WCCG
Encyclopedia
WCCG is an American radio station licensed to broadcast to Hope Mills, NC on FM
frequency of 104.5 MHz with 5,000 kW of power. The station is programmed with an Mainstream Urban
music format and carries the Ricky Smiley Morning Show
.
. Dr. James Carson, a former Fayetteville State University
vice chancellor, applied with the FCC
in 1987 and was awarded a construction permit three years later. On April 16, 1997, WCCG signed on with commercial-free classical music
performed on a piano. The station was not yet at full power.
"The Vibe" began broadcasting at 6000 watts June 19, 1997 with "Love and Happiness" by Al Green
. The format was classic R&B with such artists as Marvin Gaye
, the Supremes
, the Shirelles
, Brook Benton
, Wilbert Harrison
, Rick James
, Ruth Brown
, James Brown
, and Ike
and Tina Turner
. Ron Scurry was morning host, and Tracey Vee, another DJ, went by the name "TV on Your Radio." WFLB
was the area's other oldies
station.
On November 13, 2000, The Vibe stopped playing older music except on Saturdays, switching to a mix of current R&B and 80s and 90s hits but no rap, intending to reach a younger audience. B. B. Holland, "Bam-Bam" from WRCQ
, became the new host of "Wake Up Shake Up." Sonny Pagan, formerly of WKQB, was the new operations manager. The change gave The Vibe its best ratings ever.
In October 2002, WCCG played James Brown's "The Payback" for several days, leading to rumors of a format change. One woman nearly called 911
, fearing someone was holding the station hostage. Although Carson denied any change was coming, WCCG was soon calling itself "Hot 104.5" and playing more rap.
In 2005, WCCG dropped the morning show "240 Degrees of Therapy" and replaced it first with music and then with Steve Harvey (who was replaced in 2009).
Jose "Chico" Vargas hosted a Spanish language
show, "Caliente 104.5," on WCCG during 2003 but was fired for offensive comments about a woman he considered a friend. Spanish-language programming returned on Sunday afternoons August 20, 2006, with "Domingo Tropical," including news, Reggaeton
, salsa
, merengue
and Latin jazz
. Also, afternoon host Vic Frost was replaced with Michael Baisden
, and the station dropped its rap programming for a younger audience.
WCCG began playing rap music on September 21, 2009.
FM broadcasting
FM broadcasting is a broadcasting technology pioneered by Edwin Howard Armstrong which uses frequency modulation to provide high-fidelity sound over broadcast radio. The term "FM band" describes the "frequency band in which FM is used for broadcasting"...
frequency of 104.5 MHz with 5,000 kW of power. The station is programmed with an Mainstream Urban
Mainstream Urban
Mainstream Urban is a term used to describe a radio format similar to an Urban Contemporary format. The format differentiates itself due to two factors: playlist composition and target demographic...
music format and carries the Ricky Smiley Morning Show
Rickey Smiley
Rickey Smiley is a standup comedian, television host, actor, and radio personality best known for his prank phone calls. The calls feature Smiley disguising his voice and carrying on a conversation with the recipient of the call....
.
History
The 104.5 frequency was allocated in 1986. Among the applicants were John Dawson of WQSMWQSM
WQSM is a licensed FM class C1 hot adult contemporary radio station based in Fayetteville, North Carolina, USA. Owned and operated by Cumulus Media, Q98 has offices and studios located at 1009 Drayton Road in downtown Fayetteville...
. Dr. James Carson, a former Fayetteville State University
Fayetteville State University
Fayetteville State University is a historically black, regional university located in Fayetteville, North Carolina, United States. FSU is a constituent institution of the University of North Carolina System and is a member school of the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund.-Academics:The primary...
vice chancellor, applied with the FCC
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...
in 1987 and was awarded a construction permit three years later. On April 16, 1997, WCCG signed on with commercial-free classical music
Classical music
Classical music is the art music produced in, or rooted in, the traditions of Western liturgical and secular music, encompassing a broad period from roughly the 11th century to present times...
performed on a piano. The station was not yet at full power.
"The Vibe" began broadcasting at 6000 watts June 19, 1997 with "Love and Happiness" by Al Green
Al Green
Albert Greene , better known as Al Green, is an American gospel and soul music singer. He reached the peak of his popularity in the 1970s, with hit singles such as "You Oughta Be With Me", "I'm Still In Love With You", "Love and Happiness", and "Let's Stay Together"...
. The format was classic R&B with such artists as Marvin Gaye
Marvin Gaye
Marvin Pentz Gay, Jr. , better known by his stage name Marvin Gaye, was an American singer-songwriter and musician with a three-octave vocal range....
, the Supremes
The Supremes
The Supremes, an American female singing group, were the premier act of Motown Records during the 1960s.Originally founded as The Primettes in Detroit, Michigan, in 1959, The Supremes' repertoire included doo-wop, pop, soul, Broadway show tunes, psychedelic soul, and disco...
, the Shirelles
The Shirelles
The Shirelles were an African-American girl group that achieved popularity in the early 1960s. They consisted of schoolmates Shirley Owens , Doris Coley , Addie "Micki" Harris , and Beverly Lee...
