WCCW-FM
Encyclopedia
WCCW-FM is an FM
combination in Traverse City, Michigan
, United States
, consisting of WCCW-FM in Traverse City and relaying station WCZW in Charlevoix
. The station is owned by the Midwestern Broadcasting group, which to this day includes the family members of its original partners from the early 1940s, the Biedermans, Kikers and McClays.
Midwestern, parent company of WTCM
and WTCM-FM
, acquired its long-time "local competitor" WCCW in 1996. "Classic Hits 107-5" is the highly-rated FM station in the area, while the AM station, "ESPN Radio 1310
" is one of the lowest, according to Arbitron
.
Capitol of the World", signed on in 1960 under the ownership of John Anderson, a former Midwestern employee who ventured out on his own with contemporary ideas and skills learned working for Midwestern as a salesperson in the 1950s.
On November 1, 1967, WCCW added an FM sister at 92.1, which broadcast with 6,000 watts. It was Traverse City's first late night broadcast signal, as both WTCM and WLDR-FM signed off at 11 p.m. This FM originally had an automated beautiful music
format.
In the beginning, WCCW was an MOR-formatted station, but added Top 40 afternoon programming in the late 1960s to appeal to the younger crowd. It was Northwest Michigan's first truly contemporary format, even though in later-dayparts, and was soon followed by WVOY
in Charlevoix
about 1974.
For most of the 1970s, the WCCW air staff was:
Jerry Meyer and Bob Burian were both involved in management along with owner John Anderson. Meyer later became operations manager at WTCM in 1976 and went on to co-own Murrays Boats & Motors, was the long time news anchor for TV 9 & 10, and made a run for state representative.
LD Greilick and Michael Bradford were the stations engineers. Bradford went on to establish WBNZ
in Frankfort
.
"Radio Double C" also had Northern Michigan's earliest avante-garde modern rock programming late at night with the "Pen Ultimate" radio show hosted by Al Vasquez ("Alan White") and Carolyn Beaudette, and was the home of Traverse City's first "real" production agency for radio commercials.
Other broadcasters associated with WCCW in and after its hey-day were Lucien Jaye ("The Boogie Man"), Dave Elliot (later with WTCM 14-T) Dave Walker (who later became the longtime news anchor at TV 7&4), Steve Cook (Production Director for WTCM), and Ron Jolly (mornings on WTCM)and Jim Moriarty.
Anderson, who still lives to this day, sold WCCW Radio to the Fabiano Brothers of Mt. Pleasant
, a well-known beer distributor. In the early 1990s, WCCW-FM moved to 107.5, increasing their power to 50,000 watts. They had to convince Cherry Capitol Airport to move their frequencies off that area of the band so they could move there.
In 1996, the Fabianos sold WCCW Radio to Ross Biederman for $3 million, who made drastic improvements to the stations. He moved the stations out of the old Michigan Theatre
building on Front St. to a Today Show-esque window studio next in the former Midwestern Cablevision building next door to WTCM. He also bought the FM station a new TM Century music collection disc set, ending the station's relationship with vinyl and tape carts.
One criticism Biederman received since buying WCCW was the fact that the station, once live and local 24/7, started using ABC
's "OldiesRadio" (formerly "Pure Gold") feed for overnights and weekends. The station's overnight DJ, Shawn Michaels, died of a drunk driving accident shortly before the conversion to overnight satellite, though it is unknown if his firing from the station had anything to do with it.
WCCW-FM now once again has live and local personalities during much of the day on Saturday and Sunday, although it continues to air Citadel Media's "Greatest Mojo" programming ABC overnights and during some non-critical weekend dayparts. In 2004, WCCW-FM added a new sister station, 6 kW WCZW 107.9 in Charlevoix
, which brings WCCW's programming also to the Petoskey
area.
, Madonna
, Whitney Houston
, and Duran Duran
, angering traditional oldies fans. The station also more recently switched from its longtime Oldies 107-5 name to Classic Hits 107-5. Nonetheless, the ratings are still excellent, led by a popular airstaff, which includes morning man Charlie DiStefano, aka "Charlie D.", middayer Dave Gauthier, afternoon man Lin "Michael O'Shea" McNitt and nighttimer Ron Pritchard.
Pritchard replaced David Fortney on nights in March 2006 with Fortney taking the role of Production Director. O'Shea has been with WCCW off-and-on since the 1960s while Fortney's been a fixture in northern Michigan radio since the 1980s as one of the first rock
jocks on WKLT
. Pritchard spent 10 years the Program Director
and Afternoon Driver at WKHQ
, and once hosted weekend talk shows on the Michigan Talk Network.
