I remember November 1, 1996 at 2PM very well. I was driving north on the Maine Turnpike from Saco, having just left my job at another radio station to work at a brand new radio one in Portland that was going to be called Q 97-dot-9.

I remember the meeting on Halloween night with all the new staff when we were told that Top 40 was coming back to Portland. At 2PM the next day, The Ocean 97.9 was going to become Q97.9, Portland's hit music station.

I remember hearing my boss, Tim Moore and co-owner J.J. Jeffrey come on the air to launch the station as I drove as fast as I could to get to the studios on Warren Avenue in Portland.

I remember being younger than Brittany when I started here. That's me, second from the left with Lisa Loeb and Dweezil Zappa in 1998. I wish I still had all that hair.

Q 1997 2
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The others from left to right are Keith Scott who did nights at the Q, me, Tim Moore the program director who launched the Q and the man who hired me, Meredith, Kramer, and Mike Adams our head of promotions. Mike and I were both there 24 years ago when this all started.

I would have never imagined that I would find the success I have in my profession at one radio station for 24 years. The Q and I are still going strong thanks to listeners like you. I can't thank you enough for what you've given me.

To celebrate Q97.9's birthday, here's a listen back at what "The New" Q97.9 sounded like when it hit the airwaves in 1996 and the first four songs we played.

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