WNNX (99X)

Infobox Radio Station


name = 99X
airdate = October 26, 1992 to January 25, 2008
frequency = 99.7 MHz
city = Atlanta, Georgia
area = Atlanta, Georgia
format = Modern Rock
owner = Susquehanna Radio, Cumulus Media Partners
erp = 96,600 watts
haat = 340 meters
branding = 99X
class = C0
facility_id = 73345
webcast =
website = [http://www.99x.com www.99x.com]
callsign_meaning = Ninety-Nine X

99X was an FM radio station (callsign: WNNX) in Atlanta, Georgia, USA that played modern rock.

The 99X brand is currently used on a modern rock HD radio station broadcasting on 99.7 HD-2. The station is also streamed at 99X.com.

History

At the beginning of the 1990s, Atlanta's Power 99 was the dominant Top 40 station in the southeast. However, the success of Nirvana and Pearl Jam and the subsequent rise of "alternative" music gave station management pause. In early 1992, KEDG-FM debuted in Las Vegas as an alternative station and immediately moved to #1 in the ratings. At the same time, Power 99 was seeing its ratings decline. Susquehanna's management agreed that changes were in order.

In early September 1992, Will Pendarvis was brought in to host an all-alternative program on weeknights called "Power 99 On the Edge". After receiving a solid amount of positive feedback, station management decided to re-brand Power 99 and tweak its format to include more alternative songs. Just prior to its planned debut, Sean Demery, Leslie Fram, and station PD/MD Rick Stacy agreed that the approved format was not drastic enough a change from what Power 99 was playing. Without knowledge of management, they rebuilt the playlist, focusing more on alternative music.

On Monday, October 26, 1992, at 12:00pm, 99X made its debut. Station management expressed their disapproval that the trio had recrafted the station without their permission. However, the positive response from listeners and ad buyers encouraged them to allow the station to move forward.

Initially, the station stuck with Power 99's WAPW, but soon acquired the call sign WNNX from a PEMEX oil rig off the coast of Corpus Christi, Texas.

During the first couple of years of the format, 99X maintained a surprisingly wide playlist, including songs from the previous fifteen years of modern rock radio, almost in the style of college radio. They also opted to play album tracks that were not necessarily singles, often to the dismay of the major labels and standard marketing strategies. Despite the initial positive response, the station earned modest ratings in its initial books. As a response, the station moved to tighten the playlist and act as more of a "Top Alternative" station. However, the station did not call itself an alternative station, instead adopting the slogan "New Rock 99X".

99X played a key role in breaking numerous acts during its early years. MD Sean Demery's push behind The Cranberries' "Linger" in 1993 helped earn the band national attention. On a trip to Australia in early 1995, PD Brian Phillips brought back a copy of fledging band Silverchair's debut EP, with the station adding the EP's version of eventual single "Tomorrow" to regular rotation. The day after the release of their debut album "Frogstomp", the band played its first US show at the Roxy in Atlanta as a 99X Freeloader show.

In early 1993, 99X established what would become its best known program, Live X. The station invited touring acts into the studio to perform (usually) acoustic sets. The first year saw live performances by World Party, Natalie Merchant, Lenny Kravitz, and Frank Black, among others. In 1994, the station issued its first compilation of Live X performances, with the proceeds benefitting Habitat for Humanity. Over ensuing years, a total of twelve compilations were released.

For most of the first two years of the station, mornings were hosted by Demery and Fram. In early 1994, the show added newcomer Jimmy Baron and was named The Morning X. That summer, Demery decided to move to afternoons, swapping shifts with Steve Barnes. With Barnes, Leslie, and Jimmy, The Morning X became a top-five morning show in Atlanta, earning several industry awards during its nine-year run.

99X spent the end of the 1990s adding more "light" alternative fare, such as Tonic and Matchbox Twenty. By 1999, the station saw its greatest success, billing upwards of $20 million a year.

With the turn of the century, 99X turned heavier, nearly crossing into active rock territory. The goal was to target a younger male audience, pulling the focus away from recurrents and more toward the latest tracks from Limp Bizkit, KoЯn, and Kid Rock. The station added a late night program called Living Loud, hosted initially by Axel and Jill and later by one-time 99X intern Fred Toucher. The program included a nightly segment called Mandatory Metallica, featuring a block of Metallica songs.

