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{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2019}}
{{short description|Radio station in Atlanta, Georgia}}
{{short description|Alternative rock digital subchannel of radio station WWWQ (99.7 FM) in Atlanta, Georgia}}
{{for|the translator of the current HD2 channel of ] FM 98.9|W255CJ}}
{{more citations needed|date=March 2015}} {{more citations needed|date=March 2015}}
{{Infobox radio station | {{Infobox radio station
| name = 99X Atlanta | | name = WWWQ-HD2
| image = 99x logo 2018.jpg | image = 99x logo 2018.jpg
| caption = 99 refers to translator W255CJ (98.9 FM), which rebroadcasts WWWQ-HD2
| city = ] |
| area = Atlanta | | city = ], ]
| area = ]
| branding = 99X |
| slogan = It's What's Next| | branding = '''99X Atlanta'''
| slogan = It's What's Next
| airdate = October 26, 1992-January 25, 2008 (99.7 FM)<br>December 2004 (99.7 HD1)<br>April 17, 2009 (97.9 FM)<br>June 9, 2011 to September 14, 2011 (99.1 FM)<br>September 15, 2011 to August 31, 2012 (98.9 FM)<br>January 1, 2016-Present (98.9 FM)
| airdate = ] December 2004
| frequency = 98.9 FM
| frequency = {{nowrap|99.7 ]{{dot}} HD2 {{small|(via ])}}}}
| format = ]|
| format = ]
| erp = |
| erp = n/a {{small|(WWWQ: 100,000 ]s)}}
| haat = |
| haat = n/a {{small|(WWWQ: 340 meters)}}
| class = |
| class = n/a {{small|(]: C0)}}
| facility_id = |
| facility_id = n/a {{small|(WWWQ: 73345)}}
| coordinates = |
| coordinates = {{nowrap|{{coord|33|48|26|N|84|20|22|W|format=dms|type:landmark_region:US-GA}}}}
| callsign_meaning = |
| owner = ] | | owner = ]
| licensee = Cumulus Licensing LLC| | licensee = Cumulus Licensing LLC
| webcast = | | webcast =
| website = | | website = {{URL|99x.com}}
| translator = {{nowrap|W255CJ/], 98.9 MHz}}

| sister_stations = ], {{nowrap|]}}, ], {{nowrap|]}}
}} }}


'''WWWQ-HD2''' (99.7-2 ]) – branded '''99X''' – is a ] of ] market radio station ] (99.7 FM). Owned by Cumulus Meda, WWWQ-HD2 functions as a commercial ] radio station, serving the ]. Using the ] technology ] for its main ], WWWQ-HD2 also ] over low-power ] ] W255CJ (98.9 FM), and streams online. The WWWQ-HD2 studios are located in the Atlanta suburb of ], while the WWWQ-HD2 and W255CJ transmitters both reside in Atlanta's ] neighborhood.
'''99X''' is a ] in ], ], ] an ] ] branded as 99X, which began on full-power station WNNX (now ]) FM 99.7 in late October 1992. The station was taken off-air when Q100 (WWWQ) was moved to 99.7 from 100.5 (now ]), but returned to ] FM 97.9, and then moved to W256BO FM 99.1 (which is now ] FM 98.9). It was taken off-air again on the last day of August 2012, and replaced the following day with "98-9 the Bone", but none of the on-air staff were fired as commercial broadcasters typically do when changing a format, indicating that 99X (or something similar) may make a second resurrection on another ] station in the area. 99X was relaunched on W255CJ (98.9FM) on January 1, 2016.


== History ==
After the 2011 purchase of ]
What was then WNNX (99.7 FM) in Atlanta signed on ] operations in December 2004; WNNX-HD1 carried a direct simulcast of WNNX's standard ], an ] format branded "99X", while '''WNNX-HD2''' would carry classic alternative rock, branded as '''99XS'''. On May 5, 2006, ] acquired WNNX owner ].


Cumulus performed a series of format changes and call letter changes on January 25, 2008. As part of these moves, WNNX-HD2 changed format from classic alternative rock back to the alternative rock format heard on WNNX; and rebranded the subchannel as '''99X''';<ref>{{cite web|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/385/q100-atlanta-to-move-to-997-99x-to-go-online/|title=Q100 Atlanta To Move to 99.7, 99X To Go Online - RadioInsight|author=|date=25 January 2008|website=radioinsight.com}}</ref> this coincided with WNNX changing format from alternative rock over to ] branded as "Q100".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://formatchange.com/99x-atlanta-signs-off-q100-moves-in/|title=99X Atlanta Signs-Off, Q100 Moves In - Format Change Archive|author=|date=25 January 2008|website=formatchange.com}}</ref> WNNX's callsign was changed to WWWQ on January 29, 2008; thus, the subchannel callsign was changed to '''WWWQ-HD2'''. In effect, this new WWWQ-HD2 licensed to Atlanta (99.7-2 FM) became the successor to ] licensed to Atlanta (99.7 FM).


Fifteen months later, 99X returned to the FM airwaves in Atlanta. On April 16, 2009, 99X announced that they would be returning to the radio airwaves on April 17 at 9:09 am. At that time, 99X ] at its new dial position of 97.9 FM, with "]" by ] being the first song played.<ref>Cumulus to Return 99X to the Atlanta Airwaves. . radioonline.com. April 16, 2009.</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ajc.com/blog/radiotvtalk/morning-mash-with-the-return-99x/hYqFbG2BZ0nGfYRww3FPeL/|title=Radio and TV Talk: Morning Mash with the return of 99X — to 97.9|last=Ho|first=Rodney|date=2009-04-17|website=]|language=english|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2019-12-15}}</ref>


On June 9, 2011, 99X began simulcasting on 99.1 FM (W258BU, now W256BO). A few days later, W250BC then began ] with different genres of music, as well as Atlanta news and history bits and periodic announcements that 99X had moved to the new frequency. At noon on June 17, W250BC launched a new "gold"-based "]" format branded as "Journey 97-9".<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://mediaconfidential.blogspot.com/2011/06/journey-979-debuts-in-atlanta.html|title=Media Confidential: 'Journey' 97-9 FM Debuts In Atlanta|date=2011-06-17|website=Media Confidential|access-date=2019-12-15}}</ref> That station's format and imaging is virtually identical to that of ] in ], which was launched in early June 2011, and also shares the "Journey" ].


