I typically stay away from posting various newsy tid-bits, cuz they aren’t very juicy or fun. Sadly, this is a tid-bit that is very note-worthy and sad for Texas music fans throughout DFW. It seems as though Justin Frazell, host of The Front Porch on 99.5 the Wolf, is no longer with the station. I have written a couple of times about Justin. I went to the charity gig he put on last year for the March of Dimes, as well as visited in-studio with him just a month or two ago. He is not only one of the foremost cheerleaders for independent Texas bands, but a hell of a nice guy that will make you spit-out your chew laughing.
As of now, he is set to host this years edition of the Pickin’ for Preemies at Billy Bob’s. This concert has become a who’s who of the Texas “Red Dirt” scene, and this year is no exception. Bleu Edmondson, Jason Boland, Cory Morrow, Roger Creager, Corb Lund and Wade Bowen perform along some “unannounced names” (in years past, Cody Canada, Stoney Larue and Randy Rogers have performed also as unannounced guests due to contractual concerns with a concert the night before they were performing).
I tried to tune in to the show tonight on-line and got hit with a big ol’ trashy dose of reality when friggin’ Montgomery gentry was on the air instead of Justin and the bands that he has helped champion over these last many years. Justin, I already miss ya!!!
28 Responses
that really sucks cuz it was a great show that gave the wolf a little credibility and now they are right where they probably want to be… in the bloated, blissfully mediocre genre that is “country”. you could tell he was an engine that was driving that train. I wonder where he turns up? satellite radio, no doubt.
There’s no telling. it would be great if he ended up at KHYI, but i doubt they have a abig enough budget for him….
But why did he leave?! I cannot stand country music anymore. He was the only reason I gave 99.5 a preset button!!!!
I’m with you April!! Tara is gone, too!! Management sure knows how to mess up a good thing!!
yeah i come back from vacation and JUSTIN AND TARA are both GONE what the hell, does anyone know the real story? Cody now justin and Tara wow whoever took over really does suck!!!!!!! i have already taken them off my presets.
I get the impression that it was just typical stupid corporate reshuffling. I can only hope that Justin gets on a station where he can do “front porch style” stuff all week, and not just sunday nights…
I emailed Chris Sommers at the station yesterday to find out what the heck was going on with Tara and Justin both being gone and no Front Porch to boot. I was told that they both left the station due to the fact that their contracts were not going to be renewed by station management. I hope that they both end up at a good station. We have little to no choices in country music stations which is a shame being that D/FW is such a big area.
Done with the wolf!
I loved Justin.. Tara was ok but that is crazy.
Im with everyone here…. Justin brought red dirt music to the masses… but never compromised what its all about….I’ll be listening where ever he goes….
What do you expect – it’s Cumulus!! They are KINGS of bare bones, no-talent, no-ratings radio!! They wouldn’t know or care about great talent if it hit them in the face!
I was on vacation and come back to all of these new voices!! SOOOOO DISAPPOINTED! Once I realized what happened, I switched stations….I love hearing those cheery voices in the morning! BOO!!!!
I have been listening to Tara and Justin for along time. Now with all the changes, the Wolf in no longer on any of my pre-sets. I don’t know why they would not renew there contracts? They lost the two best. Now we hear junk!!! What a big blow to country music.
Just got back from a long trip overseas to find Justin gone from the Wolf. It’s not the same. I don’t know what those clowns are doing at the Wolf, but they have lost a listener.
The morning show is not the same without Tara and Justin; what are you guys thinkin? THey added country flair- now everyone sounds like they are tryin to lose the country accent? THis is TEXAS COUNTRY let’s try to sound like it ok!!!
I’m dumbfounded…..might as well be listening to country from LA..Credo of the wolf….shame. I would suggest letting the station know your thoughts….I have. Here’s one of the senior VP’s…..check the wolf’s website for email address….I didn’t want to publish.
Jan Jeffries – Senior VP, Cumulus Programming
This sucks all the people left on the wolf sound like yankees! Except for Chris Summer. Boo the wolf, shame on you!
The morning show sucks now. Don’t like yankee country. You suits need to bring back Texas country. If you know what that is. I’m changing to KHYI.
It just has not been the same – my morning commutes totally suck now without Justin and Tara!! If they are trying to save money, get rid of some of the VP’s and their bonuses NOT the talent that actually makes the station!!
