We seem to have hit the gold mine on this aircheck. As of this writing it’s our number one most streamed! Archived Material
Since posting, the Classic Hits format of “The Cat” is no more, replaced, first, by a stunt consisting of all album sides of Classic Rock bands – one of the more popular stunts I’ve seen. Then, the new format launched with very little fanfare. Maximum Rock 98.1 The Maxx was ‘officially’ born on the first Friday in April. Listener feedback continues to be mixed, but you’ll be happy to note that this post with it’s growing list of comments is now (in the words of one poster), the de-facto site for information on WSRR/WXMX Memphis.
How’d we do that?
Anyway, back to the audio feature. This aircheck is from the very last week of the Classic Hits format – featuring Kay Manley and Rich “Brother” Robin. Judging from the number of comments, this station was far more popular than station management thought! If you haven’t yet, listen. It’s good!
P.S. – Where are they now? Richbro is in San Diego (and I’m waiting to hear from him) – and Kay Manley? She just did her first show on WGKX “Kix 106″ – about six hours after your webmaster’s shift there on April 16th. She’s just got weekends for now, so you Memphians be sure to call in with encouragement for her, she’s an AC hound but can do anything.
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I’ve had XM radio since it started and there is not a single channel on there that compares to this new format!! This music definately fills the void we have on the commercial airwaves now. Truth is 103 is not what it used to be anymore and now plays the same tired rotation and will lose most of their listeners to this station. Some people complain about D & Z’s show but compared to the crap- rap they let their kids listen to it’s tame. As far as I’m concerned they are and always will be the best team on air whether it be satellite or public radio. Despite what a few say there is a considerable audience for a station like this in Memphis and if given a chance will become hugely popular. Rock-on peeps and I’ll be listening everyday now !! Thanks Max, A new loyal listener
Still love the music, but was EXTREMELY put off by the stupid fart story that afternoon dj told on Tuesday. Do you guys think we are all a bunch of 12 yr olds? I would expect that most of the listeners that remember and enjoy this kind of music, are a little old for bodily function references on the radio, and if that IS what the fan base of this radio station finds funny, I will be removing myself from that list. Use some discretion and get some class. Just play the music.
98.1 The Cat had some good stuff with classic rock, but they really abused “the hits” by way overplaying what they thought people wanted to hear 20 times a day (like Fleetwood Mac). I agree with what some earlier said about playing other album cuts from a popular album, songs you usually never heard on the radio. When you think about from the late 60’s to the early 80’s, you’ve got about 14 years worth of material. Surely 98.1 can use all of that to appeal to those that like that music era.
Forget the morning show. The FM dial has no shortage of ‘topics of the day’, ’special guests in the studio’, puerile sophomoric humor, etc.
Blech.
When I am in the car I want to hear music.
C’mon people! Where else are you going to hear Twisted Sister and CCR back to back?
Mark my words, alter the format you have now and I can’t be held responsible for my actions. I just may go on a 3-state killing spree armed with a spork or something.
To the local law authorities, yes I am joking. I may keep it down to 2 states. But – I will ramp it up to 4 if they go country.
I’ve listened to Rock 103 mostly because of Drake and Zeke, but it was tough to listen to the same 2 or 3 songs from bands that have 8 to 20+ album careers. When I heard the old 70’s FM format of playing whole album sides, I almost cried! Thanks to the station programmer that understands FM Rock radio and it’s listeners. Do consider adding traffic reports (this is Memphis). As a rocker at 47 yrs. old, it is a pleasure to hear this change take place. What took so long? You are killing every Classic Rock radio station with this format and my wife Angie and I, along with the rest of the true Rock world, love it! Again, THANKS!, THANKS!, THANKS!
I do not like the new station at all. I miss the classic rock that I could listen to ALL day!!! JL and Wendy were great in the mornings and I loved walking at night to the music. Now I have taken the station off in my car, at work and my head set that I walk with! I miss the good music, we already have ROCK 103… bring back 98.1 the CAT!!!!!!!
Don’t know what the deal is yet.. have been on 103 for a while.. but they have been put on too short a rope… boring to hear them now.. If 98.1 gets D&Z and let me do there thing with no hold backs, other morning shows will soon be a memory…
Now this is what I’ve been waiting for for a long time.I’am in my thirties and grew up listening to this kind of music, Rock On!!!!!. And as far as Drake and Zeke go, These guy’s belong here. I had listened to them for years, and when they left 103 I did too!! Keep it up, and those people who say they can’t stand Drake and Zeke, they can listen to 103!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So far, I think the change is for the better. I had developed a short attention span for the old format. Usually I would tune in for a few seconds and say to myself “I really don’t need to hear that tired old song again”. I like the idea of playing entire cd’s, (not all the time), but doing that on Saturday’s is a cool idea. This has the potential of being the only real Rock station in the area. The other guys have a limited rotation and I have a short attention span for them too. There is a lot of really great music that never gets played on radio stations, real music lovers want to hear something they haven’t heard a million times. Please don’t get sucked down into the same trap that most radio stations do and keep up the good work.
Steve,
Do a google search for “98.1 The Cat”. Look at what comes up and you’ll see why Airchexx.com has become the defacto site for people wondering what happened.
Rockers, Hello!!!!! You guys are really rockin’!!! I was there on that friday that it all started. I heard Guns N’ Roses: Welcome To The Jungle on that Friday and I have been listen every day since then. No, Really!!!!!! This is the radio station that I have been waiting on!!!!! Please Play more Guns n’ roses, Older Aerosmith (Not Dream On) Train kept Rollin’, Mama Kin, and Van Halen. 98.1 The Rock is the best thing to happen to memphis radio in along time. Thanks!! Play more Guns N’ Roses. Dylan M.
Finally, you gave Memphis what we needed! Love the music and programing. Have been having withdraw from Drake and Zeke and hope they will both be back on the Memphis airways really soon. This is MY new radio station. My “scan” button is about broken anyway. Love to hear some more “old time rock n’ roll”. Love everything about the station!!!!!
Hey, it’s Zack Bennett here. I was the overnight guy on 98.1 The Cat for about the last 6 months of the format.. though I’ve only been to Memphis twice in my life. I was pre-recording those shifts from Nashville about 3 days in advance. Man, I had fun doing that. I’m glad you all liked the station. Rich Brother Robbin is a true pro. I worked for him here in Nashville and he is a class act and I dearly miss working for such a great guy.
Memphis, enjoy The Max…I hear it really sucks, and rightfully so. Because Citadel got rid of the true pros from 98.1 The Cat, they deserve to flounder with the new format.
bout time a decent station hit memphis music wise…since dennis and t.b. left out of bounds on 1030, billy holliday and i have been floundering, looking for a place to do our latin lessons.. maybe 98 would let us do it here…..
Had to find another station.
I like Drake and Zeke but the music sucks!
Rock 103 here I come!
One more thing what in the world are you dummies thinking about.
The crap you play makes you want to go slam your head against a wall so i wont drive you crazy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&******************************************************************$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$.
I personally am still loving the new format. It is the only semidecent station in Memphis. My only question is how long does it take to actually hire more than just a couple of deejays. The music needs even more variety. Anyone who thinks a classic rock station needs to play more GnR needs to get a life.
just noticed in the commercial appeal’s panel picks– you guy’s are still losing to one girl and tied with another girl and the black guy???