Indiana RadioWatch: October 16, 2017
Let's break from our usual region by region look:
In a story you'll first read here, iHeartMedia adds a new PD for their Urban/WZRL (98.3fm, Plainfield): Bo Money. Mr. Money will also be regional Urban PD along with afternoons on "Real 983." Mr. Money last worked for iHeart, programming KQBT in the Houston, Texas market.
Northeast
Where Are They Now? Former Country/WBTU GM J.R. Greeley now serves as GM and Director of Sales for the Cherry Creek Media radio stations in Williston, North Dakota and Sidney, Montana.
Northcentral
Our best wishes to Mark Parren, southwest Michigan stringer at Sinclair's CBS affiliate WSBT-TV (Channel 22, South Bend). Mr. Parren lost his home after it caught fire over the weekend.
Northwest
Update: For $608,000, Woof Boom Radio will purchase WKHL (106.7fm, West Lafayette) from Educational Media Foundation. Woof Boom owns a cluster in the Muncie/Anderson market, and recently entered a TBA with a Lima, Ohio cluster. Once the sale closes, Woof Boom Radio Lafayette will own 90% with managing partner Jim Ducey ("Jim Stone") owning 10%. Mr. Ducey will become GM of WKHL. Woof Boom president J Chapman and Mr. Ducey worked together at Maverick Media in Rockford, Illinois. Mr. Chapman was GM and Mr. Ducey was OM. Finally, the broker on the sale of WKHL to Woof Boom: Jon Yinger of Broadcast Properties LLC.
The FCC denies a second application by Indiana Community Radio Corp. application for WCNB (91.5fm, Dayton) to move their tower site. This application proposed a tower site near IN-28, southeast of Lafayette. The FCC denied this application because of contour overlap with Fountain Warren Community Radio's Variety/WFWR (91.5fm, Attica).
Central
In the 1980s, WFBQ (94.7fm, Indianapolis) routinely lead ratings and revenue, largely based on the success of The Bob and Tom Show, hosted by Bob Kevoian and Tom Griswold. Among many people Bob and Tom could thank for their success would be their GM through much of the 1980s: Chris Wheat.
Mr. Wheat passed away last Friday at age 66. After graduating from The University of Cincinnati, Mr. Wheat worked in Cincinnati radio for Taft Broadcasting, becoming Sales Manager. After leaving the Queen City, Mr. Wheat worked also for Taft in Tampa, Florida, and an over two decade run at Clear Channel in Indianapolis. While at Clear Channel, his stations won 9 Marconi awards. Mr. Wheat also was president of Radio Broadcasters of Indianapolis. After leaving Clear Channel, Mr. Wheat ran the Entercom/Norfolk, Virginia cluster, then back to Indianapolis at Cumulus' cluster on North Shadeland Avenue for nearly five years, and then became GM for Saga's cluster in Asheville, North Carolina. Mr. Wheat retired in 2015.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00pm on Monday October 23 at Madeira-Silverwood Presbyterian Church, 8000 Miami Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45243. Burial will be private.
This Week in Indiana Radio History
Sign-on dates seem to be a prickly matter, subject to great debate, and mostly impossible to confirm. If there's something we need to add to the "calendar," please let us know. Please e-mail us if you have updated information.
October 15: In 1942, WOWO-FM signed on at 44.9 megacycles with 1000 watts. WOWO-FM broadcast with a limited schedule, not 24 hours a day/7 days a week. In 1960, both 89.5fm in Franklin (WFCI) and 96.1fm in Richmond sign on (WGLM). WFCI remains so today, while 96.1fm, Richmond became WQLK. In 1968, 102.3fm in Martinsville signed on as WCBK-FM, and remains so today. In 1983, both 98.3fm in Earl Park (WIBN) (and later moved to 98.1fm), and Channel 19 in Madisonville, Kentucky sign on (WLCN). In 1984, both 102.3fm in New Carlisle (WLPZ) and 107.9fm in Indianapolis sign on (WTPI). 102.3fm, New Carlisle is now WYET, while 107.9fm, Indianapolis is now WNTR.
October 16: In 1989, 103.7fm in Royal Center signed on as WHZR, and remains so today. In 2000, WRSW(AM) (1480am, Warsaw) flips format from Rock to ESPN Sports.
October 17: In 2016, WSMM (102.3fm, New Carlisle) flipped formats from Classic Hits to all 1980s music at Noon.
October 19: In 2011, former then-WIAN(FM) (90.1fm, Indianapolis) GM (1958 until 1986) Art Van Allen dies (Age 81).
October 20: In 2014, WKUZ (95.9fm, Wabash) dropped its AC format and flipped to a country music format.
October 21: In 1962, 100.5fm in Kokomo signed on as WFKO. Today, it's WWKI. In 2016, WBAA (920am, West Lafayette) added an FM translator (W290CM) at 105.9fm.
That's all for this issue. Thank you for your continued support.
Blaine Thompson
Indiana RadioWatch
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