Atlanta Radio: Ali Mac EXITS WKHX, Byron Cooper OUT At WWWQ

Ali Mac and Cadillac Jack

Two Atlanta personalities lost their radio jobs this week: Byron Cooper, night host at WWWQ Q99.7 (formerly Q100) and Ali Mac, morning co host on WKHX Kicks 101.5.

The stations, owned by Atlanta-based Cumulus Media, are seeking replacements, according to Sean Shannon, market manager.

According to ajc.com, Cadillac Jack, morning host at Kicks, remains. He’s been a mainstay at that country station for more than a quarter century, save for a brief stint at now defunct sister station Y106 20 years ago.

In 2017, Ali Mac and CJ Lusk were moved to mornings alongside Caddy and producer Jeremy Powell was cut. CJ left after just a few months. (He’s now at Christian syndicated radio network WAY-FM as an afternoon co host.)

Ali Mac lasted a bit longer: 18 months or so.

Byron Cooper

Kicks didn’t renew Ali Mac’s contract and program director Brian Thomas told All Access: “Ali was an integral part of our team at Kicks and our family at Cumulus... Ali’s departure was about morning show chemistry, not about her talent.” He said he hopes she can find a job within Cumulus but if she goes elsewhere, “we’ll support that, too.”

The Kicks morning show ratings were steady in 2018 vs. 2017 among 25 to 54 year olds and actually improved among younger listeners.

“I learned so much from Kicks 101.5 and had an amazing time working with everyone at Cumulus Atlanta!” Ali Mac said in a cordial statement. “Can’t wait to see what’s next.”

Ali Mac worked at WSTR Star 94.1 from 2011 to 2014. She started as the morning traffic reporter and for about a year did nights. She moved to Vero Beach, Fla. to be a morning show host from 2014 to 2016.

In early 2016, she returned to Atlanta to do mid-days at Kicks 101.5, taking over for Jenn Hobby, now morning co host at Star 94.1.