W251AO

Infobox Radio station
name = W251AO


city =
area = Asheville
branding = 98.1 The River
slogan = "Different is good"
airdate = Oct. 1, 2008
frequency = 98.1 FM
format = Triple-A
power =
erp =
class =
callsign_meaning =
former_callsigns =
owner = Saga Communications
sister_stations = WOXL-FM, WTMT, WISE
webcast =
website = http://981theriver.com/
affiliations =

W251AO 98.1 the River is a Triple-Ahttp://www.triplearadio.com/news/index.php#ashevillesignon, Retrieved on 2008/10/02.] low-wattage radio station in Asheville, North Carolina. It is operated by Asheville Radio Group, owner of WOXL-FM, WISE and WTMTTony Kiss, "New Radio Station on the Air," "Asheville Citizen-Times", October 1, 2008.] . In addition to the over-the-air signal, The River is also heard on WOXL's second HD Radio channel, where it began. Originally, The River was a translator for WISE [http://www.radioandrecords.com/RRWebSite/Format_RoomPage.aspx?FormatID=13, Retrieved on 2008/10/02.] .

The River signed on October 1, 2008, with 10,000 songs in a row. Artists include Dave Matthews, Bob Marley, Van Morrison, Elvis Costello, Indigo Girls, R.E.M., U2, Norah Jones and Jack Johnson as well as less familiar performers such as Ray LaMontagne, Sara Bareilles, The John Butler Trio, My Morning Jacket, G. Love & Special Sauce and Ingrid Michaelson. [http://www.mountainx.com/ae/2008/new_radio_station_geared_toward_asheville_listeners_launches_october_1, Retrieved on 2008/10/02.] [http://www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=913225, Retrieved on 2008/10/02.] .

General manager Bob Bolak described the station as being designed for those who do not like radio. Listeners of The River, he said, want quality music, both old and new. Brad Savage of WCNR in Charlottesville, Virginia acted as consultant. The first songs played were "Take Me To The River" by the Talking Heads, "Radio Nowhere" by Bruce Springsteen and R.E.M.'s "It's The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)."

References

External links

* [http://981theriver.com/ official website]
*FMQ|W251AO
*FML|W251AO
*FMARB|W251AO