WWCK-FM
Encyclopedia
WWCK-FM is a radio station
in Flint, Michigan
, broadcasting an adult-oriented Top 40 (CHR)
format. The station is owned by Cumulus Media
and has programmed its current format since 1989.
format while WMRP-AM
1570 played MOR; the conservative owners of the stations prohibited any advertising for tobacco or alcohol products.
withdrew support for WMRP-AM/FM, and the stations were sold that year to John W. Nogaj, who changed the FM's call letters to WWCK as a tribute to Windsor, Ontario
's powerhouse CKLW and installed a dayparted daytime Top 40/nighttime AOR format. AM 1570, meanwhile, went country
and later oldies
as WCZN.
Nogaj sold WCZN-AM and WWCK-FM in 1975 to Reams Broadcasting, who changed WWCK's format to full-time AOR. As "Flint's Best Rock," WWCK was a market leader in Flint for many years, and was named the top-rated rock station in the United States in 1985. WWCK-FM was also the home of Filmmaker Michael Moore's "Radio Free Flint" from 1980 through 1985 and "Buffalo Dick's Radio Ranch" with Jeff Lamb, voted "Best Local Programming/All Markets" by Billboard Magazine in 1982.
on New Year's Day of 1989, with WWCK-AM 1570 serving as a shadowcast of the FM. This marked the first time Flint had a Top 40 or CHR station of its own since WTAC-AM
600 changed from Top 40 to country music in 1981. Fans of the AOR format were unhappy with the change, but CK105.5's new format took off in the ratings and posted several number one showings (12+) in the Flint Arbitron reports through the 1990s.
and due to playlist tweaks to make the station more of an Adult CHR which alienated younger listeners. Some listeners also feel the overall quality of the station has declined since Cumulus Media took over ownership. Nevertheless, CK105.5 is typically still a top ten ratings performer in Flint.
Former Morning Shows Included: Leeroy & The pepper, The Breakfast Boys with a few different variations. Mr.Bob Morning Show, Scott, Gin & Clay, Andrew Z in the Morning, Jerry & Stephanie, and Finally Mike & Stephanie.
WWCK was once housed at its transmitter location on Lapeer Rd. During the 90's WWCK allowed requests at the studio window. It was also common for wedding parties to stop by the studio for shout outs and such.
Memorable personalities included: Jim "The Bod" Larsin (Jim Koza), Bob O'Dell, Ian Richards, Terry "Motormouth" Young, Catfish Cooper, Phlash Phelps, Fletch, Heidi with the hooters. Over nights boasted "J.D.". He and his friend "Turk" took over "Saturday Night Party Patrol" duties. Fans would write in to the station and JD would piuck the coolest sounding parties and pull up in the CK 105 Van with about 50 Little Ceasers Pizzas, 50 Subway Sandwiches, Pepsi Products, and other goodies (I E tee-shirts, cassetts, compact disks, posters, and movie tickets. They went to a camp in Fenton that had campers with disabilities and allowed them to share their lives on the air. It was the most heartfelt 30 minutes in CK's radio history.
The current CK105.5 air staff includes Mike McDonald and Stephanie(mornings), Shawn Powers (afternoon drive). Weekend hosts include DC, Chachi and Nikki B.
Current syndicated shows include: Rick Dees (Mid-Days) and Billy Bush (Weekday Evenings), Open House Party (weekend evenings).
Former Program Directors included: Leroy St. Micheals, Scott Shannon, John Shomby, Scott Free, Brian Figula, Jeff Andrews. Scott "Shannon" (real name Scott Seipel - no relation to Scott Shannon
of WHTZ
, WPLJ
and True Oldies Channel fame), formerly of WIOG
, was also part of the highly rated "Scott & Gin Morning Show" and the "Scott and Gin Morning Show with Clay" and Shawn Powers (who recently resigned to Program another station out of state). The current Program Director is also the Market Manager, Mary Jane Dickson.
