WEZB
Encyclopedia
WEZB, aka B-97 today, is a mainstream Contemporary hit radio
(CHR or "Top 40") radio station in New Orleans, Louisiana
. The station is owned by Entercom and they broadcast their format at 97.1 MHz with an effective radiated power
(ERP) of 99 kW. The station broadcasts in high definition through two stations, HD-1 (WEZB-HD, New Orleans) and HD-2 Rhythmic Contemporary
.
On January 2, 1972, EZ Communications
acquired the FM station and this is when it became WEZB, part of a chain of Beautiful Music stations (WEZC Charlotte, WEZR Washington, et al) owned by EZ. It was never very successful against formidable competition in that format. Briefly in the 1970s when disco became a popular genre, it became "Disco 97" on Thursday, February 8, 1979, but failed shortly after. "We had a big party in the Atrium at the Hyatt (Regency Hotel)" says Jim Roberts, B-97's first B-Jock (disc jockey). "Baby New Year was dropped from the ceiling and we switched over from 'FM-97 Rhythm of the City' to the new 'B-97FM.'" According to "Jack Da Wack," who was also one of B-97's first B-Jocks, in early November 1979, the station slowly started to work more and more Top 40 music into rotation. By the end of that year, the staff was ready for the format change to B-97FM. This station would be a popular Top 40 outlet for years to come; much like "The Mighty 690, WTIX-AM
" was in the 1960s and 1970s.
Kent Burkhart, consultant to EZ Communications at the time, states on his website that Dan Vallie was hired on by the company to change the ailing format of WEZB from disco/dance to Top 40. Over the years, the name went through minor changes (i.e. "B-97FM," "B-97," "97.1 The New B-97," etc), the transmitting power was increased, and the antenna was moved to a taller location. Currently, many New Orleanians know B-97 as a well-known and established radio station playing the hits.
To note, WEZB has been a prominent Top 40 radio broadcast station in the New Orleans, LA metropolitan area for a little over 30 years, except for two brief, failed experiments. The first format change was a decision by now defunct EZ Communications, in which the station changed to a News/Hot Talk format in the summer of 1994. The decision to return to a music format came in June of 1996, in which the station played Billy Ray Cyrus' "Achy Breaky Heart" repeatedly for one hour. After that hour ended, the station returned as an Adult Top 40/Hot AC format using the same name "B-97," and kicking it off with Hootie and the Blowfish "Only Wanna Be With You." Finally, on July 26, 1998, B-97 fully evolved back to it's heritage Top 40/CHR
format. To add, the station became more Rhythmic in its musical approach before making the shift in 2002, back to its current, true Top 40 approach.
, an alliance of broadcast stations formed by the joint ventures of WEZB's parent company, Entercom Communications
with Clear Channel Communications
, during Hurricane Katrina
in September 2005.
Contemporary hit radio
Contemporary hit radio is a radio format that is common in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Australia that focuses on playing current and recurrent popular music as determined by the Top 40 music charts...
(CHR or "Top 40") radio station in New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans metropolitan area has a population of 1,235,650 as of 2009, the 46th largest in the USA. The New Orleans – Metairie – Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population...
. The station is owned by Entercom and they broadcast their format at 97.1 MHz with an effective radiated power
Effective radiated power
In radio telecommunications, effective radiated power or equivalent radiated power is a standardized theoretical measurement of radio frequency energy using the SI unit watts, and is determined by subtracting system losses and adding system gains...
(ERP) of 99 kW. The station broadcasts in high definition through two stations, HD-1 (WEZB-HD, New Orleans) and HD-2 Rhythmic Contemporary
Rhythmic Contemporary
Rhythmic contemporary, also known as rhythmic top 40, rhythmic contemporary hit radio or rhythmic crossover, is a music radio format that includes a mix of EDM, upbeat rhythmic pop, hip-hop and R&B hits. Rhythmic contemporary rarely uses rock music or country music in its airplay, but it may...
.
