WJXQ
Encyclopedia
WJXQ is a radio station broadcasting a mainstream rock
format. Licensed to Charlotte, Michigan
, it first began broadcasting under the WKHM-FM call sign. Its studios are located on Cedar St. in Holt
, Michigan
.
WJXQ can be heard as far west as Grand Rapids and as far east as the Detroit Metro area and Flint/Lapeer with a good antenna.
-AM 970, under the call letters WKHM-FM. (Other than call letters, the station is no relation to the current WKHM-FM
, known as "K105.3.")
, and switched to TM Programming's automated "Stereo Rock" Top 40 format. The station's morning show (hosted by local talent Jerry Barnhart) was live, but the rest of the dayparts were full automation, complete with pre-recorded song backsells from TM's John Borders, a voice who was heard on Stereo Rock stations across the country at the time. The station's moniker during this time was "Rock 106 WJOX", and it served mainly the Jackson
area.
The TM format was maintained until 1981, when the station moved its tower and transmitter location from Jackson (also the station's then-city of license) to a location four miles east-north-east of the town of Springport
in the northwestern part of Jackson County
and increased power from 20,000 watts to 50,000 watts in preparation to invade the Lansing
market with a brand new format. (WJXQ can be heard as far away as Angola, Indiana
, Alma, Michigan
, as far west as Kentwood on the outskirts of Grand Rapids
and as far east as Novi
in the western suburbs of Detroit.)
became WJXQ. The station's power had more than doubled from a new tower site, giving it a strong signal into Lansing. Gone was the automated TM Stereo Rock format, replaced by a rock-intensive Top 40 format with high-energy live air talent. The station also had a new moniker, "Q106". The first song played on the new station was Elton John
's "Funeral For a Friend", which new program director Jim Ryan followed on the air by declaring, "That was for you, Brad" (a reference to Brad Curtis, then program director of WILS-FM, one of WJXQ's prime competitors). Within three months, WJXQ claimed the #1 spot 12+ in the Lansing Arbitron ratings from relative obscurity. WILS-FM was hit hard and changed to an AC format in April 1984; its ratings would not recover until over a decade later when the station became CHR-formatted Z101.7 WHZZ
(now Adult Hits
"Mike FM").
-FM, consulted by E. Alvin Davis. The two stations engaged in a Top 40 (CHR
) format war in the early and mid 1980s, from which WVIC would eventually emerge as the ratings leader. In the fall of 1985, Q106 dropped its rock-intensive approach for a more pop-oriented approach to the CHR format, playing more artists like Madonna
and appearing to take on WVIC directly. The effort ultimately failed, and within two years, Q106 was gearing back toward a rock-oriented format, this time concentrating on Album Oriented Rock (AOR). It was here that the station found its niche, and its ratings began to rebound.
By the early 1990s, Q106 had solid ratings, helped in great part by the success of the Tim Barron and Deb Hart morning show, which had developed a steady following. When Barron and Hart left the station for WVIC (then Active Rock "Buzz 95") in January 1997, they were replaced by the syndicated Bob and Tom Show from Indianapolis
' WFBQ
, which remains popular on the station to this day.
Q106 briefly changed its moniker to "New 106" in the fall of 1997. This was accompanied by a format modification toward Active/Alternative Rock. The moniker returned to the familiar "Q106" within six months, although the format modifications remained in place.
Q106 and the current incarnation of Q106's former arch-rival WVIC (now a Modern Rock
station at 94.1 FM, while WVIC-FM's former 94.9 frequency is now home to WMMQ
) have been sister stations since 2001. On March 17, 2010, it was announced that the Rubber City Radio Group based in Akron, Ohio
, was planning to sell WJXQ, along with sister stations WVIC, WQTX
, and WLMI
to Midwest Communications
. The deal officially closed on July 1, 2010.
Mainstream rock
Mainstream rock is a radio format used by many commercial radio stations in the United States and Canada.-Format background:...
format. Licensed to Charlotte, Michigan
Charlotte, Michigan
Charlotte is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 9,074. It is the county seat of Eaton County....
, it first began broadcasting under the WKHM-FM call sign. Its studios are located on Cedar St. in Holt
Holt, Michigan
Holt is an unincorporated community within Delhi Charter Township, Ingham County in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is a census-designated place used for statistical purposes. The population was 11,315 at the 2000 census....
, Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
.
WJXQ can be heard as far west as Grand Rapids and as far east as the Detroit Metro area and Flint/Lapeer with a good antenna.