, Brook Benton
Brook Benton
Brook Benton was an American singer and songwriter who was popular with rock and roll, rhythm and blues, and pop music audiences during the late 1950s and early 1960s, when he scored hits such as "It's Just A Matter Of Time" and "Endlessly", many of which he co-wrote.He made a comeback in 1970...
, Wilbert Harrison
Wilbert Harrison
Wilbert Harrison was an American rhythm and blues singer, pianist, guitarist and harmonica player.Born in Charlotte, North Carolina, United States, Harrison had a Billboard #1 record in 1959 with the song "Kansas City". The song was written in 1952 and was one of the first credited collaborations...
, Rick James
Rick James
James Ambrose Johnson, Jr. , better known by his stage name Rick James, was an American singer, songwriter, musician and record producer. James was a popular performer in the late 1970s and 1980s, scoring four number-one hits on the U.S. R&B charts performing in the genres of funk and R&B...
, Ruth Brown
Ruth Brown
Ruth Brown was an American pop and R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, composer and actress, noted for bringing a pop music style to R&B music in a series of hit songs for Atlantic Records in the 1950s, such as "So Long", "Teardrops from My Eyes" and " He Treats Your Daughter Mean".For these...
, James Brown
James Brown
James Joseph Brown was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and recording artist. He is the originator of Funk and is recognized as a major figure in the 20th century popular music for both his vocals and dancing. He has been referred to as "The Godfather of Soul," "Mr...
, and Ike
Ike Turner
Isaac Wister Turner was an American musician, bandleader, songwriter, arranger, talent scout, and record producer. In a career that lasted more than half a century, his repertoire included blues, soul, rock, and funk...
and Tina Turner
Tina Turner
Tina Turner is an American singer and actress whose career has spanned more than 50 years. She has won numerous awards and her achievements in the rock music genre have led many to call her the "Queen of Rock 'n' Roll".Turner started out her music career with husband Ike Turner as a member of the...
. Ron Scurry was morning host, and Tracey Vee, another DJ, went by the name "TV on Your Radio." WFLB
WAZZ
WAZZ is an adult standards radio station in Fayetteville, North Carolina, owned by Beasley Broadcast Group, playing "Radio the way it WAZZ".-Programming:...
was the area's other oldies
Oldies
Oldies is a term commonly used to describe a radio format that concentrates on music from a period of about 15 to 55 years before the present day....
station.
On November 13, 2000, The Vibe stopped playing older music except on Saturdays, switching to a mix of current R&B and 80s and 90s hits but no rap, intending to reach a younger audience. B. B. Holland, "Bam-Bam" from WRCQ
WRCQ
WRCQ is a radio station broadcasting an Active Rock music format. Licensed to Dunn, North Carolina, USA, it serves the Fayetteville area. The station is currently owned by Cumulus Media.-History:...
, became the new host of "Wake Up Shake Up." Sonny Pagan, formerly of WKQB, was the new operations manager. The change gave The Vibe its best ratings ever.
In October 2002, WCCG played James Brown's "The Payback" for several days, leading to rumors of a format change. One woman nearly called 911
9-1-1
9-1-1 is the emergency telephone number for the North American Numbering Plan .It is one of eight N11 codes.The use of this number is for emergency circumstances only, and to use it for any other purpose can be a crime.-History:In the earliest days of telephone technology, prior to the...
, fearing someone was holding the station hostage. Although Carson denied any change was coming, WCCG was soon calling itself "Hot 104.5" and playing more rap.
In 2005, WCCG dropped the morning show "240 Degrees of Therapy" and replaced it first with music and then with Steve Harvey (who was replaced in 2009).
Jose "Chico" Vargas hosted a Spanish language
Spanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
show, "Caliente 104.5," on WCCG during 2003 but was fired for offensive comments about a woman he considered a friend. Spanish-language programming returned on Sunday afternoons August 20, 2006, with "Domingo Tropical," including news, Reggaeton
Reggaeton
Reggaeton is a form of Puerto Rican and Latin American urban and Caribbean music. After its mainstream exposure in 2004, it spread to North American, European and Asian audiences. Reggaeton originated in Puerto Rico but is also has roots from Reggae en Español from Panama and Puerto Rico and...
, salsa
Salsa music
Salsa music is a genre of music, generally defined as a modern style of playing Cuban Son, Son Montuno, and Guaracha with touches from other genres of music...
, merengue
Merengue music
Merengue is a type of music and dance from the Dominican Republic. It is popular in the Dominican Republic and all over Latin America. Its name is Spanish, taken from the name of the meringue, a dessert made from whipped egg whites and sugar...
and Latin jazz
Latin jazz
Latin jazz is the general term given to jazz with Latin American rhythms.The three main categories of Latin Jazz are Brazilian, Cuban and Puerto Rican:# Brazilian Latin Jazz includes bossa nova...
. Also, afternoon host Vic Frost was replaced with Michael Baisden
Michael Baisden
Michael Baisden is an American author, motivational speaker, host of the TV One talk show Baisden After Dark, and host of his own nationally-syndicated radio show.-Career:...
, and the station dropped its rap programming for a younger audience.
WCCG began playing rap music on September 21, 2009.