On September 15, 2011, 99X moved from 99.1 to 98.9, in order to increase the station's power. The translator's callsign was also changed to W255CJ.


On August 31, 2012, at 6 PM, W255CJ unexpectedly began stunting with a ticking clock and a four-minute clip of songs featured on a new ] format to debut the following day at noon; the final song on 99X at 98.9 was "]" by ].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ajc.com/blog/radiotvtalk/2012-flashback-99x-becomes-the-bone/LFQ0yvvrZHuFSnZzXSfLlM/|title=Radio and TV Talk: 99X at 98.9 becomes the Bone|last=Ho|first=Rodney|date=2012-08-12|website=]|language=english|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2019-12-15}}</ref> WWWQ-HD2 and W255CJ changed formats to ] branded '''98-9 The Bone''' on September 1, 2012, at Noon. The first song on "The Bone" was "]" by ].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/70278/99x-atlanta-is-no-more/|title=99X Atlanta Is No More; The Bone Debuts|date=2012-09-01|website=RadioInsight|language=en-US|access-date=2019-12-15}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://formatchange.com/98-9-the-bone-launches/|title=98.9 The Bone Launches|date=2012-09-01|website=Format Change Archive|language=en-US|access-date=2019-12-15}}</ref> The station displaced 99X after nearly a year run on the 98.9 frequency. 99X was less than two months away from its 20th anniversary on October 26.
l ], its ]s in Atlanta include ] 101.5 and ] FM 106.7, in addition to previous Cumulus holdings WWWQ FM 99.7, WNNX FM 100.5, and W250BC FM 97.9.


The Bone was born after longtime active-rock station "Project 9-6-1" (] FM 96.1) flipped to ] three days earlier. The huge protest that arose because of the flip prompted ] to resurrect the format on one of their stations, in this case, 98.9. The new format sounds like a cross between alternative 99X and ] Project 9-6-1. Unlike most format flips, the 99X staff was not immediately fired, indicating there may be a future for it, possibly on another Cumulus station, pending an announced flip to ] of ]'s alternative "Dave FM" (] FM 92.9) in October 2012.
==99X history==
At the beginning of the 1990s, Atlanta's Power 99 was the dominant ] station in the southeast. However, the success of ] and ] and the subsequent rise of ] gave station management pause. In early 1992, ] debuted in ] as an alternative station and immediately moved to #1 in the ]. At the same time, Power 99 was seeing its ratings decline. Susquehanna's management agreed that changes were in order.


On January 28, 2013, W255CJ and sister station ] ("Rock 100.5") began promoting changes to the two stations on their Facebook and Twitter pages, hinting a "bigger and better change" to come February 1. The rumors that state the announcements are a possible merger of the two formats on one frequency, presumably on 100.5, was confirmed two days later, and took place at Midnight, when 98.9 and 100.5 began simulcasting (the final song on "The Bone" was "]" by ]). At 10 a.m., 100.5 relaunched with a full-fledged ] format. The simulcast ended on February 4 at 10 a.m.; following a two-hour ] of clips of songs with "Walk" in the title, the station flipped to a ]-leaning ], branded as "The Walk." <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/80730/cumulus-planning-more-atlanta-moves/|title=Cumulus Planning More Atlanta Moves|date=2013-02-01|website=RadioInsight|language=en-US|access-date=2019-12-15}}</ref><ref>http://atlradioinsider.blogspot.com/2013/01/flip-watch-989-bone-rock-1005-all-news.html</ref> The first song on "The Walk" was "For The Grace of God" by ].
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 ], focusing more on alternative music.


On August 25, 2013, four websites were registered that would signify a format change to classic hits as ''98.9 The True Oldies Channel,'' ''The True Oldies Channel 98.9'', ''Atlanta's True Oldies 98.9'', or ''Oldies 98.9''. This would be the third format change on 98.9 in a calendar year, and would bring the oldies format back to Atlanta after ] dropped it for all-news in May 2012. On August 26, at 11:00 a.m., the station began stunting with songs from the 1960s with the word "Walk" in the title. One hour later, the station relaunched as ''] 98.9'', launching with "]" by the ].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/netgnomes/84765/oldies-to-return-to-atlanta/|title=Oldies Returns To Atlanta|date=2013-08-26|website=RadioInsight|language=en-US|access-date=2019-12-15}}</ref>
On Monday, October 26, 1992, at Noon, 99X made its debut with "]" by ]. 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.


On June 28, 2014, W255CJ switched from The True Oldies Channel to Westwood One's "Good Time Oldies" format, as Cumulus discontinued syndicating the former.
Initially, the station stuck with Power 99's WAPW call letters, but soon acquired the call sign WNNX from a ] oil rig off the coast of ], ] on November 27, 1992.


On August 15, 2014 at Noon, W255CJ flipped to a ] format branded as '''Nash Icon 98.9''', a spin-off of the ] brand focusing on a mix of veteran and modern country artists. W255CJ was, alongside ] sister ], one of the first two stations to adopt the format.<ref name="ajc-nash989">{{cite news|url=http://radiotvtalk.blog.ajc.com/2014/08/15/oldies-98-9-becomes-older-skewing-country-nash-icons-98-9/|title=Oldies 98.9 becomes older-skewing country NASH Icon 98.9|last=Ho|first=Rodney|date=2014-08-15|work=]|accessdate=2014-08-16|agency=]}}</ref><ref name="ri-nashicons">{{cite web|url=http://radioinsight.com/blog/headlines/netgnomes/89681/cumulus-prepping-nash-icons-format-launch/|title=Nash Icons launches across the country|website=Radio Insight|accessdate=16 August 2014}}</ref><ref name="billboard-nashicons">{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-615/6099350/nash-icons-country-music-label-big-machine-cumulus|title=Wanted for Radio: More Country Greats|website=Billboard|accessdate=16 August 2014}}</ref>
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".


