WRDU-FM
Encyclopedia
WRDU known as "Rush Radio 106.1", is a talk radio
formatted radio station
that serves the Raleigh-Durham market of North Carolina
. It is owned and operated by Clear Channel Worldwide. Sister stations include G105
, 93.9 KISS-FM, and 100.7 the River
. Its call letters were once associated with Channel 28 (now WRDC-TV
) from 1968 to 1978 when it was an NBC
affiliate.
WRDU currently airs the Rush Limbaugh Show and Coast to Coast AM
, along with shows hosted by Glenn Beck
, Sean Hannity
, Todd Schnitt
, and Jason Lewis
.
By 1980, WXYY had switched to country but was still automated. In 1983, the stations were purchased by Voyager Communications. A new tower, which would allow a much better signal into Raleigh, was built west of Wilson in Middlesex
. New studios were set up in Raleigh.
' "Start Me Up
" as its first song. Many of the first on-air personalities migrated over from WQDR-FM
, including Bob Walton, Gayle Rancer, Bob Robinson (who was the only original 'RDU staffer still with the station when it went country in 2006) and Tom Guild (who was on the air the night of sign-on). WQDR-FM, after 11 years as an album-oriented rock
(AOR) institution, made the switch to a country format a few days after WRDU's debut.
WRDU's early format was AOR-based, with some Hot AC
artists such as Cyndi Lauper
, Lionel Richie
, and the Pointer Sisters added in, probably to soften the sound a bit in anticipation of a duel with crosstown powerhouse WRAL-FM. By the late 80's, the AC tunes were gone and WRDU 106, bolstered by high ratings for its "Reynolds & Silva" morning show, dominated the Triangle ratings. Arguably, the pinnacle of WRDU's success came in the early 90s when it won the Rolling Stone
Reader's Poll as "best station of the year" for several straight years starting in 1989. Other airstaff members who worked at the station during the late 80's and early 90's were Donna Reed (Nights); Eric Curry (News), Ron Phillips, (Rock & Roll Classics), Tom Gongaware, Lizz Wall & Paul Jackson.
brought about many changes to radio, including WRDU. Purchased initially from Voyager Communications Inc. by Hicks, Muse, Tate, & Furst. HMW Communications of Atlanta sold WRDU and WTRG to SFX Broadcasting for $36.8 million in a deal completed in mid-1996. SFX was in turn acquired by Capstar Broadcasting, which was itself taken over by Chancellor Media Corporation, renamed AMFM Inc. When the dust settled in 1999, WRDU was owned by Clear Channel Worldwide. Their Raleigh holdings also included sister stations WDCG, WTRG (now WRVA-FM
), and WRSN (now WKSL-FM).
After the initial purchase of the station by SFX broadcasting, the long slow demise of WRDU began. WZZU, also a classic rock station, was brought into the fold when Prism Broadcasting Partners was purchased. With no need for two rock stations in the stable, WZZU was flipped to lite AC as Sunny 93.9 (WRSN). WRDU Program Director Tom Guild was moved to WTRG programming, while former WZZU Program Director Bob Edwards assumed those duties for WRDU. The Silva and the Blade morning show was replaced by the John Boy and Billy
Radio Network (From 'ZZU mornings). Bob Robinson (AKA Bob The Blade) was moved to afternoons replacing Brian McFadden. Kevin Silva was fired. Mid-day personality Kitty Kinnin was also released, and replaced by former traffic reporter Mary Lou McGregor. 'ZZU staffer Ted McKay replaced "Mark the Shark" for overnights. A few months later, "Danger Boy" would find himself replaced by WZZU nighttimer Mark Arsen.
air talent. Overnights were handled by Program Director Bob Edwards, while nights were handled by WXTB
afternoon jock "Big Rig", pre-recorded and transferred via computer from his home station in Tampa, Florida
.
The mainstream rock "experiement" lasted just over one year. Late September 2002 WRDU flipped back to classic rock, and the numbers climbed significantly.
Program Director Bob Edwards left WRDU March 2003 for Entercom owned active rock KQRC/Kansas City. He later would become the Operations Manager for the entire cluster.
