WBZI
Encyclopedia
WBZI "Classic Country Radio" is a AM broadcasting station in Xenia, Ohio
, United States, at 1500 kHz operating with 500 watts. Its current owner Town and Country Broadcasting
operates it with a country oldies format serving Greene, Clark, eastern Montgomery and surrounding counties. Its downtown studios are located on West Second Street and transmitter on East Kinsey Road (the former studio location.) World news from Fox News Radio
is aired at the top of the hour in addition to farm and agriculture news from the ABN throughout the day.
licensed to Beavercreek) was the first Xenia FM station being founded one year earlier. Several format changes took place on the station during the 1970s,most noted as contemporary hit-formatted "G-15" using an automation package called "Stereo Rock" produced by Dallas-based TM Productions being used successfully on FM stations at the time(notably the former WPTH in Ft Wayne,WFBQ in Indianapolis and the former WCIT-AM in Lima). The format was switched over to 95.3 FM in 1978 as "I-95"(where the WBZI calls originated.) As a result, WGIC swapped contemporary hits for southern gospel
competing with crosstown rival WELX (now WGNZ
).
The former WGIC and its news department played a huge role in relaying information and desperately needed help between the listening public and the local residents in the aftermath of an F5 tornado which ravaged the city of Xenia and the neighboring communities of Beavercreek and Wilberforce on April 3, 1974. As such, WGIC operated on an emergency basis past its daytime hours-only license during this time.
WBZI-FM switched to country in 1980 competing with WONE (AM)
in Dayton and the former WJAI-FM in Eaton.(now WGTZ
.) Several other format and call letter changes took place quite frequently for the FM station throughout the 1980s and 90s. It is currently classic rock WZLR
.
WBZI moved to AM 1500 in 1984 for about a year, then re-assigned later in 1988 and with it the country format (after a two year stint as WLGY from 1985 to 1987.) It is currently managed by Joe Mullins,son of Moon Mullins who retired in 2005 and died in 2008. Like his father,Joe is also a bluegrass
musician as well as a broadcaster. In addition to managing the station,Joe is also the current afternoon personality. Bucks Braun(formerly of WONE (AM)
in Dayton) is morning personality. WBZI and its sister stations are also known for the daily call-in classifieds show, Trading Post with Roy Hatfield and/or Greg Gabbard, where frequent call ins from normal people as well as the more popular callers such as "Junior Junior", "Waldo", "Chef Larry" and "Hillbilly Mel" among others.
AM repeaters
WKFI
1090 in Wilmington, Ohio
serving southwestern Ohio,metropolitan Cincinnati and portions of Northern Kentucky.
WEDI 1130 in Eaton, Ohio
serving Preble,western Montgomery and surrounding counties in Western Ohio and Eastern Indiana.
and
FM translator
W262BG 100.3 in Xenia serving Xenia and nearby communities.
Xenia, Ohio
Xenia is a city in and the county seat of Greene County, Ohio, United States. The municipality is located in southwestern Ohio 21 miles from Dayton and is part of the Dayton Metropolitan Statistical Area...
, United States, at 1500 kHz operating with 500 watts. Its current owner Town and Country Broadcasting
Town and Country Broadcasting
Town and Country Broadcasting Limited is a media company registered in Wales. It currently owns and operates seven radio stations across Wales...
operates it with a country oldies format serving Greene, Clark, eastern Montgomery and surrounding counties. Its downtown studios are located on West Second Street and transmitter on East Kinsey Road (the former studio location.) World news from Fox News Radio
Fox News Radio
Fox News Radio is an American radio network programmed by Fox News Channel.- History :In 2003, Fox News began syndicating one minute radio updates to radio stations via syndication service Westwood One. On June 1, 2005, Fox News Radio employed 60 people and provided five minute newscasts at the top...
is aired at the top of the hour in addition to farm and agriculture news from the ABN throughout the day.
History
Began operation in November 1963 by founder Xenia Broadcasting Inc. as WGIC (for: "Greene Information Center.") It is Xenia and Greene County's first and oldest full service AM radio station. Crosstown competitor WHBM (now WXEGWXEG
WXEG is a modern rock formatted radio station based in Dayton, Ohio, and owned by Clear Channel Communications. The station broadcasts at 103.9 MHz with an effective radiated power of 2900 watts. It has three towers located in its city of license of Beavercreek, Ohio, two are...
licensed to Beavercreek) was the first Xenia FM station being founded one year earlier. Several format changes took place on the station during the 1970s,most noted as contemporary hit-formatted "G-15" using an automation package called "Stereo Rock" produced by Dallas-based TM Productions being used successfully on FM stations at the time(notably the former WPTH in Ft Wayne,WFBQ in Indianapolis and the former WCIT-AM in Lima). The format was switched over to 95.3 FM in 1978 as "I-95"(where the WBZI calls originated.) As a result, WGIC swapped contemporary hits for southern gospel
Southern Gospel
Southern Gospel music—at one time also known as "quartet music"—is music whose lyrics are written to express either personal or a communal faith regarding biblical teachings and Christian life, as well as to give a Christian alternative to mainstream secular music...
competing with crosstown rival WELX (now WGNZ
WGNZ
WGNZ "Good News 1110" is an AM broadcasting station operating at 1110 kHz licensed to Fairborn, Ohio with studios in Dayton, Ohio and transmitter in Xenia It airs National/Local teaching programs with a Southern Gospel music format. Its power output is 2,500 watts with a critical hours...