Beginnings: WKHM-FM
The station was originally a simulcast of full-service AC sister station WKHMWKHM (AM)
WKHM is a radio station broadcasting a news-talk format. Licensed to Jackson, Michigan, it first began broadcasting in 1951 and offered a full-service format of MOR/adult contemporary music, news, talk and sports for years before evolving to the current news/talk format....
-AM 970, under the call letters WKHM-FM. (Other than call letters, the station is no relation to the current WKHM-FM
WKHM-FM
WKHM-FM is a Top 40 FM radio station located in Brooklyn, Michigan serving the Jackson area.-History:The WKHM callsign has a long Jackson tradition and is based on the names of the original owners of WKHM AM...
, known as "K105.3.")
Stereo rock/WJOX
The simulcast ended in 1976, when 106.1 FM changed calls to WJOXWJOX
WJOX WJOX WJOX (690 AM, "Jox 94.5" (simulcasting WJOX-FM) is an all-sports radio station licensed to Birmingham, Alabama, with daytime licensed power of 50,000 Watts and 500 Watts at night. WJOX is the Birmingham affiliate of the University of Alabama Crimson Tide Sports Network (football only),...
, and switched to TM Programming's automated "Stereo Rock" Top 40 format. The station's morning show (hosted by local talent Jerry Barnhart) was live, but the rest of the dayparts were full automation, complete with pre-recorded song backsells from TM's John Borders, a voice who was heard on Stereo Rock stations across the country at the time. The station's moniker during this time was "Rock 106 WJOX", and it served mainly the Jackson
Jackson, Michigan
Jackson is a city located along Interstate 94 in the south central area of the U.S. state of Michigan, about west of Ann Arbor and south of Lansing. It is the county seat of Jackson County. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 33,534...
area.
The TM format was maintained until 1981, when the station moved its tower and transmitter location from Jackson (also the station's then-city of license) to a location four miles east-north-east of the town of Springport
Springport, Michigan
Springport is a village in Jackson County of the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the village population was 704. The village is located within Springport Township on M-99.-Geography:...
in the northwestern part of Jackson County
Jackson County, Michigan
As of the census of 2000, there were 158,422 people, 58,168 households, and 40,833 families residing in the county. The population density was 224 people per square mile . There were 62,906 housing units at an average density of 89/sq mi...
and increased power from 20,000 watts to 50,000 watts in preparation to invade the Lansing
Lansing, Michigan
Lansing is the capital of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is located mostly in Ingham County, although small portions of the city extend into Eaton County. The 2010 Census places the city's population at 114,297, making it the fifth largest city in Michigan...
market with a brand new format. (WJXQ can be heard as far away as Angola, Indiana
Angola, Indiana
Angola is a city in Pleasant Township, Steuben County, Indiana, United States. The population was 8,612 at the 2010 census. The city is the county seat of Steuben County . Angola was founded by Thomas Gale and Cornelius Gilmore. Angola is home to Trine University...
, Alma, Michigan
Alma, Michigan
Alma is the largest city in Gratiot County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 9,275 at the 2000 census. It was incorporated as the Village of Alma in 1872 and became a city in 1905....
, as far west as Kentwood on the outskirts of Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Grand Rapids is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. The city is located on the Grand River about 40 miles east of Lake Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 188,040. In 2010, the Grand Rapids metropolitan area had a population of 774,160 and a combined statistical area, Grand...
and as far east as Novi
Novi, Michigan
Novi is a city in Oakland County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the population was 55,224, an increase over the 2000 census count of 47,386. The city is located approximately northwest of the center of Detroit, and northeast of the center of Ann Arbor. The city is located...
in the western suburbs of Detroit.)
Q106 debuts
On the afternoon of March 11, 1981, WJOXWJOX
WJOX WJOX WJOX (690 AM, "Jox 94.5" (simulcasting WJOX-FM) is an all-sports radio station licensed to Birmingham, Alabama, with daytime licensed power of 50,000 Watts and 500 Watts at night. WJOX is the Birmingham affiliate of the University of Alabama Crimson Tide Sports Network (football only),...
became WJXQ. The station's power had more than doubled from a new tower site, giving it a strong signal into Lansing. Gone was the automated TM Stereo Rock format, replaced by a rock-intensive Top 40 format with high-energy live air talent. The station also had a new moniker, "Q106". The first song played on the new station was Elton John
Elton John
Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...