The Pete Mata Show-One of the longest running shows in Flint since 1959. The Pete Mata Show is a Latin Music show serving the Latin Community of Genesee County.
Every Sunday morning from 6am to 8am Pete Mata along with "Popcorn Anne" and Sapphyre play the top Latin hits and take requests for other Latin music.
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...
in Flint, Michigan
Flint, Michigan
Flint is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and is located along the Flint River, northwest of Detroit. The U.S. Census Bureau reports the 2010 population to be placed at 102,434, making Flint the seventh largest city in Michigan. It is the county seat of Genesee County which lies in the...
, broadcasting an adult-oriented 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. The station is owned by Cumulus Media
Cumulus Media
Cumulus Media, Inc. is the second largest Owner and Operator of AM and FM radio stations in the United States, behind Clear Channel Communications, operating 570 stations in 150 markets as of September 16, 2011. The company also owns Cumulus Media Networks...
and has programmed its current format since 1989.
Early History: WMRP
105.5 FM originally went on the air in 1964 as WMRP-FM. The WMRP calls stood for Methodist Radio Parish. WMRP-FM aired a Beautiful MusicBeautiful music
Beautiful music is a mostly instrumental music format that was prominent in American radio from the 1960s through the 1980s...
format while WMRP-AM
WWCK (AM)
WWCK is a radio station in Flint, Michigan broadcasting a talk radio format.The Cumulus Media-owned station features a roster of mainly syndicated talk show hosts including Rush Limbaugh, Michael Savage, Neal Boortz, and Coast-to-Coast AM as well as local morning talk with Lou Lobsinger and news...
1570 played MOR; the conservative owners of the stations prohibited any advertising for tobacco or alcohol products.
Flint's Best Rock
In 1971, the United Methodist ChurchUnited Methodist Church
The United Methodist Church is a Methodist Christian denomination which is both mainline Protestant and evangelical. Founded in 1968 by the union of The Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church, the UMC traces its roots back to the revival movement of John and Charles Wesley...
withdrew support for WMRP-AM/FM, and the stations were sold that year to John W. Nogaj, who changed the FM's call letters to WWCK as a tribute to Windsor, Ontario
Windsor, Ontario
Windsor is the southernmost city in Canada and is located in Southwestern Ontario at the western end of the heavily populated Quebec City – Windsor Corridor. It is within Essex County, Ontario, although administratively separated from the county government. Separated by the Detroit River, Windsor...
's powerhouse CKLW and installed a dayparted daytime Top 40/nighttime AOR format. AM 1570, meanwhile, went country
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
and later oldies
Oldies
Oldies is a term commonly used to describe a radio format that concentrates on music from a period of about 15 to 55 years before the present day....
as WCZN.
Nogaj sold WCZN-AM and WWCK-FM in 1975 to Reams Broadcasting, who changed WWCK's format to full-time AOR. As "Flint's Best Rock," WWCK was a market leader in Flint for many years, and was named the top-rated rock station in the United States in 1985. WWCK-FM was also the home of Filmmaker Michael Moore's "Radio Free Flint" from 1980 through 1985 and "Buffalo Dick's Radio Ranch" with Jeff Lamb, voted "Best Local Programming/All Markets" by Billboard Magazine in 1982.
CK105.5 Flips to CHR
In December 1988, Reams Broadcasting sold AM 1570 and FM 105.5 to Majac of Michigan. Majac abruptly changed CK105's format from AOR to CHRContemporary 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...
on New Year's Day of 1989, with WWCK-AM 1570 serving as a shadowcast of the FM. This marked the first time Flint had a Top 40 or CHR station of its own since WTAC-AM
WSNL
WSNL is a radio station broadcasting a religious format. Licensed to Flint, Michigan, it first began broadcasting in 1946.The original call letters were WFLM, but the station was purchased in December of 1946 by George W. Trendle and H. Allen Campbell, who changed the call letters to WTCB and made...
600 changed from Top 40 to country music in 1981. Fans of the AOR format were unhappy with the change, but CK105.5's new format took off in the ratings and posted several number one showings (12+) in the Flint Arbitron reports through the 1990s.
