By Lee

January 2, 2006 08:11 AM | Link to this

Today, I noticed the change on 97.1. Here’s how: In the middle of the night, I couldn’t sleep, so I was flipping through the radio stations after every song. When I tuned into 97.1, I heard them say “The New 97.1 the River” instead of “97.1 Jamz”. Well, according to Jeffrey Leachman’s website (acworthcablenet.net) says, 97.1 started off as a Top 40 station in Gainesville, and moved to Atlanta and changed its format to AC in 1985. It became an oldies station called “Fox 97” in 1989. It switched to a rap station called “97.1 Jamz” in 2003, and yesterday, it switched to 97.1 the River, so that’s the history of 97.1.

By doggypaws

January 2, 2006 08:13 AM | Link to this

So, the new 97.1 is going after the 30-54 male listener. Good, as a female, guess I won’t have to worry about that station.

By LD

January 2, 2006 08:16 AM | Link to this

The 60s-80s is the music I enjoy listening but since 97.1 doesn’t want female listeners, wonder what the format will be next year.

By EdM

January 2, 2006 09:47 AM | Link to this

I’m sorry to see 97.1Jamz go by the wayside. It’s ashame that Atlanta can’t keep an urban station going for more than a few years, or better than that, the white owners of these stations do nothing more than pit one station against the other to divide the already confused and dwindling demographic that has struggled for years to hear something more than the same 15 so-called hit songs at the time. Or even offer the station a true chance of survival by spending time and money on building the station up with Jocks and Personalities so that people have something to grab onto. I guess this is truly a glaring example as to why more diverse ownership is so desperately needed in the media outlets out there, as it is now obvious that REAL MONEY will be thrown at this new format unlike the older one. I’m ashamed and dissapointed in the owners of Jamz (i.e. Cox Communications) for not having enough respect or courtesy for the previous listening demographic to offer an explanation or even a heads-up. You guys should all be ashamed of yourselves and your tactics!

By steve mcquade

January 2, 2006 09:50 AM | Link to this

Dave FM is jockless this morning.

Is “All Access With Barnes & Firfer” no more?

By Lee #2

January 2, 2006 09:51 AM | Link to this

Playing Classic Rock and expanding the playlist is a good first step. What they need to do is get the nationally syndicated “John Boy and Billy Show” for the morning and expand the playlist by about another 1000 songs.

By Chris Ramsay

January 2, 2006 10:04 AM | Link to this

EdM - Nothing like turning a business decision into a racial issue. If you haven’t noticed, American society is based on ye old buck. Get real and don’t try and blame whitey for a failed radio format. 15% of a minority population divided by a market yielding 3 primary black stations equals somebody’s going to lose. People like you only further racism. Not much of an “Opening Day” with your biggotry comments.

By Dennis

January 2, 2006 10:06 AM | Link to this

Um yea, the white people at Cox caused the station to compete and stop broadcast. I think enough urban/rap has penetrated the ‘white’ radio already, so loosing 97.1 Jamz isnt really a big loss. Just switch to Q100, 95 The Beat or even V-103, and sometimes just sometimes, Star will even play that lifeless rap/urban stuff.

By Bud

January 2, 2006 10:14 AM | Link to this

This is truly a joyful turn in Atlanta radio. Z93 got replaced by the limp-wristed davefm format and has gone down from a 3.1 to a 1.9 share. I actually got picked to be an arbitron rater for the spring 2005 period when they had their biggest drop…that felt really good. 96 Rock plays little music anymore, with the Regular Guys DJ Chatterfest in the mornings and braves games. Look for The River 97.1 to have at least a 3.0 share within 1 to 2 quarters, with a strong male demographic. Meanwhile, I’ll enjoy the 10,000 songs in a row before they get their DJ staff on-board.

Long Live Rock! (Be it dead or alive!)

Bud

By Stefanie

January 2, 2006 10:16 AM | Link to this

So far, so good. I’m enjoying what I’m hearing. Perhaps this will be the closest to a “Jack” station that we’ll have in Atlanta. By the way, I’m a 43 year old woman. Don’t be turned off because of a demographic. Either you like the station or you don’t. I’m all for more music and less talk. Keep it automated for all I care. Happy New Year everyone!

