105.9 The X alt-rock countdown returns over Fourth of July weekend
As the WDVE countdown of 500 songs has become synonymous with Memorial Day weekend, WXDX-FM 105.9, known as The X, hopes to claim Fourth of July for its 420 list of music.
“If you are going to a Fourth of July party you can put on ‘The X’ and you will have music as well as a conversation starter about songs in the countdown,” said Abby Krizner, the program director. “It can become the holiday to celebrate Independence Day, listen to great tunes, and talk about where a song falls on the list. Everyone is invited to this party.”
For the second year in a row, the station, which is celebrating its 25th year, will count down the top 420 rock and alternative tunes from the 1990s.
Listeners can tune in to see if last year’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana will defend its No. 1 title. Rounding out the top five were “Under the Bridge” by the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Pearl Jam’s “Jeremy,” “Plush” by Stone Temple Pilots and “Buddy Holly” by Weezer.
Last year’s list can be found here.
“There will be some fun surprises for sure this year,” said Abby Krizner, a musician herself who started at The X as a part-time disc jockey.
The station will post the full list at the end of the event on the website. Songs were compiled in conjunction with suggestions from listeners and research by the station’s employees.
Krizner said the real-time interaction between listeners and disc jockeys via social media during the countdown is entertaining. The iHeart Radio app connects the station to people from all over the world.
Throughout the weekend, the station will be posting pictures from the 1990s of former events on its social media platforms.
The countdown will kick off at 9 a.m. on Friday until 10 p.m. It will continue from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday and start at 10 a.m., wrapping up “around fireworks time,” said Krizner.
“Last year was our first year and it was fun and overwhelming,” she said. “We were pleasantly surprised by how it was received. We love that people love to listen and are as passionate about music as we are. Talk of the DVE Memorial Day 500 definitely came up in the meeting when we decided to do this. We like to think of ourselves as DVE’s little sister … and that we tend to misbehave a little more.”
JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a TribLive reporter covering the region's diverse culinary scene and unique homes. She writes features about interesting people. The Edward R. Murrow award-winning journalist began her career as a sports reporter. She has been with the Trib for 26 years and is the author of "A Daughter's Promise." She can be reached at jharrop@triblive.com.
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