GA Radio: 3 Fish 104.7 Alumni Land At The Pulse 101.1 FM

Three former personalities from Atlanta's beloved Christian pop station Fish 104.7 have found new homes at a unique radio venture, the Pulse 101.1. 

This innovative station is the brainchild of David Basha, owner of Carriage Auto Group in Gainesville, and Darien Southerland, a seasoned radio professional who served as an account executive at Fish 104.7 from its inception in 2000 until 2011. 

Basha recently acquired WLJA-FM (101.1) for $1.9 million from Tri-State Communications, with Southerland stepping into the roles of president and managing partner.

According to Rodney Ho at The Atlanta Journal-Consitution, The Pulse 101.1 boasts an unconventional format that blends country music with faith-based themes, offering listeners a refreshing twist on familiar genres. On a recent Tuesday morning, the station’s playlist featured a lineup of country legends delivering spiritually uplifting tunes: Willie Nelson’s soulful rendition of “Amazing Grace,” George Strait’s heartfelt “God and Country Music,” Reba McEntire’s powerful “Back to God,” and a stirring collaboration between Brooks & Dunn and Jelly Roll on “Believe.” This distinctive programming reflects the station’s mission to fuse the region’s love for country music with its deep-rooted faith.

For years, WLJA-FM catered to fans of Southern gospel, a niche genre with a loyal but older audience. Under its new identity as the Pulse, the station will preserve some of that heritage by continuing to feature Southern gospel acts like the Gaither Vocal Band, while broadening its appeal with its country-faith hybrid format. Covering counties such as Pickens, Gilmer, Bartow, Cherokee, and Forsyth, the Pulse also serves as a local hub for sports fans, airing Atlanta Braves and Georgia Bulldogs games.

101.1 FM (21.5 Kw)

The idea for the Pulse took shape before Southerland learned of Salem Media’s decision to sell Fish 104.7, which concluded its 25-year run as Atlanta’s premier Christian pop station at the end of January 2025. 

In an interview with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Southerland described the Pulse as “the country version of the Fish,” tailored to the cultural heartbeat of North Georgia. “This area is all about God, country, pickup trucks, and King James Bibles,” he said. “We just want to make radio fun again.” The station’s slogan, “comfort and fun for all generations,” encapsulates its goal of uniting listeners across age groups with a blend of nostalgia, faith, and entertainment.

The Pulse has wasted no time assembling a talented team, drawing on the expertise of Fish 104.7 alumni. Dan Ratcliffe, a former Fish host, now anchors the morning show, bringing his warm, authoritative voice to the airwaves. Joining Ratcliffe are Kim Fitz, another Fish veteran, who takes the midday slot, and Kelly O’Brien, who rounds out the lineup in the afternoons.