Jimmy Tidwell, Music Director for Clear Channel rock WKLS/Atlanta, was named the new WRDU Program Director July 2003.
Then, Clear Channel Raleigh-Durham got a new Market Manager in Ken Spitzer, inbound from CC Rochester. Clear Channel Regional VP of Programming Jon Robbins was brought in from Charleston, SC to become the OM.
WRDU's numbers continued to see an erosion of the John Boy & Billy audience and Bob and Tom were inconsistent at best since their content had changed significantly due to the Janet Jackson incident on television.
Clear Channel RVP/GM Ken Spitzer and RVPP Jon Robbins exited due to a reorganization of the Region. Morgan Bohannon and Bruce Logan took over the Raleigh market. Bruce Logan hired Chris Shebel as the OM (his second tour of duty at Smoketree) and they flipped WRDU-FM to Country.
returned to the Raleigh-Durham market to do mornings on the new station.
On Monday, November 20, 2006, Bob the Blade briefly returned to afternoons on WRDU. However, on November 28, 2006, he abruptly resigned on-air, stating in essence that he couldn't be a country DJ. He then played a Who
song, and reportedly walked out of the studio and left the building. The song ("The Song Is Over
") was pulled off the air within about 90 seconds, and regular country programming resumed.
Beginning in Summer 2008, 106.1 the Rooster began hosting Bobby J's White Trash Country featuring Bob Dumas of G105
as "Bobby J." Other guests include Mike Morse (Bubba Jr. Jr.) and Creepy John (Tater). The program airs from 7-10pm on Thursdays, consisting of classic country
tunes and comedic "redneck" vignettes.
In May 2009, WRDU changed its moniker to "106.1 RDU Country" with a logo similar to one that had been in use for much of its existence as a rock station. Also at this time Bobby J's White Trash Country was changed to Bobby J's Honky Tonk Country and was the only program to originate from the WRDU studios.
radio in 2010, with Glenn Beck
, Sean Hannity
and Rush Limbaugh
, with plans for local hosts to air at other times.
On November 15, WRDU pulled the plug on its country format and switched to "106.1 RDU Christmas". On January 1, 2010, the station became news/talk as "106.1 Rush Radio."
New arrivals to the Triangle, Wyoming native K.C. O'Dea, and NC native Carmen Conners are co-hosts of the 5:30am to 9:00am morning call in show. In 2011, co-owned WPTI
in Greensboro
added WRDU's morning show.
, for which the real WRDU-FM helped recruit extras in crowd scenes.
Currently, WRDU is the flagship FM affiliate of the Tar Heel Sports Network
, which broadcasts football and basketball games involving the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Tarheels. WRDU also broadcasts Carolina Mudcats
games on its HD2 channel, which is part of an expanded broadcast package by the area minor-league baseball team that will include access to various mobile devices.
Talk radio
Talk radio is a radio format containing discussion about topical issues. Most shows are regularly hosted by a single individual, and often feature interviews with a number of different guests. Talk radio typically includes an element of listener participation, usually by broadcasting live...
formatted radio station
Radio station
Radio broadcasting is a one-way wireless transmission over radio waves intended to reach a wide audience. Stations can be linked in radio networks to broadcast a common radio format, either in broadcast syndication or simulcast or both...
that serves the Raleigh-Durham market of North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
. It is owned and operated by Clear Channel Worldwide. Sister stations include G105
WDCG-FM
WDCG, or G105 on 105.1 FM is a Contemporary hit radio station in the Raleigh-Durham radio market. Its studios are located on Smoketree Court in Raleigh's Highwoods Office Park and owned by Clear Channel Worldwide, along with 93.9 KISS-FM, 100.7 the River, and Rush Radio 106.1.- History :WDCG first...
, 93.9 KISS-FM, and 100.7 the River
WRVA-FM
WRVA-FM is a Classic Hits radio station that serves the Raleigh-Durham market of North Carolina. Its studios are located at Smoketree Court in Raleigh and its city of license is in Wake Forest...