By mm

January 2, 2006 10:33 AM | Link to this

EdM,

It is definitely racist, just like every other thing that does not go the way you want. You’ve got to be kidding, right? Companies often do not give a “heads up” or let the listening audience know of a change before they do it. I remember several times in Atlanta, formats changing and me waking up one day, turning on the radio-and bam!- new station. Did I believe it was a racist action toward the entire listening audience when the longtime popular Fox 97 went from oldies to rap? Disappointing and stupid-yes, racist-no.

By Lisa

January 2, 2006 10:36 AM | Link to this

I knew 97.1 jamz was too good to be true. Yesterday morning the station was fine, but last night it was all messed up. I think that was a bad move on Cox’s part, I don’t think the new station will get the high ratings that they think it will.

By Charlene

January 2, 2006 10:40 AM | Link to this

I really enjoyed the format of 97.1 - it was an in-between channel for people that grew up in the 90’s that don’t consider themselves ready for the “old school” channels. Oh well, I guess my iPod will have to do. Traditional radio stations just don’t get it.

By Mimi

January 2, 2006 11:28 AM | Link to this

As a 51 y.o. female, I think it will work. I don’t like B98.5, and my favorite station is 94.9 Lite FM, so 97.1 sounds like a good choice for something different if I want to push the buttons when 94.9 plays a song I don’t like.

By Kyle

January 2, 2006 11:45 AM | Link to this

First, the decision to pull the plug on 97.1 had nothing to do with race. It was dead last in the ratings since it switched formats. Second, the “music of the 80s, 90s, and today”, was never clearly defined, in that we’re in the middle of ’00s, so what about the early 2000s?. Also, I guess this means so long to the irritating ads blasting the top-rated stations talk time. (HOT 107.9 always talked more—but I never heard them mention that). If you pay close attention to radio ratings—-then you won’t be surprised when changes like this are made (like DaveFM and 105.3 that went from all 80s to all Mexican). Were those decisions race-driven? Is that also why V103 is the No. 1 station, too??

By Susan

January 2, 2006 12:26 PM | Link to this

How wonderful, now I can go back to more talk and ads insted of music. There is really no better way to experience Atlanta radio than by being overwhelmed with pointless banter amoung dj and dj wanna be’s bookended by ads. That MP3 player I purchased seems more and more like a bargin and worth more than its weight in gold.

By paul

January 2, 2006 01:23 PM | Link to this

Thank god. At least now there is 1 station in this sorry city worth listening too. PS- cant wait to get out of this hell hole city.

By Sherry

January 3, 2006 08:24 AM | Link to this

I really liked 97.1 Jamz, and listened to it every day…it’s really annoying for it to be cut off so unexpectedly. I don’t know what I’ll listen to now b/c there isn’t a station that fills the gap w/o a ton of annoying commercials or dj’s! I’m soo excited about my options now.

By D Bennett

January 3, 2006 09:08 AM | Link to this

The change over to “The River” is great! I am a 40 yr. old female and listen to a wide variety of music, including 95.5, 94.1, 96.1, 97.1, 103.7, 106.1. I enjoyed the music of 97.1 before the change-over (primarily because it played “old skool” R&B), but I’m happy the gap that 96 Rock leaves in the morning and during Braves games is being filled. I never cared for Dave FM, so the addition of the new programming is welcome.

By A. Hayes

January 3, 2006 11:10 AM | Link to this

I’m sure that if 97.1 Jamz had the same amount of support (i.e. ad’s, promotions, PR, etc.) that the new format will have, then if would have had a good chance of survival. The station did not play “gangsta crap”, it was designed for the young black professional (about 22-40), not old enough for “classic oldies”, but too old for the pop rap that is out today. In a city that is 60% black, there are more than enough people to fill that niche, but half of their target didn’t know they existed. Whose fault is that? Since the station won’t take the blame for not promoting the station, they decided to get rid of the station all together instead of looking for a real solution to the problem. For the people who say race is not the issue, I think they are old fashioned southerners who just feel threatened by diversity in the city overall. They are quick to call any music they don’t identify with that isn’t soft rock “gangsta crap”. They lump all urban influenced music in the same category, since they think all black music taste are the same. It drives them crazy that a city like Atlanta is identitifed by artists like Outkast, Usher and Jermaine Dupri instead of the Indigo Girls, so any chance they can get to chip away at the growing diversity in the city, they will. People should stop hiding behind phrases like “lifeless, urban/rap stuff” and just call it what it is, “black music” or “black inspired music”, because that is what you don’t like. I’m sure this station will do well, but its sad that Cox can’t find support for the station when its black, but will rally behind it when it changes to a predominantly white format.

