WRPO-LP
Encyclopedia
WRPO-LP "Indian Lake Radio" (for Russells Point,Ohio, its city of license) is a non-commercial and educational low power
FM community radio
station at 93.5 mHz licensed to the village of Russells Point
which up until early 2008 aired a Big Band
and Adult Standards
format. The station then aired a smooth jazz
format from that point until May 9, 2009 when it switched to an oldies
format. Its studios and transmitter are both located in the city of license and serves the communities of Russells Point
, Lakeview
, the perimeter of Indian Lake State Park
, and surrounding portions of west-central Ohio.
WRPO's former big band
format was a tribute to the live performance venue of the now long gone Sandy Beach Amusement Park which was frequented by many of the popular orchestras and singers of that era...many of which were broadcast live nationwide on network radio.
WRPO is owned by the Village of Russells Point and is programmed by Gene Kirby, who also owned and operated WMHO, a micropower AM broadcaster (now defunct) at 1620 kHz in Marysville
that initially aired a classic country
format (following the three year departure of WUCO's studios and offices to Columbus when it was part of Saint Gabriel Cathiolic Radio) but has since employed a similar oldies format, as well as have programmed WDEQ-FM
, 91.7mHz in DeGraff on behalf of its owner, the Riverside Board of Education until 2010. Kirby is also operations manager of WQTT (the former WUCO) in Marysville which moved back to its original city of license in 2010. WQTT is now owned by ICS Commuinications.
format after a previous one year run as a smooth jazz
station. The switch to oldies, coupled with more professional on-air production values and audio imaging (possibly inspired by kindred spirit WSWO-LP
) has produced a much more positive feedback from local listeners compared to its previous jazz format and has resulted in increased support by listener contributions and underwriting by local businesses.
Live local programming on Saturday mornings include Robbie Robinson's "Not-so News" a tongue-in-cheek perspective on local events and vignettes with a homespun flavor at 6:30 am and again at 7:30 am. "The Saturday Morning Show"...a talk/information/interview program with Robbie Robinson and Gene Kirby which comes on from 9 to 9:30 am after "Blues on The Lake" a one hour program hosted by WRPO volunteer Jim Matthews airing a mix of traditional delta blues,vintage R&B,soul music and blues-fusioned rock from 8 to 9am. At 10am, "The Famous Old Time Music Show", a one hour program of traditional bluegrass
, Americana and classic country
music hosted by Larry Roose is aired on behalf of fellow bluegrass musician Vernon McIntyre,the owner of The Famous Old Time Music Company located in St. Johns east of Wapakoneta. Sunday morning programming includes local church services and public affairs programs.
WRPO's oldies format has been on the air now for over 2 years, garnering great support from the individuals and businesses in the Indian Lake Resort Region. With their support, the station has upgraded to an on-air digital audio processor, and as of October, 2011 had upgraded the quality of the music on-air to the highest quality mp-3 sound possible. (Many commercial radio stations air music in far lower quality than the music on WRPO.)
The station's music comes from the 1950's to the 1980's. Or, to quote one of the station ID's, "From The Start Of Rock And Roll...To The Start Of M-TV!" The music is carefully selected by the station's Production Manager, Kevin Fodor (AKA - Jason Roberts, formerly with then-oldies formatted WCOL-FM in Columbus, Ohio in the early 1990's. Jason currently works full-time for Cox Media Group/Dayton and volunteers his time with WRPO.)
and Adult Standards
to a smooth jazz
format. "The Best of Old Time Radio" featuring vintage episodes of Fibber McGee and Molly
, The Green Hornet
, Lum and Abner
, The Great Gildersleeve
, Gunsmoke
among others were also aired to coincide with its earlier formats.
The format switch to smooth jazz took place on Saturday March 8, 2008. Ovenight programming also included oldies
from 12 midnight until early morning. The format switch was also reflected in its website which was upgraded on April 8, 2008.
From February until May 2009, the overnight oldies were replaced by "Music 'Till Dawn" a mix of beautiful music and big band prior to its switch to a full time oldies format.
on Saturday May 9, 2009 at 11am local time.
