Our apologies for the frequent doses of static heard throughout the first few minutes of this aircheck.
Following the “worst-to-first” success of New York’s “103.5 The New ‘KTU” in 1996, a number of stations around the U.S. attempted similar formats (essentially Rhythmic AC) in their markets. Among these stations was 93.1 FM in Detroit, which brought back the WDRQ call letters after a 10+ year absence. The station initially positioned itself as “Detroit’s Dance Music Station”, offering a mix of currents and classics from the genre. Airchecks from this era of the station can be found on our site’s main WDRQ page.
However, by the summer of 1998, the station was employing the slogan “Today’s Hit Music” as it offered a more mainstream, subdued presentation. However, as heard on this aircheck (recorded 15 years ago today), dance remixes and classic dance were still part of the playlist.
Podcast: Embed
This was back when 93-1 DRQ was more of a dance-oriented station. As a matter of fact, Detroit did not have a true CHR station during this time. The only stations Detroit had that resembled a CHR were 93-1 DRQ and Hot AC WKQI (known at that time as Q95.5). Neither station would become a full-fledged CHR for another year or so, but they were still interesting to listen to nonetheless. Of course, WDRQ is now a variety hits station known as “93.1 Doug FM” and WKQI is a rhythmic CHR known as “Channel 9-5-5”.