By Mahealani

January 3, 2006 02:14 PM | Link to this

What The??? What happened to 97.1 JAMS? It was the best radio station in Atlanta and it’s just gone with no warning?? One minute I’m vibing with Alicia Keys and the next I’m hearing river music? This sucks!

By JM

January 4, 2006 10:20 AM | Link to this

Anything that reduces the amount of rap crap on Atlanta airwaves can only be good.

By Amey

January 4, 2006 11:09 AM | Link to this

I enjoyed 97.1 Jamz, it was one hip hop station that I acutally liked. I can listen to a variety of music, but I really enjoyed Jamz. Now I dont have a station that I enjoy, the others are nothing but continuous repeats and gibberish in the morning. I liked the fact that Jamz didnt have DJs and a bunch of commercials. Oh well another bites the dust…

By ADP

January 4, 2006 12:27 PM | Link to this

I am so disappointed! Jamz was one of the few radio stations I could listen to without changing it for hours. A perfect blend or R&B old and new. I knew not having DJ’s or too many commercials couldn’t have been a good business move. Nothing else compares on Atlanta radio.

By EroCentrique

January 4, 2006 02:46 PM | Link to this

FIRST OF ALL! Stop foolin’ yourselves. There is no bonafied ratings system. How many times have you heard that a show was ranked 1, 2 or 3 and you know very well that you nor any of your friends, associates or even enemies had seen it…..PLEASE! The RATINGS are whatever they TELL you they are…..and you WILL believe it!

It’s all bull. It’s has nothing to do with racism…..matter of fact I’m beginning to believe I don’t know WHAT the hell it has to do with.

97.1 was not bad…nor was it great but it SURE beat the TALKFEST’s over at 107.9 & 103.3.

Who the HELL told those people that we wanted to hear them as much as we do. When they do find a moment to sqeeze in a song…..it’s CRAP.

I’m personally tired of this new age of music. Now being a musician I probably would not feel the same if MY song was played a million times a day in between Bow Wow, Ciare, D4L, , Etc…….actually…..to be honest with you……I WOULD be upset because there is just so much music out there it doesn’t seem fair that we should be forced to absorb the same nonsense all day.

The title MUSIC PROGRAMMER never was more apparent than now….they program us to listen to this crap and if as a station you offer anything even remotely different and attempt to shake up the system….you’re out of here!

I believe 97.1 was the only real threat to the two power stations and that was known so no other choice but to rid ourselves of the problem.

“We happen to like talking about nothing and the listeners happen to like hearing us talk about nothing….we promise them celebrities at every event that NEVER show and they continue to attend like the sheep that they are…..we promise them cash prizes so they will continue to listen all day.

it’s not rocket science it just has absolutely nothing to do with music. They could care less WHAT you prefered to listen to….the music is just fodder for the advertising!

By scott

January 4, 2006 02:47 PM | Link to this

LD

Go watch Oprah

By Val

January 4, 2006 03:35 PM | Link to this

My 12-year-old and I happened upon “The River” Monday while driving my dad’s car since mine is in the shop. His radio doesn’t have the presets that mine does, much to our good fortune, so we literally stumbled upon the best surprise of the new year! The River has just the right mix of classic rock and roll without the trash talk from the DJ’s of the other stations just down the dial. And they include some of the oldies hits that I’ve been missing since Randy & Spiff’s former two radio shows were booted off the airwaves. Now, if we could only bring back some of those classic DJ’s like JJ Jackson, Randy & Spiff (minus Jessica, no offense), and perhaps even one of Atlanta’s best kept secrets, Ray Bernal, that would be icing on the cake. I’m just glad to finally have a quality station of MUSIC to listen to in Atlanta. It’s LONG overdue!

By Aisha Thomas

January 4, 2006 04:17 PM | Link to this

I would just like to say that I will miss 97.1 jamz. I loved that station and I would listen to it all the time. I was shocked when I started hearing all this old rock music playing on one of my favorite stations. Well I won’t be listening to that station anymore because my favorite music is no longer being played on it. I just hope that the Father’s Day prize that I won will still be acceptable at the spa that sponsored the prize!

