By David

May 26, 2006 01:06 PM | Link to this

Makes you wonder why wally would do a complete 360 like this. Is management making him do this (from what i’ve heard)? I wish they would stop this bs. Seems that 1053 people have a good brainwashing technique. Wally just read your good bible and forgive. Whip, I know you read this, was that stuff said crap or what?

By shannon

May 26, 2006 01:37 PM | Link to this

I’ll go this far for 99X, in as much as I agree it is tacky and bad form to run down the other stations on the air or otherwise. I know as a radio sales rep, that will kill you in the marketplace and make you look bad to the clients. I think this action may back fire on them at some point. Do what you do best and promote YOUR show and YOUR station.

By Harold

May 26, 2006 01:51 PM | Link to this

Harold says everybody involved in this silliness that was way too long to read should commit suicide.

By wallyfans

May 26, 2006 02:09 PM | Link to this

looks like Mr. Craig will keep his job a while longer. Way to suck up Steve!

By spambait2

May 26, 2006 02:16 PM | Link to this

it may be bad from a radio sales and/or mgmt. point of view, but Steve needs to step back and look at it from the PoV of someone who doesn’t know any of these people — listeners like me!

it’s this sort of train-wreck stuff that keeps us glued to the dial, that keeps us sitting in the office parking lot until the next commercial break gives us time to run inside & pick it back up. Viciousness, just plain nastiness, mean-spirited personal attacks, rumour-mongering — it’s great entertainment! I don’t give a rat’s a** about contests and promotions, this is what I want to hear.

By A concerned radio listener

May 26, 2006 02:27 PM | Link to this

THANK YOU STEVE CRAIG. Your thoughts and insight are not just yours alone. There are many others in the radio market that agree with your stance and find it ridiculous that a so called “competitor” to 99X would stoop to such levels. If it were not for Leslie Fram; Chris Williams would still be kicking around Athens, Whip would be in drug rehab and Wally would still be in the swamps of central Florida. It is Wally that I am most disappointed in. Amazing how hostility can make one forget their religious roots of compassion and forgiving (not that either party needed forgiving). The fact of the matter is that each and every, former and disgruntled 99X employee mentioned in Steve’s rant was UNDER CONTRACT. They knew when the signed the contract that they were only employed as long as there was a contract. Contracts run out, changes are made…do you think that 99X honored whatever terms remained on their end when it came to the termination of said contract? YOU BETTER BELIEVE THEY DID.

And while we are on it…. WBZY launched themselves as this gift to some guys loser nephew…so independent and so ALTERNATIVE. Yeah if you want to call being a slice of a 1300+ piece pie independent. How many other countless station UNDER THE CLEAR CHANNEL MONIKER play the same music as The Buzz, have the same feel as The Buzz, has the same voice as The Buzz? TOO many to count. They are just like any bratty, annoying adolescent child that feels they have been in some wronged. They lash out and attack those that do it better and bigger than they and those that got them to where they are. I mean really people….do you hear any beer or auto ads on their air? No. You know why? The Buzz’s teen ratio is so high that beer companies cannot advertise and it makes no sense for cars to advertise to those who can barely drive.

In closing I say KUDOS to 99X for being above the fray. I mean why would they acknowldge an annoying, piddly station like The Buzz which was launched by Clear Channel to get 99X off of competeing with 96Rock when 96Rock decided they wanted to get into the new rock/active rock format 4 years ago. 99X has consistantly stood up to help Atlantans and Georgians alike through fund raising, community outreach and awareness and non-profit support. Let the former and disgruntled 99Xer’s huddle together and despise what 99X has built; for it is they that at the end of the day that must feel real good about themselves and what they have (HUM) built?

By ex99x-er

May 26, 2006 02:32 PM | Link to this

Agreed - this is great, if childish entertainment and I like to hear people “tell it like it is” - even if it is colored by some axe to grind. In the 7+ years that I listened to 99x, I always felt like mornings were a compromise. Barnes was an a-hole who was very difficult to listen to, and Leslie is just plain old bad at what she does. It does not take a radio person to realize this (I am not in the business). Then came Toucher, who rules, but had his edge dulled by Leslie once again. Wally has personal opinions that differ from mine, but he is talented and listenable as a personality.