The change brought 99X the highest ratings of its existence, but it came at a price. In the opinion of former MD Sean Demery, " [It] began to alienate women and alternative lifestyle groups that the station was originally based upon." [Demery, Sean. [http://seandemery.wordpress.com/2008/01/22/hello-world/ "99X… The Beginning , Middle and End"] . seandemery.blogspot.com. January 25, 2008.] Within a few years, the station's ratings began to erode as the edgier fare waned in popularity and as those who enjoyed the more "classic" alternative sound turned elsewhere.

Barnes departed the station in 2003 when the station decided not to renew his contract. The station subsequently moved Toucher to mornings with Baron and Fram.

Late in 2004, the station also tried experimenting with its format, moving from strictly modern rock to "New Rock and 90's Alternative", a reference to their days in the early 1990s. The station soon unveiled its new slogan: "99X - Everything Alternative". Following Hurricane Katrina, 99X staged a weekend promotion during which they sent all their DJs out to help with relief efforts while the music was aired from then-music director Jay Harren's iPod. This promotion was popular enough that it continued over subsequent weekends as 99X On Shuffle.

On May 5, 2006, Cumulus Media acquired Susquehanna Radio and all of its stations, including 99X and sister station Q100. In the weeks leading up to the final day, several long-time members of 99X's staff departed from the station, including Jimmy Baron, Fred Toucher, and music director Jay Harren.

Over the next twenty months, Cumulus continued to support 99X's Modern Rock format, despite a continuing decline in Arbitron ratings. In October 2006, 99X introduced The New Morning X, marking the return of Sean Demery to 99X. However, ratings failed to improve for the station, leading to rumors among radio insiders that 99X was ripe for a format change. In December 2007, Demery announced his departure from the station.

On January 11th, 2008, Cumulus announced that it was moving the CHR format of sister station Q100 to the stronger 99.7 signal. It also announced the departures of founding 99X members Leslie Fram and Steve Craig. On January 25, 2008, at 5:30am, 99X ceased broadcasting on 99.7, following its last song, Green Day's "Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)". The 99X brand and its modern rock format moved to 99.7 HD-2 and 99X.com.

