Atlanta Radio: Leslie Fram Exits “The Morning X”

Leslie Fram (Rodney Ho photo)

Veteran radio personality Leslie Fram has departed “The Morning X” on 99X, ending a three-year run following the station’s 2022 revival. Her exit, which she indicated was not voluntary, marks another significant shift for the rebooted brand.

Co-hosts Steve Barnes and Christopher Crash Clark announced the change on-air earlier this week, confirming they will continue hosting the show together. Clark had rejoined the program last year after previously being part of its original lineup during the station’s 1990s and early 2000s peak.

In a statement shared with a fan site, Fram reflected on her departure and legacy with the station. Calling herself “one of the founding architects” of 99X and “The Morning X,” she said the exit was not how she envisioned her final chapter but expressed gratitude to listeners, describing the experience as “bittersweet.”

Fram, now 69, was a central figure in the original run of “The Morning X,” which aired from 1993 to 2004 alongside Barnes and Jimmy Baron. At its height, the show was among Atlanta’s most influential rock morning programs, drawing strong ratings with Gen X audiences. She also served as program director for much of 99X’s original run before the station was rebranded in 2008.

The modern version of 99X was revived in late 2022 by Cumulus Media, bringing back several legacy personalities, including Fram, Barnes, Clark, and program director Steve Craig. The relaunch aimed to recapture the station’s earlier cultural impact in Atlanta’s alternative rock scene.

Fram’s exit comes amid broader uncertainty surrounding Cumulus. The company recently filed for bankruptcy protection as part of an effort to restructure debt and has also stopped subscribing to Nielsen ratings following an antitrust lawsuit, leaving current audience performance for “The Morning X” unclear.

After leaving 99X during its original run, Fram held prominent industry roles, including running an alternative rock station in New York and later serving as a senior executive at CMT in Nashville, where she became a strong advocate for female country artists. She rejoined “The Morning X” in 2023 while continuing to live in Nashville, eventually departing CMT in 2024.

Bottom line: Fram’s departure removes a key legacy voice from 99X’s reboot, leaving the station to move forward without one of its most influential figures as it navigates financial and ratings uncertainty.