Fox morning team at classic rock station is out

By Jeff Maisey

Correspondent

Big shakeup at classic rock radio station WAFX 106.9 The Fox.

Following last Friday's morning drive broadcast of "The John & Nikki Show," comedic co-hosts John Reynolds and Nikki Reed were let go because of what station General Manager Dave Paulus described as "economics - mostly - and a lack of success in Arbitron ratings."

Reynolds and Reed were teamed 13 months ago in the all-important morning shift. Reed had previously worked as the "news chick" in the mornings with Tommy and Rumble, on sister station WNOR FM99.

"We had a feeling this was going to happen," said Reed, who hinted to The Virginian-Pilot before the recent Journey concert that a major shift was imminent due to poor ratings. "My listeners were my therapists. I rant, they listened and sometimes gave advice. I owe at least 27 of them a $20 co-payment."

Replacing Reynolds and Reed will be longtime midday disc jockey Mike Arlo.

"We think having Arlo in the morning will be huge," said Program Director Mike Beck. "People want a familiar and positive experience in mornings, and no one fits that bill better than Mike Arlo."

He will take over the morning reins Tuesday. His shift will change from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to the new weekday morning schedule of 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. This will allow him to maintain the hugely popular listener request program known as "The Electric Lunch."

"It's tradition," said Beck. "This is the best of both worlds: Mike Arlo and great classic hits in the morning and in the midday."

If The Fox could clone Mike Arlo, it probably would.

In the studio

Lamb of God is recording its next studio album. Tracks are being laid down at two undisclosed locations.

The Richmond-based extreme metal band includes former Williamsburg area guitarist Mark Morton and singer Randy Blythe, who lived in Chesapeake and attended the Governor's School for the Arts in Norfolk.

Publicist Maria Ferrero said they are trying to keep things quiet, so they aren't giving details on the recording sessions.

A million and one

Norfolk rapper Brick Saavy will perform "Poverty's Paradise" on Saturday as part of the Million DJ March on the National Mall in Washington.

Young rockers

Two groups of students from the Newport News-based Academy of Rock Music will perform Saturday as part of the Verizon Wireless American Music Festival in Virginia Beach. Each will play a 20-minute set as opening acts for Warrant and Revery.

Born to run

Local bands again will provide inspirational music along the 13.1-mile route for Sunday's Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon in Virginia Beach.

A total of 23 acts, including WAVA, Nature's Child, Element and Downside, will perform at scheduled times ranging from 6:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Numerous bands have said they stay up all night to meet the setup times. Both runners and band members may be running on empty by the end of the race.

Jeff Maisey, (757) 222-3934, jmaisey@pilotonline.com