JEAN SHIFRIN /staff
Moby, a former disc jockey at Kicks 101.5, with his Great Dane Barney.
from allaccess.com
10/10/02
INFINITY's Classic Rock WZGC-F (Z93)/ATLANTA VP/GM MICHAEL HUGHES announces the hiring of air personality MOBY as morning show host, joining MARA, KAEDY and WILLARD, beginning MONDAY (10/14).
from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution
October 11, 2002
|
JEAN SHIFRIN /staff
Moby, a former disc jockey at Kicks 101.5, with his Great Dane Barney. |
Declining ratings at Kicks spelled the end for Moby, one of the highest-paid radio personalities in Atlanta. To add insult to injury, the station's management made an issue of his folksy drawl.
"I may be too country for country, but not for rock 'n' roll," said Moby, whose real name is James Carney. Unbeknownst to most of his listeners, Moby was a notorious "shock jock" at rock stations in Dallas and Houston in the 1980s. He said he has no plans to change his accent for Z93 (WZGC-FM).
"My goal has been to stay in Atlanta the rest of my career," said Moby, 48, on vacation in New York City on Thursday. "Now it looks like I'll be able to."
Since it became a classic rock station in 1989, Z93 has struggled to find the right morning show, typically the anchor of a radio station. The two most notable efforts were the surly Doug "Greaseman" Tracht (1993-96), and veteran Atlanta DJ Gary McKee (1996-98).
Can Moby's aw-shucks "yeah . . . baby!" attitude translate to a classic rock station?
"If he brings over the same positive feeling he had at Kicks, I'd listen to him in a second at Z93," said Cindy Pursley, 40, an investment tax analyst from Newnan.
Still, Z93 skews slightly older and more male than Kicks; the station may be a hard sell for someone like 23-year-old Kelli Stripling, a Moby fan who has little interest in classic rock. "He might turn me on to [classic rock]," she said. "After all these years, I almost feel like I know him personally."
Z93 General Manager Michael Hughes promises to give Moby breathing room to be himself between the Beatles and Fleetwood Mac songs. "We wanted Moby based on his popularity and equity in this marketplace," he said.
For more than 11 years, Moby reigned at Kicks (WKHX-FM), but did not have his contract renewed in August, after an unusually poor ratings period. The station says Moby's drawl was unrelated to his departure, but Kicks program director at the time, Dene Hallam, had complained about Moby's use of words like "ain't" and "britches," and even asked him to take a diction class, which he refused.
from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution
October 5, 2002
Sonia Murray - Staff
--snips--
Marino exiting Z93
Dave Marino, morning show host for classic rock station Z93, has been let go after two years, general manager Michael Hughes said Friday. Hughes said the station needs another week before it solidifies a replacement. The speculation in radio circles is either former Kicks 101.5 morning guy Moby or syndicated shock jock Howard Stern, whose show has never aired on Atlanta radio. Hughes wouldn't confirm either. Marino, known for his "Breakfast Beatles" nuggets, didn't return calls.
--snips--
from allaccess.com
October 4, 2002
ALL ACCESS hears rumors of HOWARD STERN landing an affiliate in ATLANTA. If true, will it be INFINITY's Classic Rocker WZGC (Z93)?
Thanks to RobK for sending this in...
January 4, 2001
Fire back up the Atlanta rumors...All Access ran a one sentence blurb tonight. Apparently someone has been seen in Atlanta.......a "Stern Face" according to All Access.....
Radio folks know all access is the PREMIERE radio news site in the country, I know Joel over there pretty well and I can tell you that if he runs an item of this type, there is something to it. If it ultimately happens is of course in question, but it appears something is in the works, someone with ties to the show has been seen in Atlanta........
Rob
from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution
September 18, 2000
Just a brief comment about the WGST format change to all music for the mailbag. What a gutless move. To my count, this city already has at least seven stations playing some form of classic hits (Z93, Peach 94.9, 96 Rock, Fox 97, B98.5, Kiss 104.1 and 107.5). Given the glaring need for a hot talk station, I cannot understand why any program director would willingly choose to replicate the same, tired format.
Bringing the Howard Stern Show to Atlanta would have created a huge media buzz and tremendous publicity and would have given the "new" station instant credibility and high ratings. Unfortunately for Atlanta radio listeners, WGST-FM (WMXV) missed a great opportunity.
