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WWWQ
Q100 Logo
Broadcast areaAtlanta, Georgia
Frequency99.7 MHz (HD Radio)
HD-2: Alternative rock
BrandingQ100
Programming
FormatAdult Top 40 (CHR)
Ownership
OwnerCumulus Media Partners
WNNX
History
First air date
1955
Former call signs
WNNX, WAPW, WARM, WLTA
Technical information
Facility ID73345
ClassC0
ERP96,600 watts
HAAT340 meters
Links
WebcastListen Live
Websiteallthehitsq100.com

WWWQ (99.7 FM, "Q100") is an Atlanta radio station airing a Top 40 (CHR) format. It is owned and operated by Cumulus Media (previously Susquehanna Radio), from the same building as its other sister stations WNNX-FM "Rock 100" (100.5 MHz) and 99X.

On January 25, 2008, Q100 moved from 100.5 to 99.7, replacing long-time alternative rock station 99X. [1][2] 99X's brand and alternative rock format are now being carried on 99.7 HD-2.

History

For most of its early years, 99.7 played host to an easy listening format. Oddly, one of its most popular music blocks in the late 70's was "Golden Sundays", a rock'n'roll oldies show (8-10pm) originating live from Timothy John's restaurant in Sandy Springs. It began including contemporary vocals around 1980 and gradually became Soft Rock. In 1983, following WSB-FM (98.5) 99FM's change to Soft Hits, the station shifted further in that direction, opened up its announcers' personalities and became "Warm 100".

By 1985, with digital-tuning radios becoming mainstream, the station began ID-ing as "Warm 99". That did not sit well with WSB-FM's parent company Cox Radio. They sued, claiming copyright infringement. In a landmark case, Cox v. Susquehanna Broadcasting, the judge was handed a digital radio and asked to tune to 100.0 MHz. There was no signal. To find the nearest station, he pressed the Scan button, and it stopped on 101.5 MHz. Next, he entered 99.0 MHz, which, again, contained no signal. Scanning from there, the radio hit 99.7. In his precedent-setting decision, the Federal district judge stated that on a radio dial "a radio station's frequency is its address" and one cannot copyright an address. He ruled in favor of Warm 99. Soon thereafter, WSB-FM became known as "B-98.5".

At 3pm on March 5, 1986, Warm 99 went head-to-head with dominant local Top 40 station Z-93, becoming Power 99. Z-93 eventually lost their lead, and attempted to shift to a more urban-oriented format (as "Hot New Z-93") to compete, but conceded the battle in January of 1989 by flipping to classic rock.

99X

By the turn of the 90s, Power 99 was the dominant Top 40 station in the southeast. However, the success of Nirvana at the end of 1991 and the subsequent rise of "alternative" music gave station management pause. In early September 1992, Power 99 brought in Will Pendarvis to host an all-alternative program on weeknights called "Power 99 On the Edge". After receiving a solid amount of positive feedback, the station decided to make the full switch. On Monday, October 26, 1992, at 12:00pm, 99X made its debut.

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, which the station began to spin. 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.

On May 5, 2006, Cumulus Media acquired Susquehanna Radio and all of its stations, including 99X and sister station Q100. Over the next twenty months, Cumulus continued to support 99X's Modern Rock format, despite a noticeable decline in Arbitron ratings. On January 25th, 2008, at 5:30 am, 99X ceased to broadcast on the standard FM frequency, and Q100 was moved to 99.7. Q100 has evolved towards an Adult Top 40 format, similar to the format of rival WSTR, under Cumulus Media ownership.

Morning show

The Bert Show started at Q100 in March 2001. It presently consists of Bert Weiss, Jeff Dauler, Jenn Hobby, and Melissa Carter. Many of the Bert Show's events benefit the Bert's Big Adventure charity. Their producer, Tracey and several Bert Show interns also make random appearances on the show. Jeff Dauler's wife Jessica does the shopping report every Thursday morning.

On April 5, 2007, Q100 and The Bert Show hosted a promotion at Six Flags Over Georgia. Anyone who arrived at the theme park between 6am and 9am was to be admitted free for the day. The promotion occurred during metro Atlanta schools' spring break, and cars began arriving by 3:00am. By 6:00am, the park had already reached capacity, and Six Flags officials shut the gates. People were seen walking along and across the interstate and among area side streets. Police closed exits leading to the theme park. Children whose parents dropped them off along the interstate on their way to work were stranded. The ensuing traffic jam wreaked havoc on Interstate 20 and snarled Atlanta's west side during the morning rush hour.[3]

Disc jockeys

The Bert Show:

  • Bert Weiss. Before joining Q100, worked in Washington DC with Kidd Kraddick in Dallas, Texas
  • Jeff Dauler. Before joining Q100, worked in Syracuse, Boston, Tucson, and Philadelphia. Also the shows Executive Producer.
  • Jenn Hobby. Before joining the morning show, worked in promotions for Q100 and for 95.5 The Beat
  • Melissa Carter. Was news editor and public affairs for 99X before joining Q100. Also cohosts the Radio with a Twist syndicated program.
  • Producer Tracey Kinney Recently married. Formerly Tracey Peluso
  • Wendy Traffic, but also the newest member to the Bert Show.

