no memorial. I know that whatever project he chooses to undertake next, he will enjoy and its quality will be reflected in what he serves up for his audience.
We will miss you, heah in Etlanna. Take care, pal.
Yours sincerely,
Tom A. Edison
ATL Native
December 30th, 2012
10:10 pm
@DWW — go back to where you came from and get the —– out of the ATL!!!!
ATL Native
December 30th, 2012
10:27 pm
Same goes for disgusted and puddy!!!
Will
December 30th, 2012
10:42 pm
I tell you the radio personality that I hear sometimes when I’m scanning the channels that really annoys me is Steve Harvey. He seems to be a nice enough guy, but the improper English and diction he uses is unbelievable. Why would a radio host want to propogate such improper english in this community? He should be setting an example for the youth in this city to use proper english so they can go out and represent themselves well and get a job or whatever.
David Puddy
December 30th, 2012
11:19 pm
“Same goes for disgusted and puddy!!!”
So, you’re so shallow that you actually like the nitwits Chuck & Turnoff. They are horrible and the worst I’ve ever heard in a major market.
CA
December 30th, 2012
11:59 pm
Thanks, Rodney. While I have not listened to local radio in years, thanks to satellite, I am still interested in the dynamics of local radio. I find it well worth the few dollars per month for satellite. Pandora and I-Heart are nice, but I still like to listen to talk. You certainly can’t beat the NFL and MLB games of choice. What I also like about Sirius /XM is that I can set my station in Atlanta and leave it on without static as I drive to Connecticut. I’m staying with satellite.
Ptc dawg
December 31st, 2012
9:57 am
Bring back 96ROCK
Boilerrack
December 31st, 2012
12:51 pm
Nothing beats the morning Zone show. Dimino is insightful, Cellino funny as hell and Shapiro is although arrogant, professional and understands radio and sports. Good chemistry between all 3 and great radio.
RHO
December 31st, 2012
6:33 pm
Dude, how is it even possible that you miss the Kelly McCoy news? That’s seriously major stuff that, if nothing else is another nail in the coffin of local radio in Atlanta.
Rodney Ho
December 31st, 2012
8:26 pm
@RHO I don’t have a perfect memory. Sorry!
Radio Love
December 31st, 2012
9:49 pm
Re: Tim comment: If you want to hear the Blues during the afternoon, it is on Monday through Saturday 3pm – 10pm on WIGO AM 1570.
Lamar
January 2nd, 2013
11:55 am
The Stews were awful. They were never good. Buck Beleu and Steak Shapiro are still on the radio and both are terrible. I hope Kincaid leaves Buck and goes to the Game. Buck needs to be on radio somewhere south of Macon and North of Jacksonville. Steak is the worst. Blabbing about how he lives in Brookhaven and hangs out at Davio’s, Dantana’s or the Palm every night. On top of that 680 needs to can that d-bag Perry. What a miserable sack of you know what. His I am better than everybody attitude has run its course and it would be better if he were at home sitting on his couch.
The FM music has been terrible for years.