Access Atlanta > Entertainment > Radio Talk > Archives > 2005 > September > 14 > Entry
Sept. 15: Q100’s signal may be upped//update on Warren Savage
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Q100, long hamstrung in the Northeast part of Atlanta by a weaker signal than competitors the Beat and Star 94, is awaiting FCC approval to amp up its signal, possibly within the month, according to Q100 General Manager Mark Renier. The station brokered a deal with Clear Channel’s country station in Greenville that had forced Q100 to weaken its signal in the northern reaches of Gwinnett. Renier said the signal upgrade will give them a stronger signal overall all over metro Atlanta. “This gives us a much fairer playing field for the seven largest metro counties,â€? he said. This will likely make the already tight top 40 radio race even tighter.
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I met with Warren Savage, who came to WSB-TV in 1996. He was a little circumspect about his past and future. He said he was just tired of the grind. He said he made the decision to leave Monday night and just didn’t show up to work the next day. He declined to say why he wasn’t there at 5 a.m. and forced WSB-TV to scramble for a replacement. He did show up later in the day to say goodbye and clean out his desk. He was also vague about his future plans. I know he likes jazz and is a bass player. He might pursue that more full time. He was also vague about his savings situation but clearly, he has enough money to live for awhile, enough to walk away from a contract that still has two years left on it. He didn’t rule out going back to TV at some point.
WSB-TV News Director Jennifer Rigby gave me no information about his departure. But rumors were that Savage had been showing up late for work in recent weeks, requiring calls from WSB-TV to his home to make sure he made it there. He admitted that he was having a tougher time getting up but offered no specific reasons why.
He did note that he’s single with no kids so he can walk away from a job with golden handcuffs like WSB-TV anchor.
Here’s the email he sent to staffers on his way out the door:
A rapper once said, “before I sell out, I get the hell out.” Since I’m more a musician than a rapper, I prefer to take a cue from the late, great Miles Davis, “If you don’t feel it, don’t play it.” Thus has become my sentiment here at WSB-TV.
Spinners will spin. Liars will figure, but figures don’t lie. WSB-TV has enjoyed some of the highest ratings in this history of this station on my watch. I am proud of my contribution.
All the best to each and every one of you!
Warren Savage
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By Yalanda
September 15, 2005 10:00 AM | Link to this
Why doesn’t V103 morning show just have someone from the PeachBuzz and AJC just come on the air to read their own stories. The regurgitation makes my stomach weak. RODNEY’S ANSWER: Most radio stations read stuff out of our paper w/o attribution. Q100 is one of the few stations nice enough to reference us when they do.
By Alissa
September 15, 2005 10:16 AM | Link to this
I am an avid Jazz lover and have listened to WJZZ in the car for years but their signal is so weak where I live in Conyers that I cannot pick them up at either work or home? (I have a very good receiver.) Yet on a recent trip to Chattanooga, I picked them up all the way to the TN border! How about boosting the signal so that folks on the east side can tune you in more often?
By Evil Honkey leader
September 16, 2005 08:30 AM | Link to this
Hey Rodney: Have Southside Shirley and Rehab Rhodes ratings gone down since their buddies the Regular Guys came back on the air? P.S. George W. Bush does not care about purple people. RODNEY’S ANSWER: Not sure what their spring numbers were. Summer numbers won’t be available until late October.
By BP
September 18, 2005 09:38 PM | Link to this
I’m shocked to learn about Warren Savage leaving. He was/is a total professional. He was likely tired of doing the early news and knew he deserved better. I assumed he was a lock for evening news when John Pruitt hung it up. He will be missed.
By Chocolate
September 20, 2005 08:59 AM | Link to this
I am really going to miss Warren… I am shocked also to see that he would just walk away… but maybe he was at the end of his rope… and the straw finally broke the camel’s back… who knows what is going on behind the scenes… I wish him luck in the future…!
By Kimberly
September 20, 2005 11:12 AM | Link to this
I really hoped Warren was on vacation. He had a natural flair for the news and the camera. My family and I wish him all the success in his future endeavors. The morning news has lost a wonderful anchor.
By A Warren Fan
September 20, 2005 11:58 AM | Link to this
I really miss waking to Warren, his charisma, and that wonderful voice! I wish him all the best. It will take me a little longer to wake now at 5:00 a.m. without Warren!
By martha smith
September 21, 2005 09:46 AM | Link to this
the man could not articulate and it was just monday a.m. that i wondered why he was still around.
By Starchild
September 23, 2005 12:51 PM | Link to this
Warren Savage will be greatly missed. He is an extremely articulate, very handsome & professional anchor. WSB needs to do whatever to get him back. I doubt I will even pay attention to the morning news without Warren.
By Jaydee
September 26, 2005 10:16 AM | Link to this
I have only watched WSB-TV morning news because of Warren Savage, now he’s gone I’ll starting looking other places for my wake-up call…I’ll miss you Warren… All the best !
By Angela
September 26, 2005 03:03 PM | Link to this
I have not watch WSB in the mornings since I learned that Warren Savage left. I will miss Warren Savage. For the lady who spoke about Warren not being articulate; that shows that he is human and not a robot.
By Theo
September 28, 2005 01:16 PM | Link to this
I began watching WSB’s 5am newscast because of Warren’s professionalism, oratory skills and wit. I’ll miss him greatly. What a major loss for the station. Hopefully, he’ll read these comments from his fans.
By Bill
September 28, 2005 02:59 PM | Link to this
Now I know why I’ve over slept the last two days…I have my TV set to wake me up with the news. Even though WSB comes on, it dosen’t have the same flair. Good Luck Warren!!