WQON
Encyclopedia
WQON is a radio station
broadcasting an adult contemporary format. Licensed to Roscommon, Michigan
, it first began broadcasting in 1990. WQON is owned by Gannon Broadcasting Systems, and is co-owned with WGRY
and WGRY-FM
, at its facilities in Grayling
.
-AM 1590 (now 1230). Both stations would compete against one another for ten years, until William S. Gannon purchased WGRY in 1988. In 1990, Gannon Broadcasting was granted Federal Communications Commission
(FCC) approval to construct a new station licensed to Roscommon broadcasting at 101.1 on the FM dial. The CP originally bore the WLAI calls but never was on the air with that call sign. WGRY-FM made its debut on March 12 of that year at 6000 watts, broadcasting out of the same studio, located in Grayling, as its sister station WGRY-AM.
Gannon Broadcasting, in the growth mode, continued to look for other properties to add to its Broadcast enterprise. The opportunity to buy WQON-FM 100.1 presented itself in 1994. The station had been granted a construction permit to substantially increase its power, but its ownership at that time chose to sell the station and concentrate their interests on their AM station in the Lansing area. Taking advantage of a peculiar situation, Gannon Broadcasting acquired WQON-FM and moved its studios to the WGRY-AM/FM location. In a move to take advantage of a strong country format, Gannon Broadcasting Systems requested approval from the FCC to allow WQON-FM and WGRY-FM to switch frequencies and to move the former WQON from 100.1 to 100.3. This would permit Gannon Broadcasting Systems to increase from 3,000 to 26,500 watts. Then Gannon Broadcasting Systems made improvements to equipment and built a new 1,350 sq. ft. addition to the original WGRY-AM studio to accommodate the three stations. Hiring a high powered engineering firm, Gannon gained approval from the FCC and the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) in 1995 to increase its power to 60,000 watts with an option to move to a full 100,000 watts, making Y-100.3 WGRY a regional power house.
With the moves completed for the new WGRY-FM 100.3, Gannon Broadcasting made the "new" WQON a strong local "listen-at-work" radio station, using Jones Radio Network's "Soft Hits" adult contemporary format, and branding the station as "Decades 101". The station has continued with the AC format through Jones Radio Networks' sale to Triton Media Group which owns the Dial Global
stable of formats; the station now airs Dial Global's AC format.
Dave Sherbert, operations manager for the three stations, first joined WGRY-AM/FM in 1992. He continues today as the morning personality on Decades 101.1 FM WQON. The remainder of the station remains satellite-fed from Dial Global
.
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 contemporary format. Licensed to Roscommon, Michigan
Roscommon, Michigan
Roscommon is a village in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the village population was 1,133. It is the county seat of Roscommon County....
, it first began broadcasting in 1990. WQON is owned by Gannon Broadcasting Systems, and is co-owned with WGRY
WGRY (AM)
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...
and 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:...
, at its facilities in Grayling
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....
.
History: beginnings as WGRY-FM
WQON's roots can be traced back to as early as 1978, when a radio station in Grayling debuted at 100.1 FM with these same call letters, competing against separately-owned country-formatted WGRYWGRY (AM)
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...
-AM 1590 (now 1230). Both stations would compete against one another for ten years, until William S. Gannon purchased WGRY in 1988. In 1990, Gannon Broadcasting was granted Federal Communications Commission
Federal Communications Commission
The Federal Communications Commission is an independent agency of the United States government, created, Congressional statute , and with the majority of its commissioners appointed by the current President. The FCC works towards six goals in the areas of broadband, competition, the spectrum, the...
(FCC) approval to construct a new station licensed to Roscommon broadcasting at 101.1 on the FM dial. The CP originally bore the WLAI calls but never was on the air with that call sign. WGRY-FM made its debut on March 12 of that year at 6000 watts, broadcasting out of the same studio, located in Grayling, as its sister station WGRY-AM.
Gannon Broadcasting, in the growth mode, continued to look for other properties to add to its Broadcast enterprise. The opportunity to buy WQON-FM 100.1 presented itself in 1994. The station had been granted a construction permit to substantially increase its power, but its ownership at that time chose to sell the station and concentrate their interests on their AM station in the Lansing area. Taking advantage of a peculiar situation, Gannon Broadcasting acquired WQON-FM and moved its studios to the WGRY-AM/FM location. In a move to take advantage of a strong country format, Gannon Broadcasting Systems requested approval from the FCC to allow WQON-FM and WGRY-FM to switch frequencies and to move the former WQON from 100.1 to 100.3. This would permit Gannon Broadcasting Systems to increase from 3,000 to 26,500 watts. Then Gannon Broadcasting Systems made improvements to equipment and built a new 1,350 sq. ft. addition to the original WGRY-AM studio to accommodate the three stations. Hiring a high powered engineering firm, Gannon gained approval from the FCC and the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) in 1995 to increase its power to 60,000 watts with an option to move to a full 100,000 watts, making Y-100.3 WGRY a regional power house.
With the moves completed for the new WGRY-FM 100.3, Gannon Broadcasting made the "new" WQON a strong local "listen-at-work" radio station, using Jones Radio Network's "Soft Hits" adult contemporary format, and branding the station as "Decades 101". The station has continued with the AC format through Jones Radio Networks' sale to Triton Media Group which owns the 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....
stable of formats; the station now airs Dial Global's AC format.
WQON today
WGRY-AM simulcast WQON full-time from 1995 until the turn of the 21st century, when it was given its own identity once again. WGRY was re-branded in January 2001 with the "Music of Your Life" format from "Jones Radio Network", which provided satellite-delivered music programming for WQON and WGRY-FM, outside of morning drive. Decades 101 has since been a standalone station.Dave Sherbert, operations manager for the three stations, first joined WGRY-AM/FM in 1992. He continues today as the morning personality on Decades 101.1 FM WQON. The remainder of the station remains satellite-fed from 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....
.