Smile FM
Encyclopedia
Smile FM is a network
of 19 non-commercial
, contemporary Christian radio station
s. Most programming originates from studios in Williamston, Michigan (just east of Lansing, Michigan
) and is relayed (with local inserts) by an expanding number of stations throughout the state. The network also has studios in Imlay City, MI.
While currently a Michigan only network, Smile FM has submitted applications for future stations in several other states.
Smile FM was originally two separate networks. The first, The Light, was founded on December 2, 1996 when WLGH
Lansing, Michigan
began broadcasting. The second, Joy FM, began on December 12, 2000 with WHYT
(now WWKM
), Imlay City, Michigan
. While both played contemporary Christian music, The Light aimed for a younger audience. In June 2004 the two networks were combined to form Smile FM in a "wedding ceremony" conducted at Oldsmobile Park
in Lansing. The new name eliminated confusion since many other unrelated stations used The Light and Joy FM names.
The network is notable for putting stations on the air at a low cost. They lease existing towers and use voice tracking. This allows the network to operate with a minimal number of employees. Unlike many Christian stations, they play music with only a few short breaks for weather, news, announcements and features. Smile FM has also pioneered the use of new technology to help distribute and customize its programming, including developing an emergency weather notification system that is faster and more reliable than the required EAS system (which they also operate).
The network's stations, although having the same ownership, are officially owned by one of three Non-Profit entities: Superior Communications, Michigan Community Radio, and Northland Community Broadcasters. All three Non-Profit entities were founded by Jennifer and Edward Czelada. WCZE 103.7 Harbor Beach is the only commercial station. WCZE is currently airing the Smile FM non-commercial programming. Under the name of Smile FM applications for eight additional stations were filed with the FCC in the fall of 2007.
In January 2008, Smile FM established WWKM
Imlay City as the flagship of the new Smile FM Praise network. Previously, the station had broadcast traditional Christian music and hymns. The new network played Christian contemporary worship music. Some of the current Smile FM stations with overlapping coverage areas. The Smile FM Praise experiment was ended in 2009.
The owners have often recycled the call letters of famous Michigan stations of the past for their stations. WDTR (now WRCJ
) and WHYT (now WDVD
) were once used by Detroit stations. WTAC (now WSNL
) was the leading top 40 station in Flint during the 1960s (and, ironically, a pioneering contemporary Christian station during the 1980s). WKPK was used by a popular top 40 station of the 1980s and 1990s in northern Michigan (now WSRT). WAIR was an oldies station in northern Michigan (now WFCX
) and the calls were also used for a construction permit for a station in Honor (now WSRJ). WWKM
was a now-defunct station in Harrison (and Smile FM's 88.5 FM station in the Alpena area, WSFP, once bore the calls of WWKM's sister station WKKM, which is now WTWS
in Houghton Lake).
Others were named for the original formats of the stations. WLGH and WTLI were The Light. All of the stations beginning with WJ were in or scheduled to be in the Joy FM network. WCZE stands for the first three letters of Czelada.
Radio network
There are two types of radio networks currently in use around the world: the one-to-many broadcast type commonly used for public information and mass media entertainment; and the two-way type used more commonly for public safety and public services such as police, fire, taxicabs, and delivery...
of 19 non-commercial
Non-commercial
Non-commercial refers to an activity or entity that does not in some sense involve commerce, at least relative to similar activities that do have a commercial objective or emphasis...
, contemporary Christian radio station
Radio station
Radio broadcasting is a one-way wireless transmission over radio waves intended to reach a wide audience. Stations can be linked in radio networks to broadcast a common radio format, either in broadcast syndication or simulcast or both...
s. Most programming originates from studios in Williamston, Michigan (just east of Lansing, Michigan
Lansing, Michigan
Lansing is the capital of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is located mostly in Ingham County, although small portions of the city extend into Eaton County. The 2010 Census places the city's population at 114,297, making it the fifth largest city in Michigan...
) and is relayed (with local inserts) by an expanding number of stations throughout the state. The network also has studios in Imlay City, MI.