's "Funeral For a Friend", which new program director Jim Ryan followed on the air by declaring, "That was for you, Brad" (a reference to Brad Curtis, then program director of WILS-FM, one of WJXQ's prime competitors). Within three months, WJXQ claimed the #1 spot 12+ in the Lansing Arbitron ratings from relative obscurity. WILS-FM was hit hard and changed to an AC format in April 1984; its ratings would not recover until over a decade later when the station became CHR-formatted Z101.7 WHZZ
WHZZ
WHZZ is a radio station licensed to Lansing, Michigan. It first began broadcasting in 1967 as WILS-FM. Prior to the adoption of the current format in September 2005, WHZZ had programmed a CHR/top 40 format for over a decade as "Z101.7." After WHZZ's change to "Mike FM", the CHR format was picked...
(now Adult Hits
Adult hits
Adult hits is a radio format, popular in the early 2000s, that does not adhere to a specific music genre, but instead draws from a wider playlist...
"Mike FM").
The 1980s/1990s - Q106 vs. WVIC
The new Q106 would soon face tough competition from cross-town rival WVICWVIC
WVIC is a radio station broadcasting a modern rock format. Licensed to Jackson, Michigan, it first began broadcasting on July 14, 1958 as WMKZ-FM simulcasting WIBM-AM. The station broadcasts from a tower near Springport, Michigan. The station can be heard from Kalamazoo to Ypsilanti, and from...
-FM, consulted by E. Alvin Davis. The two stations engaged in a Top 40 (CHR
Contemporary hit radio
Contemporary hit radio is a radio format that is common in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Australia that focuses on playing current and recurrent popular music as determined by the Top 40 music charts...
) format war in the early and mid 1980s, from which WVIC would eventually emerge as the ratings leader. In the fall of 1985, Q106 dropped its rock-intensive approach for a more pop-oriented approach to the CHR format, playing more artists like 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...
and appearing to take on WVIC directly. The effort ultimately failed, and within two years, Q106 was gearing back toward a rock-oriented format, this time concentrating on Album Oriented Rock (AOR). It was here that the station found its niche, and its ratings began to rebound.
By the early 1990s, Q106 had solid ratings, helped in great part by the success of the Tim Barron and Deb Hart morning show, which had developed a steady following. When Barron and Hart left the station for WVIC (then Active Rock "Buzz 95") in January 1997, they were replaced by the syndicated Bob and Tom Show from Indianapolis
Indianapolis
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
' WFBQ
WFBQ
WFBQ is a radio station in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, owned by Clear Channel Communications. The station operates on the FM radio frequency of 94.7 MHz, FM channel 234. The studios are located at 6161 Fall Creek Road on the northeast side of Indianapolis. The transmitter and antenna are...
, which remains popular on the station to this day.
Q106 briefly changed its moniker to "New 106" in the fall of 1997. This was accompanied by a format modification toward Active/Alternative Rock. The moniker returned to the familiar "Q106" within six months, although the format modifications remained in place.
Q106 and the current incarnation of Q106's former arch-rival WVIC (now a Modern Rock
Modern rock
Modern rock is a rock format commonly found on commercial radio; the format consists primarily of the alternative rock genre...
station at 94.1 FM, while WVIC-FM's former 94.9 frequency is now home to WMMQ
WMMQ
WMMQ is an American Classic rock radio station at 94.9 FM, licensed to East Lansing, Michigan. The station is owned by Cumulus Media.The original WMMQ began life as WCER-FM in Charlotte, Michigan, in 1963. The station was co-owned with WCER-AM 1390...
) have been sister stations since 2001. On March 17, 2010, it was announced that the Rubber City Radio Group based in Akron, Ohio
Akron, Ohio
Akron , is the fifth largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Summit County. It is located in the Great Lakes region approximately south of Lake Erie along the Little Cuyahoga River. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 199,110. The Akron Metropolitan...
, was planning to sell WJXQ, along with sister stations WVIC, WQTX
WQTX
WQTX is a radio station broadcasting a country music radio format to Lansing, Michigan. Licensed to St. Johns, Michigan, it first began broadcasting in 1972 and has been through a number of different calls and formats during its history....
, and WLMI
WLMI
WVTT is an FM radio station licensed to Portville, New York. The station, broadcasting at 96.7 MHz, is owned by Colonial Radio Group and broadcasts a talk radio format.Prior to October 2011, WVTT was licensed to Kane, Pennsylvania at 103.9 MHz...
to Midwest Communications
Midwest Communications
Midwest Communications, Inc. consists of Midwest Communications, Inc. and WRIG, Inc., which collectively own forty-six radio stations. The Company got its start in Wausau, Wisconsin, with WRIG, Inc. and the acquisition by the D.E. Wright family of a 1400 kHz, 250 watt AM facility from the...
. The deal officially closed on July 1, 2010.