I don’t know why the Wolf has made so many changes I know that in the past I could always find Cody and others in new slots but I cannot find they anywhere. If I new they were at another country station I would tune in there instead. I got through college listening to Justin, Chris, Tara and Cody I had a long day from home to college everyday and they made the drive a lot easier. I remember the day Cody’s first child was born and how they talked with him just hours after the baby was born and so did Tara. They made this group feel like a part of our extended family and we miss you all. Oh where, Oh where have they gone?
I so agree with y’all…..I was gone and come back to this mess, have emailed requesting a response as to where Tara & Justin are. I can not believe they would not keep them. Guess it is time to find a new station, this one is BORING!
I googled Justin Frazell, it seems he has a myspace page, might be able to find more information there.
FYI, for those wanting to know what happened with Justin. I linked to it in the above post, but perhaps some of you didnt click on it. Below is the note that Justin wrote on Galleywinter 2 days after he was let go (basic, stupid corporate reshuffling):
Where to start…
I think the best place to start is to say the biggest word of thanks that I can to each one of you that have supported The Front Porch Show, my efforts and my self.
Though it is not nearly enough to do just that, it’s all I have at this point. Know that I am extremely grateful for all that the Good Lord has blessed me with during my 12 year stint. Getting to know each of you either through these forums, on the phone or in person has been extremely fulfilling.
Any success that I have seen has come directly from your passion of the music and bands that all of us support. All I have ever claimed to be is a big fan with a big microphone. Nothing more and nothing less. It has been an extreme pleasure to sit on the other side of the radio from you each Sunday night and stand or sit side by side of you during concerts.
In radio, ratings measure success. Ratings are measured through people. You are those people and are responsible for making the Front Porch show one of the highest rated programs not only on the station, but in the entire D/FW area during Sunday nights. Sunday nights tend to be a throw away for radio, but you and I made it a force not to be ignored. Thank You! It was and still is a great feeling
That said, July 25th, 2008, Cumulus Corporate decided it was time for all of that to end. I was informed that my contract would not be renewed and my services were no longer needed.
It’s a new day there with new ideas and a new direction. I along with Tara, my morning show compadre, were told we are not part of that plan.
That is the right of the company and something I accept without any looking back. I leave there with my head high and proud of what I was able to accomplish. No regrets whatsoever.
Thankfully, I have many friends in and out the business that I have been in contact with since Friday morning. When I am contractually cleared to make any moves or any announcements, I will do so.
In the meantime, I get a little siesta time with the family. Some much needed sleep and chance to see things the way I have not been able to see them in quiet some time.
I am genuinely excited to be moving on and start fresh with a new company that is not only accepting of me but accepting of my ideas for success.
For those of you interested in maintaining any sort of contact, my new email address is ….. justin.frazell @ tx.rr.com
Pickin For Preemies will go on. I may have to turn it over completely to the March of Dimes if the station will not allow me to have access to Billy Bobs. I will keep you posted as best I can. Hopefully this forum will remain for a while.
Again friends , Thanks for all your support. It is much appreciated and will not be forgotten.
I know you will continue to carry the Texas / Red Dirt Flag. I’ll be back in line shortly so please save me a place. I’ll see ya at the shows and as always…
See You Down The Road…
Jbf…..
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I too came back off of vacation to find a different Wolf. I liked Justin and the spirit he brought to the station. Many times, Justin would say what I was thinking on many subjects. He always seemed to be having such a good time doing what he was doing. The new group is dull. I really can’t stand to listen to them unless Chris Summer is on. He’s the only one left from “the crew”. Justin will turn back up somewhere, and when he does, the Wolf’s preset will be reset!
The Wolf has made the biggest mistake letting Tara and Justin go. Now I only listen for the music not the talk.
If anybody is wanting a good online country station that plays real texas country, like the old wolf that I loved, you should check out kvet.com. It’s an austin station that I found when I moved down here to go to school. I have never heard any other station that even comes close to comparing with this station. If you get the opportunity you should definitely check it out. They have a really good texas/local/red-dirt/outlaw show every night from 7-9 pm as well.
Misty has the absolute worse voice EVER for radio!! It’s awful! I now won’t even listen to the wolf, all my favorites are gone…
Justin and Tara were both tired acts and need to be put out to pasture. Time for new talent and new directions. That is what Cumulus is about.
We all must take vacation at the same time!! I absolutely adored Justin and Tara, and to find them MIA I felt as though I had lost a couple of long time friends. Justin always brought a laugh to my face on the long drive in to work everyday, and Tara always found a way to stand up to the guys. I now only listen to Chris when I know he will be airing the news. The new guys, well, I would rather boil in oil to have to sit through one of their shows. Poor Chris…