WWBN

Infobox Radio station
name = WWBN


city = Tuscola, Michigan
area = [http://www.radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/pat?call=WWBN&service=FM&status=L&hours=U]
branding =
slogan = Banana 101.5 Rocks
airdate = September, 1994 (at 101.5)
frequency = 101.5 MHz HD Radio
format = Active Rock
power = 1,800 watts
haat = 149 meters
class = A
facility_id = 20448
coordinates = coord|43|12|0|N|83|33|30|W|type:landmark
callsign_meaning = Banana
former_callsigns = WKMF-FM (12/91-9/94)
WGMZ-FM (7/87-12/91)
owner = Regent Communications
sister_stations = WCRZ, WFNT, WLCO, WQUS, WRCL
webcast =
website = [http://www.banana1015.com/ http://www.banana1015.com/]
affiliations =

WWBN, "Banana 101.5", is a radio station broadcasting rock music to Central Michigan and The Thumb areas of Michigan. The station is owned by Regent Communications and is a member of the Michigan Association of Broadcasters. [cite web | title=2006 MAB Membership Directory | work=www.michmab.com | url=http://www.michmab.com/member_services/listingradio.html] WWBN is most often referred to as "The Banana" by the public audience.

Associated Businesses

The Banana staff frequently broadcast live from various Flint businesses, sometimes from multiple locations in one night. These live broadcasts are called remotes. The staff most commonly broadcast from bars and restaurants; including Hooters, Jesters, Puzzlers Pub, Dakota Lodge, and Mo Doggies and the Aloha Lounge. They also broadcast from strip clubs such as Teasers, The Odyssey, and The Men's Club. Occasionally the Banana broadcasts at other businesses, such as jewelry or automobile retailers, in conjunction with special sales.

The Machine Shop, Flint's most popular rock music venue, features Banana staff at a majority of their live shows. These staff serve as MCs. The Banana often gives out free items, such as Banana T-shirts or bumper stickers, at these concerts. The concerts are also highly advertised on the station's normal in-studio broadcasts.

History

The station began operations in 1987 as WGMZ-FM with an Easy Listening music format, reviving the call sign and format formerly used on 107.9 FM (now WCRZ) from 1961 to 1984 and also in the 1980s on 1570 AM (now WWCK). In 1991, WGMZ-FM became country WKMF-FM, simulcasting AM 1470 (now WFNT). The "Banana" name, album-oriented rock format and the WWBN calls debuted in 1994. Subsequently, WWBN moved from 101.7 to 101.5 in a frequency swap with WPRJ-FM, a contemporary Christian music station in Coleman, Michigan, and both stations were also able to increase their power.

WWBN's owner, Regent Broadcasting, took control of active rock station WRXF 103.1 FM "Radio X" in Lapeer, Michigan in December 2001. After a short three-month period of simulcasting the Banana on 103.1, WRXF debuted a new classic rock format as "U.S. 103.1" WQUS in February 2002, and the Banana evolved from mainstream AOR into its current active rock sound. Current music director and air personality Tony LaBrie is a veteran of WRXF's "Radio X" days.

Sources

* [http://www.michiguide.com/dials/rad-v/wwbn.html Michiguide.com - WWBN History]

References

External links

* [http://www.myspace.com/flintsrockradiobanana1015 Official Banana MySpace]
*FMQ|WWBN
*FML|WWBN