WVKS (92.5 Kiss-FM) & WDRQ (93.1 DRQ) – Toledo, OH / Detroit, MI – 8/27/98 & 8/28/98

Recorded 16 years ago this week, this is a montage of a pair of CHR stations that served neighboring Midwestern markets.

At this time, Toledo’s WVKS (92.5 Kiss-FM) aired its “Club Kiss”  (which was really the syndicated Hot Mix product) dance mixes nightly – this brief sample of the station was recorded on a Thursday night during that program.

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, dance remixes and classic dance were still part of the playlist. As heard on the aircheck, the station was promoting a party celebrating its 2nd birthday at a local club named Liquid.