Cool Bobby B's Doo Wop Stop
is also aired Saturday nights from 11pm until 2am and again on Sunday evenings from 9 to 11pm.
Kirby also hosts a Saturday morning Big Band
program on WSWO-LP
, an oldies station in Huber Heights
which also uses the Ultimate Oldies branding.
The big band
format formerly aired on WRPO moved to WDEQ on Tuesday October 28, 2008 which briefly aired until early 2009 when it switched to a similar oldies
format as "Q-91.7 FM."
Low-power broadcasting
Low-power broadcasting is electronic broadcasting at very low power and low cost, to a small community area.The terms "low-power broadcasting" and "micropower broadcasting" should not be used interchangeably, because the markets are not the same...
FM community radio
Community radio
Community radio is a type of radio service, that offers a third model of radio broadcasting beyond commercial broadcasting and public broadcasting. Community stations can serve geographic communities and communities of interest...
station at 93.5 mHz licensed to the village of Russells Point
Russells Point, Ohio
Russells Point is a village located in Logan County, Ohio, United States. The population was 1,619 at the 2000 census. It is situated on Indian Lake.-Geography:Russells Point is located at ....
which up until early 2008 aired a Big Band
Big band
A big band is a type of musical ensemble associated with jazz and the Swing Era typically consisting of rhythm, brass, and woodwind instruments totaling approximately twelve to twenty-five musicians...
and Adult Standards
Adult standards
Adult standards is a North American radio format heard primarily on AM or class A FM stations.Adult standards is aimed at "mature" adults, meaning mainly those persons over 50 years of age, but it is mostly targeted for senior citizens...
format. The station then aired a smooth jazz
Smooth jazz
Smooth jazz is a genre of music that grew out of jazz fusion and is influenced by R&B, funk, rock, and pop music styles ....
format from that point until May 9, 2009 when it switched to an 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....
format. Its studios and transmitter are both located in the city of license and serves the communities of Russells Point
Russells Point, Ohio
Russells Point is a village located in Logan County, Ohio, United States. The population was 1,619 at the 2000 census. It is situated on Indian Lake.-Geography:Russells Point is located at ....
, Lakeview
Lakeview, Ohio
Lakeview is a village in Logan County, Ohio, United States. The population was 1,074 at the 2000 census.A branch of the Logan County District Library serves the Lakeview community.-Geography:Lakeview is located at ....
, the perimeter of Indian Lake State Park
Indian Lake (Ohio)
Indian Lake is a reservoir in Logan County, western Ohio, in the United States. It is approximately 20 mi southeast of Lima...
, and surrounding portions of west-central Ohio.
Brief history
WRPO, originally nicknamed "The Point," was founded in 2002 and commenced broadcasting on Memorial Day May 27 of that year. Its transmitter power is 100 watts ERP. Robbie Robinson and station manager Gene Kirby are just a few of the station's air personalities who are all volunteers. Its studios and offices are located at 433 State Route 708 in the village municipal building.WRPO's former big band
Big band
A big band is a type of musical ensemble associated with jazz and the Swing Era typically consisting of rhythm, brass, and woodwind instruments totaling approximately twelve to twenty-five musicians...
format was a tribute to the live performance venue of the now long gone Sandy Beach Amusement Park which was frequented by many of the popular orchestras and singers of that era...many of which were broadcast live nationwide on network radio.
WRPO is owned by the Village of Russells Point and is programmed by Gene Kirby, who also owned and operated WMHO, a micropower AM broadcaster (now defunct) at 1620 kHz in Marysville
Marysville, Ohio
Marysville is a city in and the county seat of Union County, Ohio, United States. The population was 15,942 at the 2000 census, and the Census Bureau estimated that it had risen to 17,621 by 2006.Marysville's longtime slogan is "Where the Grass is Greener"...
that initially aired a classic country
Classic country
Classic country is a music radio format that specializes in playing mainstream country hits from past decades.This genre generally follows one of two formats: those specializing in hits from the 1920s through the early 1970s, and focus primarily on innovators and artists from country music's Golden...
format (following the three year departure of WUCO's studios and offices to Columbus when it was part of Saint Gabriel Cathiolic Radio) but has since employed a similar oldies format, as well as have programmed WDEQ-FM
WDEQ-FM
WDEQ-FM is an educational radio station in DeGraff, Ohio, United States. The station is owned by the Riverside Local Board of Education in Logan County.-History:...