On November 23, 2015, at Midnight, after playing "]" by ], W255CJ began stunting with Christmas music, and rebranded as '''Warm 98.9'''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/95341/cumulus-drops-nash-icon-in-atlanta-for-warm-christmas/|title=AC Warm 98.9 Debuts In Atlanta|date=2015-12-26|website=RadioInsight|language=en-US|access-date=2019-12-15}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ajc.com/blog/radiotvtalk/cumulus-kills-nash-icon-after-months/ZWbXuPfBJvGikT0XkCddTP/|title=Radio and TV Talk: Cumulus kills Nash Icon 98.9 after 15 months|last=Ho|first=Rodney|date=2015-11-25|website=]|language=english|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2019-12-15}}</ref> A new format, widely expected to be ], was expected after the holiday season, in order to compete with ]. At 2 a.m. on December 26, the station launched a mainstream ] format, with "]" by ] as the first song played. The station utilized ]'s "AC Total" network feed. At first, this appeared to be the permanent format; however, this turned out to also be a stunt. At Midnight on January 1, 2016, after playing "]" by ] (which ended up ]), '''99X''' and its alternative rock format returned to Atlanta, with "]" by ] being the first song played.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://formatchange.com/99x-returns-again/|title=99X Returns Again|date=2016-01-01|website=Format Change Archive|language=en-US|access-date=2019-12-15}}</ref>
99X played a key role in breaking numerous acts during its early years. ] Sean Demery's push behind ]' "]" in 1993 helped earn the band national attention. On a trip to ] in early 1995, ] Brian Phillips brought back a copy of fledgling band ]'s debut ], with the station adding the ]'s version of eventual single "]" to regular ]. The day after the release of their debut album '']'', the band played its first US show at the Roxy in Atlanta as a 99X Freeloader show.


On April 12, 2018, W255CJ, the translator which broadcasts the "99X" format on the terrestrial FM band, was forced off-the-air by the FCC due to interference complaints by ] in ]. "99X" would remain on ]'s HD-2 sub-channel, the ] and 99X mobile applications, and online in the interim. W255CJ would remain off air until December 21, 2018, when the translator returned to air, this time with a directional antenna to protect WWGA.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/167757/fcc-shuts-down-99x-atlanta-over-interference-complaints/|title=FCC Shuts Down 99X Atlanta Over Interference Complaints|date=2018-04-12|website=RadioInsight|language=en-US|access-date=2019-12-15}}</ref><ref> Radioinsight - December 21, 2018</ref>
In early 1993, 99X established what would become its best known program, ]. The station invited touring acts into the studio to perform (usually) acoustic sets. The first year saw live performances by ], ], ], and ], among others. In 1994, the station issued its first compilation of Live X performances, with the proceeds benefitting ]. Over ensuing years, a total of twelve compilations were released.


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

|+] for WWWQ-HD2
99X spent the end of the 1990s adding more "light" alternative fare, such as ] and ]. By 1999, the station saw its greatest success, billing upwards of $20 million a year.
!Callsign

!]
With the turn of the century, 99X turned heavier, nearly crossing into ] territory. The goal was to target a younger male audience, pulling the focus away from recurrents and more toward the latest tracks from ], ], and ]. The station added a late-night program called ''Living Loud'', hosted initially by Axel and Jill and later by one-time 99X intern ]. The program included a nightly segment called Mandatory Metallica, featuring a block of ] 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, " began to alienate women and alternative lifestyle groups that the station was originally based upon."<ref>Demery, Sean. . seandemery.blogspot.com. January 25, 2008.</ref> 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. In addition, 99X's ratings eroded further when ] flipped to ] (a format similar to alternative) as "Dave FM" in 2004.
!]

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

!Transmitter coordinates
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 heyday in the ]. The station soon unveiled its new slogan: "99X - Everything Alternative". Following ], 99X staged a weekend promotion during which they sent all their DJs out to help with ] efforts while the music was aired from then-music-director Jay Harren's ]. This promotion was popular enough that it continued over subsequent weekends as ''99X On Shuffle''.
|-

|W225CS
99X would sign on ] operations in December 2004. The 99.7 HD1 signal carried 99X, while 99.7 HD2 would carry classic alternative rock, branded as "99XS."
|98.9 ]

|]
On May 5, 2006, ] acquired ] and all of its stations, including 99X and sister station ]. In the weeks leading up to the closing of the sale, several long-time members of 99X's staff departed from the station, including Jimmy Baron, Fred Toucher, and music director Jay Harren. Fram would continue to host mornings with Axel Lowe being moved up to mornings on a temporary basis.
|148550

|180 ]
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, and added Rob Jenners to morning drive. However, ratings failed to improve for the station, leading to rumors among radio ]s that 99X was ripe for a format change. In December 2007, Demery announced his departure from the station.
|306 ]

|D
On January 11, 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 "]". The 99X brand and its modern rock format moved to 99.7 HD-2 and 99X.com. The WNNX call sign would move to 100.5 FM, the former home of Q100, while 99.7 would receive the WWWQ call letters from 100.5.
|{{Coord|33|48|26|N|84|20|22|W|type:landmark_region:GA-US}}

|}
Fifteen months later, 99X returned to the FM airwaves in Atlanta. On April 16, 2009, 99X announced that they would be returning to the radio airwaves on April 17 at 9:09 am. At that time, 99X ] at its new dial position of 97.9 FM, with "]" by ] being the first song played.<ref>Cumulus to Return 99X to the Atlanta Airwaves. . radioonline.com. April 16, 2009.</ref>

On June 9, 2011, 99X began simulcasting on 99.1 FM (W258BU, now W256BO). A few days later, W250BC then began ] with different genres of music, as well as Atlanta news and history bits and periodic announcements that 99X had moved to the new frequency. At noon on June 17, W250BC launched a new "gold"-based "]" format branded as "Journey 97-9". That station's format and imaging is virtually identical to that of ] in ], which was launched in early June 2011, and also shares the "Journey" ].