History
According to the broadcasting yearbooks, on September 1, 1945, 97.1 signed on the air. This was WRCM, the FM simulcast of WJMR-AM 990 and sister to WJMR-TV 12 (later WVUE-TV channel 8), all owned by George J. Mayoral. Then, around 1966/67 after the TV station had already been sold, Supreme Broadcasting Company bought the two radio stations and changed the call letters to WNNR AM & FM. At the time, the station was located in the Jung Hotel at 1500 Canal Street in downtown New Orleans. It broadcasted a forward power of only 20,500 watts from an antenna 310 feet atop the building.On January 2, 1972, EZ Communications
EZ Communications
EZ Communications, Inc. was a corporation with its headquarters in Fairfax, Virginia. In the 1970s, the small company was one of the pioneers of the easy listening on the FM broadcasting radio spectrum with 2 stations in Manassas and Richmond. Within 25 years, the company grew to 20 stations...
acquired the FM station and this is when it became WEZB, part of a chain of Beautiful Music stations (WEZC Charlotte, WEZR Washington, et al) owned by EZ. It was never very successful against formidable competition in that format. Briefly in the 1970s when disco became a popular genre, it became "Disco 97" on Thursday, February 8, 1979, but failed shortly after. "We had a big party in the Atrium at the Hyatt (Regency Hotel)" says Jim Roberts, B-97's first B-Jock (disc jockey). "Baby New Year was dropped from the ceiling and we switched over from 'FM-97 Rhythm of the City' to the new 'B-97FM.'" According to "Jack Da Wack," who was also one of B-97's first B-Jocks, in early November 1979, the station slowly started to work more and more Top 40 music into rotation. By the end of that year, the staff was ready for the format change to B-97FM. This station would be a popular Top 40 outlet for years to come; much like "The Mighty 690, WTIX-AM
WIST (AM)
WIST is a combo news/sports talk station based in New Orleans, Louisiana. The locally owned & operated station is an affiliate of Fox Sports Radio and broadcasts at 690 kHz with a power level of 10,000 watts daytime and 5,000 watts nighttime.The facilities of the station, previously called...
" was in the 1960s and 1970s.
Kent Burkhart, consultant to EZ Communications at the time, states on his website that Dan Vallie was hired on by the company to change the ailing format of WEZB from disco/dance to Top 40. Over the years, the name went through minor changes (i.e. "B-97FM," "B-97," "97.1 The New B-97," etc), the transmitting power was increased, and the antenna was moved to a taller location. Currently, many New Orleanians know B-97 as a well-known and established radio station playing the hits.
To note, WEZB has been a prominent Top 40 radio broadcast station in the New Orleans, LA metropolitan area for a little over 30 years, except for two brief, failed experiments. The first format change was a decision by now defunct EZ Communications, in which the station changed to a News/Hot Talk format in the summer of 1994. The decision to return to a music format came in June of 1996, in which the station played Billy Ray Cyrus' "Achy Breaky Heart" repeatedly for one hour. After that hour ended, the station returned as an Adult Top 40/Hot AC format using the same name "B-97," and kicking it off with Hootie and the Blowfish "Only Wanna Be With You." Finally, on July 26, 1998, B-97 fully evolved back to it's heritage Top 40/CHR
Contemporary hit radio
Contemporary hit radio is a radio format that is common in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Australia that focuses on playing current and recurrent popular music as determined by the Top 40 music charts...
format. To add, the station became more Rhythmic in its musical approach before making the shift in 2002, back to its current, true Top 40 approach.
Hurricane Katrina
WEZB was also a member of the United Radio Broadcasters of New OrleansUnited Radio Broadcasters of New Orleans
United Radio Broadcasters of New Orleans was a consortium of radio stations in Greater New Orleans, Louisiana, formed in response to the crisis of Hurricane Katrina. It began on 1 September 2005...
, an alliance of broadcast stations formed by the joint ventures of WEZB's parent company, Entercom Communications
Entercom Communications
Entercom Communications Corporation is the fourth-largest broadcasting company in the United States. As of November 2009, Entercom operates 110 radio stations in 23 markets across the United States....
with Clear Channel Communications
Clear Channel Communications
Clear Channel Communications, Inc. is an American media conglomerate company headquartered in San Antonio, Texas. It was founded in 1972 by Lowry Mays and Red McCombs, and was taken private by Bain Capital LLC and Thomas H. Lee Partners LP in a leveraged buyout in 2008...