-- Adam Blank, Sandy Springs
Miriam responds: I agree with you, Adam, and will probably write about this in an upcoming column. I too was disappointed with the format, and was hoping they would go for hot talk. But keep this in mind: I believe the format has as much to do with sucking listeners away from Z93 as it does to establish a great new radio station. But let's listen for a while, and see how it stacks up.
--snips--
How long 'til Howard?
I have recently moved to Atlanta from Boston and am very disapointed that such a large city would not have Howard Stern on the radio. People tell me that I should just watch the TV show on E! What they don't realize is that the E! show is only a small portion of what the radio show is all about. 96 Rock's "Regular Guys" are rip-off artists that have no original material, so I am hoping that Stern might come to an Atlanta station in the near future. Do you have any information on whether or not this will happen?
-- Ryan F.
Miriam responds: Doesn't look like it. The common feeling here is that he will alienate advertisers.
Atlanta may get Stern after all. Well, sort of. TV Guide Online has the Howard Stern Radio Show (or the Saturday night show, as it's referred to) starting on Saturday, September 23, on WUPA, UPN 69/Atlanta, at midnight. Guess that would have to be confirmed. It's just a listing right now.
-- Rob K., Tampa Bay
Miriam responds: Thanks for the tip.
from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
This afternoon, Atlanta gets a new radio station --- and loses half of an old one.
After seven years, news/talk station WGST/640 AM --- home of Rush Limbaugh, Dr. Laura Schlessinger, Tom Hughes and Kim Peterson --- will no longer be simulcast on 105.7 FM. Today, that signal will get new call letters and a new all-music format: WMXV, or Mix 105.7 FM.
The sound will be a blend of classic hits from the '70s, '80s and '90s, from artists such as the Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, Sting, John Mellencamp, Hootie & the Blowfish, Sarah McLachlan, the Doobie Brothers, Supertramp, James Taylor, Tom Petty, the Goo Goo Dolls, Sister Hazel, Steely Dan and Collective Soul. With no on-air talent in place just yet, Mix 105.7 will launch by playing 10,000 songs in a row.
According to operations director Tim Dukes, the station will fall somewhere in between the classic rock sounds of Z93 and the adult hits of B98.5 FM.
"We hope to fill a void with an adult-based format that will please a lot of disenfranchised listeners," he says. "It won't have the harder-edged stuff you hear on Z93, like Led Zeppelin, (Jimi) Hendrix or Pink Floyd, but it won't be as broad and sleepy as WSB FM (B 98.5). No Celine Dion, Air Supply or wimpy elevator-type songs."
Owner ClearChannel Communications is taking steps to point WGST's FM listeners to 640 AM for their news/talk, running promos about the change on their other properties such as 96rock and Peach 94.9. But unless fans make the switch from the 105.7 FM to 640 AM, the change could hit WGST hard. Nearly half of the station's audience listens on the FM dial.
The move to music at 105.7 FM may very well have an ulterior motive --- hitting the competition. Classic rock station Z93, which has been steadily growing in the ratings over the past months, competes directly with 96rock --- which happens to be owned by ClearChannel.
from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
September 5, 2000
Stern: Put some mouth in the South
I moved here last year from Los Angeles and I couldn't believe Howard Stern wasn't on the radio [in Atlanta]. I've e-mailed many stations asking for Howard in Atlanta, but all I get is "We're trying" or "No!"
[The Howard Stern Show] would be awesome (and well-needed) here.
-- Mike Pitman
from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
August 28, 2000
-- Bill O'Brien
I am from the San Francisco bay area and I visit Norcross often for business. I miss Stern when I'm here. When the guys come to my territory to work with me, they have to listen to Stern. All they do is laugh and tell me that when they travel to the Carolinas or Florida they listen to him and think he is a riot. You would have never thought these guys would like Stern but they are all closet fans and he would be #1 if he came to town. They all watch his E! show on a regular basis, I am informed.
-- Tom Husselstein, California
from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution
August 21, 2000
Is it true? Is Howard [Stern] possibly coming to Atlanta? It's long overdue. The only thing remotely interesting in the morning is The Regular Guys, who can occasionally get a chuckle from me. I was stationed in the military at Ft. Bragg, Fayetteville, NC, and the local rock station had Howard in the morning. He made life bearable in the military.
I pray that Howard comes to Atlanta soon. How can we get in touch with stations and do our part to let these stations know we want Howard? Z93 is an Infinity-owned company and would definitely help themselves in the morning with Howard instead of that goof they have now.
-- Jeff Moore
...and beyond?
I'm surprised (and thrilled) that WGST-FM may pick up the Howard Stern radio program. He should have been on Z93 seven years ago when Infinity bought the station. I'd love to see WGST pick up the show and bury Z93. That won't take much these days!
