97X - Rumblings from the Big Bush

Doug and Linda Balogh: The First Family of 97X

Doug and Linda Balogh bought 97.7 FM in Oxford, Ohio in July of 1981, adjusted the format to modern rock in September of 1983, and spent 23 years giving their heart and soul to a "mom and pop" radio station. 97X's signal was tiny, but its impact was mighty, and Doug and Linda guided it every step of the way. In the first of a multi-part interview, Dave and Damian talk to Doug and Linda about why they got into the radio game in the first place, and the station's formative early years.

Dan Bockrath: Our CityBeat Buddy

Dayton native Dan Bockrath left San Diego in the mid-90s, returning to southwest Ohio and joining forces with editor John Fox to launch CityBeat, Cincinnati's alternative weekly newspaper. One of the first media partnerships they formed was with 97X, because championing local music, arts and culture was their raison d'êtra and 97X listeners were open-minded and adventurous. We talk to Dan about that synergy, CityBeat's sponsorship of Midpoint Music Festival (MPMF), and his ongoing love affair with live music in local clubs.

Terry Burke: from Screed 'zine to Master of Puppets

In the mid-80s, Terrence Burke came to Cincinnati from Boston, where he was weaned on a steady diet of Beantown's finest alternative/indie/college rock stations. He quickly discovered 97X and was hooked. After a few years back in Boston, he returned to Cincinnati in 1993 and was so enamored with how the Cincinnati/Dayton music community had blossomed that he published a 'zine about it called Screed. (He made several appearances on 97X's Local Lixx during this time.) Terry also hosted a show at WAIF and worked at CD World, so he was fully immersed in the music scene. After his father passed away suddenly in 2001, Terrence decided to pursue his life's calling of bringing joy to kids via his Wump Mucket Puppets shows. Terry's a DIY guy to the core, and it was a real treat to catch up with him. 
[Visit 97Xbam.com for bonus content, including photos, videos, and the audio recording of Terry's guest appearance on a Local Lixx show in 1996, featuring songs from Brainiac, Throneberry, The Wolverton Brothers and Stitch.] 

Stase: A credit to middays

Stase worked weekends at 97X in 1995-96, and then handled the midday shift in 1997. She got the gig partly due to the fact that her previous job was working alongside Rictile (in his side hustle) at GE Credit... and partly because she went to the same high school as 97X co-owner Doug Balogh. But what sealed the deal was her effervescent personality, which remains intact 25 years later. We chat with Stase about the party patio, unbreakable piñatas, the Michigan Mafia and pandemic parenting. 

Brian Ewing - an Overnight Success

Brian Ewing spent the early to mid-90s on the air at 97X, including three full years doing the overnight shift, which surely must be a record for "the cave." During that same time, he was also playing in the local band Messerly & Ewing, so music ruled his life. We talk to Brian about his 97X days, including party patio drunks, open mike nights, long-distance tea-making, and rocking the vote. 

Dorsie Fyffe: the Freest of Free Spirits

Dorsie Fyffe worked at 97X from 1993 to 1998, eventually winding up as Music Director (nominated by Billboard Magazine for "Music Director of the Year") and afternoon host. During that same era, he led the local band Johnny Smoke, and lived with Tim Taylor, lead singer of Brainiac, and Dave Doughman of Swearing at Motorists. Since then, much like Johnny Cash, he's "been everywhere, man" - San Francisco, Seattle, Kansas, Austin, Los Angeles. But he's still rockin'. We chat with Dorsie about his 97X days and his new Cincinnati-via-California band Beverly Hills Supper Club.  

More Mark Messerly

We continue our conversation with Mark Messerly, a key player in the Cincinnati music scene. In this episode, he talks about the genius of his Wussy bandmates Chuck Cleaver and Lisa Walker, and pays tribute to John Erhardt, who passed away earlier this year. We also talk about his tour blogging (Robert Christgau loves it and we do too!), his day job as a music teacher... and Superchunk.

Mark Messerly: Music maker for life

Mark Messerly has been a key player in the Cincinnati music scene for decades, and he's still going strong. Mark was the longtime co-leader of Messerly & Ewing, which won 97Xposure in 2002, and he joined Wussy as their bassist that same year when they expanded from a duo to a full band. He also released a 2018 album under the INERT moniker, and teaches music in the Cincinnati Public Schools district. In this first of a two-part interview, we talk to Mark about INERT, the perks of winning 97Xposure, and what 97X meant to local bands (and true music fans). 

Dan McCabe: Cincinnati's premier promoter of indie music

From 1991-1999, Dan McCabe booked local and national bands (and tended bar, and cleaned the washing machines) at the late, great Sudsy Malone's on Short Vine, fronting his own money to book the national acts. Decades later, he's still promoting great live music, as co-owner of MOTR Pub and The Woodward Theater in Over-the-Rhine. Dan shares some amazing memories from his Sudsy's days (Morphine, Jesus Lizard, Mercury Rev... and Reverend blood on the sidewalk), and talks about why indie venues are crucial to up-and-coming bands.
MOTR and The Woodward, like many indie venues across the country, have been shuttered by COVID-19 and need our help. All of us can #SaveOurStages by taking action (writing congresspeople, donating to an indie venue emergency relief fund, etc.) at NIVAssoc.org. 
(This episode also features special guest appearances from Rictile and Howard Cohen.) 

Tina Christina: a Radio Lifer

Tina Christina was on the air at 97X for more than a decade (1991-2003), doing weekend shifts, then overnights, and eventually middays with her distinctive New York accent. She's still in the radio biz... although she goes by a different name these days. We talk to Tina about her 97X memories, which include barking dogs, sleeping on the air, Bogart's stage fright, and a decoration from Cake.