The Beat Goes On: Jacinda Returns to Charlotte Radio

Like many of her Facebook friends and followers, I learned on Thursday that Jacinda Garabito will be returning to Charlotte radio. Thousands of local listeners were angered and upset when Jacinda was let go this spring from 96.1 The Beat's A.M. Mayhem morning show. Now they'll be happy to know that starting this Monday (August 16), they'll be able to tune in weekdays, 1-3 p.m., and listen to Just Jacinda on WGIV 103.3 FM.

Jacinda will host the two-hour show, playing old-school R&B and interluding periodically for some short conversation. She says as the show grows, she'll get more talk time, but in the beginning it'll be led by the music. She'll come on daily before The BJ Murphy Show, which is led by the local radio legend who's probably most remembered from his years on The Breakfast Brothers Morning Show on Charlotte's Power 98 FM in the 1990s and early 2000s. If you want to learn more about Jacinda's show, read about it on her blog.

Jacinda pictured here from Charlotte magazine's 2009 Best of the Best issue.

I happen to run into Jacinda at an event at Chima Thursday night and while talking to her, I could tell she was genuinely excited about her new radio opportunity. I told her I know she'll do well because she developed a loyal following while at The Beat, and that many of those people will want to check her out in her new gig. In fact, I told her, one of the most popular search phrases that draws people to this blog is "where did Jacinda from 96.1 The Beat go" (or some variation of it).

For those of you not familiar with WGIV, it's an historical, independently owned radio station that dates back to the 1940s. Throughout most of its history, its been a gospel and inspirational talk station on the AM dial (1370 AM, where it can still be heard), but it recently adopted the FM frequency (103.3 FM) and has been transitioning to a largely old-school R&B format. The station is also giving many talented local personalities a home, as is the case with Jacinda, BJ, and Tonya Rivens (formerly a host on V101.9 and Praise 100.9). WGIV also broadcasts Warren Ballentine's syndicated show weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon. You can listen to the station live online at www.wgiv.net.

UPDATE: Jacinda is now the afternoon traffic reporter at WBTV. Click here to read her bio.