WCCC-FM
Encyclopedia
WCCC-FM branded as "The Rock 106.9" is a radio station serving central Connecticut
that plays hard rock
and occasionally classic rock
. WCCC markets itself as the only non-corporate operation in Connecticut, with no pre-recorded DJs (many of whom grew up in greater Hartford.) The station regularly invites listeners to make requests and also holds contests and offers prizes to their listeners.
all-sports formats. One year later, during the summer of 1976, the format was tweaked to a more main stream album rock format. Conservative National Commentator Paul "The Rest of the Story" Harvey was heard on WCCC for close to two decades. WCCC was the home of Howard Stern
in the late 1979, where he worked morning drive. This was Stern's first job in a large market. It was at WCCC that Stern met Fred Norris
, the longest-tenured member of Stern's staff, who followed Stern when Stern left Hartford. From May 1996, Stern's syndicated morning show aired every weekday morning on WCCC-FM until he departed for Sirius Satellite Radio
in December 2005. WCCC replaced Stern in the morning with Sebastian, who previously worked for the station in the mid-1990s until moving to WZMX
in February 1995. Sebastian left the station at the end of August, 2009.
In 1980, the station was moved to 243 South Whitney Street in Hartford. In 1998 Marlin Broadcasting purchased the station from Greater Hartford Communications Corporation and moved the station to 1039 Asylum Avenue in Hartford with an Active Rock format. Because their building is made of brick (and due to the name of the street they're located on), it is often referred to by staff as "The Asylum." The building formerly was occupied by Hartford station WHCN
, with current program director Mike Picozzi having worked for WHCN when it was located on Asylum Avenue.
In 2000 a million-dollar renovation was undertaken at the station's tower site with a new tower, a new antenna and a new building installed. This resulted in improved coverage for the station's 23,000 watt FM signal.
In mid-2002, to parody the recent change of 105.9 WHCN
's switch to "The River 105.9," WCCC briefly changed to "The Lake 106.9," causing confusion for a few hours among Connecticut listeners, prompting angry phone calls to the station. Throughout the tenure of "The Lake," the D.J.s at WCCC could be heard in the background between the playing of soft-pop songs screaming nonsense and gibberish.
In 2004 WCCC-FM started streaming its programming on the web 24/7. A year later in April, 2005 WCCC-FM became one of the first stations in the state to commence HD broadcasting. In 2006 they added an HD-2 channel which featured their co-owned beethoven radio classical music format.
In April, 2007 the Classical
programming of sister station WCCC was added to the HD-2 channel of WCCC-FM. This is possible using the use of HD Radio technology which allows a properly equipped FM station to transmit three or more separate audio programs on a single frequency. In this case WCCC-FM will continue with its Active Rock format on its main channel (analog and HD-1 channels), and will carry Beethoven Radio on its HD-2 channel.
WCCC-FM also occasionally conducts live broadcasts from Planet of Sound, a recording studio in downtown Hartford where artists perform acoustically. Artists and bands that have performed live include Zakk Wylde
, Collective Soul
, Staind
, Skindred
, and Shinedown
. Many of these songs have been released on the Planet of Sound CD, the proceeds to which were donated to Foodshare (www.foodshare.org) and the RSRF.
The Homegrown Program gives local bands in the northeast a shot at radio play and has featured the likes of Positive chaos, Not For Nothing, and Livintrust.
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
that plays hard rock
Hard rock
Hard rock is a loosely defined genre of rock music which has its earliest roots in mid-1960s garage rock, blues rock and psychedelic rock...
and occasionally classic rock
Classic rock
Classic rock is a radio format which developed from the album-oriented rock format in the early 1980s. In the United States, the classic rock format features music ranging generally from the late 1960s to the late 1980s, primarily focusing on the hard rock genre that peaked in popularity in the...
. WCCC markets itself as the only non-corporate operation in Connecticut, with no pre-recorded DJs (many of whom grew up in greater Hartford.) The station regularly invites listeners to make requests and also holds contests and offers prizes to their listeners.
History
WCCC-FM was licensed on a frequency of 106.9 MHz. in 1959 with a transmitter site a top Avon Mountain in West Hartford, Connecticut (USA). The station was owned by well-known Hartford jeweler Bill Savitt, and the studios, shared with sister station WCCC, were on the "lower street level" of the Hotel Bond on Asylum St. In the late sixties WCCC-FM moved to 11 Asylum Street in Hartford and changed to a hugely popular "All Request" format which was simulcast in part on WCCC. WCCC was one of the only stations in the country ever owned by a record label, in this case Elektra (1960s). Sy Dresner's Greater Hartford Communications Corp. purchased the station in the early Seventies and during the summer of 1975 the station switched to a progressive rock music format. At one point in time WCCC could be heard not only on 106.9 FM, but on also 1290 AM (which is now classical WCCC). For short periods of time in the eighties WCCC experimented with both all-talk and Sports radioSports radio
Sports radio is a radio format devoted entirely to discussion and broadcasting of sporting events. A popular format with an almost exclusively male demographic in most areas, sports radio is characterized by an often-boisterous on-air style and extensive debate and analysis by both hosts and...
all-sports formats. One year later, during the summer of 1976, the format was tweaked to a more main stream album rock format. Conservative National Commentator Paul "The Rest of the Story" Harvey was heard on WCCC for close to two decades. WCCC was the home of Howard Stern
Howard Stern
Howard Allan Stern is an American radio personality, television host, author, and actor best known for his radio show, which was nationally syndicated from 1986 to 2005. He gained wide recognition in the 1990s where he was labeled a "shock jock" for his outspoken and sometimes controversial style...
in the late 1979, where he worked morning drive. This was Stern's first job in a large market. It was at WCCC that Stern met Fred Norris
Fred Norris
Eric Fred Norris is an American radio personality known for being the longest-tenured staff member of The Howard Stern Show aside from Stern himself...