, 91.7mHz in DeGraff on behalf of its owner, the Riverside Board of Education until 2010. Kirby is also operations manager of WQTT (the former WUCO) in Marysville which moved back to its original city of license in 2010. WQTT is now owned by ICS Commuinications.
Programming
WRPO now airs an oldiesOldies
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....
format after a previous one year run as a smooth jazz
Smooth jazz
Smooth jazz is a genre of music that grew out of jazz fusion and is influenced by R&B, funk, rock, and pop music styles ....
station. The switch to oldies, coupled with more professional on-air production values and audio imaging (possibly inspired by kindred spirit WSWO-LP
WSWO-LP
WSWO-LP "Ultimate Oldies Radio" is a non-commercial low-power FM station at 97.7 MHz with a translator at 101.1 MHz licensed to Southwestern Ohio Public Radio Inc. in Huber Heights, Ohio.-Facilities:...
) has produced a much more positive feedback from local listeners compared to its previous jazz format and has resulted in increased support by listener contributions and underwriting by local businesses.
Live local programming on Saturday mornings include Robbie Robinson's "Not-so News" a tongue-in-cheek perspective on local events and vignettes with a homespun flavor at 6:30 am and again at 7:30 am. "The Saturday Morning Show"...a talk/information/interview program with Robbie Robinson and Gene Kirby which comes on from 9 to 9:30 am after "Blues on The Lake" a one hour program hosted by WRPO volunteer Jim Matthews airing a mix of traditional delta blues,vintage R&B,soul music and blues-fusioned rock from 8 to 9am. At 10am, "The Famous Old Time Music Show", a one hour program of traditional bluegrass
Bluegrass music
Bluegrass music is a form of American roots music, and a sub-genre of country music. It has mixed roots in Scottish, English, Welsh and Irish traditional music...
, Americana and classic country
Classic country
Classic country is a music radio format that specializes in playing mainstream country hits from past decades.This genre generally follows one of two formats: those specializing in hits from the 1920s through the early 1970s, and focus primarily on innovators and artists from country music's Golden...
music hosted by Larry Roose is aired on behalf of fellow bluegrass musician Vernon McIntyre,the owner of The Famous Old Time Music Company located in St. Johns east of Wapakoneta. Sunday morning programming includes local church services and public affairs programs.
WRPO's oldies format has been on the air now for over 2 years, garnering great support from the individuals and businesses in the Indian Lake Resort Region. With their support, the station has upgraded to an on-air digital audio processor, and as of October, 2011 had upgraded the quality of the music on-air to the highest quality mp-3 sound possible. (Many commercial radio stations air music in far lower quality than the music on WRPO.)
The station's music comes from the 1950's to the 1980's. Or, to quote one of the station ID's, "From The Start Of Rock And Roll...To The Start Of M-TV!" The music is carefully selected by the station's Production Manager, Kevin Fodor (AKA - Jason Roberts, formerly with then-oldies formatted WCOL-FM in Columbus, Ohio in the early 1990's. Jason currently works full-time for Cox Media Group/Dayton and volunteers his time with WRPO.)
Previous formats:(2002-2008)
According to its current website as of February 22, 2008, the station announced a switchover from Big BandBig band
A big band is a type of musical ensemble associated with jazz and the Swing Era typically consisting of rhythm, brass, and woodwind instruments totaling approximately twelve to twenty-five musicians...
and Adult Standards
Adult standards
Adult standards is a North American radio format heard primarily on AM or class A FM stations.Adult standards is aimed at "mature" adults, meaning mainly those persons over 50 years of age, but it is mostly targeted for senior citizens...
to a smooth jazz
Smooth jazz
Smooth jazz is a genre of music that grew out of jazz fusion and is influenced by R&B, funk, rock, and pop music styles ....
format. "The Best of Old Time Radio" featuring vintage episodes of Fibber McGee and Molly
Fibber McGee and Molly
Fibber McGee and Molly was an American radio comedy series which maintained its popularity over decades. It premiered on NBC in 1935 and continued until its demise in 1959, long after radio had ceased to be the dominant form of entertainment in American popular culture.-Husband and wife in real...
