Back on October 24, I blogged about my affinity for Atlanta radio station 96 Rock, which has been on the air in the Atlanta area for my entire life. Apparently, Clear Channel Communications was listening. And 96 Rock is no more, out with not quite so much as a whimper.

As of November 17, 96 Rock has been replaced with Project 9-6-1, moving their focus from "classic rock" to "active rock." Frankly, I don't know what's so active about their rock, since their website advertises that they play songs from "Metallica, AC/DC, Pearl Jam, RHCP, Led Zeppelin, Soundgarden, Pink Floyd, Green Day, Ozzy, Nirvana, and Korn," 11 bands who have combined to release 4 albums in the past 3 years. Four of these bands haven't released an album in a decade!

Rodney Ho of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution wrote an article on the changeover that was published this weekend. It includes the following great quote:

John Dickey, an executive vice president for Atlanta-based Cumulus Media, said he hopes this move will benefit his station, the struggling alternative rock station 99X. "I'm surprised they dropped the name 96rock," Dickey said. "It's like blowing up the Varsity and renaming it Project Fast Food."

I suppose that there is a lesson to be learned here. Since Aesop would say that I usually learn the wrong thing, I don't think I'll dwell on this one for too long.

So long, 96 Rock. Thanks for the good times.

Comments (0) | Leave a Comment | Tags: 96 rock atlanta music radio

As you may have heard, Georgia is in the midst of a drought. Yesterday, our Governor, Sonny Perdue, led a public prayer for rain on the grounds of the state capital. Amusingly enough, the prayer was protested.

Sure, I might have problems with state sponsored prayer. But I've really got better things to do than to protest against people praying for rain. I mean, where's the up side in that protest? If you're right, and faith shouldn't be invoked to solve the drought, how do you propose that we force the atmosphere to deliver us precipitation? If you're wrong, and appeasing a higher power is what is required to make it rain, you've doomed us all. In either case, by raining on this parade, you're not helping to make it any more wet around here.

Now that it's raining a day later, clearly proving that prayer works (sorry all you people who lost loved ones to disease, God doesn't love you as much as he loves Sonny Perdue), those same protesters are no doubt worried that solutions to other local problems will be sought with prayer instead of legislation. Maybe God can prevent a recurrence of the perfect storm that led to Genarlow Wilson becoming national news at Georgia's expense. Or maybe God can decide what to do about the pesky problems with Atlanta traffic jams. Or potential construction costs and controversial plans for the Hartsfield-Jackson airport expansion. Or what to do about putting too much salt on a police officer's complementary hamburger. (Or even police officers who arrest people for putting too much salt on their complementary hamburgers.)

Hell, why don't we just go ahead and put God to the ultimate test: see if he can make the Atlanta Falcons football team have two consecutive winning seasons for the first time in franchise history. (That's asking for just 18 wins over two seasons.) Or what if we pray that the Atlanta Thrashers hockey team wins a game in the playoffs? (They were the best team in the regular season last year. How hard can it be to win one post season game?) Or, if we're looking for a real challenge, how about giving the Atlanta Hawks basketball team a .500 or better season. (Not only hasn't this happened this century, the Hawks' playoff record makes the Thrashers appear to be over-achievers.)

I'm not asking for miracles here. I'm just looking for Atlanta professional sports to not suck. That doesn't seem nearly as hard as making it rain, does it?

Comments (0) | Leave a Comment | Tags: atlanta falcons football georgia nfl politics religion sports weather

The New World of Coca-Cola® is set to open in Atlanta on Thursday. My mother is very excited about the opportunity to pay $15 to enter a glorified gift shop, but I am considerably more skeptical. Note the following entertainment possibilities that Coke advertises on their website:

• Thrilling 4-D Theater
• World's largest collection of Coke memorabilia
• Fully functioning bottling line that produces commemorative 8-ounce bottles of Coca­Cola®
• Tasting experience with over 70 different products to sample
• Pop Culture Gallery featuring works by artists such as Andy Warhol, Norman Rockwell, and Steve Penley
• World-famous Coca­Cola® Polar Bear
• And so much more!

So, the place is a museum where you can taste and buy Coke products, meet its advertising icons, buy its advertising icons, and then..., um, "so much more," whatever that may be. Wheee! I sure hope that they don't spray Coke on you inside the 4D theater. (There can be too much of a good thing, you know.)

I mean, didn't Coke learn a long time ago to keep the words "New" and "Coke" as far away from each other as possible? I think if you blindfold me, I might not be able to tell the difference from the original (and in all likelihood superior) World of Coca-Cola®. And I'm certainly not interested in paying $15 (plus an additional $10 for the privilege of parking in the adjoining Pemberton Place® Parking Deck) for more Coca-Cola® advertising than I can see during 9 hours of televised football. This is not a wave that I'm in any hurry to catch.

Now if you'll excuse me, I've worked up a thirst.

Comments (0) | Leave a Comment | Tags: atlanta coke georgia museums