99XWatch.org

Save the Internet

99XWatch.org is one of five blogs, I host through TypePad.  The audio that I have on my sites travels through the internet at roughly the same speed as audio coming from AOL, Yahoo, or Google.  Congress it attempting to change that.

From www.SaveTheInternet.com

The nation's largest telephone and cable companies — including AT&T, Verizon, Comcast and Time Warner — want to be Internet gatekeepers, deciding which Web sites go fast or slow and which won't load at all.

They want to tax content providers to guarantee speedy delivery of their data. They want to discriminate in favor of their own search engines, Internet phone services, and streaming video — while slowing down or blocking their competitors.

Obviously, I support "Network Neutrality."  I'm not alone.  Disparate groups like Consumers Union, The Christian Coalition, Gun Owners of America, and MoveOn.org all support Network Neutrality. 

Please take a few moments to sign the "Save the Internet" petition.  Thanks.

Steve Craig Defends Leslie

Addressing AJC Writer Rodney Ho (and posted with Steve's permission on Rodney's Blog, Radio-Talk), 99X midday guy Steve Craig writes:

...[I]n my 28 years in the business, I’ve never been witness to such a childish and unprofessional display of behavior as in the past several months. Giving out private phone numbers, cell numbers, sending malicious packages to spouses, taunting and shouting obscenities on mic in public, not to mention the continued on-air assault.

[The morning of Thursday, May 25th] there was no basis for what Wally was saying. He spoke for other people like Fred Toucher, saying that “Fred never wanted to work with Leslie”. Leslie was the one who hired Fred, and they had a great working relationship. It was Cumulus who chose not to continue with Fred and Wally. I just can’t believe that he would get sucked into what Chris and Whip are doing. The comments have turned away from competitive ribbing to vicious and mean-spirited personal attacks. To me, this is appalling, considering how much Leslie did for Chris’ career. I’m sure you’ll agree that the only people who have ever had a bad word to say about Leslie are ex-employees now working for Clear Channel. I’ve worked with Leslie for almost 15 years and while there are always philosophical programming differences, she has never treated any fellow professional with anything other than kindness and respect. It’s just sad when I get phone calls and emails from listeners who keep asking why The Buzz is being so nasty. It’s not the least bit funny. Whip constantly points out how old Leslie is, when he himself is 40-something, trying to act like a 20 year old. Axel and Wally were friends (or so I thought) and now Wally’s including him in the verbal assault.

Wally on The Whip Show, 5/25, 7am

In a post on FredToucher.com (registration required,) Chris Williams, program director for 105.3 The Buzz, writes: "Wally has a few weeks free hanging out in Atlanta while he weighs some offers so I asked him to come hang out and have fun with Whip."  In addition to promoting Wally's appearance on the air and FredToucher.com, the folks at the Buzz have been circulating a clever, "hacked" version of 99X.com (jpg, 135K). Wally is scheduled for 7am. 

I Want My Free FM!

Local activist Joey Mills is leading a grass roots effort to persuade CBS Radio to bring its Free FM format to Atlanta.  Presumably, a Free FM station in Atlanta is one step closer to the Toucher and Rich Show simulcasting in Atlanta.  It would also provide a perfect local venue to get Jimmy Baron back on the air.  The website is  www.FreeFMATL.org. 

Take Him At His Word

Cumulus CEO Lew Dickey, in an interview with Billboard Radio Monitor, referring to recent layoffs, stated: "There were virtually no changes in sales and programming unless they were upgrades..."  While Jimmy Baron has done a fine job of arguing that Lew Dickey is, again, lying,  I would like to take a different approach:  take Lew Dickey at his word.  I would suggest that if Lew Dickey is lying, then he's a CEO cynically spinning a round of layoffs, i.e. par for the course.  If Dickey believes what he's saying, then he's just incompetent.

Lew Dickey and John Dickey, his brother in charge of programming at Cumulus,  believe that the current  99X Morning Show is an "upgrade." Just to be clear--Lew and John Dickey believe that "Everything Alternative Morning Show with Axel and Leslie (and Mitch)" is a better show than "Toucher, Jimmy, and Leslie (with Crash, Wally, and FatKid.)"  The decision to let Toucher and Crash go to Boston, the decision to let Jimmy's contract expire, the decision to take Wally off the air, and the decision to lay off Fat Kid had nothing to do with saving money.  The changes were made because, in the opinion of the Dickeys, they were an upgrade. 

I'm sure that AT&T management considered razing the Fox Theater to build the Southern Bell headquarters to be an upgrade as well.  The ultimate test of the quality of the Dickeys' "upgrade" will be the Spring Book.  So we wait until July 26, 2006, the date for the Atlanta Spring Quarterly Arbitrends.