99X personnel

* Steve Barnes. Joined 99X in 1992. Started in afternoon drive, moved to mornings in August 1994. Co-hosted "The Morning X". Hosted the weekend Top 30 Countdown. Last song he played on-air was "California" by Phantom Planet. Left the station in October 2003 to produce and act in independent films (but also to wait out a non-compete with 99X). Launched a morning show called All Access on 92.9 Dave FM (WZGC) in Atlanta on September 13, 2004, with co-host Holly Firfer, formally of CNN. Dave FM decided to go personality free in the morning, so he parted ways with DAVE in September 2006. He has played the character "Agent Drucker" on the FOX show "Prison Break".
* Jimmy Baron. Joined 99X in 1994 as part of the morning show with Leslie Fram and Sean Demery. Shortly afterwards, Barnes replaced Sean, leading to the show named The Morning X. Stayed with the morning show through its various changes: "The Morning X with Barnes, Leslie and Jimmy"; "The Don Miller Morning Show"; "The Toucher, Jimmy, and Leslie Morning Show"; and "Mornings with Axel, Jimmy, and Leslie". Exited the morning show in early April 2006 in anticipation of the expiration of his contract on April 5th, and officially announced his departure from 99X on Friday April 28, 2006. He's currently seeking a new job.
* Christopher "Crash" Clark. Began as a traffic reporter for Power 99, continued on 99X, eventually added to sister station Q100. Was suspended more than once while working at the station. Was fired at the end of November 2005 for a contest gone wrong. According to reports, Crash was hosting a remote at a club and was giving away pairs of tickets to a private 99X concert by 311. A woman approached and offered to perform oral sex on someone at the club for the tickets. Crash assumed she wouldn't actually go through with it (noting that people had offered to do the same at previous events and hadn't) and was planning to give her the tickets even if she didn't. However, she "did" go through with it in the men's bathroom, upsetting the club owners and 99X programming director Leslie Fram. [ [http://www.savecrash.org/files/crash_transcript.htm Transcript of Clark describing the event leading to his being fired] ] Made a brief final appearance on air near the end of Toucher's final show on March 17th, 2006, where Clark jokingly asked Fram to hire him back "for the fifth time". Currently involved in a radio show with Fred Toucher and Rich Shertenlieb known as The Toucher and Rich Show on WBCN in Boston.
* Steve Craig. Started at Power 99 as "The Big Watusi". Worked middays at 99x for all of its existence at 99.7, including the hour-long retro show ("House of Retro Pleasure", "Duplex of Retro Pleasure", and "The Retroplex"). Was dismissed from the station on January 11, 2008 following the announcement of the move of Q100 to 99.7. Still under contract with Cumulus, Craig returned on April 7 and currently hosts middays on 99X.com/WWWQ HD2.
* Sean Demery. Started at Power 99 as "Shotgun Sean". Co-hosted one of 99X's first morning shows with Leslie Fram. Moved to the afternoon drive, where he at one point hosted the Friday drive-time program "The Swinging Velveeta Lounge". Also served as the station's Music Director. During his final sign-off with the station on January 7, 2000, his last words were, "I'm Sean Demery, and I "was" 99X," a reference to 99X's slogan "I am 99X". (He followed that by playing his last song, "How Soon Is Now" by The Smiths.) Served as Programming Director at Live 105 in San Francisco until October 2006 when he rejoined 99X as a member of the New Morning X. Departed 99x again on December 4, 2007, to move to Utah to rejoin his wife. (Demery's wife remained in San Francisco during the fourteen months Demery was back on 99x.) [Berman, Keith. "Demery Exiting 99X". RadioandRecords.com. December 4, 2007.]
* Keith Eubanks. Occasionally ran shifts on both Power 99 and 99X as "Fast Freddy Luka". Also occasionally appeared as Will Pendarvis' "roommate" Wendell. Best known as the voice of the station throughout the 1990s. His off-the-cuff imitation of 99X's first voice guy (done when said voice guy, who worked out of town, was unavailable) eventually morphed into a famous whisper-spoken delivery that, within a few years, could be heard on stations throughout the country. He died in 2002 from complications of pneumonia. (His voice could still be heard on Atlanta radio as late as early 2004 on station IDs for the now-defunct 105.3 WMAX.) [http://audioboysoundworks.com/keith/index.html Keith Eubanks Tribute]
* Leslie Fram. Joined Power 99 in 1990 as a member of "The Breakfast Club". Served as 99X's program director for most of its existence at 99.7. Was dismissed from the station on January 11, 2008 following the announcement of the move of Q100 to 99.7.