Now I listen to The Buzz (for one week now) and find Whip a bit annoying, but at least he has some talent. Leslie is obviously untalented and the Axel+Leslie thing is a complete trainwreck. Whatever recovery effort Steve (butt-kisser) Craig is referring to is a slow moving one and I can’t see how the Dickey brothers are going to facilitate this miraculous re-invention.

By A concerned radio listener

May 26, 2006 02:42 PM | Link to this

It is so funny. All of these people coming out and calling Leslie untalented. I only wish you would step up and share with us how SUCCESSFUL you have become in your CAREER. I am willing to bet that those of you who consider yourselves EXPERTS in radio will never reach the heights of recognition and/or admiration that Mrs. Fram has garnered over her career.

By wallyfans

May 26, 2006 03:00 PM | Link to this

In defense of Wally, he made no personal attacks on anyone that I heard, he stated facts, on how Leslie didn’t back him up to the new owners and how her and Jimmy both went into self-persevation mode. Leslie and Steve are quick to blame Chris for “single handley” sinking the station and its ratings. Its real easy to point the fingers at the ex employees, Chris has been gone awhile, whats the reason 99x sucks right now? It is extruciating to listen to Axel and Leslie, hell I would listen to Steve and Vickie before I would them.

By I'm Right

May 26, 2006 03:25 PM | Link to this

It makes me laugh when I remember back to all the trash 99X talked when the Regular Guys were taken off the air, and now I watch the morning people from 99X imploding, even those who went to different stations. The Regular Guys rock and 99Excrement got what it deserved.

By Wallaace

May 26, 2006 03:34 PM | Link to this

Does Steve Craig ever listen to the trainwreck that proceeds him every day? Leslie is horrible and not believable. She almost sounds like she has just a bunch of pre-recorded phrases they use. she might be absent some days for all I know. “Really, Axl tell us more” “oh yeah that’s so funny” “Yes, Yes, Yes” “Who doesn;t want beer money” I feel bad for Axl. your one chance is destroyed before you ever get a chance.

How long until Rodney runs a feature where Leslie declares the ailment that has hampered her performance over the last few years. Will it be Bulimia or lack-of-talentitis.

By LHK

May 26, 2006 03:42 PM | Link to this

This is why I switched to listening to audiobooks on my drive to work in the morning. I’ve got a David Sedaris one right now that’s a hundred times funnier than anything you could find on a morning show.

(Not to say that I’m above reading about all this drama, ‘cause, obviously, I’m not.)

By Chuck Norris

May 26, 2006 04:44 PM | Link to this

I think everyone is skirting the real issue here.

Leslie Fram is ugly. Ugly people don’t deserve to have jobs. If an ugly person is to get a job, it’s just a matter of time before they screw it up.

Also, she’s allegedly a woman. C’mon, a program director? Gimme a break.

Don’t bother arguing with this post…after all, I am Chuck Norris.

By Holden McGroen

May 26, 2006 05:00 PM | Link to this

The real issue is not how benevolent 99x is. Who cares if the Buzz hasn’t built anything for the community? I don’t listen to the radio to cleanse my soul. I listen to get through the pain of Atlanta traffic in the AM. I will not listen to Leslie, nor will I cut her any slack, just because she has supposedly done good for the community. She is painful to listen to, and without Fred there to buffer that pain, it is too much to bear. I think it is funny that people talk about all she has accomplished in her career. Basically, she went from Alabama to Atlanta when Atlanta was a relatively small market full of crappy stations. She discovered a few bands, put them on the air, and all of a sudden she is a king-maker? She may have managerial talents behind the scenes, but I can’t believe that anyone can say she is talented at the mic.

By Joey Mills

May 26, 2006 05:01 PM | Link to this

A concerned radio listner - 99x has not been above the fray at all. Blackballing former employees is not cool in the list bit.

By David

May 26, 2006 05:06 PM | Link to this

Chuck Norris is a pansy enough to post his real email address. Probably has @buzzatlanta.com in it no doubt. I’m not going to judge the woman’s looks, but isn’t this radio and not tv. Argue about someone’s personality rather than their looks. Mr buzzatlanta Hidder.

By Johnny Kool

May 29, 2006 10:52 AM | Link to this

1. Only people like us, people either involved in radio or people really in touch with local radio, would appreciate crap like what Whip and Wally are doing. The average listener doesn’t give a flip.

2. I don’t tune into a station for anything more than good music, a fun personality, and giveaways. If you think Radio Wars will keep me tuned in, you need to think again.

