Access Atlanta > Entertainment > Radio Talk > Archives > 2008 > April > 03 > Entry
4/3: (UPDATED) Steve Craig going to 99X.com
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
99X’s former mid-day musical guru Steve Craig teased on his blog today that he will be back on the airwaves Monday.
This fueled speculation that he might be going to Dave FM or leaving the market or something like that. But alas, it was not that exciting.
Gary Lewis, general manager for 99x.com/Rock 100.5/Q100, said at 2:30 p.m. today that Steve will be doing mid-days on 99x.com, the on-line/HD radio only version of 99X, which was taken off air in January after 15-plus years.
That means his Retroplex show might return in the future. “I’ve always believed in 99X. It’s been my life for 16 years. People can still hear it. HD2 is in slow growth but it is growing,” Steve said. “There is listening online. It’s a new medium… there is an insane demand for the Retroplex to come back… I’m excited to come back on the air.”
Craig, the mid-day man at 99X from 1992 to January 2008, is still under contract with Cumulus through August. Logically, this is a way for Cumulus to at least use Steve’s skills while they’re still paying him. And it gives Steve something to do in his off time.
This doesn’t preclude Steve from going elsewhere once his noncompete is up. Dave is the most logical home given the music mix. In fact, the station recruited him when it launched in 2004. He ultimately chose to stay with 99X at the time.
Has anyone here listened to 99x.com since it launched as an online-only operation?
In other radio news:
Bo Emerson writes about WRFG’s fundraising featuring a two-hour “Yodel Rama,” led by jock David Chamberlain, who has been spinning cowboy music on the station for 24 years. Here’s the link.
The late great WSB radio reporter Don Baird was given a lovely sendoff from my colleague Jill Vejnoska on Sunday here.
Comments
By whocares
April 3, 2008 1:44 PM | Link to this
so if he does mid day-where does that put Mara Davis?
By I am Rock 100.5
April 3, 2008 1:59 PM | Link to this
The drive home in place of Sully.
By Katie
April 3, 2008 2:37 PM | Link to this
I don’t care who he replaces. I just want Steve back (and local). I’d especially love it if Dave would ditch that awful morning show.
By Katie
April 3, 2008 2:42 PM | Link to this
Aww, that’s just disapointing. Does anybody actually listen to 99x.com or HD radio? I hope he goes to Dave, seeing as I would actually be able to listen in my car.
By southside z
April 3, 2008 4:00 PM | Link to this
hehehehe not even worth my time, hey we bacccccccccckkkkkkkkk!!! and all over atlantas face /// ooooo yea c’mon
By Neil
April 3, 2008 4:18 PM | Link to this
If I may…Cumulus is tired of paying Leslie and Steve to do nothing. With Steve it’s worse becuase he is the voice of the Thrashers which menas his voice is on spots running on Cumulus stations. This way at least they take care of one problem. I am sure Steve would rather work five hours a week as opposed to 20.
If I remember, I will tune in. Though don’t count on it.
By Nick Wright
April 3, 2008 5:03 PM | Link to this
I’ve listened to 99X.com here and there, and it unfortunately suffers from the same music formula that killed it in the first place.
For all Cumulus’ talk of doing something “revolutionary” and “truly alternative,” the 99X.com playlist is more of the same, favoring familiar songs and generally shunning newer stuff or a deeper selection. There also still isn’t much to the video content.
The live DJs, including Steve, are an interesting addition and we’ll see if they can inject some lifeblood into the station.
By Nick Wright
April 3, 2008 5:17 PM | Link to this
Just gave it a quick listen, and they may be improving. I heard three new songs in the past 30 minutes, which is an improvement. I’ll keep an ear on it for a while.
By Mary
April 3, 2008 8:41 PM | Link to this
Cledus T Judd has to be the worse dj in Atlanta. This morning he spent 5 minutes making fun of women. Sorry I’ll go where I’m appreciated.
By JB
April 3, 2008 10:38 PM | Link to this
Well this may help 99X with one issue—with Steve back on the air, I’ll actually listen to their station again. I imagine they’ll get a few other listeners back for at least a few hours a day during his show, too. Granted, it won’t be easy with only HD and internet broadcasting, but I will make it work somehow.
By pedro
April 3, 2008 10:49 PM | Link to this
first off, mr sside, the regular guys were dumped twice under the pretense that it was fcc violations, when it was in reallity it’s about he lamest show ever to grace the atlanta airwaves. You guys goon and on and on and on about the same crap. That said, It’s the better of the choices for morning radio in Atlanta for this moment. I’d be hoping that Steve Craig doesn’t land in the atlanta market in the mornings if I was The regular Guys. A better show would be if Southside (how about a Steve and Steve morning show?) had a show and not part of the current morning show. I’ll listen to 99x.com afternoons when I am at my computer but I will not invest in a hd radio, and hope that SC lands somewhere we can listen to during the drive…..yeah c’mon
By kari
April 4, 2008 9:13 AM | Link to this
Was this article about Cledus T Judd? Well, since he was brought up I love me some Cledus! I am a female with a good sense of humor. I enjoy the Cledus T Party better than ANY other morning show offered in Georgia. I was born in GA and have been here all my life-35 yrs- and listen to al types of music so I have heard them all. Cledus is a WONDERFUL person and I hope he is here to stay!!!!
