89X says goodbye to alt-rock after 30 years, shifts to 'pure country'

[demmiblue]

Alexa, play “(Good Riddance) Time of Your Life” by Green Day.

It's the end of an era for fans of Windsor-Detroit radio station 89X, who have been pushed one step closer to the edge as the station breaks from its three-decade run as the area's leading alternative rock hub.

A cryptic statement posted on the 89X website on Wednesday revealed that the station would adopt a new format starting Thursday, Nov. 19, and suggested that fans of 88.7 FM will likely have to find a new place to get their “new rock” fix.

“Thirty years is a long time though and it’s time for a change,” the website read. ”Soon there will be a very new and VERY different sound on 88.7FM and to be honest if you're a New Rock fan you're probably not going to like it.”

Well, they were absolutely right. As of noon on Thursday, the station would no longer give airtime to the hard rock sounds of bands like Our Lady Peace, System of a Down, Sevendust, or Linkin Park. Instead, country fans now have yet another place to hang their Cabela's hats and fishin' poles, as 89.9 FM is now "Pure Country," kicking off the station's era with “Cruise” by Florida Georgia Line.

https://www.metrotimes.com/city-slang/archives/2020/11/19/89x-says-goodbye-to-alt-rock-after-30-years-shifts-to-pure-country

#2020. Ugh.

The first and last song played:

[Arne]

1. Happened here as well

In SWFlorida we now have "Trump Country",
and it's on the television as well.

[demmiblue]

2. Damn.... I thought you were kidding (I Googled).

[Best_man23]

3. I haven't listened to terrestrial radio in almost 20 years.

I stopped listening to FM/AM radio when it became obvious owners of these radio stations were intentionally choosing to not provide left-learning programming. I remember when Mike Malloy was forced off WLS in Chicago in the late 90s when he said something on his program (think it was about Newt) that the ownership or one of the daytime hosts didn't like.

This country really needs to bring back the Fairness Doctrine.

[jmowreader]

7. The Fairness Doctrine wouldn't have solved this problem

It dealt with political viewpoints, not whether a station plays that twangy gospel shit that passes for country music these days.

[IowaGuy]

4. I am absolutely amazed every time this happens.....

and it's been happening for the last 40 years.
I just can't fathom the marketing studies that come to the conclusion..., "Aha! The world needs yet another country radio station!"

Radio listenership keeps going down, but the answer is always "More Miranda Lambert!"

[nwliberalkiwi]

5. Radio Garden

Due a search for: Radio Garden
Free internet radio from all over the world---great site!!!

[world wide wally]

6. So original!

Country top 40.
Who would have ever thought of that?