By LaShon McAfee

January 5, 2006 08:47 AM | Link to this

I think that is a shame! 97.1 was a station that played all of the songs I loved to listen to. Songs I had not heard in a long time and their variety was so much better than 103.3 or 107.9. They didn’t talk much, they played more than just rap or the same ole ATL cussing and woman bashing songs. Their mix was perfect. It is a loss to us because now what is that station there?? I have 97.1 programmed on my radio and I thought something was wrong with my radio yesterday. I kept changing the station and changing it back hoping to hear what I would usually hear but all I heard was a bunch of crap! Thanks for letting me know, I will definitely be taking that station out of my programmed stations and never turning to it again if I can help it. That’s just a shame.

By Kool Aid

January 5, 2006 09:13 AM | Link to this

I live in North Carolina and enjoyed 97.1 on the internet. It’s a shame politics follow you like a plague even in music. I knew it was to good to be true. So now I will delete 97.1 from my favorite and hope you have few supporters.

By eric hoffmann

January 5, 2006 09:37 AM | Link to this

Finally a station in this city worth listening to. I have XM radio in my car and so far I like what you are playing better.

By PZ

January 5, 2006 10:15 AM | Link to this

I was pleasantly surprised to hear the new format on 97.1. I just happened to see an ad on TV last night and tuned in this morning. After 105.7 dumped the oldies format, and their long time DJ’s for Viva!, I spent the money for XM satellite radio, which has been a great investment. I hardly ever listen to regular radio anymore. Call me Scrooge but, I can’t endure six plus weeks of Christmas music every year!

Fans of 97.1Jamz shouldn’t be surprised at the switch with no notice. That’s how Cox Communications does it! They did the same thing when they pulled the Oldies format to go to the Urban R&B format only that happened in the middle of the day.

By DeepSouthRick

January 5, 2006 11:03 AM | Link to this

So far, the new 97.1 format is great! During the day, I have started listening to stations in Texas and Florida (internet). Can’t stand the endless self-absorbed talkfest on 96 Rock, and DaveFM is downright pathetic. I predict that 97.1 will do well. I enjoy the classic rock format, and have been amazed that Atlanta has gone this long without such a station. I’m exactly the demographic they seek, and they did well. As soon as I heard the station this week, I immediately added it to my presets. I never liked Fox oldies — too much MoTown and goofy bubblegum ’60s crap for me. I’ll take Hendrix over Herman’s Hermits any day.

By CM

January 5, 2006 11:08 AM | Link to this

I think this station is playing excellent music. Every song I have heard so far has been from a CD I own and love! I saw the TV ad during the Rose Bowl. Great job and thank you for the great format. Keep up the good work and definitely expand the playlist.

By Dee

January 5, 2006 11:37 AM | Link to this

Well, this is a bunch of crap. I will remove from pre-programmed channels from the car, work and at home. Thanks for nothing. I do not like this bs that is on now. 97.1 Jamz played music that reminded me from my younger years back in NY. You will not have that much of a rating. Thanks for nothing.

By CC

January 5, 2006 11:46 AM | Link to this

I was a big fan of 97.1 JAMZ and was very very very upset when i turned and heard the river. 97.1 Jamz played the best R&B oldskool from the 80’s and 90’s. I hope you guys have some type of replacement in store for us Jamz listeners who don’t care for all that hard core rap 24/7 and enjoy what is now old skool for the 25 and over crowd. I had to make sure i have plenty of CD’S to listen to now and will more than likely purchase a satillite now. Now don’t get me wrong I will always love V103 but 97.1 was the old sckool spot. It was very very rude how the change was made and like i said You guys better have a replacement in the making and soon. I will now remove 97.1 along with half the city of listeners from my favorites. THE NEW 97.1 the river SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.

By jookiejookbabe

January 5, 2006 11:56 AM | Link to this

Dang whats up with that, why they gotta cut 97.1 jamz for some rock station. its a shame that atlanta cant even keep a simple hip hop radio station on air. Rock’s takin ova the world.

By Terri

January 5, 2006 12:20 PM | Link to this

I LOVE THIS STATION!!! This is what music is all about! My 16 year old daughter even likes it. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you for giving us this wonderful station!!! We will listen to you as long as you are on the air. You made my new year 97.1! You ROCK!!!

By Kwal

January 5, 2006 02:07 PM | Link to this

Thank God I got satellite radio for Christmas. Overall, the radio sucks but 97.1 Jamz was definitely a great station - I don’t buy the poor ratings bit.

“Urban/Hip-Hop” music runs Atlanta though, so another station will pop up in due time. 95.5 The Beat was the latest crossover.