While currently a Michigan only network, Smile FM has submitted applications for future stations in several other states.
Smile FM was originally two separate networks. The first, The Light, was founded on December 2, 1996 when WLGH
WLGH
WLGH is a non-commercial, contemporary Christian FM radio station located in Lansing, Michigan. The station, which broadcasts on 88.1 MHz FM, is owned by Superior Communications which is in turn owned by Jennifer and Edward Czelada.The station is officially licensed to operate in Leroy Township,...
Lansing, Michigan
Lansing, Michigan
Lansing is the capital of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is located mostly in Ingham County, although small portions of the city extend into Eaton County. The 2010 Census places the city's population at 114,297, making it the fifth largest city in Michigan...
began broadcasting. The second, Joy FM, began on December 12, 2000 with WHYT
WHYT
WHYT is a non-commercial, contemporary Christian FM radio station licensed to serve Goodland Township and Imlay City, Michigan. The transmitter is located between Imlay City and Marlette, Michigan...
(now WWKM
WWKM
WWKM is a non-commercial, Christian FM radio station licensed to serve Imlay City, Michigan. It is owned by Michigan Community Radio which is in turn owned by Jennifer and Edward Czelada. The station is part of their Smile FM network of Contemporary Christian music stations.The station came on...
), Imlay City, Michigan
Imlay City, Michigan
Imlay City is a city in Lapeer County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 3,869 at the 2000 census and 3,597 at the 2010 census.-Education:Imlay City has five public schools and one private school...
. While both played contemporary Christian music, The Light aimed for a younger audience. In June 2004 the two networks were combined to form Smile FM in a "wedding ceremony" conducted at Oldsmobile Park
Oldsmobile Park
Cooley Law School Stadium is a baseball stadium in Lansing, Michigan, home field of the Lansing Lugnuts minor league baseball team. The Michigan State Spartans college baseball team also plays select home games at Cooley Law School Stadium...
in Lansing. The new name eliminated confusion since many other unrelated stations used The Light and Joy FM names.
The network is notable for putting stations on the air at a low cost. They lease existing towers and use voice tracking. This allows the network to operate with a minimal number of employees. Unlike many Christian stations, they play music with only a few short breaks for weather, news, announcements and features. Smile FM has also pioneered the use of new technology to help distribute and customize its programming, including developing an emergency weather notification system that is faster and more reliable than the required EAS system (which they also operate).
The network's stations, although having the same ownership, are officially owned by one of three Non-Profit entities: Superior Communications, Michigan Community Radio, and Northland Community Broadcasters. All three Non-Profit entities were founded by Jennifer and Edward Czelada. WCZE 103.7 Harbor Beach is the only commercial station. WCZE is currently airing the Smile FM non-commercial programming. Under the name of Smile FM applications for eight additional stations were filed with the FCC in the fall of 2007.
In January 2008, Smile FM established WWKM
WWKM
WWKM is a non-commercial, Christian FM radio station licensed to serve Imlay City, Michigan. It is owned by Michigan Community Radio which is in turn owned by Jennifer and Edward Czelada. The station is part of their Smile FM network of Contemporary Christian music stations.The station came on...
Imlay City as the flagship of the new Smile FM Praise network. Previously, the station had broadcast traditional Christian music and hymns. The new network played Christian contemporary worship music. Some of the current Smile FM stations with overlapping coverage areas. The Smile FM Praise experiment was ended in 2009.
The owners have often recycled the call letters of famous Michigan stations of the past for their stations. WDTR (now WRCJ
WRCJ
WRCJ-FM is a classical/jazz FM radio station in Detroit, Michigan. The station operates on 90.9 MHz and is the only Classical Music station in Detroit...
) and WHYT (now WDVD
WDVD
WDVD is a hot adult contemporary radio station in Detroit, Michigan, broadcasting at 96.3 MHz on the FM dial. WDVD's studios and offices are located in the Fisher Building near downtown Detroit. WDVD's transmitter is located in Oakland County in Royal Oak Township at 8 Mile Road and Wyoming Avenue...
