ATLANTA -
Local radio listeners are outraged over the loss of a longtime rock outpost.
Instead of hearing Five Finger Death Punch, Disturbed or Avenged Sevenfold, radio listeners tuning into 96.1 on Thursday heard the likes of Nicki Minaj, Katy Perry and Usher.
Much to the dismay of local rock music fans, Project 9-6-1, which is owned by Clear Channel, flipped to Power 96.1 on Wednesday night. Program Director/afternoon DJ Chris Williams surprised listeners with a farewell announcement before signing off with Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Free Bird" just after 7 p.m.
Williams later posted on the station's Facebook page, "96.1 has been Atlanta's rock destination since 1974. The Project Family is so proud to have carved out our own chapter in the rich legacy of WKLS. The radio dial will sound much different after today. We can never thank you enough for all your support and passion for Project 9-6-1 over the past 6 years and for 96rock the years before us. We consider ourselves among the luckiest each and every day we were allowed to enter this studio and create a radio station that made us proud. Thank you for inviting The Project into your cars, jobs and homes. Thank you for Living Loud and Playing Hard, please don't stop. Most of all, thank you for being Part of the Project!"
Power 96.1 appears to be a top 40 station feature Ryan Seacrest's Los Angeles-based midday show and Elvis Duran's New York City-based morning show.
According to concertgoers, Dunwoody native Seacrest made a surprise appearance at the Jennifer Lopez/ Enrique Iglesias concert later that night at Phillips Arena where he announced his show coming to Atlanta.
As Williams noted in his statement, the 96.1 frequency has traditionally been a home on the dial for rock music listeners in Atlanta, housing 96Rock for more than 30 years before switching to the "Project" moniker in 2006.
Project fans said they refuse to let the change go without a fight, though. Fans organized email campaigns and flooded the FOX 5 Facebook page with messages supporting the station.
Melissa Montgomery-Doster wrote, "Here in the south, we take our music seriously, especially when it is coming from a station that is a long time staple in our community as 96 rock has been. This is a total shame to take away our music for the joke of a station and music they are now playing!
"Help save our rock station!" posted Johnny Banks.
"Please help the "Project Family" to keep our favorite station. We want to get our rock back, there are so many pop stations here already!" wrote Sherry Shumate.
One "Bring Back PROJECT 9-6-1" Facebook page had more than 9,000 likes as of Thursday night, while another had more than 7,000. An online petition had garnered nearly 3,000 supporters.
Some fans urged a protest outside the Clear Channel studios on Peachtree Road on Saturday afternoon.
More changes are reportedly on the way for local radio listeners. According to AllAccess.com, CBS Radio announced in late July that Dave FM (92.9) will switch to Sports Talk sometime in September or October.
Rock fans will be left with local alternative station 99X (on 98.9) , Rock 100.5 and The River 97.1, none of which feature the heavier, new rock that Project was known for.
Which would you like to hear more on 96.1? Project or Power 96.1? Post your comments below!