By rod westin

January 5, 2006 05:05 PM | Link to this

atlanta radio is “gerbiling”…letting rodents crawl into the tight confines of programming and expecting sheer ectasy as the poor animal goes into the last convulsions of death. here’s an idea! make 97.1 an fm talker and counter-program all the right-wing crap that occupies 99% of the other talk stations. i worked at fox 97 when the disney family (shamrock broadcasting) paid the bills on oldies music…my private viet-nam is playing the same 500 songs at least twice daily. unless
terrestrial radio stops trying to trump clear channel’s race to the bottom, the new slogan will become “format of the month”.

By Rocky

January 6, 2006 10:03 AM | Link to this

Less talk, more music, excellent! Please don’t let the recently unemployed Southside and Rhodes get in The River.

By PC

January 9, 2006 08:39 AM | Link to this

As a white female I think they screwed up when they changed 97.1jamz…it was the ONLY radio station I listen to. Now I have to look into getting me a cd player for my car, so I don’t have to listen to the crap they play on it now.

By NANCY

January 9, 2006 09:56 AM | Link to this

GREAT RADIO STATION WE NEED THIS AFTER Z-93 LEFT. WHAT ABOUT A DJ….WHAT ABOUT BRINGING DUNHAM BACK? LOVE THE STATION. THANKS ATLANTA

By Mike

January 10, 2006 09:37 AM | Link to this

So far I’ve listened to the station several times over four days and I can already hear the repitition. Two songs I heard Sunday late afternoon I heard again Monday afternoon. (Someone posted above a palylist of only 300 songs) I also have a hard time with the “Classic Hits” moniker since 98% of the songs are from the 70s. But what really has caught my ear is the lack of R&B hits, and there were plenty of classics! Yesterday they played “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” but it wasn’t the #1 hit from Marvin Gaye. So I’m assuming all the music will be from white artists. What a shame since the demographic they’re shooting for DOES enjoy those R&B classics. My suggestion: rotate some O’Jays, Temptations, Spinners, and others into the playlist. 300 songs will get tired in a hurry!

By Drewsm0m

January 10, 2006 12:18 PM | Link to this

Hopefully this is a signal that the foul-mouthed rap era is about over. Rap or “Hip-Hop” is not music, it is just talking in rhyme to music. There are a lot of great african american singers who don’t sing about sex, violence and drugs. I am glad to see and hear this new station.

By Scott

January 10, 2006 12:23 PM | Link to this

Yeeehaw!

I have not played a CD in my truck since Wednesday night when my wife found this….

Rock Music! IN THE MORNING!!

I am an instant fan…

I do hope that they eventually broaden the playlist, but I can’t handle all of the Bravado at 96 anymore…

I’m sorry if you liked Jams, but If it wasn’t getting ratings that is the nature of the business..I’m sure Cox would not have done this otherwise….it would be very bad business to yank a successful station off the air….

I believe that with the demise of Z-93 (I am still in mourning over that), and all of the blabbering at 96 (including baseball), that Cox smelled blood…I am feeling a buzz over this station and hope they will do well….look out 96 Rock!

As far as DJs…I’d love to hear Willard, Kaedy Keily & Dunham back on Atlanta radio….

Anyway…I am so far enjoying The River, and haven’t listened to this much radio since Z-93 died…thanks for the River!

By amber

January 10, 2006 12:25 PM | Link to this

I THINK THEY SHOULD HAVE WORNED US ABOUT THE CHANGE. I TURNE ON MY RADIO ON 97.1 AND I WAS LIKE WHAT IS THIS? I WANT THE HIP HOP BACK!

By Bob

January 10, 2006 12:34 PM | Link to this

For all The Blacks Out there who are “hatin” on the 971 the river, get over your self. Go to a gang bang and get stoned and then back off. You we are racist, you are racist. Look in to the music history and realize that if it wasn’t for country and rock Rap would not be on the air. GROW UP.

By l.at

January 10, 2006 12:41 PM | Link to this

Wait hold that * up Bob. That comment was every unnecessary. No one really cares about 97.1 Jamz cause if they did the staiton would have done better in ratings. Now take your classic hit station and shut the * up.

By Jan

January 10, 2006 12:43 PM | Link to this

Great station. It was disappointing when Z93 was taken away from us. So far the music has been great and everyone is talking about the new sound. Now just upgrade the website where we can download the site to our desktop.

Keep up the good work.

