Big Changes @ WALR/Atlanta

• Cox Media Group Urban AC WALR (Kiss 104.1)/Atlanta announced several major programming changes “that usher in a new era at Atlanta’s top R&B station,” according to the press release. These changes involve some musical adjustments, along with two major drivetime moves — musically, you can expect “More of today’s R&B and Throwbacks, along with timeless music from the ’80s, ’90s and 2000s.”

More dramatically, the station has parted ways with two syndicated shows — The Tom Joyner Morning Show and Michael Baisden in afternoon drive. The team of Art Terrell and Roy Wood Jr. has been elevated from noon-3pm into the wake-up slot as hosts of the newly minted Morning Groove. Terrell and Wood will be joined by newsperson Condace Pressley. The new show will also include commentary, opinions and humor from Clark Howard, Corey “Zooman” Miller, Aaron Paxton Arnold and others. Filling the afternoon drive shift is Kiss veteran Sasha the Diva, who moves up from 9am-noon.

“The changes we’re making represent a new day dawning in Atlanta R&B music,” said Tony Kidd, VP of Programming for CMG Atlanta. “This new programming line-up reflects what Atlanta’s African-American listeners want most from their favorite R&B station.”