, during Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was a powerful Atlantic hurricane. It is the costliest natural disaster, as well as one of the five deadliest hurricanes, in the history of the United States. Among recorded Atlantic hurricanes, it was the sixth strongest overall...
in September 2005.
Programming
- Syndicated Kidd Kraddick in the MorningKidd Kraddick in the MorningKidd Kraddick in the Morning is an American morning radio show hosted by Kidd Kraddick on Cumulus Media Networks...
(morning show airing 5am-10am Monday - Friday) - The iPod Shuffle (midday show, noon-1 pm playing music from the late 1980s - 1990s and current music, including requests) (live & local)
- The Big Fat 8 @ 8 (Monday-Friday, beginning at 8 pm) (live & local)
- Friday Five O'Clock Free-For-All (old school tunes airing Friday afternoons at quitting time, 5 pm) (live & local)
- BackTrax USA with Kid Kelly (1990s version airing Saturday mornings 6 am-8 am) (1980s version airing Sunday mornings 7 am-9 am)
- Fox All Access (countdown show airing Saturday mornings 8 am-10 am)
- Supermixx Mainstream (mix show airing 8pm-12am Saturday nights) (hosted live & locally)
- Hollywood Hamilton's Weekend Top 30 (countdown show airing Sunday mornings 9 am-noon)
- Sunday Night Slow-Motion (all request/dedication show airing Sunday nights 8 pm-midnight) (live & local)
On-air staff
- Jammer (Programming Director and middays)
- The Afternoon Swirl (T-Pot & Stevie G.)
- Speedy (weeknights 7p till 12a now co-host of "Sunday Night Slow-Motion")
- Lil Tony (part-time weekends Sundays 12pm-4pm)
- Coty (part-time weekends)
- Johnny (Promotions Director for B97)
- Jenna Jordan (part-time & host of "Sunday Night Slow-Motion")
- Duncan James (part-time weekends)
- Annette Wade (webmaster & fill-in DJ)
- Christy
- Ian (the Video Guy)
Past programming
- Scott Shannon's Rockin' America Top 30 Countdown
- Countdown USA with Dave Sholin
- American Top 40 (AT 40) with Casey Kasem
- Casey's Top 40 with Casey Kasem
- American Top 40 (AT 40) with Ryan Seacrest
- Rick Dees & The Weekly Top 40
- Hollywood Hamilton's Rhythm Countdown
- BackTrax USA with Kid Kelly (1980s & 1990s versions)
- Friday Five O'Clock Whistle (circa 1986) (party music; upbeat, high energy songs from the 80's & 70's)
- Friday Five O'Clock Free-For-All (1980s show from 5 pm-7 pm; later evolved into "Fat City Friday Night's")
- Fat City Friday Night's (live from Kenny's Key West, Metairie, LA)
- Saturday Night Throwdown (mix show; aired on Saturday nights)
- Sunday Night Dedication Party (aired live from Bart's on the Lake, New Orleans, LA)
- Totally On Demand B (all request show; aired Saturday nights 8 pm-midnight)
- RadioMixes Crossover (mixshow; aired Saturday nights 8 pm-midnight)
Former on-air staff
(Many people listed below have contributed in the creation of this list)- Jim Roberts (B-97's first B-Jock)
- John Shomby
- "Cajun" Ken Cooper
- Cami McCormickCami McCormickCami McCormick is an award-winning radio journalist for CBS News who previously worked for CNN. She was injured in Afghanistan on August 28, 2009 when the vehicle in which she was traveling was hit by an improvised explosive device....
(news director & host of the "B-97 60-Second News Update;" worked along side with "Cajun" Ken Cooper in the mornings, and later "Walton & Johnson." Left for Moscow in 1991 to do an all-English radio show until its end in 1994, then became a CNN reporter. Now a dedicated journalist with CBS news. Received three Edward R. Murrow awards, as well as two Gracie Allen Awards, among others) - Scoot in the Morning (Scott Paisant)
- Boomer (hosted "Top 8 at 8", and "Boomer's Rumors")(Later at 93Q KKBQ Houston and one of original DJ's (Jon Paul West) at MIX 96.5 KHMX with Guy Zapoleon in '90)
- "Fast" Eddie Coyle (did the 10 am-2 pm & 6 pm-10 pm time slots at B-97; now sells pre-owned cars and trucks in the Dallas, TX area)
- Jack Da Wack (One of B-97's first DJ's. Was at B-97 in 1979 right after its launch. Now at 93Q KKBQ-FM in Houston, TX)
- Brian Pierce Afternoons as "Pierceshow" (later moved to (WZOUWJMN (FM)WJMN is a successful Rhythmic Top 40 radio station licensed to Boston, Massachusetts, USA, under the ownership of Clear Channel Communications. Its current slogan is "Hip Hop and Today's Hit Music!" and can be heard as far north as the White Mountains under good conditions, and in portions of...