By Heather

January 10, 2006 12:54 PM | Link to this

First, this is suppose to be a discussion on the new station format, not mud slinging. For both sides, please find somewhere else to hate on each other. As for the station, I had occasionally listened to 97.1 jamz and was not particulary impressed with it. There was already quite a few stations playing the similar playlist. I am pleased with the new station and the varied selection of music from an era that produced timeless songs. Atlanta has many stations to cater to the different tastes of this city and this change gives us another option.

By War EAGLE!

January 10, 2006 12:55 PM | Link to this

EDM-You need to understand that the MAJORITY of people want to hear music that is unique and can understand the words. Obviously, Jamz and the other Rap music stations did not provide that. AM radio was getting more of an audience than RAP stations because RAP listeners-all 15% of them, were divided among -4 stations. We don’t need another RAP station. Today’s music to most sounds the same-whiny. Also, when are your BLACK owned stations going to hire White Men for DJ’s? How about some diversity there? Or is it just one sided? Majority rules and the Minority moves! Congrats to those that saw the light and brought back music you can enjoy listening to!

By chelle

January 10, 2006 01:56 PM | Link to this

I wish 97.1Jamz would have just put a morning DJ on. They could have even gotten a syndicated DJ, it didn’t have to be local. Realize that people want a morning DJ, to bater and talk about current things, and the weather and traffic and make us laugh in the morning. I just think that would have bolstered the ratings. My friends and I will miss that station. I can’t take all of the negative new school rap. We also need a station in Atlanta that will play new R&B. For example: New babyface or Al Green or Patti Labelle when they release new music. We don’t have a station in Atlanta that supports new R&B.

By Carly

January 10, 2006 02:36 PM | Link to this

I was in the car when I discovered this strange music coming from 97.1 and thought maybe the radio lines had crossed. Then to hear that the station is now “The River”. I hate it!!!!! I feel like it is for My uncle who is over the age of 40. There was no warning as to the station changing and there was no people pole to see what we thought about it. I am stuck in traffic for an hour and a half every morning and now I have to resort back to CD’s because everyone wants to talk on all the stations in the morning. I am 27 and loved hearing the songs from the 80’s, 90’s and now. I thought this was the best station that had ever come out. Then it was taken away. Who wants to listen to Ghetto 107.9, and V-103 does talk too much. I listen to 95.5 the beat, but they play the same thing over and over again. I am very disappointed that this station is gone.

By Tom

January 10, 2006 02:54 PM | Link to this

I am happy to have a new station in Atlanta that I can listen to. As noted, 96 rock is too much talk and baseball during the Braves season. If I want to listen to people flapping their gums every morning, I’ll listen to AM where that goes on all day long. Dave FM is a more of a hodge podge than the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and that takes hard work. My only hope is that the River will expand into some of the deeper album cuts by those “Classic” artists. There is a heck of a lot of good music buried amongst the over-played hits by the, Beatles, Doobie Brothers, Eagles, Who, Led Zepplin and any other artist that have had the same few hits run into the ground.

By Marc

January 10, 2006 03:04 PM | Link to this

Everything in radio is about ratings these days. Obviously 97.1 as jamz wasnt cutting it. You want to know if a station is in danger of getting flipped to a different format? Go to google, then type in the words RADIOONLINE Atlanta,see which stations are doing well and which ones are not. I feel for those of you that liked Urban Contemporary and are at a loss, but where have the people been that like oldies/classic hits been for the past several years? They have been without a radio station. The river has solved that problem.

By Joe

January 10, 2006 03:28 PM | Link to this

There is no need to bring race or anything else into this discussion. What a radio station plays is simply a business decision. Any station owner/manager with any sense is trying find a demographic where they can get the best ratings. The ratings translate into how much they can charge for their ad time. Obviously, Jamz 97.1 was not meeting the expectations of the owners (Cox) so a change was made. These drastic changes are always done instantly. I cannot even imagine a station coming on and saying, “Oh by the way, you listeners out there are really going to like our new totally different music format.” Suffice to say, the on-air personalities do not know about the change so they cannot go on the air and editorialze or ‘bash’ the management over the change. For those of you trying to play the race card….Get a Life!

By Eugene

January 10, 2006 03:49 PM | Link to this

Chelle- you should check out 102.5. They play some new R&B without all of the rap. Michael Baisden plays a lot of new stuff on his show from 3 until 7, and actually plays some stuff that the Atlanta radio stations don’t play because of their obsession with commercial and tired music.

