like losing an old friend

As of September 1st, the only commercial, music-playing radio station in the city worth listening to will cease to be. Apparently Summit City Radio Group found it appropriate to sell X102 because it isn't profitable. This station played a great, eclectic mix of old and new alternative rock from Radiohead to the Ranconteurs along with Smashing Pumpkins and Panic! at the Disco. As a result, the only alternative rocker left is WCYT which is a terribly low-powered high school station that you can only pick up in the southwest corner of the city (and i live in the northeast). The station was sold to a group that will sign on as the first full-time commercial spanish language station in the city (ciento dos punto tres?) which is to be commended because there is certainly a sizable latino population here that is woefully underserved by the local media. Also to be lamented is the loss of MY 103.9 which played upbeat adult contemporary (From Gwen Stefani and Kylie Minogue to Coldplay and Outkast) in favor of the return of Rock 104 which was taken off the airwaves about three years ago or so. We really don't need another rock station as there is already 98.9 The Bear which was a clone of the orignial Rock 104 playing everything from classic standbys like Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin and Metallica as well as newer hard and metal acts.

I guess that good radio can only only be found on the internet or on a satellite receiver any more... at least here that is now the case. Fortunately though, when i am stuck without an mp3 player or an internet feed, there is always the high-powered NPR affiliate which has great content along with a killer jazz program at night.