WEAS
Encyclopedia
WEAS-FM is an Mainstream Urban
radio station
licensed to Springfield, Georgia
, but serving the Savannah
Area. The station is owned by Cumulus Media
.
WEAS(FM) began operation in 1968 as an easy listening
station to counter the country music format of the sister AM station (which had formerly been WJIV-AM, with an R&B format, until 1960, and later as WEAS with the country format); the station's format was freeform
progressive rock
in the early part of the next decade. By the mid 1970s, the FM station switched to a similar urban format as today, as did the sister AM station (WEAS-AM 900 kHz, 5000-watt, daytime), prior to it being sold and changed to a sports information station. The AM and FM stations were previously owned by E.D. "Dee" Rivers, Jr, son of a former governor of Georgia.
WEAS-FM was previously licensed to Savannah, but moved to Springfield in order to allow WTYB to move to Tybee Island
, in the Savannah metropolitan area. The station has historically targeted the African-American population in the Savannah area.
WEAS-FM was automated in its first few years, but changed to a live DJ when the format was changed from Easy Listening to R&B.
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...
radio station
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...
licensed to Springfield, Georgia
Springfield, Georgia
Springfield is a city in Effingham County, Georgia, United States. The population was 2,520 at the 2010 census. The city is the county seat of Effingham County .Springfield is part of the Savannah Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
, but serving the Savannah
Savannah, Georgia
Savannah is the largest city and the county seat of Chatham County, in the U.S. state of Georgia. Established in 1733, the city of Savannah was the colonial capital of the Province of Georgia and later the first state capital of Georgia. Today Savannah is an industrial center and an important...
Area. The station is owned by Cumulus Media
Cumulus Media
Cumulus Media, Inc. is the second largest Owner and Operator of AM and FM radio stations in the United States, behind Clear Channel Communications, operating 570 stations in 150 markets as of September 16, 2011. The company also owns Cumulus Media Networks...
.
WEAS(FM) began operation in 1968 as an easy listening
Easy listening
Easy listening is a broad style of popular music and radio format that emerged in the 1950s, evolving out of big band music, and related to MOR music as played on many AM radio stations. It encompasses the exotica, beautiful music, light music, lounge music, ambient music, and space age pop genres...
station to counter the country music format of the sister AM station (which had formerly been WJIV-AM, with an R&B format, until 1960, and later as WEAS with the country format); the station's format was freeform
Freeform
The word freeform may refer to:* Freeform , an alias used by experimental/IDM producer Simon Pyke* Freeform Style of Hardcore Techno influenced by trance.* Freeform Five, UK electro-house band...
progressive rock
Progressive rock
Progressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...
in the early part of the next decade. By the mid 1970s, the FM station switched to a similar urban format as today, as did the sister AM station (WEAS-AM 900 kHz, 5000-watt, daytime), prior to it being sold and changed to a sports information station. The AM and FM stations were previously owned by E.D. "Dee" Rivers, Jr, son of a former governor of Georgia.
WEAS-FM was previously licensed to Savannah, but moved to Springfield in order to allow WTYB to move to Tybee Island
Tybee Island, Georgia
Tybee Island is an island and city in Chatham County, Georgia near the city of Savannah in the southeastern United States. It is the easternmost point in the state of Georgia. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 2,990. Tybee Island is an island and city in Chatham County, Georgia near...
, in the Savannah metropolitan area. The station has historically targeted the African-American population in the Savannah area.
WEAS-FM was automated in its first few years, but changed to a live DJ when the format was changed from Easy Listening to R&B.
Former on-air staff
During WEAS's time as a country music station:- JayAllen Brimmer (1960-1969) (deceased)
- Norman "Lefty" Lindsey (1961-1970)
- Everett Langford (1963-1967) (was also Chief Engineer)