. Its call letters were once associated with Channel 28 (now WRDC-TV
WRDC-TV
WRDC, channel 28, is an affiliate station of MyNetworkTV in the Raleigh-Durham-Fayetteville, North Carolina television market. The station is licensed to Durham, but its studios are in the Highwoods office park just outside downtown Raleigh...
) from 1968 to 1978 when it was an NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
affiliate.
WRDU currently airs the Rush Limbaugh Show and Coast to Coast AM
Coast to Coast AM
Coast to Coast AM is a North American late-night syndicated radio talk show that deals with a variety of topics, but most frequently ones that relate to either the paranormal or conspiracy theories. It was created by Art Bell and is distributed by Premiere Radio Networks. The program currently...
, along with shows hosted by Glenn Beck
Glenn Beck
Glenn Edward Lee Beck is an American conservative radio host, vlogger, author, entrepreneur, political commentator and former television host. He hosts the Glenn Beck Program, a nationally syndicated talk-radio show that airs throughout the United States on Premiere Radio Networks...
, Sean Hannity
Sean Hannity
Sean Hannity is an American radio and television host, author, and conservative political commentator. He is the host of The Sean Hannity Show, a nationally syndicated talk radio show that airs throughout the United States on Premiere Radio Networks. Hannity also hosts a cable news show, Hannity,...
, Todd Schnitt
Todd Schnitt
Todd Andrew Schnitt is an American radio personality. Schnitt hosts two different shows daily from the Clear Channel Broadcast complex in Tampa, Florida...
, and Jason Lewis
Jason Lewis
Jason Lewis is an American actor and former fashion model. He appeared on the May 2008 cover of Men's Fitness.-Early life:...
.
WVOT/WXYY
The station began as WVOT-FM in 1961. It shared a studio / transmitter building on Herring Avenue in Wilson with its AM sister, WVOT 1420 AM. That building burned in 1992. WVOT is now operating from an old house on Jackson Street. In the early days, both WVOT AM & FM largely simulcasted a MOR, full service format until the duo was acquired by Century Communications in the mid-'70s. The FM was renamed WXYY and switched to an automated "Super Rock" format. The AM was named "14VOT" and was quite a hit locally with teenagers, playing a tightly-rotated top 20 lineup.By 1980, WXYY had switched to country but was still automated. In 1983, the stations were purchased by Voyager Communications. A new tower, which would allow a much better signal into Raleigh, was built west of Wilson in Middlesex
Middlesex, North Carolina
Middlesex is a town in Nash County, North Carolina, United States. It is part of the Rocky Mount, North Carolina Metropolitan Statistical Area. Middlesex is about 25 miles east of Raleigh, North Carolina...
. New studios were set up in Raleigh.
Move to the Triangle/WRDU-FM
In August 1984, WXYY went dark in Wilson and came back up from Raleigh as "WRDU 106." The station signed on Labor Day weekend of 1984, playing the Rolling StonesThe Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones are an English rock band, formed in London in April 1962 by Brian Jones , Ian Stewart , Mick Jagger , and Keith Richards . Bassist Bill Wyman and drummer Charlie Watts completed the early line-up...
' "Start Me Up
Start Me Up
"Start Me Up" is a song by The Rolling Stones featured on the 1981 album Tattoo You. Released as the album's lead single, it reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #7 on the UK Singles Chart.-Writing and recording:...
" as its first song. Many of the first on-air personalities migrated over from WQDR-FM
WQDR-FM
WQDR is a radio station in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA, broadcasting to the state's central and eastern regions, including the cities of Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Fayetteville, Rocky Mount, Wilson, and Goldsboro...
, including Bob Walton, Gayle Rancer, Bob Robinson (who was the only original 'RDU staffer still with the station when it went country in 2006) and Tom Guild (who was on the air the night of sign-on). WQDR-FM, after 11 years as an album-oriented rock
Album-oriented rock
Album-oriented rock is an American FM radio format focusing on album tracks by rock artists.-Music played:Most radio formats are based on a select, tight rotation of hit singles...
(AOR) institution, made the switch to a country format a few days after WRDU's debut.
