Access Atlanta > Entertainment > Radio Talk > Archives > 2006 > May > 04 > Entry
5/3: Bloodletting to hit 99x/Q100
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
With new owners Cumulus coming in, the housecleaning has begun. According to R&R, already, 16 people have been snuffed (and this doesn’t count the morning show cuts in recent weeks.)
Susquehanna, the former owners, are privately held and the station was still staffed as if 99X was a highly ranked station like it was at one time. And Q100 is healthily staffed too. So cuts were inevitable and with a publicly traded company like Cumlulus, the cuts could run deep. Word is Susquehanna cut some folks ahead of time before Cumulus officially takes over Friday so they can get better severence packages. A going away party happened Wednesday night at Shout. Former 99X morning show producer Christopher Calandro blogged about not getting in.
Former 99xer’s Jimmy Baron, Fat Kid, Crash Clark and Fred Toucher showed up, too.
Allaccess.com trade publication said Jamie Massey, formerly the morning traffic gal at Star 94 and recently traffic person at Q100, has lost her job again. Q100 music director Thomas Crone is gone. And 99X music director Jay Harren confirmed to allaccess that he is out, too:
HARREN told ALL ACCESS, “After almost nine years of working for the legendary 99X, and even more legendary LESLIE FRAM, I have fallen victim to corporate cutbacks, and effective immediately I am no longer employed here. Without a doubt, LESLIE FRAM is the most talented, creative, and innovative programmers in the country. In addition, she is not afraid to take risks. She took one on me.
“A long time ago, LESLIE spotted a guy who has a passion for music and empowered him with the ability to take that passion and turn it into a career. No one in the industry is more fortunate and blessed than me. To have had the privilege to work so closely with an industry legend is more than I could have ever hoped for. She is a true leader, an amazing mentor, and a great friend. Thank you LESLIE.”
Comments
By Kat
May 4, 2006 11:35 AM | Link to this
That sucks that things are changing up like this but all things (good OR bad) must end at some point. Sorry to hear Jamie has had to move on (again). I met her @ the SAG awards this Jan and she was very cool. How will Q100/99X fare in the coming months I wonder? Is Cumulus changing everything??? Anyone?
By Billy
May 4, 2006 11:54 AM | Link to this
99.7 The Bull Atlanta’s Country Music Station should be on the air by next week with 10,000 songs in a row but no Dixire Chicks. After the muscic blitz is over the long awaited return to Atlanta airwaves will happen when Moby in the Morning makes its premiere.
By Tim
May 4, 2006 01:20 PM | Link to this
Now if Phil gawd, I luv my dawgs can get the axe, all will be good with the world. He’s a public relations nightmare,,a minimum-wage gopher who thinks he’s the next great thing in Atlanta media. Why don’t you get on back to the trailer park Phil and wait for dem dawgs to start playin’ agin’ ??? hahahahahahahaha!
By Scott
May 4, 2006 03:41 PM | Link to this
Hate to see that happen to Jamie again. I never got the full story when she left Star 94, whether it was her choosing or theirs. She was always funny and pretty personable. ATL radio is really hurting right now. Thank God for XM Radio.
By Thirdwheelflunkie
May 4, 2006 04:01 PM | Link to this
Yes, Thank God for XM RADIO!!!!
By Shannon
May 4, 2006 04:21 PM | Link to this
The sad thing about this is that it won’t be just the on-air talent, but the hard working people behind the scenes such as sales assitants, traffic managers and the like. Those people don’t make any money to begin with, being laid off is going to be really hard on them.
By Christopher Calandro
May 4, 2006 04:53 PM | Link to this
I KNOW people are dying to read the blog entry, and Rodney can’t print the link because it contains a fair amount of bile, vitriol, and venom, but for the curious? Surf your sweet a* on over, rover, to http://blog.myspace.com/christophercalandro Go on, you know you wanna. -CC
By surftrip
May 5, 2006 01:02 PM | Link to this
Radio personalities look like such newbies with all the “myspace” sites.
If you are a real radio personality perhaps you spend the tiny dollars to promote yourself in a more professional manner. Put your MySpace link on a resume and HR will laugh at you.
Radio used to slam the web and now they are all finally grasping the concept that the web can actually help them build their brand.
…’bout time bozos.
By Kathy
May 5, 2006 02:35 PM | Link to this
AJC you should be ashamed for putting up such an unprofessional and childish link from Chritopher Calandro. It is obvious Christopher was fired because he is immature and lacks good jugment. I’m with surftrip, I would love your next potential hr person see your high school blog before they hire you.
By VAL
May 12, 2006 04:18 PM | Link to this
Radio is a business that acts out of fear, and reacts defensively to everything. No new music can be played, because no one is willing to be thefirst to play something, and then to give it a chance. PROGRAMMERS LIVE EACH DAY THINKING ONLY ABOUT HOW TO KEEP THEIR JOBS. So they are afraid to be trend-setting. These days, it’s all about pols, arbitron,and advertising sales. That is why radio is a dying source for music lovers to learn about truly great music. Turn if off, go online, and let the talent in radio do something good for this country, like helping get AirAmerica back on track in Atlanta!