Indiana RadioWatch: March 22, 2008
Northeast
After just under two years in the PD chair at Summit City Radio's Rhythmic CHR/WNHT (96.3fm, Churubusco), Vince Wilson ("Mojo" to his listeners) exits. Wilson was also half of the "Wild Wakeup Show with Shady and Mojo." Phil
"Shady" Spencer continues solo while also taking Wilson's PD duties, in the interim.
At Auburn's AC/WFGA (106.7fm, Hicksville, Ohio), Jeff DeWeese takes multiple hats: APD/MD, Production Director, and an afternoon 2pm - 7pm on-air shift on "Froggy 106.7." DeWeese is no stranger to amphibious radio stations,
having last worked at AC/WLEG (102.7fm, Ligonier). (While it looks like "Froggy 102.7" has call letters that have a frog [leg] relation, the WLEG calls really mean Ligonier, Elkhart, and Goshen, but who said call letters can't
have a double meaning?)
Where Are They Now? A TV "WATN" today, as former CBS affiliate WANE (Channel 15/DT31) News Director Rick Moll is now News Director for CBS/FOX duopoly WMBD/WYZZ in Peoria, Illinois.
Northcentral
On Thursday 20 March, Larko Communications' Hot AC/WLZQ (101.1fm, South Whitley) changed calls to WMYQ, and is now known on-air as "My Q101." Larko's other station - Oldies/WBZQ (1300am, Huntington) remains unchanged.
On Monday 10 March, Jim Irizarry arrived in Middays (as "Maximus") at Rock/WRBR (103.9fm, South Bend). He was last "Chris Cord" in afternoons at AC/WFGA (106.7fm, Hicksville, Ohio)
On Monday 11 February, Urban AC/WUBU (106.3fm, South Bend) added Doug Banks in afternoons (3pm - 7pm).
After four and a half years, Dee Daly exits as morning co-host at Talking Stick's Classic Hits/WRSW-FM (107.3fm, Warsaw). Dan Daggett continues solo, in mornings.
Eastcentral
At Backyard Broadcasting's Classic Rock duo WHTI/WHTY (96.7fm, Alexandria; 93.5fm, Hartford City), Randy Rankin takes mornings, replacing Bryon Maddox ("Brian Thomas" to his listeners). The new morning show is called "The Maximum
Music Morning Show."
On Tuesday 11 March, Educational Media Foundation signs WKMV (88.3fm, Muncie) on the air with its K-LOVE format.
Central
A tip of the IRW cap to Carmel High School station WHJE (91.3fm, Carmel) as they won "High School Radio Station of the Year" honors in the annual competition of the Indiana Association of School Broadcasters. This is the first
time WHJE has won Station of the Year with faculty advisor and station manager Brian Spilbeler at the helm.
Westcentral
Crossroads Communications' Sports/WBOW (1300am, Terre Haute) was knocked off the air in mid-February due to flooding at its transmitter site. Thanks to a rescue squad ferrying station engineers via boat to the transmitter site,
the station was soon back on the air. As for programming, an online feed was available, and the ever important high school basketball games were moved to sister Country-Rock/WSDM-FM (92.7fm, Brazil).
Southeast
A most interesting situation last month at Country stations WSCH/WXCH (99.3fm, Aurora; 103.1fm, Versailles). The Brantley Broadcasting stations found themselves in the middle of an important news story: A downtown Lawrenceburg
fire, mere yards from the studios and offices. Marty Pieratt, and Bob Shannon were live on the air, while Mike Perleberg was live across the street with the firemen. The fire destroyed three buildings and damaged four others.
Station owner Marty told industry publication Inside Radio: "This couldn't have been done with a studio 40 miles away. Maybe our industry can survive if we can offer something XM, iPods, and phones can't. We sure as heck
were relevant to folks."
Matt Hahn is now GM at Religious/WAYI (104.3fm, Charlestown).
Southwest
After a six and a half year LMA with Dave Crooks' DLC Media, Inc., we have a sale of Standards/WAMW (1580am, Washington) and Classic Hits/WAMW-FM (107.9fm, Washington). Greene Electronics has sold the station to DLC Media. In a
press release, Dave Crooks said: "We've had a great partnership with Bill Greene. He worked hard to create Washington's local radio stations and we wish him well on his retirement." In that same press release, William Greene
said: "I'm proud of our local stations and feel they will continue to operate in the communities' interest." Greene purchased WAMW from the Vincennes University Foundation in 1987, while he built WAMW-FM, which began programming
on 20 November 1989.
Regent Communications is moving its stations (WKDQ/WJLT/WGBF/WGBF-FM/WDKS) from 1133 Lincoln Avenue to a former automobile dealership building at Fifth and Walnut Streets in downtown Evansville. Regent GM Mark Thomas tells
The Evansville Courier Press' Carol Wersich that the cost for renovating the new location will exceed $1 million.
Where Are They Now? Another TV "WATN" as former NBC affiliate WFIE-TV (Channel 14/DT46, Evansville) News Director Bill Cummings is now a regional sales manager with Huntsville, Alabama-based Baron Services.
This Week in Indiana Radio History
March 23: In 1992, 101.9fm, Brownsburg signed on. Today, it's WKLU. In 1996, Chris Underwood did his last live overnight shift at Fort Wayne's WOWO, as it was ending its transition from an AC music format to its current
News/Talk format.
March 24: In 1994, the former WJLT became WLDE in Fort Wayne. This was the station in the early 1990's that aired multiple versions of "Louie, Louie" at part of a transition stunt between beautiful music and oldies.
March 25: In 1998, Dude Walker returned to Fort Wayne's Country/WQHK-FM (105.1fm), where he remains part of the morning show.
March 26: In 1996, Paul Phillips moves to nights at News-Talk /WOWO (1190am, Fort Wayne). In 2004, Bob Swinehart left as GSM of Fort Wayne's Country/WQHK-FM and is now Director of Sales in Peoria, Illinois for Regent
Communications.
March 27: In 1996, at Midnight, WQHK (1380am, Fort Wayne) flipped formats from Country and Western to Standards. They soon adopted the calls WHWD ("Radio Hollywood") but are now back to the original calls that 1380am signed on
with in 1947 - WKJG. Also, in 2001, there was a very stupid stunt done on a radio station somewhere in Indiana, which resulted in a DJ being fired. IRW points this out as a reminder for those stations planning April Fools
stunts.
March 28: In 1948, 1450am, Fort Wayne signed on. Today, it's WLYV. In 2000, Indianapolis' Classic Rock/WNAP (93.1fm) flipped formats to CHR. Today, it's WIBC.
March 29: In 1922, WOH radio signed on in Indianapolis, sharing time with WLK. Both stations signed off in 1923. In 1999, Mike Shannon and Deb Millard debuted in mornings at Oldies/WGTO (910am, Cassopolis, Michigan).
That's it for this issue. Until next week...
Back to the Archive Index
All pages Copyright Blaine Thompson. Articles, photos, corrections, and
other contributions should be e-mailed to the editors.