WGRY (AM)
Encyclopedia
WGRY is a radio station
broadcasting an adult standards
format. Licensed to Grayling, Michigan
, the station is locally owned and operated by Gannon Broadcasting Systems of Grayling. Gannon Broadcasting also owns WGRY-FM
and WQON
, co-located at WGRY's broadcast facilities in Grayling.
One of the most popular programs was an On-Air Swap Shop
where people called in with items to sell or were looking to buy. Representatives from area clubs and organizations were interviewed concerning fund raising activities and other events. Grayling Mercy Hospital held a radio auction that successfully raised thousands of dollars over the air. Little League Baseball games were broadcast tape-delayed as were the Grayling Viking Football and Basketball games. On Saturday there was a live broadcast from the Wag-On-Inn with local celebrity Ed Harris singing and playing country music. Beginning with their first year on the air WGRY covered the Canoe Marathon. Later on there was another very popular local radio personality added to the staff, Viv Nichols. Viv's interview and discussion shows became a "Don't Miss" daily event. Viv proved to be a consummate interviewer with one of her highlights an interview with Gov. William Grawn Milliken.
In October 1977 WGRY was sold to John DeGroot, who also owned WWRM-FM (now WSRT and under different ownership) in Gaylord
. Shortly thereafter, Wayne Hindmarsh left WGRY to put his own station WQON on the air. The station management was turned over to William F. Jones. Jones left after a year to teach broadcasting at Specs Howard School of Media Arts in Southfield
. Peter Allen was hired as station and sales manager. Rob Weaver replaced Pete two years later and at that time the format for WGRY-AM changed to all country
. DJ Brown started in June 1984. By January 1985 she was station manager and vice-president of sales. She was the final manager under John DeGroot and Alpine Broadcasting's ownership.
On September 26, 1988, WGRY-AM was purchased by Gannon Broadcasting Systems, Inc., owned and operated by William S. Gannon. In 1990, Gannon Broadcasting was granted FCC approval to construct a new station licensed to Roscommon broadcasting at 101.1 on the FM dial. WGRY-FM made its debut on March 12th of that year at 6000 watts. At that time, WGRY's frequency changed from 1590 to 1230 kHz on the AM dial. Both stations simulcast one another and continued to do so for many years.
In January 2001, Gannon Broadcasting by this time had acquired its crosstown competitor, WQON-FM. In 1994, WQON and WGRY-FM switched call letters, and the former WQON's frequency moved from 100.1 to 100.3, which also allowed a power increase from 3,000 to 60,000 watts. The new station at 100.3 was then marketed as Y-100, and continued the contemporary country format from the old WGRY-FM. The new WQON, now at 101.1, adopted Jones Radio Network's "Soft Hits" adult contemporary format and the moniker "Decades 101", but continued its AM simulcast with WGRY until this time, when a new format for AM 1230 WGRY was launched - the Music of Your Life
.
Until January 2008, WGRY-AM broadcast the Music of Your Life, syndicated via satellite by Jones. In January 2008, Jones stopped syndicating the Music of Your Life format in favor of its own satellite service called "Jones Standards
," which featured a similar playlist to Music of Your Life.
WGRY-AM continued on broadcasting Jones Standards until the format was discontinued on September 30, 2008, due to Jones Radio Network having come under the ownership of Triton Media Group, owners of Dial Global
. Most of the Jones Standards stations, including WGRY, were switched over to Dial Global's America's Best Music
format, which focuses chiefly on MOR hits and soft oldies from the 1960s through the 1980s.
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...
broadcasting an adult standards
Adult standards
Adult standards is a North American radio format heard primarily on AM or class A FM stations.Adult standards is aimed at "mature" adults, meaning mainly those persons over 50 years of age, but it is mostly targeted for senior citizens...
format. Licensed to Grayling, Michigan
Grayling, Michigan
Grayling is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the county seat of Crawford County. The population was 1,952 at the 2000 census. Grayling takes its name from the Grayling fish that was once prevalent in its lakes and streams....
, the station is locally owned and operated by Gannon Broadcasting Systems of Grayling. Gannon Broadcasting also owns WGRY-FM
WGRY-FM
WGRY-FM is a radio station broadcasting a country music format. Licensed to Grayling, Michigan, the seat of government in Crawford County, it first began broadcasting in 1978.-History: Beginnings as WQON:...
and WQON
WQON
WQON is a radio station broadcasting an adult contemporary format. Licensed to Roscommon, Michigan, it first began broadcasting in 1990...
, co-located at WGRY's broadcast facilities in Grayling.