On September 15, 2011, 99X moved from 99.1 to 98.9, in order to increase the station's power. The translator's callsign was also changed to W255CJ.

On August 31, 2012, at 6 PM, W255CJ unexpectedly began stunting with a ticking clock and a four-minute clip of songs featured on a new ] format to debut the following day at noon. This came about after longtime rock station ] FM 96.1 flipped to ] two days earlier. The final song on 99X at 98.9 was "]" by ].<ref></ref> There had been rumors that 99X could be relocated back to a full-powered station, presumably the current ] FM 100.5, though it did not come to pass.

]
On December 30, 2015, it was rumored that 99X would possibly return to W255CJ, as Cumulus reactivated the station's ] feed (while promoting the hashtag #itswhatsnext), as well as activating the new website whatsnextradio.com, later switching back to 99x.com. The rumors were confirmed true on January 1, 2016, when 99X was relaunched on the frequency, with "]" by ] being the first song played. Instead of having a gold-focus, the station's third go-around will have more of a new music-heavy focus, with a playlist spanning from the previous 5 years to the present day.

==Former 99X on-air staff==
* ''']'''. Joined 99X in December 1992. Started in afternoon drive, moved to mornings in April 1994. Co-hosted "The Morning X". Hosted the weekend Top 30 Countdown. Last song he played on-air was "California" by ]. Left the station in October 2003 to produce and act in independent films (but also to wait out a ] with 99X). Launched a morning show called All Access on 92.9 Dave FM (]) in Atlanta on September 13, 2004, with co-host Holly Firfer, formerly of ]. 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 '']''.
* ''']'''. 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 5, 2006 and announced his departure from 99X on Friday, April 28, 2006. Hosted mornings on WZGC until 2011, when he and his co-host Yvonne Monet (also a former 99X DJ) were released. Jimmy is now a real estate agent in the Atlanta area. http://www.jimmybaron.com/
* ''']'''. Joined Power 99 in October 1990 as a member of "The Breakfast Club". Served as 99X's assistant program director for the first 5 years of 99X's existence before being promoted to Program Director in March 1997. Served as PD/APD for the remainder of the station's existence at 99.7, and was morning co-host for all of 99X's existence on 99.7. Was dismissed from the station on January 11, 2008 following the announcement of the move of Q100 to 99.7. Now Senior Vice President of Music Strategy at ] in ].
* '''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 ]. A woman approached and offered to perform ] 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.<ref></ref> Made a brief final appearance on air near the end of Toucher's final show on March 17, 2006, where Clark jokingly asked Fram to hire him back "for the fifth time". Crash worked with Fred Toucher and Rich Shertenlieb as part of ] on ] in Boston and had a brief stint on The Ryan Cameron Morning Show on ] in Atlanta. Currently a traffic reporter at ].
* '''Steve Craig'''. Started at Power 99 as "The Big Watusi". Worked middays at 99X for all of its existence at 99.7, which included the daily features - "Steve's College Of Musical Knowledge" and 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 briefly hosting middays on 99X.com/]. In July 2008, Steve joined the original on-air lineup at ] in New York City as midday host and Assistant Program Director. He returned to Atlanta after the station was sold in 2011. Currently an assistant programming director, music director, and on-air personality at ]'s ] "97.1 The River" (classic rock). http://radiotvtalk.blog.ajc.com/2016/08/21/kaedy-kiely-steve-craig-swapping-spots-on-97-1the-river/
* '''Sean Demery'''. Started at Power 99 as "Shotgun Sean". Co-hosted 99X's first morning show with Leslie Fram beginning in late 1992. In 1994, Demery 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 ].) Served as Programming Director at ] in ] 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 ] during the fourteen months Demery was back on 99X.)<ref>Berman, Keith. ''Demery Exiting 99X''. RadioandRecords.com. December 4, 2007.</ref> Demery died on September 15, 2018, eight months after suffering from a stroke in January 2018.
* '''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.)
*'''Keith Cunningham'''. Joined 99X in 1993. Started 99X as "Phone Boy" as named by ] in Afternoon Drive. He continued to be a sidekick for Sean Demery and eventually helped out Steve Craig on the "House of Pleasure" earning the moniker "Retro Boy". Served as 99X's Programming Assistant until 1998. He left 99X to pursue a Record Company job with VelVel Records (The legendary Walter Yetnikoff's label). Then went to RoadRunner Records as Southeast Promotion Director and helped take Slipknot and Nickelback Platinum. He also worked for Clear Channel Atlanta as Marketing Assistant and Clear Channel Orlando as a Promotion Manager.
*'''Brian Philips'''. Joined 99X in April 1993. Served as 99X's program director until March 1997, when he was promoted to Operations Manager.
* '''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 ] set to "shuffle". Harren has a neurological condition called ]. In August 2004, he appeared in a brief ] piece about the condition, coincidentally conducted by future ] host Holly Firfer.<ref></ref> Departed the station on Thursday, May 4, 2006, on the eve of Cumulus' acquisition of the station from Susquehanna. He is doing A&R for Columbia Records.
* '''Elliott Garstin'''. 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 ] and moved to Springfield as a PD for Channel Z, before returning to Atlanta to join 99X. Currently, he is the Senior Director of Marketing for the Atlanta Cumulus stations.
* '''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 ]. Moved to Rock 100.5 after the frequency switch. Axel is now program director and an air personality at 96ROCK in Cincinnati and still heard in evenings on WNNX/Rock 100.5. http://radiotvtalk.blog.ajc.com/2014/12/02/axel-lowe-leaving-atlanta-for-96rock-in-cincinnati/
* '''Jill'''. Joined 99X in 1998. Worked full-time before shifting to occasional, part-time shifts. Teaches American Literature, and works for Dave FM on Saturdays.
* '''Yvonne Monet'''. Joined 99X in 1992. Hosted the dance oriented show ''The Beat Factory'', "X-Cellerator" and "The Pleasuredome". Moved to a Susquehanna station in Dallas in 1999 before returning to Atlanta in 2004. Owns a tennis company. .
* '''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 ] before moving to New York's K-Rock 92.3. Works at ] on the "Faction Rock Radio" channel.

