Get ready for a blast from the past, Charlotte! Fred is back on the airwaves, and this time, he’s taking over mornings on Hits 96.1. Starting Monday, January 5, iHeartMedia’s CHR station, Hits 96.1 (WHQC), will bring the beloved ‘Fred Show’ to listeners in Shelby and Charlotte, NC. But here’s where it gets exciting: this isn’t Fred’s first rodeo in the Queen City. Before making waves in Chicago as the morning host of ‘103.5 Kiss-FM’ (WKSC), Christopher ‘Fred’ Frederick was a local favorite, hosting ‘Brotha Fred’s AM Mayhem’ on what was then known as ‘96.1 The Beat’ (WIBT) and later ‘Channel 96.1’ (WHQC). And this is the part most people miss—Fred’s connection to Charlotte runs even deeper. He’s also a co-host of ‘The Edge’ on WCCB-TV, a show he helped relaunch earlier this year after a successful run from 2007 to 2010. With his return to Hits 96.1, Fred adds Charlotte to his growing list of syndication markets, which already includes Minot, ND; Norfolk, VA; Raleigh, NC; Salt Lake City, UT; West Palm Beach, FL; and Chicago. But here’s where it gets controversial: can Fred’s high-energy style and local roots recapture the magic in a rapidly changing radio landscape? iHeartMedia certainly thinks so—they’ve signed him to a contract extension through 2030, a bold move that underscores their confidence in his staying power. As Fred takes the mic once again, one thing’s for sure: mornings in Charlotte are about to get a whole lot livelier. What do you think? Is Fred’s return a welcome homecoming, or is the radio game too different now? Let us know in the comments!