History
When WGRY-AM went on the air at 1590 AM in August 1970, the staff included Co-owners, James Sylvester as Station Manager and Jim Marr as Engineer. The first employee hired was Wayne Andrew Hindmarsh, better known as "Wayne Andrews" on the air, fresh from Wayne State University. The station was licensed to operate from Sunrise to Sunset and operated at 1000 watts. Later they received pre-sun-rise authorization for 500 watts. Even so, the hours of operation depended on the hours of sunlight. All three men had air shifts as well as their other duties. Within 30 days Wayne Hindmarsh was on the street selling air time. The station was "MOR" better known then as "Middle of the Road". Other programs stressed local News and Sports. From the beginning WGRY was committed to being involved in community events.One of the most popular programs was an On-Air Swap Shop
Tradio
Tradio is the name given to a type of talk radio show format where listeners call in to buy or sell items. The concept of is analogous to classified ads in local newspapers....
where people called in with items to sell or were looking to buy. Representatives from area clubs and organizations were interviewed concerning fund raising activities and other events. Grayling Mercy Hospital held a radio auction that successfully raised thousands of dollars over the air. Little League Baseball games were broadcast tape-delayed as were the Grayling Viking Football and Basketball games. On Saturday there was a live broadcast from the Wag-On-Inn with local celebrity Ed Harris singing and playing country music. Beginning with their first year on the air WGRY covered the Canoe Marathon. Later on there was another very popular local radio personality added to the staff, Viv Nichols. Viv's interview and discussion shows became a "Don't Miss" daily event. Viv proved to be a consummate interviewer with one of her highlights an interview with Gov. William Grawn Milliken.
In October 1977 WGRY was sold to John DeGroot, who also owned WWRM-FM (now WSRT and under different ownership) in Gaylord
Gaylord, Michigan
Gaylord is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 3,681. It is the county seat of Otsego County. The city is also the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Gaylord; it is by far the smallest settlement serving as the location of an active Roman...
. Shortly thereafter, Wayne Hindmarsh left WGRY to put his own station WQON on the air. The station management was turned over to William F. Jones. Jones left after a year to teach broadcasting at Specs Howard School of Media Arts in Southfield
Southfield, Michigan
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which 0.04% is water. The main branch of the River Rouge runs through Southfield. The city is bounded to the south by Eight Mile Road, its western border is Inkster Road, and to the east it is bounded by Greenfield Road...
. Peter Allen was hired as station and sales manager. Rob Weaver replaced Pete two years later and at that time the format for WGRY-AM changed to all country
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
. DJ Brown started in June 1984. By January 1985 she was station manager and vice-president of sales. She was the final manager under John DeGroot and Alpine Broadcasting's ownership.
On September 26, 1988, WGRY-AM was purchased by Gannon Broadcasting Systems, Inc., owned and operated by William S. Gannon. In 1990, Gannon Broadcasting was granted FCC approval to construct a new station licensed to Roscommon broadcasting at 101.1 on the FM dial. WGRY-FM made its debut on March 12th of that year at 6000 watts. At that time, WGRY's frequency changed from 1590 to 1230 kHz on the AM dial. Both stations simulcast one another and continued to do so for many years.
In January 2001, Gannon Broadcasting by this time had acquired its crosstown competitor, WQON-FM. In 1994, WQON and WGRY-FM switched call letters, and the former WQON's frequency moved from 100.1 to 100.3, which also allowed a power increase from 3,000 to 60,000 watts. The new station at 100.3 was then marketed as Y-100, and continued the contemporary country format from the old WGRY-FM. The new WQON, now at 101.1, adopted Jones Radio Network's "Soft Hits" adult contemporary format and the moniker "Decades 101", but continued its AM simulcast with WGRY until this time, when a new format for AM 1230 WGRY was launched - the Music of Your Life
Music of Your Life
Music of Your Life is a satellite-delivered radio network featuring the Adult Standards music format. Created by record executive and jingle writer Al Ham, and now under the direction of Marc Angell, Music of Your Life has more than 50 AM, FM and HD-2 radio station affiliates, and has been in...
.
Until January 2008, WGRY-AM broadcast the Music of Your Life, syndicated via satellite by Jones. In January 2008, Jones stopped syndicating the Music of Your Life format in favor of its own satellite service called "Jones Standards
Jones Standards
Jones Standards was a short-lived 24-hour music format that was produced by Jones Radio Networks. Its playlist is composed of mostly adult standards from artists such as Frank Sinatra, Barry Manilow, Johnny Mathis, Rod Stewart and a dozen more artists....
," which featured a similar playlist to Music of Your Life.
WGRY-AM continued on broadcasting Jones Standards until the format was discontinued on September 30, 2008, due to Jones Radio Network having come under the ownership of Triton Media Group, owners of Dial Global
Dial Global
Dial Global is a radio syndication company. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Triton Media Group and is a sister company to Townsquare Media, both of which are owned by Oaktree Capital Management....
. Most of the Jones Standards stations, including WGRY, were switched over to Dial Global's America's Best Music
America's Best Music
America's Best Music is the on-air branding of an adult standards 24-hour radio network, known internally as Adult Standards and formerly known as AM Only, currently owned by Dial Global. It was one of the original Westwood One's Transtar networks...
format, which focuses chiefly on MOR hits and soft oldies from the 1960s through the 1980s.