WRDU's early format was AOR-based, with some Hot AC
Adult contemporary music
Adult contemporary music is a broad style of popular music that ranges from lush 1950s and 1960s vocal music to predominantly ballad-heavy music with varying degrees of rock influence, as well as a radio format that plays such music....
artists such as Cyndi Lauper
Cyndi Lauper
Cynthia Ann Stephanie "Cyndi" Lauper is an American singer, songwriter, actress and LGBT rights activist. She achieved success in the mid-1980s with the release of the album She's So Unusual and became the first female singer to have four top-five singles released from one album...
, Lionel Richie
Lionel Richie
Lionel Brockman Richie, Jr. , is an American singer-songwriter, musician and record producer. Since 1968, he has been a member of the musical group Commodores signed to Motown Records...
, and the Pointer Sisters added in, probably to soften the sound a bit in anticipation of a duel with crosstown powerhouse WRAL-FM. By the late 80's, the AC tunes were gone and WRDU 106, bolstered by high ratings for its "Reynolds & Silva" morning show, dominated the Triangle ratings. Arguably, the pinnacle of WRDU's success came in the early 90s when it won the Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
Reader's Poll as "best station of the year" for several straight years starting in 1989. Other airstaff members who worked at the station during the late 80's and early 90's were Donna Reed (Nights); Eric Curry (News), Ron Phillips, (Rock & Roll Classics), Tom Gongaware, Lizz Wall & Paul Jackson.
Ownership Changes
The Telecommunications Act of 1996Telecommunications Act of 1996
The Telecommunications Act of 1996 was the first major overhaul of United States telecommunications law in nearly 62 years, amending the Communications Act of 1934. This Act, signed by President Bill Clinton, was a major stepping stone towards the future of telecommunications, since this was the...
brought about many changes to radio, including WRDU. Purchased initially from Voyager Communications Inc. by Hicks, Muse, Tate, & Furst. HMW Communications of Atlanta sold WRDU and WTRG to SFX Broadcasting for $36.8 million in a deal completed in mid-1996. SFX was in turn acquired by Capstar Broadcasting, which was itself taken over by Chancellor Media Corporation, renamed AMFM Inc. When the dust settled in 1999, WRDU was owned by Clear Channel Worldwide. Their Raleigh holdings also included sister stations WDCG, WTRG (now WRVA-FM
WRVA-FM
WRVA-FM is a Classic Hits radio station that serves the Raleigh-Durham market of North Carolina. Its studios are located at Smoketree Court in Raleigh and its city of license is in Wake Forest...
), and WRSN (now WKSL-FM).
After the initial purchase of the station by SFX broadcasting, the long slow demise of WRDU began. WZZU, also a classic rock station, was brought into the fold when Prism Broadcasting Partners was purchased. With no need for two rock stations in the stable, WZZU was flipped to lite AC as Sunny 93.9 (WRSN). WRDU Program Director Tom Guild was moved to WTRG programming, while former WZZU Program Director Bob Edwards assumed those duties for WRDU. The Silva and the Blade morning show was replaced by the John Boy and Billy
John Boy and Billy
John Isley and Billy James, known as John Boy & Billy, named after "John-Boy Harris and brother Bross Harris", are American radio hosts based in Charlotte, North Carolina. Their comedic morning program The John Boy & Billy Big Show broadcasts from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m...
Radio Network (From 'ZZU mornings). Bob Robinson (AKA Bob The Blade) was moved to afternoons replacing Brian McFadden. Kevin Silva was fired. Mid-day personality Kitty Kinnin was also released, and replaced by former traffic reporter Mary Lou McGregor. 'ZZU staffer Ted McKay replaced "Mark the Shark" for overnights. A few months later, "Danger Boy" would find himself replaced by WZZU nighttimer Mark Arsen.
