99XWatch.org

Jimmy Baron on 99X

One of my detractors once wrote:  "And shouldn't [99XWatch.org] be called, WhatUpWithJimmyBaronAndIHateJenners.Com?" 

To which I replied "That was taken." 

In fact, I like Jenners quite a bit, but my detractor did have a point.  Jimmy has made a long period of unemployment very interesting.   Between producing one child and two television shows, he has managed to squeeze in a number of radio tryouts, two blogs, and a close encounter with Bruce Springsteen.  Even at this point, he was forced to turn down my request because he was writing a piece for the AJC.  Here are some of his thoughts from the article:

99X may have been just a radio station, but it did mean a lot to a lot of people. Maybe it was their source for finding out what was happening in town, or maybe it was what they used in the morning to get to the office or school in a decent mood, or maybe it was simply their own local connection to coolness. I don't care who you are, everyone deep deep down wants to be cool.

However, for people like Leslie Fram, Steve Craig, Axel, Barnes, and me — who were with the station in its formative years and many beyond that — 99X meant more than just a place of employment. It was our identity. When you went out you were never just Leslie or Axel or Jimmy, you were "Leslie from 99X" or "Jimmy from 99X" or "Axel from 99X," and it meant you were part of the fabric of one of America's best cities. In fact, it's still how people often refer to me, and I haven't worked there in nearly two years.

...

I mourned the loss of my "friend" two years ago when I left and, in a way, I'm glad. I don't think I'd want to experience walking through the halls on the sad last day. Hopefully, though, my former co-workers will soon realize that, like with most things, nobody can take away your great memories.

So while you may have to go elsewhere for your alternative rock fix, keep that well-used 99X Freeloader card in your wallet, don't peel off your 99X window sticker just yet, and for gosh sakes, hang on to that 99X Big Shirt. Some things will always say you're cool.

More News Jog Weekly Podcasts for 2008

Eric Von Haessler and Jimmy Baron's podcast, News Jog Weekly, has been on hiatus since November 26.  Jimmy Baron writes:

The only reason we haven't done any since Thanksgiving is because all or some of us have been out of town virtually every week through the holidays, so we just kinda decided to re-group after Jan 1. I'm guessing we'll put another one together this or next week.

In the meantime, you can check out old episodes.  Despite Eric Von Haessler's usually retard political philosophy, the podcast, is better than any Atlanta morning show. 

Happy Birthday Jimmy

Jimmy is 46 today.  Celebrate by listening to his latest podcast with Eric Von Haessler, Tim Andrews, and Leonard Sharing.

Jimmy Has Second dave fm Audition

From Jimmy Baron's MySpace blog:

Yeah Yeah Yeah, that was me in the wee hours on Dave FM the other night. It was my second audition and I was paired with Chris Daniel, an excellent air talent from the Bay Area.
I don't know yet if I'll have any more auditions on Dave but I do appreciate the opportunity they've given me (and, of course, would appreciate the gig even more).

Personally, I think Baron, Von Haessler, and Firfer is a no-brainer for dave, but that's me (and a whole lot of former Regular Guys and Morning X / TJ&L fans.) 

Von Haessler and Baron Podcast

It's has poor production values and they lost most of an entire episode, but it's better than anything on Atlanta radio today (and probably tomorrow):  The News Jog Weekly. 

Update 10/1/2007 8:05 PM

They re-recorded the previously mentioned lost episode on Sunday.  I listened to it last night and it's good as well.
 

Jimmy Close But No Cigar on Atlanta & Co.

Jimmy blogs:

Well I didn't get the Atlanta & Co. gig. Spoke with the folks at 11Alive this afternoon and they confirmed that it came down to Tom Sullivan and me, and that got the nod. This doesn't come as a huge surprise because they were pretty upfront with me from the beginning that he was all but a shoe-in. As I've mentioned, he's been their regular fill-in guy for the two seasons the show's been on the air and they felt his loyalty and dependability earned him a shot, so I can live with that. They were extremely complimentary, however, and did ask if I'd be available as the regular substitute host when the occasion called for it. They also said they'd like to utilize me on air in other ways as opportunities arose.
[Link added]

Call Backs

Jimmy blogs:

Just got word that the powers that be over there have decided they want to take another look at a couple of the stronger contenders for the show so they've asked me back for this Tuesday. I don't know who the other finalists are but I could probably take an educated guess at one or two of the others. I'm sure Tom Sullivan from Star 94 will be one of the call-backs because he's their regular fill-in host on the show and he's pretty good, and I'm sure Frank Ski will be given another shot because, well, he's Frank Ski. Hard to predict the others (if, in fact, there are others).

Tivo set.

Jimmy Thrives on 11Alive

On Monday, Jimmy guest hosted on 11Alive's Atlanta & Company.   Not surprisingly his banter with Holly Firfer was fun and full of cute pictures of Jimmy and Micah.  Jimmy also did a great interview with Patty Scialfa who seemed genuinely surprised to be interviewed by someone who not only asked thoughtful questions but had actually listened to her CD.  The best showing, however, came when Jimmy did a seemingly impossible feat.  He turned Steve Wilkos, better known as the bald guy from the Jerry Springer Show, into a good guest:

   

At my last job, Atlanta & Company was, 9 time out of 10, the program of choice in the break room where I took my lunch.  Over that year I gained a lot of respect for Ryan Cameron and Holly Firfer who valiantly struggled trying to make paying guests and the dregs of the NBC line up interesting.  I would suggest that Jimmy raised the bar.  If he can make Wilkow interesting, he can do that for anyone.

Want to see more of Jimmy? Take a few moments and let the producers of Atlanta & Company that you'd like to see Jimmy get the hosting gig.  You can email them here. 

Baron and Firfer?

Jimmy writes that he will be guest co-hosting with Barnes' former side kick Holly Firfer on Atlanta & Co, on 11 Alive, Monday, September 10th, at 11am.  According to JB Monday will be a tryout for a possible permanent gig, as Ryan Cameron is leaving the show.

Dream Team?

From Radio & TV Talk:

[Eric Von Haessler] is also planning to start a podcast with fellow unemployed jock Jimmy Baron to see if the two have chemistry.

Not all pairings that look good on paper end up being good on the radio.  That being said, Jimmy and the less retarded Regular Guy, actually make for an intriguing combination and I'm looking forward to hearing it.

Update 8/30/2007 4:48 AM

Jimmy weighs in with more information (and a couple of good jokes):

Eric and I share mutual respect for each others' talent and success and, over a handful of meals and 2-hour phone conversations within the past year, thought it might be cool to do something on mic together. Plus, we felt the 12 people who actually listen to podcasts were under-served.

We're gonna start with something weekly and see what happens from there. Committing to something daily, at this point, would take too much time away from my full time job of finding a full time job.