By Cherie

January 11, 2006 08:40 AM | Link to this

I really don’t think they should have taken 97.1 jamz off the air like that. I think maybe they could have done a little up grading and maybe added some more songs but just to go and make the channel a country music channel I really think that was unfair. There are more country channels than anything. You also could have made it a gospel channel. You really have few of those channels. I listen to V-103 sometimes but the music can be degrading sometimes for women.

By Stacy

January 11, 2006 09:18 AM | Link to this

I listened to 97.1 Jamz everyday, but there was a big problem I could not pick up the station at work. I was surprised to hear a different sound of music when I tuned into 97.1 jamz. Well, I don’t listen to this station anymore and the river has commercial ads on TV. Cox could have done the same thing for Jamz.

By BGE

January 11, 2006 10:44 AM | Link to this

I agree with Mike that the playlist needs to includes some classic Marvin Gaye, Patti LaBelle, Stevie Wonder, etc. I think that the number of songs in the playlist needs to be increased – seems like every morning and afternoon during drivetime I’m listening to Fleetwood Mac. I had gotten so put out with the lack of good (70s) music on the radio, that I burned my iPod music to a CD so I had some good classics to listen to and always played them in shuffle so I didn’t get bored w/my format! Please – NO DJ!**

By Gina

January 11, 2006 01:04 PM | Link to this

I am very disappointed that 97.1 Jamz has gone away. I am from NYC and have been used to listening to a variety of urban music spanning across the 80s, 90s and 2000s. This is the number one station that I did listen too because I don’t care for the southern hip hop that V-103 and 107.9 has to offer and I don’t care for so much blah, blah, blah. Everytime you turn to their station, someone is flapping their lips. I can’t stand it. Please come back 97.1 Jamz!

By B.J.

January 11, 2006 03:29 PM | Link to this

I want to respond to Joe & Marc regarding 97.1. I’ve previously commented on the format change for this station, however, after reading the comments from those two, I felt compelled to try to educate them on the problems with this market when it comes to radio. Although it is true that radio is supposed to be all about ratings, it is NOT the case in this (the Atlanta) market. If it were “simply� about ratings, then there is NO justification for Denny Shaffer (WGST) to be on the air, ANY “personalities� (used very loosely) on WAOK, and on the Salem station WGKA (920 AM) for example. Furthermore, if it were about ratings, and if this alleged-“new� format� for 97.1 was intended to “boost� ratings, then why did they change from Fox 97? Isn’t the music on “The River� the same that was on 97.1 when it was Fox 97—the format 97.1 JAMZ changed from initially?

I will admit that blacks pull the proverbial race card so much that it’s hard to determine when it’s legitimately pulled or not. However, I will explain why it is necessary to pull the race card here. There’s NO doubt that there are racial components at work here in this case, the 97.1 case, the WAOK case, and the other stations in this market. However, in order not to make this an “academic journal� (inside joke), I will continue with this on my website— http://www.bjellis.com/BlogFULL.htm if you are interested in reading my comments further.

By Paul

January 11, 2006 04:17 PM | Link to this

I like the new format. I also love to laugh in the morning. Bring back the Bob and Tom show in the morning and then play great music all day long.

By Kay

January 12, 2006 01:04 PM | Link to this

Bob go jump in a river!! BJ do you even know what you just said. I read your other comments and they run on like blah blah blah blah blah. When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. Michael Baisden is a joy to listen to on my way home. Good riddance 97.1 jamz

By B.J.

January 12, 2006 03:12 PM | Link to this

Kay: Before I write this, I hope you are an adult. If not, I apologize in advance. Instead of saying I said blah blah blah, please feel free to refute anything I said. As you said, you read my comments. So please enlighten us with something that I said that wasn’t correct, and please correct it. Thanks.

By KJ

January 13, 2006 10:45 AM | Link to this

I happened upon this station and I LOVE IT! No, I am not a male 30 to 54, but a female. My 14 year old daughter loves this station too. I actually have a station I can tune it at work that I enjoy listening to.

By TD

January 13, 2006 12:44 PM | Link to this

I am a male in their sweet spot - besides too many Elton John and Billy Joel songs, this station is what Atlanta lost from Z93 and 96Rock. No artist should be repeated in a 2 hour span but they do it with Sir Elton and Piano Man - too many good hits from this period to do that!