) were once used by Detroit stations. WTAC (now WSNL
WSNL
WSNL is a radio station broadcasting a religious format. Licensed to Flint, Michigan, it first began broadcasting in 1946.The original call letters were WFLM, but the station was purchased in December of 1946 by George W. Trendle and H. Allen Campbell, who changed the call letters to WTCB and made...
) was the leading top 40 station in Flint during the 1960s (and, ironically, a pioneering contemporary Christian station during the 1980s). WKPK was used by a popular top 40 station of the 1980s and 1990s in northern Michigan (now WSRT). WAIR was an oldies station in northern Michigan (now WFCX
WFCX
WFCX 94.3 Leland, Michigan, and WFDX 92.5 Atlanta, Michigan, are Northern Radio-owned stations that simulcast a classic hits format branded as Music Radio, The Fox FM...
) and the calls were also used for a construction permit for a station in Honor (now WSRJ). WWKM
WWKM
WWKM is a non-commercial, Christian FM radio station licensed to serve Imlay City, Michigan. It is owned by Michigan Community Radio which is in turn owned by Jennifer and Edward Czelada. The station is part of their Smile FM network of Contemporary Christian music stations.The station came on...
was a now-defunct station in Harrison (and Smile FM's 88.5 FM station in the Alpena area, WSFP, once bore the calls of WWKM's sister station WKKM, which is now WTWS
WTWS
WTWS, known as 92.1 The Twister, is a 920-watt radio station broadcasting at 92.1 FM in Houghton Lake, MI, with a country music format.Formerly licensed to Harrison, Michigan and operated as a satellite of public radio station WVXU Cincinnati for several years and owned by Xavier University , the...
in Houghton Lake).
Others were named for the original formats of the stations. WLGH and WTLI were The Light. All of the stations beginning with WJ were in or scheduled to be in the Joy FM network. WCZE stands for the first three letters of Czelada.
On-air staff
- Jennifer Czelada (Morning Expresso from Imlay CityImlay City, MichiganImlay City is a city in Lapeer County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 3,869 at the 2000 census and 3,597 at the 2010 census.-Education:Imlay City has five public schools and one private school...
) - Brian Dumont (Morning Expresso from Lansing)
- Dennis
- Rob Dale (Weather; former WLNS meteorologist)
- Melissa Proffit (News headlines)
- Andy Delancey (News headlines)
- Faron Dice
- Rob Dempsey
- Elly Singer
Smile FM Network Stations
Stations owned and operated by Smile FM include:- WLGHWLGHWLGH is a non-commercial, contemporary Christian FM radio station located in Lansing, Michigan. The station, which broadcasts on 88.1 MHz FM, is owned by Superior Communications which is in turn owned by Jennifer and Edward Czelada.The station is officially licensed to operate in Leroy Township,...
88.1 Leroy Twp./LansingLansing, MichiganLansing is the capital of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is located mostly in Ingham County, although small portions of the city extend into Eaton County. The 2010 Census places the city's population at 114,297, making it the fifth largest city in Michigan...
(east of Lansing) 6.8 kW 571' - WSMFWSMFWSMF is a non-commercial, contemporary Christian FM radio station licensed to broadcast on 88.1 FM in Monroe, Michigan and downriver Detroit. It is owned by Northland Community Broadcasters , which is owned by Jennifer and Edward Czelada. The station broadcasts with a power of 1.2 kW...
88.1 MonroeMonroe, MichiganMonroe is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 20,733 at the 2010 census. It is the largest city and county seat of Monroe County. The city is bordered on the south by Monroe Charter Township, but both are politically independent. The city is located approximately 14 miles ...
(Serving Monroe and Downriver Detroit) 1.2 127' - WHYTWHYTWHYT is a non-commercial, contemporary Christian FM radio station licensed to serve Goodland Township and Imlay City, Michigan. The transmitter is located between Imlay City and Marlette, Michigan...
88.1 Goodland Twp./Imlay CityImlay City, MichiganImlay City is a city in Lapeer County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 3,869 at the 2000 census and 3,597 at the 2010 census.-Education:Imlay City has five public schools and one private school...
