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Friday, June 17, 2011

'Journey' 97-9 FM Debuts In Atlanta

80s and 90s music: First song: ‘Don’t Stop Believin’


At noon today, FM 97.9 (translator W250BC) started a new format called Journey97.9 FM, which focuses on songs from the 1980s and 1990s, according to Radio/TV columnist Rodney Ho at acj.com.

The name Journey of course is a reference to the seminal 1980s band. A pre-taped introduction from Randy Jackson (who played bass for Journey) opened the station. Naturally, the first song up: “Don’t Stop Believin’ ” Eleven of the first 17 songs are from the 1980s but it’s too early to say how the balance will play out over time.

LISTEN HERE.

12:03 p.m. Journey “Don’t Stop Believin’ ” (1981)
12:07 p.m. Madonna “Holiday” (1984)
12:12 p.m. Michael Jackson “Rock With You” (1980)
12:15 p.m. Bon Jovi “Living on a Prayer” (1987)
12:19 p.m. Lenny Kravitz “It’ Ain’t Over Til It’s Over” (1991)
12:23 p.m. Simple Minds “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” (1985)
12:27 p.m. Pat Benatar “Love is a Battlefield” (1983)
12:32 p.m. Matchbox 20 “3 a.m.” (1998)
12:36 p.m. Animotion “Obsession” (1985)
12:40 p.m. Billy Idol “White Wedding” (1982)
12:44 p.m. Annie Lennox “Walking on Broken Glass” (1992)
12:48 p.m. The Cars “You Might Think” (1984)’
12:51 p.m. Ace of Base “All That She Wants” (1992)
12:55 p.m. Hall & Oates “Kiss on My List” (1981)
12:59 p.m. TLC “Waterfalls” (1995)
1:03 p.m. Was (Not Was) “Walk the Dinosaur” (1987)
1:06 p.m Seal “Crazy” (1991)
1:11 p.m. Don Henley “Boys of Summer” (1984)
1:15 p.m. Alanis Morrisette “You Oughta Know” (1985)
1:20 p.m. Toto “Africa” (1983)

According to Ho, the format is an obvious way to take the edge off Star 94’s all-90s weekend and B98.5’s long-standing all-80s weekend. Star ranked No. 2 among 25 to 54 year olds only behind V-103 in May Arbitron ratings during the weekends. That’s stronger than its weekday numbers. B98.5’s most robust time period is weekends as well, ranking fifth among 25 to 54 year olds last month.

B98.5, which has seen ratings erosion this year, recently dropped its slogan “Atlanta’s Best Variety of Soft Rock” to “Your Favorites from ’80s, ’90s and Now.” It also began playing more current songs and now plays 50 minutes of music in a row per hour with only one commercial stop set. Star 94 is on the upswing, beating Q100 among 25 to 54 year olds in May in the Arbitron ratings for the first time in many years.

Journey appears to skew old enough as not to disturb sister station Q100, the top 40 station.

Atlanta-based Cumulus, which owns 97.9, had been airing heritage alternative rock station 99X at 97.9 until last week. 99X has since moved to the more logical 99.1. Both the 97.9 and 99.1 signals are called “translators” and not very strong.

Read More.http://player.cumulusstreaming.com/SLPLayer.aspx?WWWQ-H3

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