FM broadcasting
FM broadcasting is a broadcasting technology pioneered by Edwin Howard Armstrong which uses frequency modulation to provide high-fidelity sound over broadcast radio. The term "FM band" describes the "frequency band in which FM is used for broadcasting"...
combination in Traverse City, Michigan
Traverse City, Michigan
Traverse City is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is the county seat of Grand Traverse County, although a small portion extends into Leelanau County. It is the largest city in the 21-county Northern Michigan region. The population was 14,674 at the 2010 census, with 143,372 in the Traverse...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, consisting of WCCW-FM in Traverse City and relaying station WCZW in Charlevoix
Charlevoix
The Charlevoix region, located in Quebec, includes parts of the north shore of the Saint Lawrence River and the Laurentian Mountains region of the Canadian Shield...
. The station is owned by the Midwestern Broadcasting group, which to this day includes the family members of its original partners from the early 1940s, the Biedermans, Kikers and McClays.
Midwestern, parent company of WTCM
WTCM (AM)
WTCM is an AM radio station broadcasting in Traverse City, Michigan, operating on 580 kHz. The two stations are owned by Midwestern Broadcasting, which started WTCM-AM in 1940...
and WTCM-FM
WTCM-FM
WTCM-FM consists of two radio stations: WTCM-FM 103.5 in Traverse City, Michigan and simulcast WBCM 93.5 FM in Boyne City, Michigan. The two stations carry a country music format and are owned by Midwestern Broadcasting. Today, WTCM-FM/WBCM is on or near the top of the Arbitron ratings...
, acquired its long-time "local competitor" WCCW in 1996. "Classic Hits 107-5" is the highly-rated FM station in the area, while the AM station, "ESPN Radio 1310
WCCW (AM)
WCCW is one side of a radio combo in Traverse City, Michigan. It is owned by the Midwestern Broadcasting group, which to this day includes the family members of its original partners from the early 1940s, the Biedermans, Kikers and McClays. Midwestern acquired WCCW AM/FM, its long-time "local...
" is one of the lowest, according to Arbitron
Arbitron
Arbitron is a consumer research company in the United States that collects listener data on radio audiences. It was founded as American Research Bureau by Jim Seiler in 1949 and became national by merging with L.A. based Coffin, Cooper and Clay in the early 1950s...
.
Early years
WCCW-AM, whose call letters stand for "CherryCherry
The cherry is the fruit of many plants of the genus Prunus, and is a fleshy stone fruit. The cherry fruits of commerce are usually obtained from a limited number of species, including especially cultivars of the wild cherry, Prunus avium....
Capitol of the World", signed on in 1960 under the ownership of John Anderson, a former Midwestern employee who ventured out on his own with contemporary ideas and skills learned working for Midwestern as a salesperson in the 1950s.
On November 1, 1967, WCCW added an FM sister at 92.1, which broadcast with 6,000 watts. It was Traverse City's first late night broadcast signal, as both WTCM and WLDR-FM signed off at 11 p.m. This FM originally had an automated beautiful music
Beautiful music
Beautiful music is a mostly instrumental music format that was prominent in American radio from the 1960s through the 1980s...
format.
In the beginning, WCCW was an MOR-formatted station, but added Top 40 afternoon programming in the late 1960s to appeal to the younger crowd. It was Northwest Michigan's first truly contemporary format, even though in later-dayparts, and was soon followed by WVOY
WMKT
WMKT is a radio station licensed to Charlevoix, Michigan broadcasting a talk radio format. The station broadcasts on 1270 AM as well as an FM translator on 92.1 and streams online...
in Charlevoix
Charlevoix, Michigan
Charlevoix is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 2,994. It is the county seat of Charlevoix County....
about 1974.
For most of the 1970s, the WCCW air staff was:
- Les Foerster - morning
- Michael Bradford - Mid-days
- Michael O'Shea - Afternoons
- Phill Orth - Evenings
- Carolyn Beaudette - Overnights
Jerry Meyer and Bob Burian were both involved in management along with owner John Anderson. Meyer later became operations manager at WTCM in 1976 and went on to co-own Murrays Boats & Motors, was the long time news anchor for TV 9 & 10, and made a run for state representative.
LD Greilick and Michael Bradford were the stations engineers. Bradford went on to establish WBNZ
WBNZ
WOUF is a radio station in Beulah, Michigan, broadcasting an active rock format. The station, which began broadcasting in 1979, is owned by Traverse City broadcaster Roy E. Henderson under the "Fort Bend Broadcasting" banner and has long been the primary local station for the Frankfort area and...
in Frankfort
Frankfort, Michigan
Frankfort is a city in Benzie County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 1,513 at the 2000 census. The elevation of Frankfort is above sea level. The city is situated with Lake Michigan to the west, Lake Betsie, formed by the Betsie River before flowing into Lake Michigan, on the...
.
"Radio Double C" also had Northern Michigan's earliest avante-garde modern rock programming late at night with the "Pen Ultimate" radio show hosted by Al Vasquez ("Alan White") and Carolyn Beaudette, and was the home of Traverse City's first "real" production agency for radio commercials.