400w 581' (CP 12.5 kW) - WEJCWEJCWEJC is a non-commercial, contemporary Christian FM radio station licensed to serve White Star, Michigan with a transmitter at Auburn, Michigan. The station broadcasts on 88.3MHz. It is owned by Superior Communications , in turn owned by Jennifer and Edward Czelada.WEJC began broadcasting in 2001...
88.3 White Star/AuburnAuburn, MichiganAuburn is a city in Bay County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The city's population was 2,011 at the 2000 census. It is included in the Bay City, Michigan Metropolitan Statistical Area...
55 kW 374' (CP 80 kW) - WKPKWKPKWKPK is a radio station which is part of the Smile FM radio network licensed to Michigamme, Michigan. It was licensed on July 22, 2008, to operate on 88.3 MHz with 15 kW. The station broadcasts from the same tower used by WFXD and WKQS in Marquette, Michigan. WKPK broadcasts Smile FM...
88.3 MichigammeMichigamme, MichiganMichigamme is an unincorporated community in Marquette County of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is a census-designated place for statistical purposes and without any legal status as a municipality. As of the 2000 census, the CDP population was 287....
/MarquetteMarquette, MichiganMarquette is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the county seat of Marquette County. The population was 21,355 at the 2010 census, making it the most populated city of the Upper Peninsula. Marquette is a major port on Lake Superior, primarily for shipping iron ore and is the home of Northern...
15 kW 866' - WSMZ 88.3 Crystal Valley/HartHart, MichiganHart is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 1,950. It is the county seat of Oceana County. The city is located within Hart Township, but is politically independent....
1500w 443' - WJOMWJOMWJOM is a radio station which is part of the Smile FM radio network. In July 2006, it began broadcasting from Eagle, just west of Lansing with 4.3 kW. WJOM operated as a repeater of the WLGH signal until May 21, 2010. Because it operates from a short, 130 foot tower it overlaps a portion of...
88.5 Eagle/LansingLansing, MichiganLansing is the capital of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is located mostly in Ingham County, although small portions of the city extend into Eaton County. The 2010 Census places the city's population at 114,297, making it the fifth largest city in Michigan...
(west of Lansing) 4.3 kW 98' (CP 25 kW) - WSFPWSFPWSFP is a non-commercial, contemporary Christian FM radio station licensed to the Alpena, Michigan area. The station broadcasts at 88.5 MHz, and is owned by Superior Communications. WSFP simulcasts the Smile FM Praise contemporary Christian music format....
88.5 Rust Twp./AlpenaAlpena, MichiganAlpena is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the county seat of Alpena County. It is considered to be part of Northern Michigan. The Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary is located in the city. The population was 10,483 at the 2010 census...
480w 472' (CP 88.1 18 kW 143m Harrisville/Alpena 9/14/2010) - WSIS 88.7 Riverside/Benton Harbor 6 kW 377'
- WDTRWDTRWDTR is a non-commercial, Christian FM radio station licensed to serve Imlay City, Michigan. It is owned by Michigan Community Radio, which is in turn owned by Jennifer and Edward Czelada. The station is part of their Smile FM network of Contemporary Christian music stations.The station came on...
89.1 Imlay CityImlay City, MichiganImlay City is a city in Lapeer County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 3,869 at the 2000 census and 3,597 at the 2010 census.-Education:Imlay City has five public schools and one private school...
1.5 kW 171' (CP granted 8/26/2009 for 6 kW on 88.9 from a tower near Oxford) - WTLIWTLIWTLI is a non-commercial, contemporary Christian FM radio station licensed to broadcast from Bear Creek Township and Boyne City, Michigan. The transmitter is located west of Vanderbilt, Michigan on the WFUP-TV channel-45 tower...
89.3 Bear Creek Twp./Boyne City 17 kW 1023' (CP 50 kW) - WDTPWDTP-FMWDTP is a religious radio station with a FCC issued construction permit for Huron Township, Michigan, USA. The station is currently owned by Smile FM. It began operation on May 3, 2011. Programming comes from flagship station WLGH in Lansing and WHYT in Imlay City, Michigan...
