Indiana RadioWatch: March 10, 1999
This just in at presstime...the FCC & Pathfinder have reached a tentative settlement. Under the terms of the settlement,
John Dille's Pathfinder Communications pays a $30,000 fine and David Hicks pays a $20,000 fine. Dille loses none of his
properties. The original accusation was that Dille set up a front whereby he controlled WRBR-FM (103.9fm, South Bend)
through his children in order to avoid any cross-ownership waiver, since he owns the local Elkhart Truth newspaper. FCC
Judge Joseph Chachkin has not said when he'll release his decision on the settlement.
Northeast
CHR-Dance/WGL-FM (102.3fm, Auburn) moves its transmitter from the south side of Auburn to the west side of Garrett. Also,
they increase power to 6kw in an attempt to blanket Fort Wayne. When the IRW-mobile was on the south side of Fort Wayne
(roughly 30 miles away) we received excellent reception, except when we drove by 2915 Maples Road :-)
Also at WGL-FM, Jo Valentine takes the night shift. Valentine arrives from CHR/WJET (102.3fm, Erie, Pennsylvania) where
he did nights.
Northcentral
Standards/WHLY & Country/WJVA (1620am, 1580am; both South Bend) OM Mike Shannon departs. Also leaving are Deb Millard,
Shannon's AM-Drive co-host (she was also GSM). According to our sources, this leaves the station staffed only by the
Owner/GM and the Chief Engineer.
Northwest
Country/WLJE (105.5fm, Valparaiso) PD Kevin "Crash" Davis departs for the PD post at Radio One Networks "Go Country"
format.
Eastcentral
Country/WQLK (96.1fm, Richmond) PD Buzz Cannon departs for Country/WRBT (94.9fm, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania). He'll be known
there as "Buzz Carson".
Central
Classic Hits/WNAP (93.1fm, Indianapolis) switches to more of a 'metal-classic-rock' feel. Bands frequently heard include
Van Halen, Def Leppard, and AC/DC. They're positioning themselves as "Classic Rock that Really Rocks". Sources compare
this change to the old "Solid Rock 103.3" from 1992. It seems that once listeners were done with syndicated morning man
Howard Stern's show, they vanished. From what we've heard, other than the station going jockless for the first week, the
changes (musically) have been subtle.
Also, WNAP and AC/WENS (97.1fm, Shelbyville) will be voice tracking overnights. That means WENS overnight vet Tim Bonnell
will exit.
Jazz/WIRE-FM (91.1fm, Lebanon) is fined $4,000 by the FCC for running their station on a taller tower than is allowed.
WIRE was originally fined $11,000 for also interfering with the signal of WEDM (91.1fm, Indianapolis), but that was
eliminiated on appeal, since the FCC could not determine whether or not WEDM's signal had been effected.
Country/WFMS (95.5fm, Indianapolis), Country/WGRL (93.9fm, Noblesville) and Oldies/WGLD (104.5fm, Indianapolis) News
Director Larry Leggett has resigned. No replacement named.
Speaking of WFMS, Congrats to MD/PM-Drive guy J.D. Cannon, who celebrates 20 years with the station. The celebration
included a "This Is Your Life" tribute, featuring calls from various country artists. In addition, Indiana Governor
Frank O'Bannon designated native Iowan J.D. as "an official Hoosier" and Indianapolis Mayor Steven Goldsmith presented him
with the city's highest community service award.
Congrats to AC/WENS (97.1fm, Shelbyville). They're one of the 40 finalists for the NAB's Crystal Radio Award.
The Bob & Tom Show add several new affiliates: AOR/KRRX (106.1fm, Redding, California), Oldies/KXFM (99.1fm,
San Luis Obispo, California), Classic Rock/WWFX (100.1fm, Worcester, Massachusetts), and AOR/WXRX (104.9fm, Rockford,
Illinois).
Westcentral
The Equity One stations in Terre Haute (WSDM(AM) & FM, WAXI, and WJSH) add news from local NBC affiliate WTWO-TV
(Channel 2!).
Southeast
We recently ran into an impressive website covering the history of Country/WTRE (1330am, Greensburg) - Check out
http://www.treecountry.com/history/
Southwest
Country/WBNL(AM) & Standards/WBNL-FM (1540am & 107.1fm, both Boonville) are sold to CCM Ministries. According to our
sources, CCM plans on a gospel format for the AM side and a contemporary Christian format on the FM side.
Sports/WGAB(AM) (1180, Newburgh) drops its sports format in favor of Adult Standards, utilizing JSN's "Music of Your
Life" radio network.
Congrats to Country/WYNG (105.3fm, Evansville) on their second place showing in the Small-market category for the
Promotion Awards given by the Country Radio Broadcasters.
CHR/WSTO (96.1fm, Owensboro, Kentucky) Night guy Cat Michaels exits.
That's it for this issue! See you in two weeks...
Blaine Thompson
Indiana RadioWatch
irw@well.com
Back to the Archive Index
All pages Copyright
Blaine Thompson. Articles, photos, corrections, and other contributions should be
e-mailed to the editors.