* Jay Harren. Joined 99X in 1997. Served as the station's music director from 2004 until his departure. Hosted "Sunday School" on Sunday nights, featuring off-the-playlist music. At the end of 2005, 99X's weekend programming was referred to as "99X On-Shuffle", with the concept being that the music was being supplied by Harren's iPod set to "shuffle". Harren has a neurological condition called synesthesia. In August 2004, he appeared in a brief CNN piece about the condition, coincidentally conducted by future All Access host Holly Firfer. [ [http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0408/04/lol.01.html Transcript of Jay Harren talking about synesthesia on CNN] ] Departed the station on Thursday, May 4, 2006, on the eve of Cumulus' acquisition of the station from Susquehanna. He is currently doing A&R for Columbia Records.
* Elliott Garstein. Host of "Sunday School", featuring independent and local bands. Replaced Jay Harren as MD in 2006. Departed 99x on January 22, 2008, just prior to the format flip.
* Doug Harding. Started at 99x as an intern in 1993. Primarily hosted weekends. Broadcast 99X's final shift.
* Matt "Organic" Jones. Generally hosted weekday overnights. Hosted a long-time Sunday morning specialty show, "Organic X", which featured a softer and more acoustic side of alternative music. Started at Album 88 and moved to Springfield as a PD for Channel Z, before returning to Atlanta to join 99X.
* Axel Lowe. Joined 99X in 1993. Worked nights after the departure of Will Pendarvis in 1995 before moving to afternoons. Temporarily helmed the morning show from spring until late September 2006. Also hosted "Southern Home by Design" on Turner South.Now on Rock 100.5
* Jill Melancon. Joined 99X in 1993. Worked full-time before shifting to occasional, part-time shifts.
* Yvonne Monet. Joined 99X in 1992. Hosted the dance oriented show "The Beat Factory". Moved to a Susquehanna station in Dallas in 1999 before returning to Atlanta in 2004. Currently working on opening a restaurant and bar in Newnan, Georgia. [http://www.yvonnemonet.com Yvonne Monet's website] .
* Will Pendarvis. Started at Power 99 in September 1992, hosting a nightly alternative music program called "Power 99 On the Edge", a precursor to 99X's format change nearly two months later. The show continued simply as "On the Edge" following the format change to 99X. Left the station in 1995. Worked mornings at Washington, DC's DC 101 before moving to New York's K-Rock 92.3. Currently works at Sirius Satellite Radio on the "Faction Rock Radio" channel.
* Rick Stacy. Worked mornings for Power 99 (on "The Breakfast Club") and was MD/PD of the station during the transition to 99X. Departed 99X a few months after the format change.
* Fred Toucher. Joined 99X as an intern in 1999. Moved to air-staff full-time, working nights for several years before switching to mornings following the departure of Steve Barnes. Made his last appearance on 99X on March 17, 2006. Currently hosting a radio show with Rich Shertenlieb and Crash Clark known as The Toucher and Rich Show on WBCN in Boston. [http://www.fredtoucher.com Fred Toucher's website]
* Chris Williams. Worked at the station from the late 90s until June 2004, variously as assistant program director, music director, and program director. Was suspended, and later fired, from the station by General Manager Mark Renier following the airing of a controversial spot on the Don Miller Morning Show in June 2004. [ [http://www.sadlebred.com/2004/2004storiesjune.html Website referencing AJC article about Chris Williams' suspension] ] He became program director at 105.3 the Buzz in 2005 and interim program director of 96rock in the summer of 2006. The two stations were merged into Project 9-6-1 in November 2006 and Williams became program director of that active rock station.
* Tim Andrews. Producer for The New Morning X. Joined 99X in 2007. Previously worked with the Regular Guys on 96 Rock.
* Ben. Was the voice of cross-town competitor WBZY when it went on the air in 2002 under the on-air name "Roach". Joined 99X in 2004 and departed in May 2007.
* Monti Carlo. Joined the New Morning X for its first three weeks before moving to Seattle to start as a drivetime DJ at Movin' 92.5.
* Melissa Carter. Currently working on The Bert Show on Q100 in Atlanta, and co-host of TWIST syndicated radio program (with Dennis Hensley and Will Wikle).
* Robert Carter, aka Carter. Worked with Cartoon Network's George Lowe (voice of Space Ghost) to produce the vast majority of commercials on 99X 1994-1996.
* Cat. Nights and weekends. Started 2003, departed 2004 for Rock 104 in Asheville, NC.
* Jeff Clark. Hosted a Sunday night free-form music program called "Fear of Music" during the first few years of 99X.
* Tom Clark, aka "Major Tom" (brother of Crash). Worked mornings on Power 99 (as part of "The Breakfast Club"), and continued on mornings after the format change to 99X. Left the station in the mid-90s. Last seen on Atlanta airwaves working mornings on the now-defunct Mix 105.7 / Cool 105.7. He has recently been seen in "Huddle House" television commercials, and co-hosted the former WXIA-TV produced mid-morning program "Peachtree Morning" from 1997-1998.