<!-- Personnel listed above: 1) hosted a regular on-air shift for more than three years, 2) worked in a regular capacity for more than five years, or 3) served the station in a notable high-level capacity (PD, APD, MD). -->
* '''Chris Williams'''. Worked at the station from the late 90s until June 2004, variously as assistant program director, music director, and lastly 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.<ref></ref> 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 with an active rock format in November 2006. Williams became program director thereafter.
* '''Tim Andrews'''. Producer for The New Morning X. Joined 99X in 2007. Previously worked with the ] on ] and is now working with former "Regular Guy" Eric Von Haessler on WSB AM Radio.
* '''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 ] to start as an afternoon and morning DJ at ]. She is out of the radio business.
* '''Melissa Carter'''. Was the news reporter on 99X for several years. Became part of the Bert Show when Q100 was launched. Working on ''The Bert Show'' on Q100 in Atlanta, and co-host of the former Radio With A TWIST syndicated radio program (with ] and ]). Melissa co-hosted the morning show at ] from 2013 - 2017. Melissa now hosts a podcast on the Progressive Voices Network(http://shepersistedshow.com/) https://www.ajc.com/blog/radiotvtalk/melissa-carter-leaves-b98-morning-show-after-three-plus-years/RujA0FUmnJEwshdkxLzf1M/
* '''Carter, aka ]'''. First joined 99X after graduating from Georgia State University as yet another alum from the college radio powerhouse, Album 88 (]). Worked with Cartoon Network's George Lowe (voice of Space Ghost) to produce the vast majority of commercials on 99X 1994-1996 before becoming Production Director and Air Talent from 1996-1999. Carter was 99's "X-Man" known for late night club appearances and events around the city. Carter won a "Spotlight on North American Opera" award with the Atlanta Opera while representing the station as well as several Achievements In Radio Awards for Commercial Production. He later joined Yvonne Monet in Dallas in 2000 on Merge 93.3 FM. Carter returned to Atlanta and is on Dave FM, 92.9 in the mornings with Jimmy and Yvonne. He is also an accomplished anime and video game .
* '''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 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 30, 2004, and spent months off the air battling a ] in his right knee. Was let go from 99X in June 2005. Before 99X, did traffic for ] and ]. Also produced the ]' show on Atlanta's ] under the nickname "Radio Boy" from 1999-2001. A race announcer with Atlanta's Big Peach Running Company.
* '''Dekker'''. Worked nights at cross-town competitor ] 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. Worked at ] in New York City until 2011 under his real name of Greg Russ. Now a part of The Von Haessler Doctrine, hosted by Eric Von Haessler, on WSB in Atlanta.
* '''Alicia Culver'''. Worked part-time doing various shifts on both Power 99 and 99X from 1988 to 1995. Died in her home in Lithia Springs, Ga., on December 22, 2008, of a brain aneurysm. She was 46 years old.<ref></ref>
* '''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 in March 1993. Now at ]/].
* '''Domino'''. Worked mornings for Power 99 (on "The Breakfast Club") and transitioned over to 99X, retaining morning show host. Departed 99X a few months after the change. Now at ]/].
* ''']'''. Joined 99X as an intern in 1999. Moved to air-staff full-time, working over-nights for several years before switching to mornings following the departure of ]. Made his last appearance on 99X on March 17, 2006. Hosting a radio show with Rich Shertenlieb and Crash Clark known as ] on ] in ].
* '''English Nick'''. Joined 99X in 2006 from 96 Rock. Worked part-time. Currently heard in middays on WSRV, 97.1 The River in Atlanta.
* '''Eric the Web Gangsta'''. First appeared on ''The Morning X'' in 1999, covering all aspects of the ], ]s, ], and assorted new technology for listeners. He reported live from the floor of ] and from the first-day-of-sales for the ]. 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 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. A PD at ] in ].
* '''Rob Jenners'''. Joined 99X with the creation of ''The New Morning X'' in October 2006. Previously worked at Miami's ]. Departed 99X on the announcement of the move of Q100 to 99.7 on January 11, 2008.
* '''Just Dave'''.
* '''Klinger'''. Alumni of Album 88. Hosting mornings on Project 9-6-1 in Atlanta.
* '''James Knight'''. Working in Los Angeles on James Cameron's ''Avatar''. Radio was a hobby until February 2007, when he moved to LA. https://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 ].
* '''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. Fat Kid was arrested twice while performing stunts for the morning show. He was let go on January 13, 2006 due to budget cuts. Since, he has worked at ] in ] and ] 95.7 The Blaze in ] plus, 92.9 dave fm and B98.5 in Atlanta. He is currently the morning producer at Kicks 101.5 in Atlanta. http://radiotvtalk.blog.ajc.com/2016/11/23/jeremy-powell-moves-to-kicks-b98-5s-tad-melissa-adds-kara-leigh/
* '''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 ] on the ] on ].
* '''Rich Shertenlieb'''. Started as an intern for the Morning X, soon turned into the show's stunt guy. Most famous for his protest of ] at the ] in ], where he held up a sign that said "Make Me Dinner/Iron My Shirt". This stunt was covered by ] and hundreds of other news organizations. Also received recognition for rescuing a ] victim. Before 99X, he co-hosted Tech Talk on ] while a management student at ]. After leaving 99X, worked on ] in ] through December 2005. Hosting a radio show, with former 99X'ers Fred Toucher and Crash Clark, known as ] on ] in ].
* '''Twisted Todd'''.
* '''Gary "Wally" Wallace''', former morning show director for the Toucher, Jimmy, and Leslie Show. Formerly known as "Zippy" from ]. Quit 99X on April 14, 2006, following a dispute with incoming station management about his involvement in the morning show. Hosted ] on the ], and currently hosting ] on WAY-FM.
* '''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.
* '''Debra'''. Assistant producer to The Morning X; Toucher, Jimmy & Leslie; Mornings with Axel & Leslie and The New Morning X. Also worked on alongside Steve Craig and hosted weekends, overnights and holidays.
*'''Tommy McNulty'''. Last DJ hired by 99X on its original signal in 2007. Worked middays and then evenings at 99X's later signals of 97.9 and 98.9. Now does weekends at ROCK 100.5 and is an Atlanta area musician as well as a TV, film and commercial actor.
*'''BJ Kinard'''. Original program director for 99X.com and when 99X first returned to the airwaves. Left the station in mid-2010. Now on "96.1 KZQ" (]) in ].

