WDQX
Encyclopedia
WDQX is an FM radio station, licensed to 102.3 MHz in Morton, Illinois
near Peoria
. It is owned by JMP Media, a part of Triad Broadcasting
of California. The station has an 80's based classic rock
format.
WDQX broadcasts from the JMP Media studio in the Civic Center Plaza, 331 Fulton Street in Peoria.
It is the current home of the Markley and Luciano Morning show which airs from 5:30AM - 9AM and airs every Chicago Bear's football game. It is programed by its afternoon personality "Joey D"
The station came on the air as WTAZ, broadcasting an oldies format with NBC features from a facility midway between Morton and Washington, Illinois in Tazewell County (hence WTAZ). Roy Demanes (the owner of the Ramada Inn, a bank and a pharmacy in Peoria, as well as an extensive pre-need burial program) worked with Penny Press Publisher (and former WEEK-TV
anchorman) Bud Carter to put the station on the air.
As of the late 1970s, the two were partners in the newspaper previously mentioned (a Peoria based issues and entertainment oriented publication) and the radio station. Demanes exchanged his ownership in the paper for Carter's interest in the paper, then died of a heart attack a short time later.
The paper was purchased by another suburban weekly (the Observer), and Carter relocated to Atlanta where he now is Senior Chairman for the Atlanta operation of an international organization for CEOs (Vistage International).
Through most of the 1980s and 1990s, WTAZ had a talk format featuring personalities such as G. Gordon Liddy
, Rush Limbaugh
, Dr. Laura, and Art Bell
. In 1999, those shows and call letters were moved to AM
, and 102.3 became WFXF-FM broadcasting Howard Stern
in the morning, and rock music
. In late 2000, Stern was dropped, and WFXF-FM played classic hits
. The station eventually returned to classic rock
, and became WDQX.
Notable air talent on WDQX: Charlie O'Day, Rick Atterberry, Bud Carter, Martin Mitchell, Patty Curtis, Jim Dynan, Charles Earley (now Chuck Collins of WMBD-TV
Peoria), Dave Snell (of WMBD-TV
and Radio
), Ralph Snodsmith, Greg Batton, Derry Farber, Wayne R. Miller, and Cheryl Maddox-Miller.
Morton, Illinois
Morton is a village in Tazewell County, Illinois, USA, known for its pumpkins and annual Pumpkin Festival. The population was 15,198 at the 2000 census. Morton, the home of a Caterpillar distribution facility and a Libby's pumpkin plant, is part of the Peoria, Illinois Metropolitan Statistical...
near Peoria
Peoria, Illinois
Peoria is the largest city on the Illinois River and the county seat of Peoria County, Illinois, in the United States. It is named after the Peoria tribe. As of the 2010 census, the city was the seventh-most populated in Illinois, with a population of 115,007, and is the third-most populated...
. It is owned by JMP Media, a part of Triad Broadcasting
Triad Broadcasting
Triad Broadcasting Company, LLC is a large owner of radio stations in small and medium markets in the United States with over 40 radio stations. Based in Monterey, California, the company is one of the largest radio station owners after Clear Channel Communications, CBS Radio, Cox Radio, and...
of California. The station has an 80's based classic rock
Classic rock
Classic rock is a radio format which developed from the album-oriented rock format in the early 1980s. In the United States, the classic rock format features music ranging generally from the late 1960s to the late 1980s, primarily focusing on the hard rock genre that peaked in popularity in the...
format.
WDQX broadcasts from the JMP Media studio in the Civic Center Plaza, 331 Fulton Street in Peoria.
It is the current home of the Markley and Luciano Morning show which airs from 5:30AM - 9AM and airs every Chicago Bear's football game. It is programed by its afternoon personality "Joey D"
The station came on the air as WTAZ, broadcasting an oldies format with NBC features from a facility midway between Morton and Washington, Illinois in Tazewell County (hence WTAZ). Roy Demanes (the owner of the Ramada Inn, a bank and a pharmacy in Peoria, as well as an extensive pre-need burial program) worked with Penny Press Publisher (and former WEEK-TV
WEEK-TV
WEEK-TV is the NBC-affiliated television station for West-Central Illinois licensed to Peoria. It broadcasts a high definition digital signal on UHF channel 25 from a transmitter at studios on Springfield Road in East Peoria. The station can also be seen on Comcast channel 10 and in high definition...
anchorman) Bud Carter to put the station on the air.
