WGRR

Infobox_Radio_station
name = WGRR


city = Hamilton, Ohio
area = Cincinnati, Ohio
branding = 103.5 WGRR
slogan = Cincinnati's Greatest Hits
frequency = 103.5 (MHz)
format = Classic Hits
erp = 11,000 watts
haat = 316 meters
class = B
facility_id = 72126
callsign_meaning = Great Rock and Roll
former_callsigns = WHOH, WYCH, WOKV, WBLZ
owner = Cumulus Media
sister_stations = WRRM, WFTK
webcast = [http://uni1.susq.streamaudio.com/WGRR_FM Listen Live]
website = [http://www.wgrr.com/ www.wgrr.com]

WGRR is a Classic Hits radio station in the Cincinnati, Ohio market (Arbitron #28) on the FM dial at 103.5, owned by Cumulus Media. Its sister stations are WRRM-FM (Warm 98) and WFTK-FM (96 Rock, Cincinnati's Pure Rock)

History

Originally WHOH (Hamilton's FM sister to WMOH) when founded in the 1950s by Fort Hamilton Broadcasting which aired middle of the road and beautiful music through the 1960s. In 1973 the calls were changed to WYCH and again in 1978 to WOKV playing soft rock until a format switch to all disco in 1979. As disco lost steam in the 80s,it switched to contemporary rock in early 1981 only to switch again to Urban Contemporary by years end as WBLZ.That format and call sign remained until 1990.

WGRR began broadcasting in January 1990 as Cincinnati's first FM oldies station, Oldies 103.5. The lineup then was Ken Matthews (morning drive), Tony Michaels and Gina Ruffin Moore (news), Toni Mason (traffic) Steve Allan (program director and late mornings), John Hall (production director and early afternoons), Marty "with the Party" Thompson (assistant program director and afternoon drive), "Rockin' Ron" Schumacher (nights) and "Slim" Kim Karson (overnights). J.D. Hughes stayed at WGRR after its transformation from urban WBLZ to work weekends, and remains affiliated with the station.

The current lineup at WGRR consists of Chris O'Brien and Janeen Coyle ("Married with Microphones") mornings with news and traffic from Angie Irick, Rockin' Ron Schumacher middays, Keith Mitchell afternoons, Steve Mann nights and Scott Hurst overnights. WGRR has been home to many popular local air personalities, among them Jim "The Music Professor" Labarbara, voted by his peers as one of the Top 40 radio personalities of all time. Jim is also a member of the Rock Jock Hall of Fame and was inducted into the Ohio Radio/Television Broadcasters Hall of Fame. He was replaced in early 2007 by current program director Keith Mitchell, formerly PD of WMOJ-FM (Mojo 94.9).

WGRR was formerly owned by CBS Radio, and was sold to Entercom Communications on August 21 2006, along with CBS Radio's other Cincinnati stations. Entercom then traded the station to Cumulus Media Partners in exchange for the frequency 94.9 FM and WYGY. This leaves Entercom with two country stations (WUBE and WYGY), and Cumulus with two adult-oriented stations (WGRR and Warm 98 (WRRM), along with 96 Rock, Cincinnati's Pure Rock station.:"More information: 2006 Cincinnati radio station reorganization."

In early 2007, WGRR adopted a new logo to reflect its updated format, which shifted from "Oldies" to "Classic Hits."

ource

* [http://home.cinci.rr.com/cincyradio/history.html Greater Cincinnati Radio Guide]

External links

* [http://www.wgrr.com WGRR Website]
*FMQ|WGRR
*FML|WGRR
*FMARB|WGRR