Articles

Tracey Lee helps fill R&B void

Category: Entertainment Published on Thursday, 08 October 2009 12:21 Written by Ashley N. Johnson - Courier Staff Writer

With the sale of WAMO, there definitely has been a void when it comes to having a station that plays the R&B hits that everyone loves, but the void is no longer. Last week, Pittsburgh’s WLTJ-Q92.9 FM launched a new nightly radio show, “Q in the City” with host Tracey Lee.

TRACEY LEE

From 9 p.m.-12 a.m., Sundays through Fridays, 92.9 features nothing but R&B from artists such as Tina Turner, Luther Vandross, the O’Jays, Earth Wind and Fire and more.

“The station was looking to fill a void that had been left with the sale of WAMO. We play a lot of the favorite R&B hits,” Lee, a former program director and host for WAMO-AM, said. She also added, that some of the artists played, have already been on the station’s regular rotation.

Q92.9, is owned and operated by local company, Steel City Media. General manager Gregg Frischling said, “This is a great example of a local company reacting to a community’s need.”

Since the show’s premiere a week ago, Lee said she has received positive feedback. “A lot of people say they love it. It has been well received. Now it is about getting the word out about the show.”

One would think that coming from a station that is has a predominantly Black audience, to one that has a predominately White audience would be hard, but Lee says, “There really is no difference between 92.9 and WAMO. They are both about creating good music and staying connected with the community. Plus, like WAMO, 92.9 is also locally owned and operated.”

Lee is originally from Philadelphia, but has been in Pittsburgh for more than 10 years. Besides WAMO, she has worked at Harrisburg’s The Touch 1400 AM and WNNK-FM Wink 104.

Along with the new show, Q92.9 is also promoting their urban HD radio station on WLTJ-HD2, which can be found on HD radio. The station plays the music found on “Q in the City,” but is available all the time, not just for three hours. The station has been around for three years and Lee says now the station is focusing on getting more HD radios on the street.

HD radio allows AM and FM radio stations to broadcast their programs digitally and gives better sound and makes more stations available to listeners, without having to pay for a subscription.

There may not be another WAMO, but those craving the R&B hits now have their fix.