* Christopher Calandro. Associate producer, traffic reporter, phone screener for the morning shows, charged with "tertiary character casting". Injured during a stunt with Fat Kid on October 30th, 2004, and spent months off the air battling a staph infection in his right knee. Was let go from 99X in June 2005. Before 99X, did traffic for WSB-AM and WSB-TV. Also produced the Regular Guys' show on Atlanta's 96 Rock under the nickname "Radio Boy" from 1999-2001. Currently a producer with Atlanta's 920 WGKA.
* Dekker. Worked nights at cross-town competitor WBZY before moving to 99X in March 2005. Worked nights until September 2007, when he was moved to manager of 99x's AV Room. Departed 99X at the end of 2007. Now works at WRXP in New York City under his real name of Greg.
* Alicia Culver. Worked part-time doing various shifts on both Power 99 and 99X from 1988 to 1995.
* English Nick. Joined 99X in 2006 from 96 Rock. Worked part-time.
* Eric the Web Gangsta. First appeared on "The Morning X" in 1999, covering all aspects of the Internet, video games, computers, and assorted new technology for listeners. He reported live from the floor of E³ and from the first-day-of-sales for the PlayStation 2. He also did commentary with Matt Jones on the station's public affairs program on technology issues. He also wrote articles for the station's listener magazine "99Xpress". He is currently a monthly contributor to "Morning Mouth" magazine, a trade publication for radio morning shows. He left in October 2007 to run internet media for Cox Communications.
* Mitch Evans, sports/traffic. He worked briefly for the morning show in the spring of 2006. He left the show in the summer of 2006.Now Sports Director at WGST and pre/post game show host on the Atlanta Braves radio network.
* Dave Hill. Previously worked at Album 88. Currently a PD at 98 Rock in Baltimore.
* Rob Jenners. Joined 99X with the creation of "The New Morning X" in October 2006. Previously worked at Miami's BIG 105.9. Departed 99X on the announcement of the move of Q100 to 99.7 on January 11, 2008.
* Just Dave.
* Klinger. Alumni of Album 88. Currently afternoon drive host at The New Planet Radio 107.3/Jacksonville.
* James Knight. Currently working in LA on James Cameron's Avatar. Radio was a hobby until Feb of 2007, when he moved to LA. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2595922/
* Margot. She now does nights at Dave FM.
* Mark Owens. Producer for the New Morning X. Was on sister station Q100's as "Phil Terrana", The Bert Show Assistant Producer/Man on the Street. Before that was 99X's Saturday overnight DJ. "Phil Terrana" is the real name of long-time Atlanta-area morning show host Steve McCoy.
* Jeremy Powell - "Fat Kid". Cast during the "Toucher 6-Day Morning Show," a precursor to the Toucher, Jimmy, & Leslie Show. He started as an intern and then was hired as an associate producer for the TJL Morning Show. Was let go on January 13th, 2006. He worked nights at "96-5 The Mountain" in Chattanooga, Tennessee from June 2006 - September 2007. Currently working at KQYK 95.7 The Blaze in Mankato, MN. [http://www.myspace.com/fatkidrocks Fat Kid's Myspace Page]
* Mark Renier. General manager of 99X from its inception until May 2006.
* Brian Sack. Did commercial work for the station in the late 1990s, including "Angry Brian" bits. Now the public viewer on the Glenn Beck Program on CNN Headline News.
* Rich Shertenlieb. Started as an intern for the Morning X, soon turned into the show's stunt guy. Most famous for his protest of Martha Burk at the Masters Tournament in Augusta, Georgia, where he held up a sign that said "Make Me Dinner/Iron My Shirt". This stunt was covered by ESPN and hundreds of other news organizations. Also received recognition for rescuing a carjacking victim. Before 99X, he co-hosted Tech Talk on WREK while a management student at Georgia Tech. After leaving 99X, worked on Kidd Kraddick in the Morning in Dallas through December 2005. Currently hosting a radio show with Fred Toucher and Crash Clark known as The Toucher and Rich show on WBCN in Boston.
* Twisted Todd.
* Gary "Wally" Wallace, former morning show director for the Toucher, Jimmy, and Leslie Show. Formerly known as "Zippy" from Radio Disney. Quit 99X on April 14, 2006, following a dispute with incoming station management about his involvement in the morning show. Currently hosting Total Axxess on the WAY-FM Network.
* Whip. Joined 99X in 2004. Covered the evening shift. Left in May 2005 to become the morning host at 105.3 the Buzz. He was let go from the Buzz in November 2006 when that station merged with 96rock to become Project 9-6-1.
* Jeff Woodall. Earned a station shift by winning 99X's "Quit Your Day Job" contest in 2004.