WMKJ's sweepers sound identical to 95.5 The Beat's. Identical! Absolutely astounding! Seems like the new WMKJ may cover areas that 95.5 has a weak signal in, like south metro. With all the new CHRs popping up, do you know if we might hear Casey Kasem on the Atlanta airwaves again?
And it seems that Y106 is phasing out the "Y" in favor of "Country 106." It looks like ABC is determined to make "Y" and Kicks sound as much un-alike as possible, so as not to cannibalize each other's ratings.
-- Brian Foster
--snips--
I-man Zoned out?
[Don] Imus mentioned on a recent show that his New York ratings have dropped. How's the I-man doing in Atlanta?
-- Clint C. Pendley
Miriam responds: Imus has not fared well in Atlanta. He attracts about 35,000 listeners each morning on WQXI/790 The Zone. Compare that to the No. 1 morning show, Scott Slade on WSB-AM, with 469,000 listeners each morning. More people listen to gospel music on WAOK-AM than Don Imus. He only attracts a few more listeners than WPLO/RadioMex. It wouldn't surprise me at all to see Imus's ratings dip in other parts of the country because, if you ask me, he's become a mean-spirited old geezer. What was once a sharply funny show with some brilliant political and social commentary has deteriorated into Imus calling people idiots. My guess is when his contract is up with the Zone, he won't be on the airwaves here.
--snips--
from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
August 7, 2000
-- John Mandato
I moved to Atlanta one-and-a-half years ago and was shocked to learn that a major city like Atlanta did not carry the Howard Stern show. I am a professional businesswoman who has enjoyed the show for years. For some it takes a little time to get a feel of the show and then you're hooked (or you hate it).
With the huge amount of listeners around the country, I have always heard top notch advertisements on his show. It seems to me that advertisers would scramble to get this kind of exposure. Let's stop worrying about those who find it offensive. I hope we get Howard in Atlanta! It's long overdue.
-- Susan M. Segal
I just moved here from Columbus, Ohio, and am a 42-year-old full time mother (also an O.R. Nurse) and I used to clean the house while listening to Howard's talk show everyday. I was crushed to find out that he wasn't here in this progressive and diverse city. He is so much fun to listen to and he has many good opinions on lots of topics like marriage, parenting, politics and moral issues. So many people think he is a pig, but he really is very much like you and me. I hope Atlanta brings him on board.
-- Betsy McPherson
As a frustrated commuter, I can finally see light at the end of the traffic tunnel: Howard Stern may be coming to Atlanta.
I feel that Atlanta's morning radio is nothing short of annoying, and I can only hope that the Howard Stern Show will be here quickly to remedy this pestilence. I would hope for traffic tie-ups every morning, if it meant that I would be able to listen and laugh a little longer with Howard. Thanks for your non-biased report on Howard's potential presence in Atlanta.
-- Henry
I've been waiting for too many years to listen Howard Stern in Atlanta. I'll believe it when it actually occurs. I watch his TV show but it's delayed from his live broadcast and I'd like it to be more current. His humor is cutting edge and you never know what to expect.
-- Nancy, Kennesaw
I think it's great that there's a company starting to consider a less conservative approach to radio. I am a new resident to Atlanta and have lived in several of the nation's progressive cities (San Francisco, Chicago and Phoenix) and since I've gotten here I have felt that Atlanta has some of the most boring radio. I often turn off the local stations and listen through the internet to such stations as 104.1 which is an all-talk radio station out of Orlando.
-- Stephanie Pratt
Cool it with the 'Hot' talk
I've been reading your column for some time now. For the most part I've enjoyed your coverage of the ever-changing radio landscape in Atlanta, but I can't help noticing the glaring omission of my favorite station, J93.3.
I know they've done some things of late that to me seem worthy of at least some passing mention in the only column in Atlanta devoted to radio. Just a few weeks ago their concert in the Marietta Town Square with the group Plus One set an attendance record for the square (5000-plus). Their website was recently named one of the top 50 radio websites in the country by Radio Ink Magazine.
And just today they did The World's Biggest Baby Shower to benefit three area pregnancy resource centers. The baby shower was a remote broadcast from three different locations simultaneously.
They do all of this while not engaging in any of the "hot" talk or rude morning show antics that so many stations in seem compelled to stoop to. And they are one of the few stations left in town that has not been bought up by one of the mega group ownership companies.
How about it, Miriam, why not an occasional mention of the only commercial FM station in the city that consistently provides good clean fun, uplifting entertainment and community service?