Midday

  • Brittany

Afternoon Drive

  • Johnny-O

Evenings

  • Adam Bomb Show

Overnights

  • Billy Bush

Weekends

  • Carter
  • DJ Mike B
  • DJ Newk
  • DJ Andre Perry

Promotions and concerts

  • Who Do You Know?
  • Music Midtown
  • Bert's Big Adventure
  • Bert Show Bitter Ball
  • Big Hook-Up
  • Frosty the Showman
  • Primal Mating
  • Bert Show Beach Party
  • Friends of Fallout Boy
  • Q Cash Car
  • Smyrnabration
  • Jack Q Lantern Halloween
  • Lucky Day

WWWQ HD2

WWWQ also carries an HD2 subchannel, featuring the 99X brand and its alternative rock format. The station also streams live at 99X.com.

Current personnel

  • Jillian, mornings.
  • Lewis, mid-days.
  • BJ Kinard, afternoons.
  • Rob Hamilton, is the Project Manager for the new 99X.com according to the stations website.

Former DJs

Q100.5

For DJs and staff from Q100.5, please see WNNX.

99X

For DJs and staff from 1992-2008 from 99X, please see WNNX (99X)

Pre-1992

  • Steve Davis: Power 99's first PD/afternoon host and debuted the format in 1986.
  • Lon Thomas: Power 99's first morning man in 1986.
  • George Montiel: Power 99's first midday host and Asst PD. Former program director during the WARM days, he joined the station in 1977 and transitioned through 4 format & management changes. Left in 1987. Currently a video producer in Atlanta. [1]
  • Randy Reeves: Power 99's production director in 1986. Although heard on image stagings, promos and commercials throughout the day, he never had an air shift. Left in the late 80's to focus on his own production company.
  • "Skinny" Bobby Harper" (WLTA morning personality)
  • Gary McDowell: (One of the original Boss Jocks at 93KHJ - Los Angeles)
  • Vikki Locke: Imported from WJW/WWWE in Cleveland, to co-host mornings with George Montiel, Lon Thomas and Steve McCoy. Worked at Star 94 from 1991 to 2007. Expected to start at WSB-FM in July 2008.
  • "Downtown" Billy Brown: Did nights on Power 99 in 1991-92. Moved over to Star 94 after the format change for a short time, then left to work afternoons on WYHY (now WRVW), Nashville, then B-94/Pittsburgh, Star 97/Nashville, now afternoons at (WKIS) 99.9 Kiss Country in Miami, Florida
  • Domino: Worked nights on Power 99 in 1988. Left for WPLJ in New York City, but returned in late 1990. Did afternoons in late 1991 and went to mornings in August, 1992. Went to Kiss 106.1 in Dallas. Briefly voicetracked WMAX in Atlanta.
  • Steve McCoy: Came from then-crosstown rival Z93 in 1987, did AM drive on Power 99 with Vikki Locke. Worked at Star 94 from 1991 to 2007. Expected to start at WSB-FM in July 2008.
  • Ron Kesler: Worked mornings as part of "The Breakfast Club" on Power 99 doing news.
  • Boomer: Worked mid-days at Power 99. Moved to Star 94 in late 1991. Currently doing production for WKHX and WYAY.
  • The Janitor: Worked nights at Power 99 in 1989-1990. Left for WDFX (now WYCD) in Detroit after Domino came back to Power 99 in the fall of 1990.
  • Telephone Tony: Worked overnights/weekends in 1990-91. Left for KDWB in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1992 under the airname Tone E. Fly.
  • J. Karen Thomas: Worked middays from 1991-92.
  • Reggie B': A former intern-turn co-host/traffic reporter that worked on Domino's morning show in 1992.
  • Steve Wyrostok: WAPW's Operation's Manager in the late 80s. Left in September, 1990 for similar duties at sister station KRBE in Houston, Texas.
  • Other notable voices: Dennis Wayne, Joel Godard, Connie Prichard, Wendall Brown, Mel Cargle, Kim Matthews and Frank Zayas.
  • Bill Phippin: Former General Manager of WAPW, who was involved with much of the success of Power 99. Died in August, 1992 from terminal cancer.

References

  1. ^ "99x to Transition Over to Online Radio Q100 Will Take 99.7". TransWorld News. Retrieved 2008-01-25.
  2. ^ Changes Hit Cumulus Cluster in Atlanta. FMQB.com. January 11, 2008.
  3. ^ Six Flags sorry for snarled traffic 11Alive. 4/6/2007