Steve Hegwood’s Core Radio Group, which operates hip-hop station Streetz 94.5, has leased the 87.7 FM station and changed its format from regional Mexican to a new R&B format called the Vibe.
The Vibe features a mix of R&B from the 1980s through today, with core artists such as Mary J. Blige, Jodeci, Janet Jackson, Usher, Beyoncé, Bruno Mars and SZA, as well as spotlighting Southern soul artists like King George, Sir Charles Jones and Tucka & Wes Love.
“The Vibe will fill a void in the Atlanta market,” Hegwood said in a press release. “Southern soul has recently surged in popularity, rooted in traditions of blues, gospel and R&B. This genre offers a nostalgic yet modern take on storytelling with an emotional connection.”
The closest format competitors in Atlanta FM radio are Kiss 104.1 and Majic 107.5/97.5, which both have longtime brand recognition in the market and high ratings.
This is not Hegwood’s first trip with 87.7, which is literally on the bottom of the FM dial.
For the past five years, “La Que Buena 101.9/87.7″ simulcast 101.9 WAZX-FM out of Cleveland. Core Radio Group previously leased the station from 2016 to 2019 as “Old School 87.7″ and later R&B “Mix 87.7.″
Credit: Q99.7
Credit: Q99.7
Q99.7 names new host
Q99.7 has a new midday host and assistant program director in Laura Dickerson, who is based in Atlanta.
She can be heard from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the top 40 station. She will do double duty, continuing as music director and evening host on top 40 station 104.1 KRBE-FM in Houston, Texas, where she has worked since 2021.
Dickerson effectively replaces Yvonne Monet, who left last year after three years. Monet was a major player on 99X in the 1990s and remains a DJ for hire around the Southeast. Mami Chula covered for Monet for much of 2024 on Q99.7.
Credit: CMG
Credit: CMG
Cox Media Group picks marketing manager
Cox Media Group Atlanta has named David Abel its new market manager, overseeing news/talk WSB, adult pop B98.5, rock 97.1/The River and R&B Kiss 104.1.
He takes over for Jaleigh Long, who left in the fall after more than three years in the role.
Abel was previously CMG’s San Antonio market manager, a job he held since 2019. He previously worked at stations in Tulsa, Oklahoma; Charleston, South Carolina; Birmingham, Alabama; Greenville, South Carolina; and Orlando, Florida.
CMG Atlanta’s four stations draw big audiences. All four stations are in the top seven in the Nielsen’s most recent December ratings, with WSB at the top with a 9.1 share, followed by Kiss at 7.8 (No. 2), the River at 7.1 (No. 3) and B98.5 at 5.0 (No. 7). Kiss is No. 1 among 25- to 54-year-olds, while the River is the most popular station among 35- to 64-year-olds.
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