 | |
| Broadcast area | Cincinnati metropolitan area |
|---|---|
| Frequency | 103.5MHz |
| Branding | 103.5 WGRR |
| Programming | |
| Format | Classic hits |
| Ownership | |
| Owner |
|
| WFTK,WNNF,WOFX,WRRM | |
| History | |
First air date | February 9, 1959; 66 years ago (1959-02-09) (as WHOH) |
Former call signs | WHOH (1959–1973) WYCH (1973–1978) WOKV (1978–1981) WBLZ (1981–1990) |
Call sign meaning | We'reGreatRock andRoll! |
| Technical information | |
| Facility ID | 72126 |
| Class | B |
| ERP | 11,000watts |
| HAAT | 316 meters (1,037 ft) |
| Links | |
| Webcast | Listen Live Listen Live via iHeart |
| Website | wgrr.com |
WGRR (103.5MHz) is acommercialFMradio stationlicensed toHamilton, Ohio, and serving theCincinnati metropolitan area. It broadcasts aclassic hitsradio format and is owned byCumulus Media. Itsstudios and offices are on Montgomery Road inNorwood, Ohio, using a Cincinnati address.[1]
WGRR has aneffective radiated power (ERP) of 11,000watts. Itstransmitter is off West North Bend Road at Winton Road in Cincinnati.[2]
On February 9, 1959, the stationsigned on as WHOH, representingHamilton,OHio. It was the FMsister station toWMOH1450 AM, and was owned by Fort Hamilton Broadcasting. WHOH aired a blend ofmiddle of the road andbeautiful music through the 1960s and 70s.
In 1973, thecall sign was changed to WYCH and in 1978 to WOKV playingsoft adult contemporary music.
There was a format switch to alldisco music in 1979. During this time, it was known as "The Chicken" in reference to its mascot, a giant whole broiled chicken dressed in seasonal clothing.
As disco lost steam in the 1980s, it switched briefly to a rock format as “Rock 104” in early 1981, only to switch again toRhythmic Contemporary or "CHUrban" as WBLZ. WBLZ had a conservativeplaylist for a CHUrban formatted station.
WBLZ encountered competition when WSAI (previously WHKK), then on 100.9 FM, switched from aChristian radio format and wenturban contemporary asWIZF in January 1987, known as "The Wiz." DespiteWIZF's lowereffective radiated power, WBLZ was unable to compete.
On January 4, 1990, the station became Cincinnati's first FMoldies station under the original moniker "Oldies 103.5."
WGRR was formerly owned byCBS Radio, and was sold toEntercom Communications on August 21, 2006, along with CBS Radio's other Cincinnati stations. Entercom (which later exited the market) then traded the station toCumulus Media in exchange for the frequency 94.9 FM andWYGY.
With the new Cumulus ownership, station management updated WGRR's format. In early 2007, WGRR adopted a new logo to reflect its revised format, which shifted from "Oldies" of the 1960s and 1970s, to "Classic Hits", centering on the 1970s and 80s. In recent years, theplaylist has shifted to mostly 1980s hits with some 1970s and 1990s titles.
The original WGRR lineup was Kenny Matthews (morning drive), Tony Michaels and Gina Ruffin Moore (news), Antonia "Mighty Toni" Mason (traffic) Steven Allan (program director and middays), Johnny Hall (production director and afternoons), Martin "Marty With The Party" Thompson (assistant program director and evenings), with Ronnie "Rockin' Ron" Schumacher (nights), and Kimberly "Slim Kim" Carson (overnights).
For weekends WGRR adopted the Hot Wax Weekend concept by adding legendaryWSAIdisc jockeys from the 1960s: Dusty Rhodes, Ted McAllister and Jack Stahl. Also in the original WGRR lineup was Daniel "Dangerous Dan" Allen (Saturday Night Dial-A-Hit), with Tommy "Super Tom" Schroeder who worked overnight weekends like Saturday mornings and Sunday afternoons, and longtime "Oldies" jock himself J.D. Hughes who stayed at WGRR after its transformation from CHUrban WBLZ.
WGRR had been home to Jim "The Music Professor" Labarbara, voted by his peers as one of the Top 40 radio personalities of all time. Jim is also a member of the Rock Jock Hall of Fame and was inducted into the Ohio Radio/Television Broadcasters Hall of Fame. He was replaced in early 2007 by program director Keith Mitchell, formerly PD of WMOJ-FM (Mojo 94.9).
The current lineup at WGRR consists of Jim Day (mornings). Middays feature Rockin' Ron Schumacher. Keith Mitchell hosts afternoons and Steve Mann is heard in the evening. "ClassicAmerican Top 40 withCasey Kasem" airs on weekends.
39°12′00″N84°31′23″W / 39.200°N 84.523°W /39.200; -84.523