, the longest-tenured member of Stern's staff, who followed Stern when Stern left Hartford. From May 1996, Stern's syndicated morning show aired every weekday morning on WCCC-FM until he departed for Sirius Satellite Radio
Sirius Satellite Radio
Sirius Satellite Radio is a satellite radio service operating in North America, owned by Sirius XM Radio.Headquartered in New York City, with smaller studios in Los Angeles and Memphis, Sirius was officially launched on July 1, 2002 and currently provides 69 streams of music and 65 streams of...
in December 2005. WCCC replaced Stern in the morning with Sebastian, who previously worked for the station in the mid-1990s until moving to WZMX
WZMX
WZMX, better known as "Hot 93.7" is a Rhythmic Contemporary station licensed to Hartford, Connecticut. The CBS Radio owned outlet broadcasts at 93.7 megahertz. The station's current slogan is Hartford's #1 Station For Hip-Hop and R&B...
in February 1995. Sebastian left the station at the end of August, 2009.
In 1980, the station was moved to 243 South Whitney Street in Hartford. In 1998 Marlin Broadcasting purchased the station from Greater Hartford Communications Corporation and moved the station to 1039 Asylum Avenue in Hartford with an Active Rock format. Because their building is made of brick (and due to the name of the street they're located on), it is often referred to by staff as "The Asylum." The building formerly was occupied by Hartford station WHCN
WHCN
WHCN is a classic hits music formatted radio station based in Hartford, Connecticut. The city of license is Hartford. The Clear Channel Communications outlet broadcasts at 105.9 MHz with an effective radiated power of 16,000 watts from West Peak State Park in Meriden, CT. Its format blends...
, with current program director Mike Picozzi having worked for WHCN when it was located on Asylum Avenue.
In 2000 a million-dollar renovation was undertaken at the station's tower site with a new tower, a new antenna and a new building installed. This resulted in improved coverage for the station's 23,000 watt FM signal.
In mid-2002, to parody the recent change of 105.9 WHCN
WHCN
WHCN is a classic hits music formatted radio station based in Hartford, Connecticut. The city of license is Hartford. The Clear Channel Communications outlet broadcasts at 105.9 MHz with an effective radiated power of 16,000 watts from West Peak State Park in Meriden, CT. Its format blends...
's switch to "The River 105.9," WCCC briefly changed to "The Lake 106.9," causing confusion for a few hours among Connecticut listeners, prompting angry phone calls to the station. Throughout the tenure of "The Lake," the D.J.s at WCCC could be heard in the background between the playing of soft-pop songs screaming nonsense and gibberish.
In 2004 WCCC-FM started streaming its programming on the web 24/7. A year later in April, 2005 WCCC-FM became one of the first stations in the state to commence HD broadcasting. In 2006 they added an HD-2 channel which featured their co-owned beethoven radio classical music format.
In April, 2007 the Classical
Classical music
Classical music is the art music produced in, or rooted in, the traditions of Western liturgical and secular music, encompassing a broad period from roughly the 11th century to present times...
programming of sister station WCCC was added to the HD-2 channel of WCCC-FM. This is possible using the use of HD Radio technology which allows a properly equipped FM station to transmit three or more separate audio programs on a single frequency. In this case WCCC-FM will continue with its Active Rock format on its main channel (analog and HD-1 channels), and will carry Beethoven Radio on its HD-2 channel.
WCCC-FM also occasionally conducts live broadcasts from Planet of Sound, a recording studio in downtown Hartford where artists perform acoustically. Artists and bands that have performed live include Zakk Wylde
Zakk Wylde
Zachary Phillip Wylde , best known by the stage name Zakk Wylde, is an American musician, songwriter, and occasional actor who is best known as the former guitarist for Ozzy Osbourne and founder of the heavy metal band Black Label Society. He was the lead guitarist and vocalist in Pride & Glory,...
, Collective Soul
Collective Soul
Collective Soul is an American rock band originally formed in Stockbridge, Georgia. Collective Soul broke into mainstream popularity with their first hit single, "Shine", which came from their debut album Hints, Allegations, and Things Left Unsaid, released in 1993...
, Staind
Staind
Staind is an American rock band that was formed in 1995 in Springfield, Massachusetts. For 16 years, the band consisted of lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Aaron Lewis, lead guitarist Mike Mushok, bassist Johnny April, and drummer Jon Wysocki...
, Skindred
Skindred
Skindred is a Welsh rock band from Newport. The band was formed in 1998 following the disbandment of vocalist Benji Webbe's previous band, Dub War. Skindred's musical style mixes alternative rock, heavy metal, punk rock and reggae...
, and Shinedown
Shinedown
Shinedown is an American rock band from Jacksonville, Florida, formed in 2001 and founded by members Brent Smith , Brad Stewart , Jasin Todd , and Barry Kerch . A few line-up changes followed, and the band's current line-up consists of Smith and Kerch, the band's only two remaining original...
. Many of these songs have been released on the Planet of Sound CD, the proceeds to which were donated to Foodshare (www.foodshare.org) and the RSRF.
The Homegrown Program gives local bands in the northeast a shot at radio play and has featured the likes of Positive chaos, Not For Nothing, and Livintrust.