==99X shows==
* ''Organic X''. Specialty show that features acoustic, live, and lighter rock; hosted by Matt Jones. Aired on Sunday mornings on 99X and sister station ] (Rock 100.5).
* ''On the Edge''. Will Pendarvis' nightly program, where he mixed up the regular playlist with classic alternative tracks and surreal humor. Debuted as ''Power 99 On the Edge'' prior to the format shift.
* ''The 99X CD Countdown''. A weekly tally of the 30 top-selling CDs by 99X artists, heard on Saturday mornings from 9:00 to 12:00.
* ''The Morning X''. Hosted by Barnes, ], and ]. Won multiple industry awards from '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'' 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 ] Magic Island, giving out ]'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 at the Atlanta Beer Garten. A four-hour Sunday afternoon block of retro alternative songs.
* ''Locals Only''. Hosted by Steve Craig (co-hosted by Jeff Clark, music critic and publisher of the magazine '']'') Saturday nights and Sunday nights. Featured all Atlanta-based bands and regional bands that regularly toured the Atlanta club scene. ], ], ], ], ] and ] got their breaks here. Hosted later on Rock 100.5 by Tommy McNulty. Moved over to the new 99X at 98.9FM in January 2016, renamed "Must Not Suck" and now hosted by Evan and Garrett.
* ''Bootleg X''. 99X's Sunday night program of concerts by popular alternative acts (usually via ]'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''. A Saturday evening block of techno/dance mixes.
* ''The Pleasure Dome''. A sex-education talk show co-hosted by Yvonne Monet (later Jill) and Dr. Roger Libby, a sex therapist.
* ''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. Included a block of songs called "Mandatory ]," during which a call-in listener was quizzed on his/her rock lifestyle (drinking, smoking, tattoos/piercings, etc.) before requesting a song.
* ''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 ] and other classic alternative. Debuted in the mid-1990s as ''House of Retro Pleasure'' with a focus on 80s alternative. When 90s music was added to the show, the title was changed to ''Duplex of Retro Pleasure'', then later ''Retroplex''. Included features such as "This Date in History," celebrations of birthdays for key musical figures, and "80s Leftover" (a song that was not recorded in the 1980s, but sounded as if it could have been). Ended August 20, 2007.
* ''''. Weekly segment in which Dekker played music of the future "by means of time travel." The state of the music industry had changed drastically. Cutting edge reporting on this new landscape, as well as the top musicians of the day, accompanied the songs. Inspired by the Retroplex.
* ''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.
* ''Sunday School''. Sunday night program featuring new music, imports, b-sides, and other rarities. Originally hosted by Jay Harron, later by Elliott. Ended January 20, 2008.
* '']''. 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 so far, with proceeds from each going to a variety of charitable organizations.
* ''Ten at Ten''. Ten consecutive songs, commercial-free, starting at 10am.
* ''Ten O'Clock News''. A 20-minute block of songs from emerging artists, and new songs from established ones, heard weeknights at 10:00 pm.
* ''99Xposure''. Hosted every weekday night at 10:30 PM by Tommy McNulty. Breaking new music from established and emerging artists.
* ''99X-Press Lunch''. Weekdays from 12pm-1pm. Featured thirteen consecutive songs, commercial-free. Replaced the Retroplex in 2007.

==Promotions and concerts==
* ]
* 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 ] beginning in 2002
* Sinner's Ball
* Naughty Night
* ] concerts and CDs
* ] Summerfest
* On The Bricks - a series of summertime concerts held in ]
* Downtown Rocks
* The Big Rock
* Big Day Out
* Big Day In (2005) - to help with victims of ]
* ]
* Acoustic Christmas
* I'm with the Band!
* Brouhaha
* Mistle Toe Jam
* Brewfest
* 99Xpress magazine
* Project X
* Get a Life
* Quit Your Day Job
* ]
* Free Night Out w/ ] and ]
* The "What Would You Do" $10,000 Dare
* Celebrity ] Slam
* Night of the Living Loud
* Swingles Party
* ]
* Oyster Fest

==See also==
• ], another displaced modern rock radio station.