More changes at 106.1RDU
On July 4, 2001, the station would shake-up again, flipping from classic rock to mainstream rock. Faltering morning show "John Boy and Billy" would be replaced by "The Bob and Tom Show", a decision made by then Senior VP of Programming Buddy Scott and OM/PD Bod Edwards. John Boy and Billy were relocated to sister Oldies station WTRG-FM. The large male audience for John Boy and Billy followed John Boy and Billy to WTRG-FM. The erosion of this audience was the beginning of the end for WRDU. Mid-dayer Mary Lou would be replaced, ironically, by traffic reporter Ali Davidson. Bob the Blade would retain his position on afternoon drive. The two most shocking changes were the replacement of APD/Night talent Mark Arson with voice trackedVoice-tracking
Voice-tracking, also called cyber jocking and referred to sometimes colloquially as a robojock, is a technique employed by some radio stations in radio broadcasting to produce the illusion of a live disc jockey or announcer sitting in the radio studios of the station when one is not actually...
air talent. Overnights were handled by Program Director Bob Edwards, while nights were handled by WXTB
WXTB
WXTB — branded 98 Rock — is a commercial radio station in the Tampa, Florida area. However the station can be heard as far north as Ocala and Williston due to its strong signal...
afternoon jock "Big Rig", pre-recorded and transferred via computer from his home station in Tampa, Florida
Tampa, Florida
Tampa is a city in the U.S. state of Florida. It serves as the county seat for Hillsborough County. Tampa is located on the west coast of Florida. The population of Tampa in 2010 was 335,709....
.
The mainstream rock "experiement" lasted just over one year. Late September 2002 WRDU flipped back to classic rock, and the numbers climbed significantly.
Program Director Bob Edwards left WRDU March 2003 for Entercom owned active rock KQRC/Kansas City. He later would become the Operations Manager for the entire cluster.
Jimmy Tidwell, Music Director for Clear Channel rock WKLS/Atlanta, was named the new WRDU Program Director July 2003.
Then, Clear Channel Raleigh-Durham got a new Market Manager in Ken Spitzer, inbound from CC Rochester. Clear Channel Regional VP of Programming Jon Robbins was brought in from Charleston, SC to become the OM.
WRDU's numbers continued to see an erosion of the John Boy & Billy audience and Bob and Tom were inconsistent at best since their content had changed significantly due to the Janet Jackson incident on television.
Clear Channel RVP/GM Ken Spitzer and RVPP Jon Robbins exited due to a reorganization of the Region. Morgan Bohannon and Bruce Logan took over the Raleigh market. Bruce Logan hired Chris Shebel as the OM (his second tour of duty at Smoketree) and they flipped WRDU-FM to Country.
106.1 the Rooster/RDU Country
On Friday, October 6, 2006, Clear Channel changed the station's format to country. The station then became known as "106.1 The Rooster", with "Today's Country and the Legends". Syndicated duo John Boy and BillyJohn Boy and Billy
John Isley and Billy James, known as John Boy & Billy, named after "John-Boy Harris and brother Bross Harris", are American radio hosts based in Charlotte, North Carolina. Their comedic morning program The John Boy & Billy Big Show broadcasts from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m...
returned to the Raleigh-Durham market to do mornings on the new station.
On Monday, November 20, 2006, Bob the Blade briefly returned to afternoons on WRDU. However, on November 28, 2006, he abruptly resigned on-air, stating in essence that he couldn't be a country DJ. He then played a Who
The Who
The Who are an English rock band formed in 1964 by Roger Daltrey , Pete Townshend , John Entwistle and Keith Moon . They became known for energetic live performances which often included instrument destruction...
song, and reportedly walked out of the studio and left the building. The song ("The Song Is Over
The Song Is Over
"The Song Is Over" is a song by English rock band The Who, appearing on Who's Next.-Meaning:"The Song Is Over" was originally to be the ending song on the Lifehouse after the police invade the Lifehouse Theatre and the concert goers disappear.-Song Structure:"The Song Is Over" is one of the tracks...
") was pulled off the air within about 90 seconds, and regular country programming resumed.