-- Jerry Romick
Miriam responds: Thanks for pointing out J93.3. I'll check it out. I was distressed to hear that Hot Talk - and especially in the personality of Howard Stern - is a possibility for Atlanta. I support those things that move Atlanta "up" culturally for the benefit of all the city, for the spirit of the city and for all ourselves. It's sad to hear that our culture is getting set for another sleaze hit. The talk shows are just egos running wild, and we support that mania. Anyway, I vote NO to Howard Stern. Does Atlanta have no character, no values, no pride, no courage, no backbone of any kind to not stoop to that level, even for money?
How about some really good music in Atlanta? I liked Jazz Flavors and WABE for music (and occasionally the others) but they're inconsistent. To me, Atlanta doesn't have a music station with really good music.
--snips--
from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
July 30, 2000
By MIRIAM LONGINO
No, Hot Talk radio doesn't mean Clark Howard with a fever. It's a format that has popped up in major markets across the country that features all talk, all day and night. But Hot Talk jocks usually aren't discussing the Middle East peace process. Their jabber is mostly about lifestyle issues of interest to guys 25 to 45 years old: beer, women, sports, kids, marriage, sex, jokes, celebrity gossip, parodies and over-the-top stunts. Think of it as "rock radio without the music," says Al Peterson, talk editor of the trade magazine Radio & Records.
The closest thing Atlanta has to Hot Talk these days is the Regular Guys (6 to 10 a.m. on 96rock) or perhaps some of the fringier sports-talk moments over at WQXI 790/The Zone. (If you want to get a taste of the local approach, take a look at the 96rock Web site: The Regular Guys are posting gross-out pictures of "Bad Skin of the Week.") But no one in Atlanta is touching Stern -- at least not yet.
John Hogan, vice president of Clear Channel Communications in Atlanta, confirms that his company is seriously considering the Hot Talk format -- and possibly Stern -- for its improved signal at WGST/105.7 FM. But in the same breath, he also says country and Top 40 are options, as well as keeping the status quo by simulcasting the news-talk of WGST/640 AM.
Hot Talk on WGST-FM would be a bold move by Clear Channel, with several risks. Though Stern tends to draw a huge audience, there's fear that he would alienate advertisers. His show is expensive: several hundred thousand dollars a year, depending on the market. Also, Hot Talk could pull listeners away from Clear Channel's other properties, WGST-AM and 96rock.
On the other hand, Hot Talk is one of the biggest, gaping holes on the Atlanta radio dial. We already have two country music stations (three if you count South 107.1, which can often be picked up downtown). There's Top 40 in one form or another all over the dial, from powerhouse Star 94 to 95.5/The Beat to much of B 98.5's and Peach 94.9's programming.
"There are very few opportunities in any market in America anymore where you can put a format on air that's not covered by someone else," says R&R's Peterson. "There's a certain advantage to that."
Let's think like a radio programmer:
1. There's no Hot Talk station now in the Atlanta market, and no one broadcasting the country's top syndicated radio show (Stern).It's all a long shot. Perhaps the biggest challenge is that Stern's show is owned by Infinity Broadcasting, which also happens to own Z93. It's questionable whether Infinity would allow him on a competitor's airwaves. And there's still that nagging question about Atlanta's basic temperament. After all, our biggest radio stations are squeaky clean -- the pipe-and-slippers approach of WSB-AM, the "we care about the community" style of V-103 and the wholesome, fun-time image of Star 94.2. Hot Talk does not pull listeners away from traditional news-talk, according to Peterson, and therefore probably wouldn't jeopardize WGST-AM if WGST-FM were to adopt the format. "Traditional talk appeals to people 35 to 65," he says, while Hot Talk "tends to draw younger listeners from alternative [99X], classic [Z93] and rock [96rock] stations."
3. Z93 is 96rock's biggest nemesis. Hot Talk on WGST-FM could ping the competition.
4. The Regular Guys play music in the mornings on 96rock, but they are basically a Hot Talk act. So is 96rock afternoon drive host Christopher Rude. Clear Channel also owns one of the South's most popular Hot Talk stations, WTKS-FM in Orlando, and the Tom Leykis show, one of the country's biggest syndicated Hot Talk shows other than Stern. Looking at the bottom line, as a company, why not package them all on a new Hot Talk station in Atlanta?
Southerners have always laughed at dirty jokes. But are we ready to admit it so publicly by supporting a Hot Talk station? Time will tell.
Back to ratings.
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