3. I’ve met Leslie on several occassions and will say she has always been extremely pleasant and sweet. I also have a couple of friends working at 99X who say nothing but nice things about her.

Nice to see Steve speaking his mind!

By Terrell

May 29, 2006 11:10 AM | Link to this

Steve, I think I could hear a violin playing when I read your post. Why don’t you go snorkeling and shutup. No one feels bad for you or that skeletor looking boss of yours. If she knew anything about radio she would take her sorry behind off the air. Sorry, if they hurt your feelings but this is what a radio war is all about. You all didn’t have a problem when you would attack 96 Rock and the Regular Guys or when you all bashed Barnes when he went to Dave. Now, the tables have turned and you don’t like it. I still don’t see how you think 99X is on the rise especially with Dickey Bros. in charge. How are their other stations in Atlanta doing? Loved the most requested idea, really intelligent. Play the 99 most played out song in Alternative history. 99X is played out, deal with it Steve.

By jason

May 29, 2006 12:24 PM | Link to this

88.5 is the only real alternative station in Atlanta anyway.

By Sle2

May 29, 2006 01:31 PM | Link to this

I find this whole thing to be pathetic, meaning there’s actually a position at the AJC that pays a guy to report on radio. Outside of the those 27 in the industry that take the time to read this BS, NO ONE CARES!

By Rodney Ho

May 30, 2006 08:23 AM | Link to this

For you to think radio doesn’t matter, here are the facts:

This radio blog gets 25,000 hits a week, 95% of the Atlanta population listens to the radio an average of 19 hours a week and Atlanta radio stations generate $400 million in business every year, the 6th most in the country ahead of Philly, Detroit, Boston and Washington DC.

By Nancy

May 30, 2006 08:38 AM | Link to this

I agree with Steve Craig. Whenever I hear one radio station bash another I lose a little respect for them. When someone is on the air their job is to entertain me! I could here bashing and gossip at work if I wanted to. Here’s an idea, how about less talk, more music.

By Randall Bloomquist is dumb

May 30, 2006 10:26 AM | Link to this

99X? Are they still on the air? 105.3 is much better. Everyone please be nice to Man Fram. She has herpes.

By eric

May 30, 2006 10:40 AM | Link to this

99X has bashed other stations and other personalities far longer than the buzz. Steve and Vicki, TRG, even Ryan Cameron got dissed by the morning show before. That’s the nature of Radio competition. It’s no different than what you would hear in other markets except it may be a little more personal in this case, which is still fine!!!

By The One

May 30, 2006 11:09 AM | Link to this

Get a grip! 99x has bashed V103, Steve and Vicki and countless other radio stations over the past 10 years (not to mention their sister station Q100) with attacks both professionally and personally. Now, people are taking offense when the tables are turned (looks like the pot calling the kettle black). Even though Mr. Craig has never taken part in those actions, his station has. Mr. Craig has taken a neutral position (and rightfully so) because he knows (unlike Whip and Wally) in the radio business you NEVER burn any bridges (the person you are insulting could be your boss again one day).

By The One

May 30, 2006 11:23 AM | Link to this

You beat me to my post Eric. I agree.

What’s more VICIOUS:

Calling someone ugly, old and making fun of her hair?

OR

Giving out a “jocks” real name over the radio? Giving our the cars/financial status of a “jock?” (BOTH RADIO NO NOs!) Sabotaging a “jocks” movie premiere by having one of your own to make fun of that movie?

I have no alliance to either, but this sure does make great radio!

By Justin Case

May 30, 2006 03:01 PM | Link to this

I’m a litttle confused how this Chris Williams guy was able to single-handedly sink 99x. Who was responsible for putting the likes of Hootie and The Blowfish, Creed, Kid Rock and all the other crap they have ran with over the years? Then it was Nickleback, 3 Doors, and all the Blink 182 clones. They’ve never really had a musical direction. Whichever way the wind was blowin’ they went. They claim to “be New Rock” or “Alternative Whatever” but fact is they play the same crap everyone else does,and sometimes more of it, if it was big enough.

And if all that dreck from the 90’s was so good then and worthy of all that airplay it got, how come they don’t play them now? Did Chris Williams put all that crapola in rotation?

And I didn’t hear Wally badmouthing anyone per se. He just told the story of how Leslie lied about her herpes test.