As of the late 1970s, the two were partners in the newspaper previously mentioned (a Peoria based issues and entertainment oriented publication) and the radio station. Demanes exchanged his ownership in the paper for Carter's interest in the paper, then died of a heart attack a short time later.
The paper was purchased by another suburban weekly (the Observer), and Carter relocated to Atlanta where he now is Senior Chairman for the Atlanta operation of an international organization for CEOs (Vistage International).
Through most of the 1980s and 1990s, WTAZ had a talk format featuring personalities such as G. Gordon Liddy
G. Gordon Liddy
George Gordon Liddy was the chief operative for the White House Plumbers unit that existed from July–September 1971, during Richard Nixon's presidency. Separately, along with E. Howard Hunt, Liddy organized and directed the Watergate burglaries of the Democratic National Committee headquarters in...
, Rush Limbaugh
Rush Limbaugh
Rush Hudson Limbaugh III is an American radio talk show host, conservative political commentator, and an opinion leader in American conservatism. He hosts The Rush Limbaugh Show which is aired throughout the U.S. on Premiere Radio Networks and is the highest-rated talk-radio program in the United...
, Dr. Laura, and Art Bell
Art Bell
Arthur W. "Art" Bell, III is an American broadcaster and author, known primarily as one of the founders and the original host of the paranormal-themed radio program Coast to Coast AM. He also created and formerly hosted its companion show, Dreamland...
. In 1999, those shows and call letters were moved to AM
WOAM
WOAM is a Peoria, Illinois radio station that broadcasts an Adult Standards/MOR format.-History:The station signed on as WEEK in the 1940s...
, and 102.3 became WFXF-FM broadcasting Howard Stern
Howard Stern
Howard Allan Stern is an American radio personality, television host, author, and actor best known for his radio show, which was nationally syndicated from 1986 to 2005. He gained wide recognition in the 1990s where he was labeled a "shock jock" for his outspoken and sometimes controversial style...
in the morning, and rock music
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
. In late 2000, Stern was dropped, and WFXF-FM played classic hits
Classic hits
Classic hits is a radio format which generally includes rock and pop music from 1964 to 1989. The term is sometimes erroneously used as a synonym for the adult hits format, but is more accurately characterized as a contemporary style of the oldies format...
. The station eventually returned to classic rock
Classic rock
Classic rock is a radio format which developed from the album-oriented rock format in the early 1980s. In the United States, the classic rock format features music ranging generally from the late 1960s to the late 1980s, primarily focusing on the hard rock genre that peaked in popularity in the...
, and became WDQX.
Notable air talent on WDQX: Charlie O'Day, Rick Atterberry, Bud Carter, Martin Mitchell, Patty Curtis, Jim Dynan, Charles Earley (now Chuck Collins of WMBD-TV
WMBD-TV
WMBD-TV is the CBS-affiliated television station for Central Illinois licensed to Peoria. It broadcasts a high definition digital signal on UHF channel 30 from a transmitter on Pinecrest Drive in Groveland Township's East Peoria section. The station can also be seen on Comcast channel 7 and in...
Peoria), Dave Snell (of WMBD-TV
WMBD-TV
WMBD-TV is the CBS-affiliated television station for Central Illinois licensed to Peoria. It broadcasts a high definition digital signal on UHF channel 30 from a transmitter on Pinecrest Drive in Groveland Township's East Peoria section. The station can also be seen on Comcast channel 7 and in...
and Radio
WMBD (AM)
WMBD is the oldest radio station in Peoria, Illinois. It broadcasts on 1470 kHz with 5000 watts day and night, with a 2-tower pattern during the day and a 4-tower pattern at night.The station started broadcasting in 1927...
), Ralph Snodsmith, Greg Batton, Derry Farber, Wayne R. Miller, and Cheryl Maddox-Miller.
External links
- 102.3 Max FM - official website