Beginning in Summer 2008, 106.1 the Rooster began hosting Bobby J's White Trash Country featuring Bob Dumas of G105
WDCG-FM
WDCG, or G105 on 105.1 FM is a Contemporary hit radio station in the Raleigh-Durham radio market. Its studios are located on Smoketree Court in Raleigh's Highwoods Office Park and owned by Clear Channel Worldwide, along with 93.9 KISS-FM, 100.7 the River, and Rush Radio 106.1.- History :WDCG first...
as "Bobby J." Other guests include Mike Morse (Bubba Jr. Jr.) and Creepy John (Tater). The program airs from 7-10pm on Thursdays, consisting of classic country
Classic country
Classic country is a music radio format that specializes in playing mainstream country hits from past decades.This genre generally follows one of two formats: those specializing in hits from the 1920s through the early 1970s, and focus primarily on innovators and artists from country music's Golden...
tunes and comedic "redneck" vignettes.
In May 2009, WRDU changed its moniker to "106.1 RDU Country" with a logo similar to one that had been in use for much of its existence as a rock station. Also at this time Bobby J's White Trash Country was changed to Bobby J's Honky Tonk Country and was the only program to originate from the WRDU studios.
Talk Radio
WRDU general manager Dick Harlow announced November 2, 2009, that WRDU would change to conservative talkConservative talk
Conservative talk radio is a talk radio format in the United States and Canada devoted to expressing conservative viewpoints of issues, as opposed to progressive talk radio...
radio in 2010, with Glenn Beck
Glenn Beck
Glenn Edward Lee Beck is an American conservative radio host, vlogger, author, entrepreneur, political commentator and former television host. He hosts the Glenn Beck Program, a nationally syndicated talk-radio show that airs throughout the United States on Premiere Radio Networks...
, Sean Hannity
Sean Hannity
Sean Hannity is an American radio and television host, author, and conservative political commentator. He is the host of The Sean Hannity Show, a nationally syndicated talk radio show that airs throughout the United States on Premiere Radio Networks. Hannity also hosts a cable news show, Hannity,...
and Rush Limbaugh
Rush Limbaugh
Rush Hudson Limbaugh III is an American radio talk show host, conservative political commentator, and an opinion leader in American conservatism. He hosts The Rush Limbaugh Show which is aired throughout the U.S. on Premiere Radio Networks and is the highest-rated talk-radio program in the United...
, with plans for local hosts to air at other times.
On November 15, WRDU pulled the plug on its country format and switched to "106.1 RDU Christmas". On January 1, 2010, the station became news/talk as "106.1 Rush Radio."
New arrivals to the Triangle, Wyoming native K.C. O'Dea, and NC native Carmen Conners are co-hosts of the 5:30am to 9:00am morning call in show. In 2011, co-owned WPTI
WPTI
WRKA is a radio station broadcasting a Classic Country music format. Licensed to Louisville, Kentucky, USA, the station serves the greater Louisville area. The station is currently owned by Cox Radio, Inc.-History:...
in Greensboro
Greensboro, North Carolina
Greensboro is a city in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It is the third-largest city by population in North Carolina and the largest city in Guilford County and the surrounding Piedmont Triad metropolitan region. According to the 2010 U.S...
added WRDU's morning show.
Sports
A radio station with the call letters WRDU is depicted as "The Voice of the Durham Bulls" in the 1988 film Bull DurhamBull Durham
Bull Durham is a 1988 American romantic comedy baseball film. It is based upon the minor league experiences of writer/director Ron Shelton and depicts the players and fans of the Durham Bulls, a minor league baseball team in Durham, North Carolina....
, for which the real WRDU-FM helped recruit extras in crowd scenes.
Currently, WRDU is the flagship FM affiliate of the Tar Heel Sports Network
Tar Heel Sports Network
Tar Heel Sports Network is a radio network in the United States dedicated to broadcasting live events and programming relating to North Carolina Tar Heels athletics. It is operated by Tar Heel Sports Properties, a property of Learfield Communications, Inc., which manages the multimedia rights for...
, which broadcasts football and basketball games involving the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public research university located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States...
Tarheels. WRDU also broadcasts Carolina Mudcats
Carolina Mudcats
The Carolina Mudcats are a minor league baseball team based in the eastern suburbs of Raleigh, North Carolina. The team, which plays in the Carolina League, are the Single-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians major-league club beginning in 2012.-History:...
games on its HD2 channel, which is part of an expanded broadcast package by the area minor-league baseball team that will include access to various mobile devices.