97.5
KMVA (Hot 97.5) – Phoenix – 8/20/12
Since October 2006, about 18 months after moving from Flagstaff, AZ to Dewey-Humboldt, AZ (in order to better cover the Phoenix market), 97.5 FM has programmed many variations of uptempo formats targeted at adults. It started with MOViN’ 97.5, which launched as a Rhythmic AC but evolved to a Hot AC/Adult Top 40 format. By the end of 2010, the station rebranded as Hot 97.5 but generally kept the same format. It flirted with a Dance-leaning approach early in the decade before returning to Adult Top 40. This aircheck appears to have been recorded somewhere in the middle of that most recent transition. The station began simulcasting on KEXX (now KZON)/Gilbert in January 2014, and now calls itself “Hot 97.5 & 103.9”. Many thanks to Steven Ratz for contributing this airchec...
WPST (97.5) – Trenton, NJ – November 1991 – Andy West
At the start of the 90’s, as mainstream pop music became much more fragmented, many formerly “Mainstream” CHRs chose to lean towards either Adult Contemporary or Rhythmic/Dance music. WPST, along with some of its other neighbors in the Philadelphia region like “Y102” WRFY Reading and WSTW Wilmington went in a Rock 40 direction. When was the last time a station ran an all-request show at 3am?
WPST 97.5 – Trenton, NJ – 6/20/91 – Barbara Spencer & Mel Toxic
At the start of the 90’s, as mainstream pop music became much more fragmented, many formerly “Mainstream” CHRs chose to lean towards Rhythmic/Dance music, while others (such as WPST as heard on this aircheck) moved towards Hot Adult Contemporary. However, by the end of 1991, WPST had evolved into something perhaps best described as “Rock 40”, similar to some of its neighbors in the Philadelphia region, such as WRFY “Y102” in Reading and WSTW 93.7 in Wilmington.
KWTX (97.5 FM) – Waco, TX – 12/20/91 – Laura Francis
From late December 1991, this is a sample of Waco’s longtime CHR station, at a time when it (like many of its format peers) leaned towards Hot AC. Contributed by Chip Kelley.
WZOK (97 ZOK) – Rockford, IL – 8/10/98 – Steve Paska
This is a great example of pure small market Midwestern Mainstream CHR from the late 90’s. Voiced by the late and great Brian James.
WPST (97.5 PST) – Trenton, NJ – 11/5/97 – Dan Kelly
Recorded 18 years ago this month, here is a sample of Central New Jersey’s longtime Hot AC/Mainstream CHR, at its previous home on 97.5 FM. More information about the station can be found at Wikipedia.
KRZS (MOViN 97.5) – Phoenix – 10/27/06 (FIRST DAY)
In May 2006, 92.5 FM in Seattle flipped to Rhythmic AC as “MOViN 92.5” (KQMV) and enjoyed instant ratings success. As is often the case in radio, numerous stations around the country jumped on the bandwagon, attempting to duplicate KQMV’s achievement. One of those stations was Standards-formatted KRZS, which was targeting Phoenix from about 85 miles to the North. Eight years ago today, it became “MOViN 97.5”. The call letters eventually became KMVA. You can hear the actual format change/debut at our sister site, Formatchange.com. The audio linked below represents a montage of the 2 hours or so that followed.
97.5 WABB Mobile Final Day Part 4 – 2/29/2012
Part 4 of our journey through WABB’s history takes us through the rest of the 90’s and back into the 80’s. This segment of the history of the station features airchecks of Craig Andrews, the Two Goofy White Dudes morning show, and Gary Mitchell. Of note is a phone prank to station owner Bernie Dittman. Interviews and station tributes are made by Pablo (Now morning host at AAA 92.1 WZEW Mobile), Chris Smith (Now in mornings at 710 WNTM as “Uncle Henry“), Hot Ron Anthony, Former 1480 WABB DJ (and now OM/Chief Engineer of 92.1 WZEW) Tim Camp, “Marathon” Mike Stewart, and Barry “Gary Mitchell” Silvermann. For more on the history of WABB, Alvin Williams has produced a four part feature on Examiner.com. | Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | P...
97.5 WABB Mobile Final Day Part 3 – 2/29/2012
WABB’s musical rewind enters the 1990’s. Included are interviews with Jo Valentine (who is putting together a WABB Tribute Site), Derek “Kane” Long, Little Joe, Pablo, and more airchecks and promos including a contest where listeners had the choice in winning stock in their competitor Cumulus Broadcasting, which was at $5 a share at time, or a $25 Wal-Mart gift card. More WABB tributes online include these from Fox 10 Mobile, Scott Sands, and Kat Slay. | Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | The Final Hour |
97.5 WABB Mobile Final Day Part 2 – 2/29/2012
As WABB’s final day progressed it began its rewind through its history. Featured in this segment are interviews with former Production and Imaging Director AJ McKay, Lori from the History Museum of Mobile who took possession of the WABBit mascot, Barry “Gary Mitchell” Silverman (one of the first morning hosts on WABB-FM) and Bernie Dittman’s grandson Julian. At 9am, the morning show bid adieu and the station began cycling back in time through the station’s musical history. This segment features WABB’s history in the 21st century as told via old sweepers and promos. The aforementioned AJ McKay has also placed a number of WABB airchecks, promos, and jingles for download at his site. | Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | The Final Hour |
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