).
The former WGIC and its news department played a huge role in relaying information and desperately needed help between the listening public and the local residents in the aftermath of an F5 tornado which ravaged the city of Xenia and the neighboring communities of Beavercreek and Wilberforce on April 3, 1974. As such, WGIC operated on an emergency basis past its daytime hours-only license during this time.
WBZI-FM switched to country in 1980 competing with WONE (AM)
WONE (AM)
WONE is an AM radio station in Dayton, Ohio operating on 980 kHz with a Sports Talk format. It carries programming from Fox Sports Radio, as well as the Jim Rome Show and the Dan Patrick Show .-History:The station took the air in 1949, licensed to Skyland Broadcasting Corp...
in Dayton and the former WJAI-FM in Eaton.(now WGTZ
WGTZ
WGTZ "Fly 92.9" is a commercial FM station licensed in Eaton, Ohio at 92.9 MHz serving the Dayton and Springfield market area with an Adult Hits format. The previous CHR/Pop format commenced Sunday, March 15, 1984 at Noon when Dayton-based Great Trails Broadcasting owned the station at the time...
.) Several other format and call letter changes took place quite frequently for the FM station throughout the 1980s and 90s. It is currently classic rock WZLR
WZLR
WZLR known as "The New 95.3 The Eagle" is a radio station broadcasting a 80's Hits format. Licensed to Xenia, Ohio, USA, it serves the Dayton area. According to the FCC's website, the station has transmitted at 6,000 watts since 1998. The studio and offices are located at 1611 South Main Street...
.
WBZI moved to AM 1500 in 1984 for about a year, then re-assigned later in 1988 and with it the country format (after a two year stint as WLGY from 1985 to 1987.) It is currently managed by Joe Mullins,son of Moon Mullins who retired in 2005 and died in 2008. Like his father,Joe is also a bluegrass
Bluegrass music
Bluegrass music is a form of American roots music, and a sub-genre of country music. It has mixed roots in Scottish, English, Welsh and Irish traditional music...
musician as well as a broadcaster. In addition to managing the station,Joe is also the current afternoon personality. Bucks Braun(formerly of WONE (AM)
WONE (AM)
WONE is an AM radio station in Dayton, Ohio operating on 980 kHz with a Sports Talk format. It carries programming from Fox Sports Radio, as well as the Jim Rome Show and the Dan Patrick Show .-History:The station took the air in 1949, licensed to Skyland Broadcasting Corp...
in Dayton) is morning personality. WBZI and its sister stations are also known for the daily call-in classifieds show, Trading Post with Roy Hatfield and/or Greg Gabbard, where frequent call ins from normal people as well as the more popular callers such as "Junior Junior", "Waldo", "Chef Larry" and "Hillbilly Mel" among others.
Classic Country Radio
Classic Country Radio is also heard on:AM repeaters
WKFI
WKFI
WKFI is a radio station broadcasting a Classic Country format. Licensed to Wilmington, Ohio, USA. The station is currently owned by Town And Country Broadcasting, Inc. and features programing from Fox News Radio.-Brief history:...
1090 in Wilmington, Ohio
Wilmington, Ohio
Wilmington is a city in and the county seat of Clinton County, Ohio, United States. The population was 12,520 at the 2010 census. At city entrances from state routes, county roads, and U.S. highways, the city slogan of "We Honor Our Champions" is seen, accompanied by signs that highlight various...
serving southwestern Ohio,metropolitan Cincinnati and portions of Northern Kentucky.
WEDI 1130 in Eaton, Ohio
Eaton, Ohio
Eaton is a city in and the county seat of Preble County, Ohio, United States. The population was 8,407 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Dayton Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
serving Preble,western Montgomery and surrounding counties in Western Ohio and Eastern Indiana.
and
FM translator
W262BG 100.3 in Xenia serving Xenia and nearby communities.
Sources
See also
- WEDI
- Classic countryClassic countryClassic country is a music radio format that specializes in playing mainstream country hits from past decades.This genre generally follows one of two formats: those specializing in hits from the 1920s through the early 1970s, and focus primarily on innovators and artists from country music's Golden...
- Bluegrass musicBluegrass musicBluegrass music is a form of American roots music, and a sub-genre of country music. It has mixed roots in Scottish, English, Welsh and Irish traditional music...
- Christian country musicChristian country musicChristian country music is music that is written to express either personal or a communal belief regarding Christian life, as well as to give a Christian alternative to mainstream secular music...
- Southern GospelSouthern GospelSouthern Gospel music—at one time also known as "quartet music"—is music whose lyrics are written to express either personal or a communal faith regarding biblical teachings and Christian life, as well as to give a Christian alternative to mainstream secular music...
- List of radio stations in Ohio