WKQC
Encyclopedia
WKQC is a CBS Radio
adult contemporary radio station in Charlotte, North Carolina
. The station goes by the name "K 104.7" with the slogan "Cool Songs."
The station receives exceptional interference from another 104.7 (WNOK
) in Columbia
, just 75 miles south. The Chester
& Lancaster
areas are affected the most with interference from both stations.
The station shares office, studio and production space and resources with fellow CBS owned WNKS-FM
"Kiss 95.1" on South Boulevard in Charlotte.
stations—WYFM and WBT-FM. By the mid-70s, WYFM was WEZC "EZ-104" and had a 100,000-watt signal. In September 1978, WBT-FM changed to rock and became WBCY, leaving WEZC as the city's only beautiful music
station. In December 1982, even though the area had two other soft adult contemporary FM stations—WLVV "Love 97" and WZXI—WEZC changed to soft adult contemporary as well. The switch generated so many protests that WZXI moved to fill the gap.
During the 1980s, WEZC gradually evolved from soft adult contemporary to mainstream adult contemporary. The station's most famous personality was controversial morning host Chuck Boozer.
In 1989, WEZC completed its transition with a name change to WMXC "Mix 104.7", and the WEZC call letters were picked up by a new AC station on the 102.9 frequency. The station created controversy within the industry, referring to itself on-air as "WMIX", only using its true call letters during legal ID's once per hour.
In 1994, with WLNK
(formerly WBT-FM) and WLYT (formerly the "new" WEZC) competing, WMXC became WSSS "Star 104.7", playing "Super Sounds of the Seventies". 80s music was added later and the station later went all-80s. Classic hits
was also tried. But even though format changes generated brief ratings improvement, nothing worked until the station returned to adult contemporary music, with an emphasis on older songs. The switch to the current name and call letters came after the station played just Christmas music
beginning on Halloween and continuing all through the 2004 holiday season.
Operations Manager John Reynolds, Markeet Manager Bill Schoening and AC Programming Conusltant Gary Berkowitz designed the re-birth of the station. Plans were to rename the station "Cool 104.7". However, on December 23, just three days before the new format was scheduled to debut, CBS Radio's legal department notified the station that the word "Cool", when used as a noun, had been copyrighted by Clear Channel Communications. A ten thousand dollar jingle package had to be scrapped and Program Director Tom Jeffries and PM Drive host T. Edward Bensen spent Christmas Day re-imaging the station with the quickly revised name of "K 104.7" so the debut could occur as scheduled the next morning.
In January 2007, Tom Jeffries, a former Boston-area programming legend who had been Program Director and Morning Host since the station's flip in 2004, resigned to go into semi-retirement. In April 2007, the station picked up local TV meteorologist Derek James as the new morning host, while promoting Scarlet C. to Asst. Program Director and T. Edward Bensen to Music Director. The station abruptly eliminated its entire on-air staff in October 2008, with the only exception being Holly Haze from 7pm-12am weekdays. Production Director Rick Scaffe, Promotions Director Leah Galloway, plus WNKS Promotions Director Natalie Kirby and long time WSOC-FM newsman Frank Lassiter were also cut at the same time in what was called a cost-cutting move.
The station hired Jon Robinson to do mornings from 6am-12pm a few months later. Robinson had been frequently absent and was arrested in late October 2009 for violating a protective order. On November 18, 2009 he was removed from the station's website. No report as to when he was terminated. Later, Robinson would publicly admit to having a long term substance abuse problem. By 2010, the station had hired an all-new air staff.
WKQC calls itself "Christmas K-104.7" when it shifts to its all-Christmas format. The station also uses holiday-themed jingles. Initially, it airs the all-Christmas format only on weekends leading up to Thanksgiving, with a mix of regular and Christmas songs on the weekdays. On the week of Thanksgiving, the all-Christmas format runs on a full-time basis, as of Christmas 2008. The station bills itself as the Carolinas' radio home for the holidays, a title that Lite 102.9 once held exclusively until 2004, when both stations started going head-to-head.
WKQC also claims to be Charlotte's first eco-friendly station that boasts a promotions fleet of gas saving and flex fuel vehicles. K 104.7 switched their logo to "Be Cool, Go Green" and promotes a 'green' lifestyle by providing tips and partnering with local community campaigns in the Charlotte area.
CBS Radio
CBS Radio, Inc., formerly known as Infinity Broadcasting Corporation, is one of the largest owners and operators of radio stations in the United States, third behind main rival Clear Channel Communications and Cumulus Media. CBS Radio owns around 130 radio stations across the country...
adult contemporary radio station in Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009...
. The station goes by the name "K 104.7" with the slogan "Cool Songs."
The station receives exceptional interference from another 104.7 (WNOK
WNOK
WNOK is a CHR radio station licensed to Columbia, South Carolina and serves the Columbia, South Carolina market. The Clear Channel Communications outlet is licensed by the Federal Communications Commission to broadcast at 104.7 MHz with an ERP of 90 kW...
) in Columbia
Columbia, South Carolina
Columbia is the state capital and largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The population was 129,272 according to the 2010 census. Columbia is the county seat of Richland County, but a portion of the city extends into neighboring Lexington County. The city is the center of a metropolitan...
, just 75 miles south. The Chester
Chester, South Carolina
Chester is a small city in Chester County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 6,476 at the 2000 census and a center urban cluster population of 11,140...