Boston and KLUV Dallas.) - "Skinny" Tommy Cheney (worked at WTIXWIST (AM)WIST is a combo news/sports talk station based in New Orleans, Louisiana. The locally owned & operated station is an affiliate of Fox Sports Radio and broadcasts at 690 kHz with a power level of 10,000 watts daytime and 5,000 watts nighttime.The facilities of the station, previously called...
-AM 690 for many years before going to FM on B-97FM. Now doing country artist promotion with the George Strait group in Nashville, TN) - Nick Bazoo (also worked as PD at Magic 101.9 (WLMGWLMGWLMG is an Adult Contemporary music formatted radio station based in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Entercom station broadcasts at 101.9 MHz with an ERP of 100 kW...
-FM) and 92-3 The Point (WCKW-FMWRKNWTKE-FM is a radio station broadcasting a sports/talk format. Licensed to Niceville, Florida, USA, the station serves the Fort Walton Beach area. WTKE-FM is owned by Qantum Communications and the station's broadcast license is currently held by Ft...
) - Michael Jackson (not the singerMichael JacksonMichael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
) (probably B-97's first PD ) - Kris O'Kelly
- Ugly Jock Lousteau (worked sometime during the 1980s)
- "Walton & Johnson" in the Morning (John Walton & Steve Johnson)
- "Shadoe StevensShadoe StevensShadoe Stevens is an American radio host, voiceover actor, and television personality. He was the host of American Top 40 from 1988 to 1995...
" (B-97 PD (1993-1995); previously from Z-100 (WHTZWHTZWHTZ — branded Z100 — is a commercial pop/contemporary hit radio radio station licensed to Newark, New Jersey serving the New York metropolitan area. The station is currently owned by Clear Channel Communications...
-FM) in New York and Pirate Radio in Los Angeles) - J.J. Malone (known as Geronimo since 1991 on WABBWABB-FMWABB-FM is a radio station broadcasting a Top 40 format serving the Mobile, Alabama area, with coverage in the Pensacola, Florida, area. It first began broadcasting in 1973...
Mobile, WKXXWKXXWKXX is a radio station licensed to the community of Attalla, Alabama, USA. The station is owned by Broadcast Media LLC.WKXX broadcasts a hot adult contemporary music format to the greater Gadsden, Alabama, area...
Providence, BLS-New York, KTU-New York and SiriusXM Satellite Radio) - Elvis DuranElvis DuranElvis Duran is the host of the Elvis Duran and the Morning Show in New York on Z100 and in syndication on Premiere Radio Networks.Duran's show is now heard live in over 40 markets including New York, Philadelphia, Miami, Cleveland, Tampa, Syracuse, Atlanta, & Des Moines.Before his current job at...
(doing the Z-100 Morning Zoo at Z-100 (WHTZWHTZWHTZ — branded Z100 — is a commercial pop/contemporary hit radio radio station licensed to Newark, New Jersey serving the New York metropolitan area. The station is currently owned by Clear Channel Communications...
-FM) in New York, NY) - Don Banks "The Fatman"
- Ross "The Boss" Cannon
- Joe Manna
- Allen "The Legend" Beebe (Maybe one of the longest running DJ's on B-97; now at Magic 93.7, WMJYWMJYWMJY is a mainstream adult contemporary music formatted radio station based in Gulfport–Biloxi-Pascagoula, Mississippi. The station is owned by Clear Channel, and they broadcast with a ERP of 100 kW.-History:...