By shannon

May 31, 2006 09:05 AM | Link to this

Now I have to stick up for Leslie - she was great in her day - perhaps she can find radio happiness and continued success either in some other venue or some other role. Poor narrow minded “Chuck Norris” makes his decisions about people based on their beauty or lach there of. I think he’s really my ex-boyfriends 3rd ex-wife.

By D

May 31, 2006 03:00 PM | Link to this

Just curious. Everyone seems to viciously put down the programming on 99x over the past few years. As far as I could tell, they played music that was/is popular all over the country, with an emphasis on what is termed “alternative” (Although it’s hard to be considered alternative when you sell that many CDs). Not that I list 99X or the Buzz as my favorite stations, but I listen to both occasionally and there is a fair amount of overlap. To all those griping over Leslie’s programming; how about suggestions for improvement other than “stop playing that crappy music”. What would you like to see played on a revamped 99X playlist?

By Zachary

May 31, 2006 03:33 PM | Link to this

D — Have you ever listened to Jay Harren’s “Sunday School” program on 99X (Sunday nights 8-10pm)? That’s what I personally would like to hear on 99X 24-7. It’s new stuff that may or may not make it onto rotation, brand new singles, B-sides, non-single album cuts, new bands, local bands, etc. It’s hit or miss, but never predictable. About the only two-hour block of time on 99X where you won’t hear “Dani California”.

By phatz

June 1, 2006 10:27 AM | Link to this

…WOW - a bunch of suckers.

I cam shocked that so many people would be moved by Steve’s email defending Leslie.

At the end of the day, both stations love all this attention. Without all this attention 99X would be dying at an even faster rate. Steve’s email is designed to do exactly what all of us are doing - keeping the discussion and debating going strong.

Rodney - sorry, but your radio stats are silly. 95% of the population listens to the radio 19 hours ???? puh-lease, do you expect people to believe that only 5% listen to XM, sirius, MP3s and CDs combined? …at the very least you are quoting 1980 census data. —— this kind of data spewing reminds of radio reps where somehow every single station likes to claim the average listener makes $75,000 a year …yea right.

99X needs all the publicity it can get. Leslie’s gonna have to wear it on the chin. She isn’t the most attractive. She is old. She is out of touch with the demo of 99X - which she believes is far older than it really is. These are all facts, so if she can ‘t take it - or 99X can’t take their radio sweetheart getting bashed - then can her …or, better yet she could walk out with her head high. whatevers - but it is what it is and good for 105.3 for capitilizing on it. It’s good radio. When this many people are talking - it’s good radio. period. …don’t be a weeping sucker, listeners.

By john

June 6, 2006 02:22 PM | Link to this

Phatz. Obviously because you view people listening to less and less radio constitutes a huge shift in the population of people who listen to the radio. Your anecdotal examples obviously signify more then 5% of the population in Atlanta. It seems to you 1980 was such a long time ago that data back then is competely invalid and should be considered unimportant (especially for trends). I mean come on, you weren’t even alive then so the world of radio cannot exist without you in the picture.

Consider the average commute time for people in the Atlanta Metro area and add it up for a week, include in the time that people might have the radio on at work or in casual settings. Can you still not imagine 95% of the population of Atlanta (not just kids who sit in classrooms all day long) listening to the radio for an average of 19 hours a week? If you cannot, then I consider you head over to Sylvan.

Sunday School was the best program on 99x.

By Chris Williams

June 6, 2006 04:38 PM | Link to this

I realize it’s a sad day for me, as Program Director, and my station 105.3 The Buzz, when not only did 99X beat us in the latest ratings but Dave FM beat us too. Good thing we have 96 Rock to pay the bills.

By Jeff

June 7, 2006 09:46 AM | Link to this

Don’t worry Chris, by the end of this year, 99x will be buried so low, WAOK will be beating them.

By Eugene

June 7, 2006 09:49 AM | Link to this

2 crickets chirping into a microphone could beat WAOK in the ratings…

By Dave

June 7, 2006 03:19 PM | Link to this

The Buzz people, with their middle-school mindset, are pathetic. I bet they’ve got their pants around their ankles as they type these not-so-covert posts.

And the funny thing is, in a few years, the “up-and-coming” Buzz will be gone and 99X will still be around. It’s all about staying-power and station loyalty, and nobody’s loyal to the Buzz or its “personalities” (which is fitting).