Change to Oldies
In the 1980s WCCW felt pressure from regional broadcasters WJML-AM-FM and later WKHQ, and became an Adult Contemporary station (as WMZK) rather that competing for the Contemporary Hit radio audience. It later changed to "oldies" and returned to the WCCW moniker.Other broadcasters associated with WCCW in and after its hey-day were Lucien Jaye ("The Boogie Man"), Dave Elliot (later with WTCM 14-T) Dave Walker (who later became the longtime news anchor at TV 7&4), Steve Cook (Production Director for WTCM), and Ron Jolly (mornings on WTCM)and Jim Moriarty.
Anderson, who still lives to this day, sold WCCW Radio to the Fabiano Brothers of Mt. Pleasant
Mount Pleasant, Michigan
Mount Pleasant is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the county seat of Isabella County. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 25,946. The 2008 census estimate places the population at 26,675....
, a well-known beer distributor. In the early 1990s, WCCW-FM moved to 107.5, increasing their power to 50,000 watts. They had to convince Cherry Capitol Airport to move their frequencies off that area of the band so they could move there.
Midwestern Ownership
Frauenthal Center for the Performing Arts
The Frauenthal Center for Performing Arts is located in downtown Muskegon in the U.S. state of Michigan.It houses the historic Frauenthal Theater, the Beardsley Theater, Clark-Cannon Gallery, several meeting rooms, and two rehearsal halls....
building on Front St. to a Today Show-esque window studio next in the former Midwestern Cablevision building next door to WTCM. He also bought the FM station a new TM Century music collection disc set, ending the station's relationship with vinyl and tape carts.
One criticism Biederman received since buying WCCW was the fact that the station, once live and local 24/7, started using ABC
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
's "OldiesRadio" (formerly "Pure Gold") feed for overnights and weekends. The station's overnight DJ, Shawn Michaels, died of a drunk driving accident shortly before the conversion to overnight satellite, though it is unknown if his firing from the station had anything to do with it.
WCCW-FM now once again has live and local personalities during much of the day on Saturday and Sunday, although it continues to air Citadel Media's "Greatest Mojo" programming ABC overnights and during some non-critical weekend dayparts. In 2004, WCCW-FM added a new sister station, 6 kW WCZW 107.9 in Charlevoix
Charlevoix
The Charlevoix region, located in Quebec, includes parts of the north shore of the Saint Lawrence River and the Laurentian Mountains region of the Canadian Shield...
, which brings WCCW's programming also to the Petoskey
Petoskey, Michigan
Petoskey is a city and coastal resort community in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 6,080. It is the county seat of Emmet County....
area.
WCCW Today
WCCW-FM in recent years has added more 1980s and early 1990s music to their playlist from artists such as A Flock of SeagullsA Flock of Seagulls
A Flock of Seagulls are an English New Wave band originally formed by brothers Michael "Mike" Score and Alister "Ali" James Score , with Frank Maudsley , Michael Kuby , H.J...
, Madonna
Madonna (entertainer)
Madonna is an American singer-songwriter, actress and entrepreneur. Born in Bay City, Michigan, she moved to New York City in 1977 to pursue a career in modern dance. After performing in the music groups Breakfast Club and Emmy, she released her debut album in 1983...
, Whitney Houston
Whitney Houston
Whitney Elizabeth Houston is an American singer, actress, producer and a former model. Houston is the most awarded female act of all time, according to Guinness World Records, and her list of awards include 1 Emmy Award, 6 Grammy Awards, 30 Billboard Music Awards, 22 American Music Awards, among...
, and Duran Duran
Duran Duran
Duran Duran are an English band, formed in Birmingham in 1978. They were one of the most successful bands of the 1980s and a leading band in the MTV-driven "Second British Invasion" of the United States...
, angering traditional oldies fans. The station also more recently switched from its longtime Oldies 107-5 name to Classic Hits 107-5. Nonetheless, the ratings are still excellent, led by a popular airstaff, which includes morning man Charlie DiStefano, aka "Charlie D.", middayer Dave Gauthier, afternoon man Lin "Michael O'Shea" McNitt and nighttimer Ron Pritchard.
Pritchard replaced David Fortney on nights in March 2006 with Fortney taking the role of Production Director. O'Shea has been with WCCW off-and-on since the 1960s while Fortney's been a fixture in northern Michigan radio since the 1980s as one of the first rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
jocks on WKLT
WKLT
WKLT 97.5 Kalkaska and WKLZ-FM 98.9 Petoskey are mainstream rock stations simulcasting as "KLT The Rock Station". The station serves the Traverse City-Petoskey radio market. It can Be Heard as far North as Sault Ste Marie, Ontario...
. Pritchard spent 10 years the Program Director
Program director
In service industries, such as education, a program director or programme director researches, plans, develops and implements one or more of the firm's professional services...
and Afternoon Driver at WKHQ
WKHQ
WKHQ-FM is a 100,000-watt radio station licensed to Charlevoix, Michigan, with studios located on U.S. 131 South Petoskey, Michigan and 8th Street in Traverse City, Michigan...
, and once hosted weekend talk shows on the Michigan Talk Network.