-FM in Biloxi, MS) - Bo Walker (host for the "Top 9 at 9" in the early 1990s; later at Lite 105, Lite 92.3, then at The New 99-5FM WRNOWRNO-FMWRNO-FM is an Interactive Talk formatted radio station serving New Orleans, Louisiana. The Clear Channel Communications station broadcasts at 99.5 MHz with an effective radiated power of 100 kilowatts.-History:...
New Orleans; now Production Director at Clear Channel New Orleans) - "Bubba" Carson (Paul Donovan; worked briefly at 101.1 WNOE-FM after a long run on B-97; now at country station KYGOKYGOKYGO-FM is a Country music radio station in Denver, Colorado. The Lincoln Financial Media outlet operates at 98.5 MHz with an effective radiated power of 100 kW.KYGO-FM is Colorado's secondary Emergency Alert System station...
, Denver) - Kim Carson (Worked on country station 101.1 WNOE-FM New Orleans for years. Later went to B-97. Married to Bubba for a while and has her own country music band)
- The Monkey Boy (prime time host)
- Ron Carter
- Bernard "Buddy" Diliberto (did WDSUWDSUWDSU, virtual channel 6, is the NBC-affiliated television station for the New Orleans, Louisiana television market. It is owned by Hearst Television, which in turn is wholly owned by the Hearst Corporation. It broadcasts on UHF digital channel 43...
-TV 6 sports reports during the morning show with "Cajun" Ken Cooper in the 1980s; deceased) - Bob Breck (meteorologist from WVUEWVUEWVUE-DT, broadcasting on virtual channel 8, is a TV station in New Orleans, Louisiana, affiliated with the Fox Broadcasting Company. WVUE is owned by Louisiana Media Company, with studios in the Gert Town section of New Orleans and transmitter in Chalmette, Louisiana.- Digital television :WVUE-DT...
-TV 8; gave daily weather reports mornings with "Cajun" Ken Cooper) - Jeff St. John (part-time, spent many years in afternoons at KYLD San Francisco and KBIG in Los Angeles, now afternoons at Movin in SF)
- Eddie Munster
- Eddie "The Hurricane" Monson
- Cadillac Jack (one of many)
- Dave Buss (early 1990s)
- Brian Thomas (PD)
- Rob Halloway ("Rob & Robb In The Morning") (left B-97 to do mornings on MIX 104.1 (KHOM-FM)
- Scott Robb ("Rob & Robb In The Morning") (left B-97 to do mornings on MIX 104.1 (KHOM-FM); was recently working with Kidd Kraddick)
- Adam Smasher (not the "ATOM" SMASHER of Mix 104.1 (KHOM-FM)
- Charlie Matkin
- Rob Waggman (PD & Afternoon DJ, now APD/MD at WXRK/92-3 NOW FM in New York)
- Regular Joe (PD & DJ)
- Ted Kelly (now runs a website for Christian radio HisAir.Net [1]
- Cheryl Robichaux (was on the morning show at 94.5 KSMBKSMB (FM)KSMB is a Top 40 radio station in Lafayette, Louisiana owned by Cumulus Media. KSMB began broadcasting in 1964 as Lafayette's first FM station. By the 1970s, the station had established an Album Rock format as "K94 The Stereo Rock." In late 1984, the format was gradually shifted from Album Rock to...
-FM, Lafayette, LA, now Editor of Acadiana LifeStyle magazine in her hometown of New Iberia, LA) - Patty Steel (now middays at GO-FM in Biloxi; not to be confused with Patty Steele at WPLJWPLJWPLJ is a radio station in New York City owned by the broadcasting division of Cumulus Media. WPLJ shares studio facilities with sister station WABC inside 2 Penn Plaza in midtown Manhattan, and its transmitter is atop the Empire State Building. The station currently plays a Hot Adult...
in NYC) - Catfish (one of many)
- Jake "The Snake" Bowman (part-time)
- Charese Frugé (now in San Diego; was most recently PD at Star 98.7, KYSRKYSRKYSR is a commercial modern rock radio station in Los Angeles, California, covering the Los Angeles, Orange County, and Inland Empire areas on 98.7 FM. KYSR is also simulcasted on KSRY 103.1 FM in Tehachapi, California...
