Access Atlanta > Entertainment > Radio Talk > Archives > 2006 > February > 13 > Entry
2/13: Crash’s party
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The “Crash” Clark appreciation “Crash Bash” at Central City Tavern in south Buckhead was great fun. Several past and present 99Xers were there including Fred Toucher, Jimmy Baron, Whip (now at the Buzz) and Chris Williams (now program director at the Buzz.) WSB-AM’s Mark Arum, fellow traffic reporter, showed up, too.
Surprise appearance: Rich Shertenlieb, best known as the stunt guy for the Morning X in the 2001-03 era. He did some hilarious bits including getting arrested for pretending to pull a No. 2 at a toilet display at the Home Depot off Lindbergh. He also held a classic fake protest of Martha Burk’s protest of the Augusta Masters gender policies with a sign that said “Make My Dinner/Iron My Shirt.” Many news organizations thought he was for real. He worked for Kidd Kraddock in Dallas for a couple of years but is now seeking his own morning show.
According to the party organizer Joey Mills, Crash (who was fired in December 2005 for allowing a woman to get down on a guy in a bathroom for concert tix) started drinking at 4 p.m. and he was quite soused by the time he got to Central City at 10 p.m. I got there at 11:15 p.m. and he seemed pretty happy considering the circumstances. His fiance Melissa was there, too. He left at 12:15 a.m. I hung out with many remaining radio folks til closing.
Best rumor at the party: Shertenlieb is joining Crash and Fred Toucher, whose future at 99X is in doubt, for a morning show being shopped around to other stations. They would only say, repeatedly, “No comment.” Attendees said Phoenix’s FM talk station KZON is testing them for an afternoon show this Wednesday through Friday but they might be put on other “Free FM” stations owned by Infinity as well. Technically, Toucher has a contract with 99X through October but new owners Cumulus are set to close the deal to buy the station (and others) by mid April. 99X’s future, given its ratings, is in serious doubt. Jimmy Baron’s contract is up in April, too. Toucher was not on the air today.
This morning, 105.3/The Buzz is doing little bits making fun of 99X program director Leslie Fram by “celebrating her 50th birthday,” which includes Depends jokes and the studio line at 99X so folks can wish her well. The obvious implication: 99X is dying, led by someone who is well outside the alternative rock demo.
Comments
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By Craig
February 13, 2006 11:40 AM | Link to this
Everybody just keeps piling on 99X. Who’s going to be the new morning show when Toucher leaves/gets shown the door? Somehow i suspect Leslie will be a key player on that show
By Jeff
February 13, 2006 01:49 PM | Link to this
The Buzz is a little late on making fun of the death of 99x, it’s been dead for a LONG TIME already. And how about a little respect for the Buzz, put their call letters in the Atlanta radio list for crying out loud, WBZY.
By SHABONE
February 14, 2006 11:52 AM | Link to this
ITS THE WORST SHOW ON RADIO, DOUCHER IS A LOOOOSER, LESLIE IS FRANKENSTEIN IN DRAG, JIMMY IS A LITTLE WIMP WHO CANT HOLD HIS OWN, LITTLE ROCK,AK. IS THERE NEXT STOP BABY. SEEYA
By bigjohnson
February 15, 2006 12:43 PM | Link to this
When Toucher goes to Phoenix, he’ll be moving to a smaller market—never a good career move. But then again, Toucher sucks so bad it’s amazing anyone will hire him. And if he takes Crash with him, that’ll be two blowhard alcoholics stinking up the airwaves. Can you say RATINGS DISASTER!!??
By alpha
February 16, 2006 09:58 AM | Link to this
Ever since Toucher became the main man at 99, the morning show has gone downhill and all class went out the window. It seems like all their bits are stolen from Howard Stern but they can’t pull them off.
By tony
February 16, 2006 10:13 AM | Link to this
Crash is awesome, he will be missed, and Fred Toucher is the man, without him Atlanta radio is gonna suck once again.
By fatboy
February 16, 2006 12:03 PM | Link to this
99x was great with Crash Barnes and Jimmy. It is not what that was but it is still good. It is better than the regular guys. The buzz and the other stations in town are boring and without edge. It seems everytime 99x goes a little wild or does stunts we always dog them out. They always entertain us. Johnboy and Billy out of Macon blow them all out of the water anyway. Fatboy out
By David
February 16, 2006 05:07 PM | Link to this
TLJ…they sucked from day one. Bert Show, funny if you like cheesy. Steve & Vicki, see Bert Show. Regular Guys, try to be funny, never do, moronic to the nth degree. Thank good ness for a Columbus station that carries Bob and Tom. Yes I know they didn’t work here, but ask any morning show here and they would give there left arm to have the success that they have.
As far as 99x, you WERE great, but you suck. With 4 other rock stations in town, your days are numbered. Maybe you can get FM talk to work again, I would suggest going with a mix of political and sports, if not sports alone. What I find ironic is that 99.7 started as a top 40 station, dropped the format and then the parent company started Q100 which is top 40 and is know kicking the crap out of 99.7.
By stone
February 17, 2006 09:40 AM | Link to this
Atlanta will miss Fred Toucher. He’s the only reason to listen to TJL in the morning. 99X will head towards the dumps when Toucher leaves! Pronto.