& Lancaster
Lancaster, South Carolina
Lancaster is a city in Lancaster County, South Carolina which is in the United States and is located 35 miles south of Charlotte, North Carolina and 20 miles east of Rock Hill, South Carolina. As of the United States Census of 2010, the city population was 10,160. It is the county seat of...
areas are affected the most with interference from both stations.
The station shares office, studio and production space and resources with fellow CBS owned WNKS-FM
WNKS
WNKS, known on the air as KISS 95.1, is a 100,000 watt radio station in Charlotte, North Carolina. It broadcasts at 95.1 MHz from a tower in Dallas, North Carolina, primarily serving the Charlotte metropolitan area. On air programming consists of mainstream top 40 music...
"Kiss 95.1" on South Boulevard in Charlotte.
History
In the 1970s, Charlotte had two beautiful musicBeautiful music
Beautiful music is a mostly instrumental music format that was prominent in American radio from the 1960s through the 1980s...
stations—WYFM and WBT-FM. By the mid-70s, WYFM was WEZC "EZ-104" and had a 100,000-watt signal. In September 1978, WBT-FM changed to rock and became WBCY, leaving WEZC as the city's only beautiful music
Beautiful music
Beautiful music is a mostly instrumental music format that was prominent in American radio from the 1960s through the 1980s...
station. In December 1982, even though the area had two other soft adult contemporary FM stations—WLVV "Love 97" and WZXI—WEZC changed to soft adult contemporary as well. The switch generated so many protests that WZXI moved to fill the gap.
During the 1980s, WEZC gradually evolved from soft adult contemporary to mainstream adult contemporary. The station's most famous personality was controversial morning host Chuck Boozer.
In 1989, WEZC completed its transition with a name change to WMXC "Mix 104.7", and the WEZC call letters were picked up by a new AC station on the 102.9 frequency. The station created controversy within the industry, referring to itself on-air as "WMIX", only using its true call letters during legal ID's once per hour.
In 1994, with WLNK
WLNK
WLNK, known on the air as "107.9 The Link", is a 100,000 watt radio station in Charlotte, North Carolina. It broadcasts at 107.9 MHz, primarily serving the Charlotte metropolitan area...
(formerly WBT-FM) and WLYT (formerly the "new" WEZC) competing, WMXC became WSSS "Star 104.7", playing "Super Sounds of the Seventies". 80s music was added later and the station later went all-80s. 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...
was also tried. But even though format changes generated brief ratings improvement, nothing worked until the station returned to adult contemporary music, with an emphasis on older songs. The switch to the current name and call letters came after the station played just Christmas music
Christmas music
Christmas music comprises a variety of genres of music normally performed or heard around the Christmas season, which tends to begin in the months leading up the actual holiday and end in the weeks shortly thereafter.-Early:...
beginning on Halloween and continuing all through the 2004 holiday season.
Operations Manager John Reynolds, Markeet Manager Bill Schoening and AC Programming Conusltant Gary Berkowitz designed the re-birth of the station. Plans were to rename the station "Cool 104.7". However, on December 23, just three days before the new format was scheduled to debut, CBS Radio's legal department notified the station that the word "Cool", when used as a noun, had been copyrighted by Clear Channel Communications. A ten thousand dollar jingle package had to be scrapped and Program Director Tom Jeffries and PM Drive host T. Edward Bensen spent Christmas Day re-imaging the station with the quickly revised name of "K 104.7" so the debut could occur as scheduled the next morning.
In January 2007, Tom Jeffries, a former Boston-area programming legend who had been Program Director and Morning Host since the station's flip in 2004, resigned to go into semi-retirement. In April 2007, the station picked up local TV meteorologist Derek James as the new morning host, while promoting Scarlet C. to Asst. Program Director and T. Edward Bensen to Music Director. The station abruptly eliminated its entire on-air staff in October 2008, with the only exception being Holly Haze from 7pm-12am weekdays. Production Director Rick Scaffe, Promotions Director Leah Galloway, plus WNKS Promotions Director Natalie Kirby and long time WSOC-FM newsman Frank Lassiter were also cut at the same time in what was called a cost-cutting move.
The station hired Jon Robinson to do mornings from 6am-12pm a few months later. Robinson had been frequently absent and was arrested in late October 2009 for violating a protective order. On November 18, 2009 he was removed from the station's website. No report as to when he was terminated. Later, Robinson would publicly admit to having a long term substance abuse problem. By 2010, the station had hired an all-new air staff.
WKQC calls itself "Christmas K-104.7" when it shifts to its all-Christmas format. The station also uses holiday-themed jingles. Initially, it airs the all-Christmas format only on weekends leading up to Thanksgiving, with a mix of regular and Christmas songs on the weekdays. On the week of Thanksgiving, the all-Christmas format runs on a full-time basis, as of Christmas 2008. The station bills itself as the Carolinas' radio home for the holidays, a title that Lite 102.9 once held exclusively until 2004, when both stations started going head-to-head.
WKQC also claims to be Charlotte's first eco-friendly station that boasts a promotions fleet of gas saving and flex fuel vehicles. K 104.7 switched their logo to "Be Cool, Go Green" and promotes a 'green' lifestyle by providing tips and partnering with local community campaigns in the Charlotte area.
On-Air Lineup
- 6:00AM–12:00PM Jo Jo Morales
- 12:00PM–6:00PM Brandon Chase
- 6:00PM–6:00AM Kate Hall