89.5 Huron Charter Township, MichiganHuron Charter Township, MichiganHuron Charter Township is a charter township of Wayne County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 15,879 at the 2010 census.-Geography:...
750w 90m - WJOJWJOJWJOJ is a FM radio station and a part of the Smile FM radio network. It began broadcasting in the summer of 2001 on 89.7.WJOJ, officially owned by Northland Community Broadcasters , is licensed to Harrisville, Michigan...
89.7 Harrisville/AlpenaAlpena, MichiganAlpena is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the county seat of Alpena County. It is considered to be part of Northern Michigan. The Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary is located in the city. The population was 10,483 at the 2010 census...
31 kW 453' (CP Rust Twp./Alpena no other change) - WTACWTACWTAC, owned by Superior Communications, began broadcasting in 2002 on 89.7 with 1kW. Officially licensed to Burton, Michigan, the station's transmitter was located in the Beecher area on the north side of Flint, Michigan until September 2011 when it moved south of Fenton, Michigan and increased its...
89.7 Burton/FlintFlint, MichiganFlint is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and is located along the Flint River, northwest of Detroit. The U.S. Census Bureau reports the 2010 population to be placed at 102,434, making Flint the seventh largest city in Michigan. It is the county seat of Genesee County which lies in the...
15 kW 110m - WSLIWSLIWSLI is a radio station which is part of the Smile FM radio network. It began operation in July, 2008. With a transmitter located just west of Belding, the station covers portions of the Grand Rapids, and Ionia, Kent, and Montcalm counties. WSLI broadcasts the Smile FM programming from flagship...
90.9 Belding 11.5 kW 240' - WJOGWJOGWJOG is a radio station which is part of the Smile FM radio network. It began broadcasting in the summer of 2006 as a repeater of WTLI on 91.3. WJOG, officially owned by Michigan Community Radio, is licensed to Good Hart, Michigan, and Petoskey, Michigan. The transmitter is located on a 623 foot...
91.3 Good Hart/Petoskey 6 kW 623' - WJOHWJOHWJOH is a non-commercial Contemporary Christian FM radio station which is part of the Smile FM radio network. In July 2006, it began broadcasting from Raco just west of Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan. WJOH operates from a 328' tower with 5.5 kW with a non-directional 4 bay antenna made by Ed...
91.5 Raco/SooSault Ste. Marie, MichiganSault Ste. Marie is a city in and the county seat of Chippewa County in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is in the north-eastern end of Michigan's Upper Peninsula, on the Canadian border, separated from its twin city of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, by the St. Marys River...
5.5 kW 328' - WCZEWCZEWCZE is a non-commercial, contemporary Christian FM radio station, licensed to Harbor Beach, Michigan. It operates as a repeater of WHYT in Imlay City....
103.7 Harbor Beach/Thumb Area 43 kW 528' - WAIR 104.9 Lake CityLake City, MichiganLake City is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 836. Known as the "Christmas Tree Capital", it is the county seat of Missaukee County.-Geography:...
/CadillacCadillac, MichiganCadillac is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and is the county seat of Wexford County. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 10,000. The city is situated at the junction of US 131, M-55 and M-115...
1.6 kW 489'
Future Stations
Future Stations approved by the FCC:- WDTE 88.3 Grosse Pointe Shores 5500w 50m (CP granted 6/5/2009)
- WSMB 89.3 Harbor Beach, MichiganHarbor Beach, MichiganHarbor Beach is a city in Huron County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 1,837 at the 2000 census, with an estimated population of 1,587 in 2009.-Geography:...
12 kW (CP granted 10/26/2009) - WVMV 91.5 China TownshipChina Township, MichiganChina Charter Township is a charter township of St. Clair County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 3,340 at the 2000 census.-Geography:...
1050w 250m (CP granted 3/23/2009) - WSMO 91.9 Mount Forest, Michigan 3.8 kW 100M (CP granted 9/9/2010)