WGRR

WGRR

Hamilton, Ohio
Broadcast area	Cincinnati metropolitan area
Frequency	103.5MHz
Branding	103.5 WGRR
Programming
Format	Classic hits
Ownership
Owner	Cumulus Media (Radio License Holding SRC LLC)
Sister stations	WFTK,WNNF,WOFX,WRRM
History
First air date	February 9, 1959(1959-02-09)(as WHOH)
Former call signs	WHOH (1959–1973) WYCH (1973–1978) WOKV (1978–1981) WBLZ (1981–1990)
Call signmeaning	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 stationlicensedtoHamilton, Ohio,and serving theCincinnati metropolitan area.It broadcasts aclassic hitsradio formatand is owned byCumulus Media.Itsstudiosand offices are on Montgomery Road inNorwood, Ohio,using a Cincinnati address.

WGRR has aneffective radiated power(ERP) of 11,000watts.Itstransmitteris off West North Bend Road at Winton Road in Cincinnati.

History

WHOH (1959–1973)

On February 9, 1959, the stationsigned onas WHOH, representingHamilton,OHio. It was the FMsister stationtoWMOH1450 AM,and was owned by Fort Hamilton Broadcasting. WHOH aired a blend ofmiddle of the roadandbeautiful musicthrough the 1960s and 70s.

Adult contemporary (1973–1979)

In 1973, thecall signwas changed to WYCH and in 1978 to WOKV playingsoft adult contemporarymusic.

Disco (1979–1981)

There was a format switch to alldisco musicin 1979. During this time, it was known as "The Chicken" in reference to its mascot, a giant whole broiled chicken dressed in seasonal clothing.

Rock/Rhythmic (1981–1990)

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 Contemporaryor "CHUrban" as WBLZ. WBLZ had a conservativeplaylistfor a CHUrban formatted station.

WBLZ encountered competition when WSAI (previously WHKK), then on 100.9 FM, switched from aChristian radioformat and wenturban contemporaryasWIZFin January 1987, known as "The Wiz." DespiteWIZF's lowereffective radiated power,WBLZ was unable to compete.

Oldies (1990–2007)

On January 4, 1990, the station became Cincinnati's first FMoldiesstation under the original moniker "Oldies 103.5."

WGRR was formerly owned byCBS Radio,and was sold toEntercom Communicationson August 21, 2006, along with CBS Radio's other Cincinnati stations. Entercom (which later exited the market) then traded the station toCumulus Mediain exchange for the frequency 94.9 FM andWYGY.

Classic hits (2007–present)

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, theplaylisthas shifted to mostly 1980s hits with some 1970s and 1990s titles.

Past personalities

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 jockeysfrom 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).

Current personalities

The current lineup at WGRR consists of Chris O'Brien and Janeen Coyle ( "Married with Microphones" ) in morningdrive time,with news and traffic from Angie Irick. Middays feature Rockin' Ron Schumacher, Keith Mitchell in afternoons and Steve Mann heard in the evening. "ClassicAmerican Top 40withCasey Kasem"airs on weekends.

References

• Greater Cincinnati Radio Guide

External links

• 103.5 WGRR
• Facility details for Facility ID 72126 (WGRR)in theFCCLicensing and Management System
• WGRRinNielsen Audio's FM station database