==References== ==References==
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==External links== ==External links==
* *{{Official website|http://www.99x.com/}}
*{{FM station data|WWWQ}}
*
;FM translators
*{{FMQ|W255CJ}} *{{FMQ|W255CJ}}
*{{FMXL|W255CJ}} *{{FXL|W255CJ}}


{{Atlanta Radio}} {{Atlanta Radio}}
{{Modern Rock Radio Stations in Georgia}} {{Modern Rock Radio Stations in Georgia}}
{{Cumulus Media}} {{Cumulus Media}}

{{Coord|33|48|26|N|84|20|22|W|type:landmark_region:GA-US|display=title}}

] ]
] ]
]
] ]

Revision as of 06:08, 15 December 2019

Alternative rock digital subchannel of radio station WWWQ (99.7 FM) in Atlanta, Georgia
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WWWQ-HD2
99 refers to translator W255CJ (98.9 FM), which rebroadcasts WWWQ-HD2
Broadcast areaAtlanta metropolitan area
Frequency99.7 MHz · HD2 (via HD Radio)
Branding99X Atlanta
Programming
FormatAlternative rock
Ownership
Owner
Sister stationsWNNX, WKHX-FM, WWWQ, WWWQ-HD3
History
First air datec. December 2004
Technical information
Facility IDn/a (WWWQ: 73345)
Classn/a (WWWQ: C0)
ERPn/a (WWWQ: 100,000 watts)
HAATn/a (WWWQ: 340 meters)
Transmitter coordinates33°48′26″N 84°20′22″W / 33.80722°N 84.33944°W / 33.80722; -84.33944
Translator(s)W255CJ/Atlanta, 98.9 MHz
Links
WebcastListen Live
Website99x.com

WWWQ-HD2 (99.7-2 FM) – branded 99X – is a digital subchannel of Atlanta market radio station WWWQ (99.7 FM). Owned by Cumulus Meda, WWWQ-HD2 functions as a commercial alternative rock radio station, serving the Atlanta metropolitan area. Using the proprietary technology HD Radio for its main digital transmission, WWWQ-HD2 also simulcasts over low-power analog translator W255CJ (98.9 FM), and streams online. The WWWQ-HD2 studios are located in the Atlanta suburb of Sandy Springs, while the WWWQ-HD2 and W255CJ transmitters both reside in Atlanta's Druid Hills neighborhood.

History

What was then WNNX (99.7 FM) in Atlanta signed on HD Radio operations in December 2004; WNNX-HD1 carried a direct simulcast of WNNX's standard analog transmission, an alternative rock format branded "99X", while WNNX-HD2 would carry classic alternative rock, branded as 99XS. On May 5, 2006, Cumulus Media acquired WNNX owner Susquehanna Radio.

Cumulus performed a series of format changes and call letter changes on January 25, 2008. As part of these moves, WNNX-HD2 changed format from classic alternative rock back to the alternative rock format heard on WNNX; and rebranded the subchannel as 99X; this coincided with WNNX changing format from alternative rock over to contemporary hit radio branded as "Q100". WNNX's callsign was changed to WWWQ on January 29, 2008; thus, the subchannel callsign was changed to WWWQ-HD2. In effect, this new WWWQ-HD2 licensed to Atlanta (99.7-2 FM) became the successor to the previous WNNX licensed to Atlanta (99.7 FM).

Fifteen months later, 99X returned to the FM airwaves in Atlanta. On April 16, 2009, 99X announced that they would be returning to the radio airwaves on April 17 at 9:09 am. At that time, 99X signed-on at its new dial position of 97.9 FM, with "Know Your Enemy" by Green Day being the first song played.

On June 9, 2011, 99X began simulcasting on 99.1 FM (W258BU, now W256BO). A few days later, W250BC then began stunting with different genres of music, as well as Atlanta news and history bits and periodic announcements that 99X had moved to the new frequency. At noon on June 17, W250BC launched a new "gold"-based "hot AC" format branded as "Journey 97-9". That station's format and imaging is virtually identical to that of WNNF in Cincinnati, Ohio, which was launched in early June 2011, and also shares the "Journey" moniker.

On September 15, 2011, 99X moved from 99.1 to 98.9, in order to increase the station's power. The translator's callsign was also changed to W255CJ.

On August 31, 2012, at 6 PM, W255CJ unexpectedly began stunting with a ticking clock and a four-minute clip of songs featured on a new active rock format to debut the following day at noon; the final song on 99X at 98.9 was "Up All Night" by Blink 182. WWWQ-HD2 and W255CJ changed formats to active rock branded 98-9 The Bone on September 1, 2012, at Noon. The first song on "The Bone" was "Warrior's Call" by Volbeat. The station displaced 99X after nearly a year run on the 98.9 frequency. 99X was less than two months away from its 20th anniversary on October 26.

The Bone was born after longtime active-rock station "Project 9-6-1" (WKLS FM 96.1) flipped to top 40 three days earlier. The huge protest that arose because of the flip prompted Cumulus Media to resurrect the format on one of their stations, in this case, 98.9. The new format sounds like a cross between alternative 99X and hard-rock Project 9-6-1. Unlike most format flips, the 99X staff was not immediately fired, indicating there may be a future for it, possibly on another Cumulus station, pending an announced flip to sports radio of CBS Radio's alternative "Dave FM" (WZGC FM 92.9) in October 2012.

On January 28, 2013, W255CJ and sister station WNNX ("Rock 100.5") began promoting changes to the two stations on their Facebook and Twitter pages, hinting a "bigger and better change" to come February 1. The rumors that state the announcements are a possible merger of the two formats on one frequency, presumably on 100.5, was confirmed two days later, and took place at Midnight, when 98.9 and 100.5 began simulcasting (the final song on "The Bone" was "Self Esteem" by The Offspring). At 10 a.m., 100.5 relaunched with a full-fledged active rock format. The simulcast ended on February 4 at 10 a.m.; following a two-hour stunt of clips of songs with "Walk" in the title, the station flipped to a country-leaning Christian AC, branded as "The Walk." The first song on "The Walk" was "For The Grace of God" by Keith Urban.