-FM in Los Angeles. Eunice, LA is her hometown.) - Woody
- Hollywood Harrison
- Stacey Brady (former mornings APD/MD; now hosting the morning show with Jason Ginty on Rock 92.3, WRKN-FM, New Orleans; engaged to John Marty)
- John Marty (was recently on 97.5 WABB-FMWABB-FMWABB-FM is a radio station broadcasting a Top 40 format serving the Mobile, Alabama area, with coverage in the Pensacola, Florida, area. It first began broadcasting in 1973...
, Mobile, AL hosting the morning show "John & Q-Tip In The Morning.") - Danny Cruz
- Janet Gross (news/traffic director & part-time DJ; later went to WVUEWVUEWVUE-DT, broadcasting on virtual channel 8, is a TV station in New Orleans, Louisiana, affiliated with the Fox Broadcasting Company. WVUE is owned by Louisiana Media Company, with studios in the Gert Town section of New Orleans and transmitter in Chalmette, Louisiana.- Digital television :WVUE-DT...
-TV to anchor the Saturday morning news; married to WDSUWDSUWDSU, virtual channel 6, is the NBC-affiliated television station for the New Orleans, Louisiana television market. It is owned by Hearst Television, which in turn is wholly owned by the Hearst Corporation. It broadcasts on UHF digital channel 43...
-TV news reporter Heath Allen) - Maxwell (now on-air nights, APD for WIOQ-FM, Q102 Philadelphia, PA)
- Matt Cain (Formerly Host of The Bee Morning Buzz, now retired and is in nursing school)
- Will The Thrill (serving time in Iraq with our nations military)
- Carson (in Cincinnati, OH as PD of WKFSWKFSWKFS, better known by its brand name KISS 107, is an FM radio station in the Cincinnati, Ohio market. It broadcasts a CHR/Pop format. It is owned by Clear Channel Communications.- Station History :...
) - Jason Reed (part-time and overnights; also worked for other Entercom New Orleans stations; was recently at 106.7 The Wolf KKND-FMKMEZKMEZ, is a radio station serving the New Orleans area. The Cumulus Media station is licensed to Port Sulphur, Louisiana and broadcasts at 106.7 MHz with an ERP of 98 kW...
New Orleans, LA) - Celeste' Matthews
- Jessica Ryan (was later producing the Ron & Don ShowRon & Don ShowThe Ron and Don Show is a talk radio show in Seattle, Washington. It airs on 97.3 KIRO FM from 3:00-7:00 pm weekdays. The show is hosted by Ron Upshaw and Don O'Neill.-Ron Upshaw:...
at 106-7 The End, KKND-FMKMEZKMEZ, is a radio station serving the New Orleans area. The Cumulus Media station is licensed to Port Sulphur, Louisiana and broadcasts at 106.7 MHz with an ERP of 98 kW...
New Orleans, LA) - "Brother" Dave Nichols
- Rikk Idol (went on to Dallas at KHKS and KRBV, later to St. Louis at KSLZKSLZKSLZ, "Z107.7", is a Top 40 Mainstream FM radio station in St. Louis, Missouri, United States. The Clear Channel Communications outlet broadcasts at 107.7 MHz with an ERP of 100 kW. Its transmitter is located in Shrewsbury, a suburb of St...
now afternoons on WILN/Island 106 in Panama City, FL and Production Director for Magic BroadcastingMagic BroadcastingMagic Broadcasting, LLC is a company which owns and operates five radio stations in Alabama.-History:Magic Broadcasting, LLC, formerly Styles Media Group, LLC, was founded in 1989. The name was changed to Magic Broadcasting in June 2006. The company is based in Panama City, Florida...
cluster all as Kato) - Yvonne (part-time)
- Johnny Tyler (previously from "The Rock of New Orleans," 99.5 WRNO-FMWRNO-FMWRNO-FM is an Interactive Talk formatted radio station serving New Orleans, Louisiana. The Clear Channel Communications station broadcasts at 99.5 MHz with an effective radiated power of 100 kilowatts.-History:...
) - Billy Brown (now in Florida)
- Michael Bryan (former midday DJ, assistant PD, & music director; now PD of XL-106.7, WXXLWXXLWXXL, also known as XL1067, is a contemporary hit radio station licensed to Tavares, Florida, United States, and is owned by Clear Channel Communications. Its studio is located at Clear Channel Orlando's headquarters in Maitland. WXXL primarily serves the Greater Orlando metropolitan area...
