WSSR Goes ‘Classic Pop’ As ‘The 9-6-7’
• After a weekend of stunting with a menu of lovely, non-threatening on-hold/waiting room music, Connoisseur Media’s now former suburban Chicago Hot AC WSSR (Star 96.7)/Joliet, IL relaunched at the stroke of 6am today as “The 9-6-7: Chicagoland’s Classic Pop.”
WSSR’s new direction is described as “a high-energy, nostalgia-driven format centered around the biggest Top 40 hits from the ’90s and ’00s. The 9-6-7 brand is built around nostalgia and growing up in the suburbs, capturing a feeling of simpler times and shared musical memories that still resonate with listeners today.”
The 9-6-7 will feature iconic artists including Backstreet Boys, Mariah Carey, Eminem, No Doubt, Britney Spears, Usher, Beyoncé, Alanis Morissette, Dr. Dre, and even New Radicals — delivering the songs listeners grew up with, still know all the words to, and continue to enjoy today.
“After the success we’ve had in Dayton with [WGTZ] Z93, we decided the next station that makes sense for the brand-new Classic Pop format is WSSR,” said Keith Dakin, Connoisseur SVP of Programming. “With morning show host Eddie V’s history with this sound, it’s a match made in heaven — the pop music Chicagoland grew up with and the DJ they listened to.”
“We all grew up and cruised these Chicagoland suburbs with this music as the soundtrack. It was everywhere,” said Gordon Mays, Operations Manager for Connoisseur Chicago. “It’s been so fun building something we know will feel instantly familiar, and in a way that fits where our listeners are today.”
The best news: the current on-air lineup remains in place — Eddie V & Friends (mornings), Jillian Bass (middays), Hannah B (afternoon drive), and Skyview’s XYZ With Erik Zachary (nights).