99X shows

* "On the Edge". Will Pendarvis' nightly program, where he mixed up the regular playlist with classic alternative tracks. Debuted as "Power 99 On the Edge" prior to the format shift.
* "The Morning X". Hosted by Barnes, Leslie Fram, and Jimmy Baron. Won multiple industry awards from Gavin Report, Billboard, Radio and Records, Creative Loafing, Atlanta Magazine, and others. Featured recurring characters like "Bertha, the oldest Freeloader", "Gay Bob", "the Stryper Rules guy", and "Forrest, the listener who couldn't win contests". Some of their elaborate pranks included the underground amusement park Magic Island, giving out Leonardo DiCaprio's home phone number, complicated April Fool's Day ruses, and firing Leslie from the show because she wasn't pretty enough for the webcam.
* "Resurrection Sunday". Hosted by Axel. A full afternoon of retro alternative songs.
* "Locals Only" Hosted by Steve Craig (co-hosted by Jeff Clark, music critic and publisher of the magazine "Stomp and Stammer") Saturday nights and Sunday nights. Featured all Atlanta-based bands and regional bands that regularly toured the Atlanta club scene. Collective Soul, Dave Matthews, Butch Walker, Shawn Mullins, Sevendust and John Mayer got their breaks here.
* "Bootleg X". 99X's Sunday night program of concerts by popular alternative acts (usually via Westwood One's archives).
* "Fear of Music". Jeff Clark's Sunday night program, highlighting underground music.
* "The Swinging Velveeta Lounge". Sean Demery's hour-long Friday drive-time program dedicated to quirky and oddball music (aka, "cheese"). Usually broadcast in front of a live studio audience.
* "The Beat Factory", later called "Xcellerator".
* "The Pleasure Dome". A sex-education talk show cohosted by Yvonne Monet (later Jill) and Roger Libby.
* "Living Loud". Mon-Fri evening program (7p - 12a) that ran in the early 2000s. Initially hosted by Axel and Jill, later hosted by Fred Toucher.
* "Toucher, Jimmy, and Leslie". Started out in October 2003 as "The Don Miller Morning Show", and briefly changed to "The Toucher Show with Toucher and Jimmy". The show featured frequent appearances from Fat Kid, Donshay, Louis Perico, Wade the Drunk, MC Helium, and Calandro.
* "Retroplex". Hosted by Steve Craig, featuring New Wave music and other classic alternative. Debuted in the mid-1990s as "House of Retro Pleasure" with a focus on 80s alternative. Later renamed "Duplex of Retro Pleasure" with the addition of 90s music to the show. Ended August 20, 2007.
* "Planet Jill". Hosted by Jill. Late-night programming that expanded on the station's traditional format.
* "Freedom of Choice at 5". A request-only hour, hosted by Axel at 5pm every weekday. Ran through summer 2007.
* "Organic X". Specialty show that featured acoustic, live, and lighter rock hosted by Matt Jones. Aired Sunday mornings. Ended January 20, 2008.
* "Sunday School". Sunday night program featuring new music, imports, b-sides, and other rarities. Originally hosted by Jay Herron, later by Elliott. Ended January 20, 2008.
* "Live X". Live performance show, usually acoustic. Began in 1993 as a live broadcast from Purple Dragon Studios before shifting to pre-taping and a regular timeslot. Later moved to Cat's Paw Studios, then to 99x Studios. Spawned twelve CD compilations, with proceeds from each going to a variety of charitable organizations.
* "Ten at Ten". Ten consecutive songs, commercial-free, starting at 10am.
* "99X-Press Lunch". Weekdays from 12pm-1pm. Featured thirteen consecutive songs, commercial-free. Replaced the Retroplex in 2007.

Promotions and concerts

* Music Midtown
* 99X Freeloader Program
* 99X Anti-Neck Army
* Upstart Fest
* Unplugged in the Park- A recurring free summer concert series presented at Park Tavern on the edge of Piedmont Park beginning in 2002.
* Sinner's Ball
* Naughty Night
* Live X concerts and CDs
* Virginia-Highlands Summerfest
* On The Bricks (the original)
* Downtown Rocks
* The Big Rock
* Big Day Out
* Big Day In (2005) - To help with victims of Hurricane Katrina.
* Chinese New Year
* Acoustic Christmas
* I'm with the Band!
* Brouhaha
* Mistle Toe Jam
* Brewfest
* 99Xpress magazine
* Project X
* Get a Life
* Quit Your Day Job
* American Idiot
* The "What Would You Do" $10,000 Dare
* Celebrity Softball Slam
* Night of the Living Loud
* Swingles Party
* Campus MovieFest
* Oyster Fest

References

External links

* [http://www.99x.com 99x website]