WMRF-FM
Encyclopedia
WMRF-FM and WLAK is an adult contemporary radio station from Huntingdon, Pennsylvania
in the Altoona, Pennsylvania
market, branded as Merf Radio. The station is owned by First Media Radio.
The broadcasts come from WMRF in Lewistown, Pennsylvania
.
In 2011 the station became embroiled in controversy when the non-profit organization the Arete Living Arts Foundation purchased advertising to promote a multimedia performance for the artist Caeser Pink & The Imperial Orgy
. Representative from the organization claimed that as part of the advertising package they were promised on-air ticket giveaways, interviews with the artist, and radio airplay. Later music director Rocco Pallotto refused to do ticket giveaways, interviews, or airplay because he felt the artists were not up to the station's moral standards. Caeser Pink countered by arguing that while his own work often deals with controversial social and political issues, it promotes a positive message. In a letter to the station Mr. Pink argued that "the music you play on your station sends a message that promotes hedonism and shallow materialism." Pink circulated a letter that featured lyrics from songs played on the station such as Lady GaGa's, "I wanna take a ride on your disco stick...I'm educated in sex, yes, And now I want it bad, want it bad," and Bruno Mars, "Turn the TV on, throw my hand in my pants..Find a really nice girl, have some really nice sex and she's gonna scream out, Oh my god, this is great". The issue caused an online debate where local residents were able to express their feelings on the matter.
The WLAK call letters formerly belonged to a Chicago FM station, currently known as WLIT
.
Huntingdon, Pennsylvania
Huntingdon is a borough in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania. It is the county seat of Huntingdon County. It is located along the Juniata River, west of Harrisburg, about halfway between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg, in an agricultural and fruit-growing region, with valuable forests and deposits of...
in the Altoona, Pennsylvania
Altoona, Pennsylvania
-History:A major railroad town, Altoona was founded by the Pennsylvania Railroad in 1849 as the site for a shop complex. Altoona was incorporated as a borough on February 6, 1854, and as a city under legislation approved on April 3, 1867, and February 8, 1868...
market, branded as Merf Radio. The station is owned by First Media Radio.
The broadcasts come from WMRF in Lewistown, Pennsylvania
Lewistown, Pennsylvania
Lewistown is a borough in and the county seat of Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, United States. It lies along the Juniata River, northwest of Harrisburg. The number of people living in the borough in 1900 was 4,451; in 1910, 8,166; and in 1940, 13,017. The population was 8,998 at the 2000 census,...
.
In 2011 the station became embroiled in controversy when the non-profit organization the Arete Living Arts Foundation purchased advertising to promote a multimedia performance for the artist Caeser Pink & The Imperial Orgy
The Imperial Orgy
The Imperial Orgy is an artist collective founded in 1993 by artist Caeser Pink. Known primarily for their multimedia performances, music recordings, and film works, the group's creative work expresses an underlying philosophy of personal, spiritual, and political liberation based on independent...
. Representative from the organization claimed that as part of the advertising package they were promised on-air ticket giveaways, interviews with the artist, and radio airplay. Later music director Rocco Pallotto refused to do ticket giveaways, interviews, or airplay because he felt the artists were not up to the station's moral standards. Caeser Pink countered by arguing that while his own work often deals with controversial social and political issues, it promotes a positive message. In a letter to the station Mr. Pink argued that "the music you play on your station sends a message that promotes hedonism and shallow materialism." Pink circulated a letter that featured lyrics from songs played on the station such as Lady GaGa's, "I wanna take a ride on your disco stick...I'm educated in sex, yes, And now I want it bad, want it bad," and Bruno Mars, "Turn the TV on, throw my hand in my pants..Find a really nice girl, have some really nice sex and she's gonna scream out, Oh my god, this is great". The issue caused an online debate where local residents were able to express their feelings on the matter.
The WLAK call letters formerly belonged to a Chicago FM station, currently known as WLIT
WLIT
WLIT-FM is a radio station licensed to Chicago, Illinois, featuring a format of adult contemporary music. The station is currently owned by Clear Channel Communications.In February 2006, WLIT began broadcasting in HD Radio...
.