By xfan
April 4, 2008 11:00 AM | Link to this
I haven’t posted in a while because I haven’t really felt the need/had a reason to. 99X was my station but things have changed. I will say this: I have HD in my car (I am one of the 7 in Atlanta who DO have it). I never listen online. The bandwidth is crap even on a high-speed internet access, and I can’t get through a song without it cutting out. Not worth it. Also, for what they’re trying to do (HD-2 and web), they shouldn’t be running NEAR that many commercials. Seems like every time I flip over from my NEW FAVORITE station dave fm or from the River or Rock 100, there are commercials on. Lay off the commercials. No one is listening anyway (go ahead and show this to the advertisers). I’d expect a station that is trying to be revolutionary would use ad revenue from its sister stations Q100 and Rock 100.5 to support itself rather than bore the pants off the few people who actually can tune in. Especially when there is so much free internet radio w/o commercials out there already, who’s going to tune in to a commercial online radio station?
Most importantly, I am SO GLAD that Steve is coming back, not just because he is AWESOME but because that Jillian chick has the voice of a 55-year-old chain smoker. It is so unpleasant to hear her voice that I have to change the channel when she pops on. And Kynard or whatever his name is - he’s a complete tool. Quit trying to be funny and play the damm music!
I have been pleasantly surprised to hear a few new songs and artists that I’ve never been exposed to before. At least they are trying to live up to this “revolutionary” thing.
As for those of you who still don’t have HD in your cars or don’t/won’t listen online: Project 9-sucks-1 is actually playing more of the old 99X playlist if you’re interested. They still have some of the harder stuff, but a lot more Foo and Pearl Jam, etc. too. If you like that, give that station another try.
By Ron
April 4, 2008 1:07 PM | Link to this
I like the Regular Guys.
By atlsitcom
April 4, 2008 2:03 PM | Link to this
HD? HA HA HA, my gosh, people are buying in to this HD - Hybrid Digital. And still cant listen to it from Atlanta to Florida, or across the country unlike XM.
By LiasMom
April 7, 2008 10:51 AM | Link to this
I listen to 99x online at my desk at work. I admit, I tried it when they first started and it was so bad that I had to stop. I went back after they got the Streaming Player running, and it has much better stability and consistency now. I just heard Steve, and was so happy to have him back! Whatever it’s problems, 99x is still better than any of the other stations (although I’d be just fine if they stopped playing Kate Nash) around. I’ve been listening to The Bert Show in the morning, and I feel horrible about it, but what’s a girl gonna’ do? As soon as it’s over, though, the radio goes off and my internet connection comes on.
By Edge=X
April 7, 2008 3:47 PM | Link to this
If you really want to get the old 99X, then may I suggest KDGE FM in DFW. It’s another Cumulus station that plays the 99X playlist.
Why do people think the Regs are funny? I listen during commercial breaks and they are NOT funny.
By Zach
April 8, 2008 1:44 PM | Link to this
I personally bought an HD Radio just for 99X, and I am SO happy Steve is back… He’s one of the reasons I got hooked on 99X so many years ago. If you gave up on them, I suggest you listen to it online… The play list is much better than the FM station in its later days and they’re making the site/station better and better.
By phil
April 12, 2008 8:23 PM | Link to this
The Edge is DFW is a Clear Channel station.
By phil
April 12, 2008 8:24 PM | Link to this
The Edge is DFW is a Clear Channel station.
By slim&though
May 1, 2008 7:59 AM | Link to this
I love Jillian- she bring youth and info back to radio. I was sick of hearing people that on the radio that I could not relate too. You guys need to get a life . She is a great Dj, I tune in just to listen to her. Plus , have you ever see her - she is beautiful and nice too Imet her at a live x event and was so kind and personable. You should research her before you talk smack -she is all talent !!! ;)
By Obama 24/7
July 3, 2008 9:17 AM | Link to this
Jillian is what I look forward to every morning . She is full of knowledge for Alternative music which proves to me she loves her job plus how much she loves music. She stays on topic and does not fill my morning with a bunch of fluff. So I want to Thank Jillian for having a wonderful play list of music, a very sexy voice ,and Knowledge for radio . You are a delight to listen to in the morning and it was wonderful bumping into you at Churchill’s! Your a great Bartender too!
By Obama 24/7
July 3, 2008 9:20 AM | Link to this
Jillian is what I look forward to every morning . She is full of knowledge for Alternative music which proves to me she loves her job plus how much she loves music. She stays on topic and does not fill my morning with a bunch of fluff. So I want to Thank Jillian for having a wonderful play list of music, a very sexy voice ,and Knowledge for radio . You are a delight to listen to in the morning and it was wonderful bumping into you at Churchill’s! Your a great Bartender too!
By Obama 24/7
July 3, 2008 9:21 AM | Link to this
Jillian is what I look forward to every morning . She is full of knowledge for Alternative music which proves to me she loves her job plus how much she loves music. She stays on topic and does not fill my morning with a bunch of fluff. So I want to Thank Jillian for having a wonderful play list of music, a very sexy voice ,and Knowledge for radio . You are a delight to listen to in the morning and it was wonderful bumping into you at Churchill’s! Your a great Bartender too!