-FM in Orlando, FL) - Mike Shaft
- J.J. (did weekend overnights; most recently known as "G-Man," afternoons on Island 106 (WILN-FMWILN-FMWILN is a U.S. commercial radio station located in Panama City, Florida. WILN airs a CHR music format.- On-air Hosts :Island 106 in the MorningTHE MORNING MESS 5-10am Monday - Friday...
), Panama City, FL) - Robert Elfman
- John Roberts (PD, last seen as PD in Denver)
- Ted Striker (previously worked at Island 106 (WILN-FMWILN-FMWILN is a U.S. commercial radio station located in Panama City, Florida. WILN airs a CHR music format.- On-air Hosts :Island 106 in the MorningTHE MORNING MESS 5-10am Monday - Friday...
), Panama City, FL. Worked briefly at B-97, but left to become PD of Hot 104.1 in Mobile, AL; now a full-time broker and still in radio, part-time at Kiss 106.1 Seattle, WA) - Booker (Mornings with Booker and Brady; spent several years in mornings at WSTO, Evansville, IN; now mornings at KKHH in Houston)
- Joey Giovingo (PD responsible for the format switch from talk radio, back to music ~1996)
- Charlie Scott (retired)
- J. Love
- Tony Buonoguera (gave MetroScan traffic reports mornings with "Cajun" Ken Cooper for a number of years)
- Barry Foxx
- Anthony "Gangi" (On-Air/Promotions Director; now owns his own television production company)
- "Wankus" In The Morning
- Tom Mitchell (last seen in Las Vegas at CBS Radio)
- Bam-Bam
- Travis Torrence, the #1 Hotboy in the Crescent City (part-time; graduated from Yale Law School, and now practicing law in Texas)
- Terry "Motormouth" Young (currently a host on XM Radio's "60s at 6" Channel)
- Jason Peavy (previously worked for 102.5 WFMF Baton Rouge, and later at B-97; has now returned)
- Rick Friedman
- "The Gator" aka Larry Knight (left for Clear Channel NOLA, spent several years in nights at WWXMWWXMWWXM is a Top-40 radio station licensed to Garden City, South Carolina and serves the Grand Strand area. The Qantum Communications outlet is licensed by the Federal Communications Commission to broadcast at 97.7 MHz with an effective radiated power of 100 kW...
in Myrtle Beach, SC) - Kim Diamond (left Lite 105, WLTSWLTSWMAJ-FM is the call sign for the radio station broadcasting in Centre Hall, Pennsylvania serving the State College, Pennsylvania area. The station was formerly known as WLTS. The new call sign returns the station to its prior "Magic 99.5" moniker....
-FM New Orleans for B-97; now in the Biloxi/Gulfport area of Mississippi) - David Marxx aka "Skid Marx" (left MIX 104.1 (KHOM-FM) for B-97; now D.K. Pierce doing Afternoons & PD at 92.9 Bass Country in Springfield, Missouri)
- Jeff Scott (PD, now NSM of Cox Radio stations in San Antonio, TX)
- Tyler (Ben Stewart) (APD, Imaging Dir, On-Air Middays 2004-2007; Writer/Host of popular podcast, "Tyler's Tinseltown Tattler".)
- Mike Kaplan (PD, now PD of sister KNDDKNDDKNDD , also known as "107.7 The End", is an alternative rock radio station in Seattle, Washington. It is operated by Entercom Communications Its studios are located in the Metropolitan Park West tower between Downtown and South Lake Union in Seattle...
in Seattle) - Ron Chatman (Overnights; also producer for "Steve & Gary"; did afternoons on WRNOWRNO-FMWRNO-FM is an Interactive Talk formatted radio station serving New Orleans, Louisiana. The Clear Channel Communications station broadcasts at 99.5 MHz with an effective radiated power of 100 kilowatts.-History:...
; now doing afternoons at WZZK/Birmingham.) - Scotty C (Scott Chapin, Production Director, weekends, parody songs with "The Twisted Bees", later being nationally known Television News Voice Talent)