CK105.5 Today
In recent years, WWCK's ratings have dropped somewhat due to competition from crosstown Rhythmic CHR outlet WRCLWRCL
WRCL is a commercial broadcast radio station serving the mid Michigan area . It plays Rhythmic Contemporary Hits on the FM dial at 93.7 MHz, naming itself Club 93-7...
and due to playlist tweaks to make the station more of an Adult CHR which alienated younger listeners. Some listeners also feel the overall quality of the station has declined since Cumulus Media took over ownership. Nevertheless, CK105.5 is typically still a top ten ratings performer in Flint.
Former Morning Shows Included: Leeroy & The pepper, The Breakfast Boys with a few different variations. Mr.Bob Morning Show, Scott, Gin & Clay, Andrew Z in the Morning, Jerry & Stephanie, and Finally Mike & Stephanie.
WWCK was once housed at its transmitter location on Lapeer Rd. During the 90's WWCK allowed requests at the studio window. It was also common for wedding parties to stop by the studio for shout outs and such.
Memorable personalities included: Jim "The Bod" Larsin (Jim Koza), Bob O'Dell, Ian Richards, Terry "Motormouth" Young, Catfish Cooper, Phlash Phelps, Fletch, Heidi with the hooters. Over nights boasted "J.D.". He and his friend "Turk" took over "Saturday Night Party Patrol" duties. Fans would write in to the station and JD would piuck the coolest sounding parties and pull up in the CK 105 Van with about 50 Little Ceasers Pizzas, 50 Subway Sandwiches, Pepsi Products, and other goodies (I E tee-shirts, cassetts, compact disks, posters, and movie tickets. They went to a camp in Fenton that had campers with disabilities and allowed them to share their lives on the air. It was the most heartfelt 30 minutes in CK's radio history.
The current CK105.5 air staff includes Mike McDonald and Stephanie(mornings), Shawn Powers (afternoon drive). Weekend hosts include DC, Chachi and Nikki B.
Current syndicated shows include: Rick Dees (Mid-Days) and Billy Bush (Weekday Evenings), Open House Party (weekend evenings).
Former Program Directors included: Leroy St. Micheals, Scott Shannon, John Shomby, Scott Free, Brian Figula, Jeff Andrews. Scott "Shannon" (real name Scott Seipel - no relation to Scott Shannon
Scott Shannon
Michael Scott Shannon is a radio disc jockey, current co-host of the "Scott and Todd in the Morning" show on WPLJ, host of The True Oldies Channel, and the official voice of The Sean Hannity Show.-Early Radio Career:...
of WHTZ
WHTZ
WHTZ — branded Z100 — is a commercial pop/contemporary hit radio radio station licensed to Newark, New Jersey serving the New York metropolitan area. The station is currently owned by Clear Channel Communications...
, WPLJ
WPLJ
WPLJ is a radio station in New York City owned by the broadcasting division of Cumulus Media. WPLJ shares studio facilities with sister station WABC inside 2 Penn Plaza in midtown Manhattan, and its transmitter is atop the Empire State Building. The station currently plays a Hot Adult...
and True Oldies Channel fame), formerly of WIOG
WIOG
WIOG is a radio station airing a Top 40 format, licensed to Bay City, Michigan and serving the Greater Tri-Cities areas from a transmitter located northeast of Saginaw...
, was also part of the highly rated "Scott & Gin Morning Show" and the "Scott and Gin Morning Show with Clay" and Shawn Powers (who recently resigned to Program another station out of state). The current Program Director is also the Market Manager, Mary Jane Dickson.
Sources
The Pete Mata Show-One of the longest running shows in Flint since 1959. The Pete Mata Show is a Latin Music show serving the Latin Community of Genesee County.
Every Sunday morning from 6am to 8am Pete Mata along with "Popcorn Anne" and Sapphyre play the top Latin hits and take requests for other Latin music.