On August 25, 2013, four websites were registered that would signify a format change to classic hits as 98.9 The True Oldies Channel, The True Oldies Channel 98.9, Atlanta's True Oldies 98.9, or Oldies 98.9. This would be the third format change on 98.9 in a calendar year, and would bring the oldies format back to Atlanta after WYAY dropped it for all-news in May 2012. On August 26, at 11:00 a.m., the station began stunting with songs from the 1960s with the word "Walk" in the title. One hour later, the station relaunched as True Oldies 98.9, launching with "Jumping Jack Flash" by the Rolling Stones.

On June 28, 2014, W255CJ switched from The True Oldies Channel to Westwood One's "Good Time Oldies" format, as Cumulus discontinued syndicating the former.

On August 15, 2014 at Noon, W255CJ flipped to a traditional country format branded as Nash Icon 98.9, a spin-off of the Nash FM brand focusing on a mix of veteran and modern country artists. W255CJ was, alongside Savannah sister WZAT, one of the first two stations to adopt the format.

On November 23, 2015, at Midnight, after playing "She's in Love with the Boy" by Trisha Yearwood, W255CJ began stunting with Christmas music, and rebranded as Warm 98.9. A new format, widely expected to be Soft AC, was expected after the holiday season, in order to compete with WSB-FM. At 2 a.m. on December 26, the station launched a mainstream adult contemporary format, with "You Make My Dreams" by Hall & Oates as the first song played. The station utilized Westwood One's "AC Total" network feed. At first, this appeared to be the permanent format; however, this turned out to also be a stunt. At Midnight on January 1, 2016, after playing "Don't Stop Believin'" by Journey (which ended up being abruptly stopped halfway through), 99X and its alternative rock format returned to Atlanta, with "S.O.B." by Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats being the first song played.

On April 12, 2018, W255CJ, the translator which broadcasts the "99X" format on the terrestrial FM band, was forced off-the-air by the FCC due to interference complaints by WWGA in Tallapoosa. "99X" would remain on WWWQ's HD-2 sub-channel, the iHeartRadio and 99X mobile applications, and online in the interim. W255CJ would remain off air until December 21, 2018, when the translator returned to air, this time with a directional antenna to protect WWGA.

FM translator

Broadcast translator for WWWQ-HD2
Callsign Frequency City of license Facility ID ERP HAAT Class Transmitter coordinates
W225CS 98.9 MHz Atlanta 148550 180 watts 306 meters D 33°48′26″N 84°20′22″W / 33.80722°N 84.33944°W / 33.80722; -84.33944

References

  1. "Q100 Atlanta To Move to 99.7, 99X To Go Online - RadioInsight". radioinsight.com. January 25, 2008.
  2. "99X Atlanta Signs-Off, Q100 Moves In - Format Change Archive". formatchange.com. January 25, 2008.
  3. Cumulus to Return 99X to the Atlanta Airwaves. "Radio Online". radioonline.com. April 16, 2009.
  4. Ho, Rodney (April 17, 2009). "Radio and TV Talk: Morning Mash with the return of 99X — to 97.9". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved December 15, 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  5. "Media Confidential: 'Journey' 97-9 FM Debuts In Atlanta". Media Confidential. June 17, 2011. Retrieved December 15, 2019.
  6. Ho, Rodney (August 12, 2012). "Radio and TV Talk: 99X at 98.9 becomes the Bone". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved December 15, 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  7. "99X Atlanta Is No More; The Bone Debuts". RadioInsight. September 1, 2012. Retrieved December 15, 2019.
  8. "98.9 The Bone Launches". Format Change Archive. September 1, 2012. Retrieved December 15, 2019.
  9. "Cumulus Planning More Atlanta Moves". RadioInsight. February 1, 2013. Retrieved December 15, 2019.
  10. http://atlradioinsider.blogspot.com/2013/01/flip-watch-989-bone-rock-1005-all-news.html
  11. "Oldies Returns To Atlanta". RadioInsight. August 26, 2013. Retrieved December 15, 2019.
  12. Ho, Rodney (August 15, 2014). "Oldies 98.9 becomes older-skewing country NASH Icon 98.9". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Cox Media Group. Retrieved August 16, 2014.
  13. "Nash Icons launches across the country". Radio Insight. Retrieved August 16, 2014.
  14. "Wanted for Radio: More Country Greats". Billboard. Retrieved August 16, 2014.
  15. "AC Warm 98.9 Debuts In Atlanta". RadioInsight. December 26, 2015. Retrieved December 15, 2019.
  16. Ho, Rodney (November 25, 2015). "Radio and TV Talk: Cumulus kills Nash Icon 98.9 after 15 months". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved December 15, 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  17. "99X Returns Again". Format Change Archive. January 1, 2016. Retrieved December 15, 2019.
  18. "FCC Shuts Down 99X Atlanta Over Interference Complaints". RadioInsight. April 12, 2018. Retrieved December 15, 2019.
  19. 99X Atlanta Returns Again Radioinsight - December 21, 2018

External links

FM translators
Radio stations in the Atlanta metropolitan area (Georgia)
By AM frequency
By FM frequency
LPFMs
Translators
NOAA Weather Radio
frequency
Digital radio
by frequency & subchannel
By call sign
Internet
Defunct
Nearby regions
Anniston
Athens
Auburn-Opelika
Chattanooga
Columbus
Gadsden
Greenville-Spartanburg
Macon
Rome
See also
List of radio stations in Georgia
Notes
1. Clear-channel stations with extended nighttime coverage.
2. Audio from channel 6 TV station
3. Station is silent.

Template:Modern Rock Radio Stations in Georgia

Cumulus Media
AM radio
stations
FM radio
stations
Radio networks
Online assets
Television-related assets
Other assets
See also
Categories: