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KZZP (104-7 ZZP) – Phoenix – 12/20/99 – Karen Rite

December 23, 2016, 9:00 am
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During the 80’s, KZZP 104.7 FM in Phoenix was one of the most successful Mainstream CHR stations in the country. According to the station’s Wikipedia page, it “produced a long list of future stars in the radio business”, and offered a music mix that was adventurous for a Top 40 station. However, a combination of changes in personalities, management, and overall pop music tastes led to the station’s downfall (in April 1991).

Five years later, owner Nationwide Communications brought KZZP back to the airwaves with a Modern AC format, making an attempt to appeal to the listeners who grew up with the station as a CHR. The station performed well, ranking #1 in key demos by 1998. However, by that point, Jacor (now Clear Channel) had taken ownership of KZZP along with KGLQ (96.9). On Labor Day Weekend 1998, KGLQ inexplicably flipped to Hot AC as “Mix 96.9”, suddenly giving KZZP a direct competitor.

Not surprisingly, KZZP began to lose audience, almost forcing a format change. In February 1999, the station began including pop and rhythmic hits in its playlist, and had evolved to full-fledged Mainstream CHR by April.  This aircheck was recorded near the end of that year.

The new “104-7 ZZP” never really caught on — and so two years later, following a weekend of stunting with the song “Kiss” by Prince, KZZP relaunched as “104-7 Kiss-FM”, with a much more Rhythmic-oriented CHR approach.

The post KZZP (104-7 ZZP) – Phoenix – 12/20/99 – Karen Rite appeared first on FM Airchecks.

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WBBM-FM (B96) – Chicago – 12/24/96 – Brian Middleton

December 25, 2016, 2:31 pm
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During a significant portion of the 1990’s, B96 offered a dance music-heavy format focused on currents — making it one of the very few major market, full signal commercial stations in the U.S. to find success with that formula during that decade. This aircheck was recorded on Christmas Eve 1996 and features both regular and (midday) mixshow programming, all under the label of “The At Work Dance Party”.

The post WBBM-FM (B96) – Chicago – 12/24/96 – Brian Middleton appeared first on FM Airchecks.

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KPTY (Party Radio @ 103.9) – Phoenix – 12/30/99 – Dead Air Dave

December 28, 2016, 10:10 am
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In the late 1990’s and early 2000’s, 103.9 FM — which targeted the Phoenix area from rural/suburban signals –  held a number of different formats.

It began in the Spring of 1996 with a six-month Rhythmic Oldies stunt format named “S-T-E-V-E”.

On October 30th of that year, it officially signed on as “The New 103.9, Arizona’s Party Station”, with a hip-hop-oriented Rhythmic CHR format and enjoyed impressive ratings (especially considering the signal limitations).  Its target, the more dance/pop/R&B-oriented KKFR “Power 92”, took notice and transformed itself into a pure hip-hop/R&B station within 9 months.

A year later, 103.9 FM (whose calls had become KPTY) went in a completely different direction, offering a mix of alternative/modern rock and hip-hop in a format unofficially known as “Extreme CHR”, under the name “Party Radio @ 103.9”. (It eventually evolved to 100% alternative/modern rock.)

The station’s share of audience fell into the low 1’s. During the final week of 1999, KPTY began stunting with a variety of sound effects (as heard on this aircheck) implying that aliens were disrupting the signal in preparation to take over the station.

By New Years’ Eve, it became a continuous loop of “We Like To Party” by the Vengaboys. At 12 Noon on New Years’ Day, the station relaunched with the same moniker, call letters, and staff, but with the a teen act-intensive Rhythmic CHR format that was the antithesis of the previous Extreme Rock approach.

The post KPTY (Party Radio @ 103.9) – Phoenix – 12/30/99 – Dead Air Dave appeared first on FM Airchecks.

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WBBM-FM (B96) – Chicago – 12/31/97 (TOP 96 OF 1997) – Roxanne & Brian Middleton

December 29, 2016, 7:20 pm
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During a significant portion of the 1990′s, Chicago’s B96 offered a Dance music-heavy format focused on currents — making it one of the very few major market, full signal commercial stations in the U.S. to find success with that formula.

However, as reflected on this aircheck, by 1997 the station became more of a broad-based Rhythmic CHR, featuring less Dance hits and more R&B, hip-hop, and pop selections. Even a handful of rock-oriented tunes more common to Modern AC stations were featured on B96’s playlist.

The post WBBM-FM (B96) – Chicago – 12/31/97 (TOP 96 OF 1997) – Roxanne & Brian Middleton appeared first on FM Airchecks.

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KBZR (The New 103.9, Arizona’s Party Station) – Phoenix – 12/31/96 – Krazy Kid Stevens & Ruben S (END OF YEAR MIX)

December 31, 2016, 9:00 am
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For six months in 1996, KBZR (103.9 FM)/Coolidge, AZ offered one of the most creative stunts in radio history.  In between an automated Rhythmic Oldies format was a series of clever interstitials (voiced by station owner Jerry Clifton) indicating that the station was “moving in from the desert” (referring to a pending signal upgrade to allow for better coverage in the metro Phoenix area) and looking for someone — or something — named “Steve”.

On October 30 of that year, KBZR officially launched as “The New 103.9, Arizona’s Party Station”.  Featured on this aircheck is a sample of the outlet 2 months after its debut, as it offered end-of-year mixshow programming on the final day of 1996.

Please note that this aircheck is heavily scoped – I kept only the segments featuring songs that I personally liked. KBZR’s format was much more focused on hip-hop and R&B than this montage implies.

The post KBZR (The New 103.9, Arizona’s Party Station) – Phoenix – 12/31/96 – Krazy Kid Stevens & Ruben S (END OF YEAR MIX) appeared first on FM Airchecks.

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WJXY (Hot 93.9) – Myrtle Beach, SC – 1/1/01 – Frankie B

January 1, 2017, 11:00 am
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Notes:

– Contributor Robyn Watts provided the information shown below, following the publication of a different Hot 93 aircheck on this site.

– The logo shown above is representative of the station during its “Hot 100” days – the timeline is detailed below. A logo specific to “Hot 93” was not available at the time of publication.

Hot 93 was a CHR that Cumulus had signed on the air back in late 1998 and was actually 2 stations simulcasting each other (93.7 WXJY from Georgetown, SC and 93.9 WJXY is from Conway, SC). Both signals together covered the majority of the market adequately, but missed much of the north end of the Grand Strand. Around 2001, sister Classic Rock outlet WSEA (100.3) flipped to a simulcast of Hot 93, filling in the gaps in signal coverage and allowed the 93.9 signal to flip to Sports.

Despite the various tweaks in both signal and programming, Hot wasn’t able to beat heritage CHR Mix 97.7 (WXXM) in the ratings and eventually flipped to Hip-Hop/Urban as “Power 100″. Over Independence Day weekend 2010, Power 100 dropped its format for a second chance at CHR as “i-100″.

i-100, like Hot 93/Hot 100 before them, failed to make any inroads against Mix 97.7. So on March 5th, 2012, ESPN 93.9 (WJXY) was moved over to the stronger 100.3 signal, while 93.9 and 93.7 WXJY flipped to Hot AC as “Z-93”.

On February 1, 2013, both stations flipped once again to a Southern Rock/Country hybrid format known as “The Outlaw”.

 

 

The post WJXY (Hot 93.9) – Myrtle Beach, SC – 1/1/01 – Frankie B appeared first on FM Airchecks.

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JODW (76.1 InterFM) – Tokyo – 1/31/98 – K.C.

January 4, 2017, 9:00 am
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The majority of content on FMairchecks.com pertains to U.S. radio stations. However, we do offer a few exceptions, such as this sample of Tokyo’s long-running InterFM (on 76.1 at the time this aircheck was recorded, but now on 89.7 FM) . According to Wikipedia, this predominantly English language station “mirrors American FM radio style”. This is a sample of the station during mixshow programming themed as “The Jungle”.

While we don’t know the timeframe of if/when the station used them, artist Ben Folds included jingles he performed for InterFM on his 2010 B-Sides & Rarities Album “Songs For Goldfish” —

The post JODW (76.1 InterFM) – Tokyo – 1/31/98 – K.C. appeared first on FM Airchecks.

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WLDW (Wild 96.5) Philadelphia – late ’03/early ’04 – Jerry Clifton

January 5, 2017, 10:25 am
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Wild 96.5 WLDW Philadelphia Wired 96.5 WRDW-FM Beasley Barsky

With CBS Radio CHR “96.5 Amp Radio” WZMP Philadelphia flipping to Hot AC “Today’s 96.5” earlier today, we felt it would be appropriate to flash back to an amusing moment involving the same radio station.

This was an on-air announcement from consultant Jerry Clifton — featuring his uniquely sarcastic tone — stating that Clear Channel (owners of competitors WIOQ and WUSL) had threatened WLDW with a lawsuit if they didn’t stop using the word “Wild” (which Clear Channel had trademarked.)  Eventually, WLDW became WRDW to match “Wild” becoming “Wired”.

The post WLDW (Wild 96.5) Philadelphia – late ’03/early ’04 – Jerry Clifton appeared first on FM Airchecks.

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WWZZ/WWVZ (Z104) – Washington D.C. – 1/11/97 – Katie Maxwell

January 7, 2017, 8:00 am
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Quote 864 – Hong Kong – 1/10/97

January 10, 2017, 9:00 am
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FMAirchecks Radio Aircheck Audio 1980s 1990s 2000s

Most of the material on FMairchecks.com, to the surprise of no one we hope, was recorded from the FM band. The majority of the content here  also pertains to U.S. radio stations. Today’s posting is the exception on both accounts. This is a sample of Hong Kong’s “Quote 864”, recorded two decades ago.

There is minimal non-music material – what made this station stand out (at least in comparison to what’s found in the U.S.) was its relatively diverse music mix. The majority of this aircheck was recorded during a mixshow named, simply enough, “Mix Party”.

The post Quote 864 – Hong Kong – 1/10/97 appeared first on FM Airchecks.

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WPLY 100.3 (Y100) – Philadelphia – 1/12/97 – Lucy St. James

January 13, 2017, 9:30 am
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Y100 WPLY Philadelphia 100.3 Matt Cord Leanne Curtis Lee Ann Preston Elliot Steve Morrison Bret Hamilton Electra

Alternative Rock Radio in Philadelphia has always flowed differently than the majority of the country.

Thanks to the lack of a mainstream CHR for much of the 90’s and a very strong Howard Stern powered Active Rocker in 94 WYSP, Y100 had a broader demographic mix than most. Evolving from Hot AC in 1995, Y100 would not rise in popularity until crosstown 103.9 WDRE was sold to Radio-One and flipped to Urban in early 1997.

Y100 did have deficiencies in its signal especially in the northern suburbs due to being on the same frequency as Z100 New York which kept ratings low. The launch of Modern AC “Max 95.7” in September 1997 didn’t help nor did “Q102” finally filling the Mainstream CHR void. Y100 itself would be sold to Radio-One in December 1999 but would remain Alternative until 2005 due to its strong in-demo numbers and billing. It would meet its demise when morning hosts Preston & Steve left for crosstown 93.3 WMMR where they would quickly become the top music morning show in town following Howard Stern’s departure. Alternative Rock would not return to Philadelphia until 2007 when Clear Channel filled the void with “Radio 104.5” WRFF, which kept Y100’s female friendly approach to quickly become a Top 10 stalwart in the market.

The post WPLY 100.3 (Y100) – Philadelphia – 1/12/97 – Lucy St. James appeared first on FM Airchecks.

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KHTT (106.9 K-HITS) – Tulsa, OK – 1/25/97 – Maverick

January 15, 2017, 9:00 am
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“The only Tulsa radio station broadcasting from a porta potty in Broken Arrow…”.  106.9 K-Hits was one of my favorite CHRs of the mid-90’s. This montage was recorded a few months after the station moved back into a Mainstream CHR direction (with a Rhythmic lean), following a few years as an Adult CHR.

The post KHTT (106.9 K-HITS) – Tulsa, OK – 1/25/97 – Maverick appeared first on FM Airchecks.

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WXXY/WYXX (103.1 WXXY) – Chicago – 1/17/00 – Jeffrey Mason

January 17, 2017, 9:00 am
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Summary contributed by Jeffrey T. Mason:

I think I am qualified to give a summary of the 80’s Channel/Chicago sign-on, seeing that I was one of the folks who orchestrated it!

Contrary to popular belief, Big City Radio – not Chancellor Media – was the first company to debut a “Jammin’ Oldies” type format. It was not called “Jammin’ Oldies,” but “103.1FM, Chicago’s Heart & Soul.” They purchased WVVX/Highland Park and WJDK/Morris, both at 103.1 to create the simulcast. Call letters were changed to WXXY and WYXX. Due to a poor signal, and some bad judgment in their outdoor campaign (billboards placed in areas that could NOT receive the station), “Chicago’s Heart & Soul” didn’t see much success. It was definitely a valiant effort, however…with BCR hiring market veterans like Robert Murphy for mornings, and Fred Winston for afternoons.

In late 1998, Chancellor Media flipped WRCX (Rock 103.5) to “Chicago’s Jammin’ Oldies, 103-5 The Beat.” They offered to sell the rights to the entire WRCX format (including name, call letters, etc…) to BCR in exchange for Heart & Soul. BCR declined, and Chancellor did Jammin’ Oldies anyhow. With a full signal from downtown, it was a no-brainer who would prevail. So in early 1999, Chris Shebel (PD of sister 92.7 Kiss-FM) was named PD of WXXY/WYXX. Just as BCR signed on the first Jammin’ Oldies format, they also were the first to sign-on an “All 80’s” format. After about 6 months of planning, Heart & Soul ended it’s format at 12 noon on Thursday August 5, 1999. 24 hours of movie clips & TV theme songs from the 80’s followed. At 12 noon on Friday August 6, 1999…”The 80’s Channel – 103.1 WXXY” signed on the air. Robert Murphy, Dona Mullen & Fred Winston continued in their dayparts, and Jeffrey T. Mason was brought on-board from Kiss-FM as APD/MD and evening jock. Steve Davis from Zapoleon Media Strategies consulted.

What set this station apart from the other 80’s stations that followed (including ABC’s “94.7 The Zone”) was the musical direction and overall presentation. Most 80’s stations programmed a rock or new wave leaning format, with a very Gen-X sound. WXXY was straight down the middle CHR. The classic 1980’s JAM jingles and ballsy Eric Edwards sweepers were also VERY reminiscent of 1980’s Top 40 radio in Chicago.

The post WXXY/WYXX (103.1 WXXY) – Chicago – 1/17/00 – Jeffrey Mason appeared first on FM Airchecks.

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KMCK (Power 105.7) – Fayetteville, AR – 1/24/97 – Paul Garcia

January 20, 2017, 9:00 am
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WBPM (B94) * Kingston/Poughkeepsie, NY * 1/23/99

January 23, 2017, 11:00 am
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WBPM (B94) in New York’s Hudson Valley is one of the most unique stations I’ve ever heard. Musically, it offered an unfocused Rhythmic CHR format that featured many not-so-mainstream Dance selections.  Production-wise, it used dated jingles and sweepers — presumably from the station’s glory days in the 1980’s — voiced by the legendary Charlie Van Dyke.

The post WBPM (B94) * Kingston/Poughkeepsie, NY * 1/23/99 appeared first on FM Airchecks.

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CIMX (89X) – Windsor, ON / Detroit, MI – 1/29/92 – Skinner

January 26, 2017, 9:00 am
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WDRE (103-9 DRE) – Jenkintown/Philadelphia – 1/12/97

January 28, 2017, 9:00 am
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WBBM-FM (B96) – Chicago – 1/27/96 – Coco Cortez

January 31, 2017, 9:00 am
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During a significant portion of the 1990′s, B96 offered a dance music-heavy format focused on currents — making it one of the very few major market, full signal commercial stations in the U.S. to find success with that formula during that decade. This aircheck, recorded at the peak of that era, is a great example of why dance radio fanatics held the station in such high regard.

The post WBBM-FM (B96) – Chicago – 1/27/96 – Coco Cortez appeared first on FM Airchecks.

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95.9 WRED – Portland, ME – 2/8/97

February 5, 2017, 2:00 pm
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“Broadcasting from the top of America…”

According to Wikipedia, 95.9 WRED was a Mainstream CHR for least of the 1990’s. At some point,  it moved in a more hip-hop/rhythmic direction and remained that way until adopting a Sports format in August 2008.

This aircheck was recorded during the syndicated “Hot Mix” program, but still gives a good idea of the station’s air talent and imaging.

The post 95.9 WRED – Portland, ME – 2/8/97 appeared first on FM Airchecks.

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WIOQ (Q102) – Philadelphia – 2/26/97 – Billy Hammond

February 8, 2017, 10:15 am
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“Q102, The Beat of Philadelphia” (102.1 WIOQ) on a Wednesday night during its Dance-leaning CHR days in the mid to late 90’s.  The station was a favorite among U.S. dance radio enthusiasts (such as yours truly) at this time.

As a side note, while I loved the format, I wasn’t a fan of the station’s production values at this time. It just seems like they were trying too hard to make the station sound “hip”, for lack of a better term.  Just the humble opinion of your Webmaster!

The post WIOQ (Q102) – Philadelphia – 2/26/97 – Billy Hammond appeared first on FM Airchecks.

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