, The Green Hornet
The Green Hornet
The Green Hornet is an American radio and television masked vigilante created by George W. Trendle and Fran Striker, with input from radio director James Jewell, in 1936. Since his radio debut in the 1930s, the Green Hornet has appeared in numerous serialized dramas in a wide variety of media...
, Lum and Abner
Lum and Abner
Lum and Abner was an American radio comedy network program created by Chester Lauck and Norris Goff that aired from 1931 to 1954. Modeled on life in the small town of Waters, Arkansas, near where Lauck and Goff grew up, the showed proved immensely popular...
, The Great Gildersleeve
The Great Gildersleeve
The Great Gildersleeve , initially written by Leonard Lewis Levinson, was one of broadcast history's earliest spin-off programs. Built around Throckmorton Philharmonic Gildersleeve, a character who had been a staple on the classic radio situation comedy Fibber McGee and Molly, first Introduced to...
, Gunsmoke
Gunsmoke
Gunsmoke is an American radio and television Western drama series created by director Norman MacDonnell and writer John Meston. The stories take place in and around Dodge City, Kansas, during the settlement of the American West....
among others were also aired to coincide with its earlier formats.
The format switch to smooth jazz took place on Saturday March 8, 2008. Ovenight programming also included 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....
from 12 midnight until early morning. The format switch was also reflected in its website which was upgraded on April 8, 2008.
From February until May 2009, the overnight oldies were replaced by "Music 'Till Dawn" a mix of beautiful music and big band prior to its switch to a full time oldies format.
Ultimate Oldies
A survey of local listeners took place in March and April 2009 by the local low power station which helped determine the switch to Ultimate OldiesOldies
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....
on Saturday May 9, 2009 at 11am local time.
Cool Bobby B's Doo Wop Stop
Cool Bobby B's Doo Wop Stop
Cool Bobby B's Doo Wop Stop is a syndicated radio show hosted by Cool Bobby B. The production company is Cool Bobby B Radio Syndication, LLC.The weekly radio show is dedicated solely to playing the best in doo wop music....
is also aired Saturday nights from 11pm until 2am and again on Sunday evenings from 9 to 11pm.
Kirby also hosts a Saturday morning Big Band
Big band
A big band is a type of musical ensemble associated with jazz and the Swing Era typically consisting of rhythm, brass, and woodwind instruments totaling approximately twelve to twenty-five musicians...
program on WSWO-LP
WSWO-LP
WSWO-LP "Ultimate Oldies Radio" is a non-commercial low-power FM station at 97.7 MHz with a translator at 101.1 MHz licensed to Southwestern Ohio Public Radio Inc. in Huber Heights, Ohio.-Facilities:...
, an oldies station in Huber Heights
Huber Heights, Ohio
Huber Heights is a city in Montgomery, Miami, and Greene Counties in the U.S. state of Ohio. Huber Heights's motto is "America's largest community of brick homes." The city is named for Charles Huber, the developer who constructed a number of the houses that would later comprise the city. Suburban...
which also uses the Ultimate Oldies branding.
The big band
Big band
A big band is a type of musical ensemble associated with jazz and the Swing Era typically consisting of rhythm, brass, and woodwind instruments totaling approximately twelve to twenty-five musicians...
format formerly aired on WRPO moved to WDEQ on Tuesday October 28, 2008 which briefly aired until early 2009 when it switched to a similar 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....
format as "Q-91.7 FM."
See also
- OldiesOldiesOldies 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....
- Smooth JazzSmooth jazzSmooth jazz is a genre of music that grew out of jazz fusion and is influenced by R&B, funk, rock, and pop music styles ....
(previous format) - Indian Lake (Ohio)Indian Lake (Ohio)Indian Lake is a reservoir in Logan County, western Ohio, in the United States. It is approximately 20 mi southeast of Lima...
- Low power FM
- Lima Radio
- List of radio stations in Ohio