WZFC
Encyclopedia
WZFC is a Country
formatted radio station
licensed to Strasburg, Virginia
and serving the Northern Shenandoah Valley
. WZFC is owned and operated by Centennial Broadcasting.
format. WESI was branded as "Lite 105". The format remained the same until 1989 when WESI owners Rick Leverrier and Jeff Southmayd bought Berryville
station WAPP. In 1989, the combined stations flipped to a Light Adult Contemporary format.
studios of the combined 104.9 FM and 105.5 FM were closed and moved to the already open WESI studios in Strasburg
.
The combined "Lite 105" switched to Oldies on February 24, 1992 and the 104.9 FM calls were flipped to WBPP. Branding was also changed to "Good Time Rock and Roll...104-9, 105-5, WAPP". Most programming came from ABC Radio's "Oldies Radio" network.
In 1997, Mid-Atlantic (owners of WINC
/WINC-FM, bought WAPP/WBPP and took the stations dark for 3 weeks in 1997. The stations came back as a Country
format, branded as "Apple Country", the second time 105.5 broadcasted that branding.
"Apple Country" never attracted any listeners from cross-town country powerhouse WUSQ, but it had a loyal, though small, following. Former WUSQ morning show host Jenny Lynn worked mornings for the new "Apple Country" station, but it was not enough.
After only five years, WAPP and WBPP switched their calls and format on April 15, 2002. After a stint of playing Johnny Paycheck
's "Take This Job and Shove It" and a DJ "holding the station hostage", the new format became a Classic rock
format under the branding "Real Classic Rock".
In 2003, The Virginia Association of Broadcasters awarded then morning host Joe Sanchez, the "Best Morning Show in a Medium Market" honors.
In 2005, nationally syndicated "Bob and Tom" became the morning hosts and Joe Sanchez was moved to afternoons.
The Classic rock
format placed consistently ahead of crosstown classic/new rocker WFQX in the Arbitron
ratings.
Both of the 104.9 FM and 105.5 FM signals can be heard across the Winchester area, but come in the clearest in the towns nearest to their towers, due to the terrain of the area.
and WINC-FM in Winchester and WBQB-FM and WFVA-AM in Fredericksburg, VA, had been sold to Centennial Broadcasting based in Roanoke, VA. No further information has been released.
On May 17, 2007, it was finally reported and confirmed that Centennial Broadcasting had bought the stations for $36 Million. According to a Winchester Star article, no changes would be made at any of the stations in format or staff.
Five months later, WWRT/WWRE Program Director and Midday DJ Kym McKay, moved to WWEG
(in nearby Hagerstown
) to take a midday shift there. WWRT/WWRE dropped nationally syndicated "Bob & Tom". That program was replaced with former morning DJ and current afternoon DJ Joe Sanchez. Joe Sanchez was released in January 2008 and replaced by Ron Baker, who came from nearby Martinsburg stations WICL
and WLTF
. Ron Baker retires from Radio in July 2009 to pursue a budding voice over career. Joe Sanchez moved on to WMDM-FM
in Southern Maryland where he served and Morning Show Host and Program Director, though was laid off in February 2009 from WMDM-FM due to budget cuts and resurfaced as WLTF
at the Program Director and Morning Show Host.
format to follow. The station also dropped their branding as "Real Classic Rock". Three days later at noon on September 20, the station became "Rock 104-9 105-5" with the slogan "Everything That Rocks". The station launched a then-new website at everythingthatrocks.fm.
indicating a new branding change starting on December 3. This change was also being announced repeatedly throughout the on-air broadcast.
Shortly after noon on December 3, 2009, WWRE and WWRT became WXNB and WXBN respectively. The station would ultimately only change branding to "The Bone" and keep their Active Rock format. The station also launched a new website rockthebone.com. The station would also pick up the nationally syndicated Free Beer and Hot Wings Show
during weekday mornings. The station continues to carry Baltimore Ravens
football games live.
format, which took place on the morning of September 19. WZFC carries programming directly from Dial Global
's Hot Country
satellite network.
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
formatted 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 Strasburg, Virginia
Strasburg, Virginia
Strasburg is a town in Shenandoah County, Virginia, United States, which was founded in 1761 by Peter Stover. It is the largest town, population-wise, in the county and is known for its pottery, antiques, and Civil War history...
and serving the Northern Shenandoah Valley
Shenandoah Valley
The Shenandoah Valley is both a geographic valley and cultural region of western Virginia and West Virginia in the United States. The valley is bounded to the east by the Blue Ridge Mountains, to the west by the eastern front of the Ridge-and-Valley Appalachians , to the north by the Potomac River...
. WZFC is owned and operated by Centennial Broadcasting.
History
WXBN signed on as WESI-FM on November 4, 1986 with a Beautiful MusicBeautiful music
Beautiful music is a mostly instrumental music format that was prominent in American radio from the 1960s through the 1980s...
format. WESI was branded as "Lite 105". The format remained the same until 1989 when WESI owners Rick Leverrier and Jeff Southmayd bought Berryville
Berryville, Virginia
Berryville is an incorporated town in and the county seat of Clarke County, Virginia, United States. The population was 2,963 at the 2000 census.-Geography:...
station WAPP. In 1989, the combined stations flipped to a Light Adult Contemporary format.
Combined 104.9/105.5 History
In 1989, the BerryvilleBerryville, Virginia
Berryville is an incorporated town in and the county seat of Clarke County, Virginia, United States. The population was 2,963 at the 2000 census.-Geography:...
studios of the combined 104.9 FM and 105.5 FM were closed and moved to the already open WESI studios in Strasburg
Strasburg, Virginia
Strasburg is a town in Shenandoah County, Virginia, United States, which was founded in 1761 by Peter Stover. It is the largest town, population-wise, in the county and is known for its pottery, antiques, and Civil War history...
.
The combined "Lite 105" switched to Oldies on February 24, 1992 and the 104.9 FM calls were flipped to WBPP. Branding was also changed to "Good Time Rock and Roll...104-9, 105-5, WAPP". Most programming came from ABC Radio's "Oldies Radio" network.
In 1997, Mid-Atlantic (owners of WINC
WINC (AM)
WINC is a News/Talk/Sports formatted broadcast radio station licensed to Winchester, Virginia, serving Winchester and Frederick County, Virginia. WINC is owned and operated by Centennial Broadcasting.-History:Richard F. Lewis, Jr...
/WINC-FM, bought WAPP/WBPP and took the stations dark for 3 weeks in 1997. The stations came back as a Country
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
format, branded as "Apple Country", the second time 105.5 broadcasted that branding.
"Apple Country" never attracted any listeners from cross-town country powerhouse WUSQ, but it had a loyal, though small, following. Former WUSQ morning show host Jenny Lynn worked mornings for the new "Apple Country" station, but it was not enough.
After only five years, WAPP and WBPP switched their calls and format on April 15, 2002. After a stint of playing Johnny Paycheck
Johnny Paycheck
Johnny Paycheck was the legal name of Donald Eugene Lytle , a country music singer and Grand Ole Opry member most famous for recording the David Allan Coe song "Take This Job and Shove It"...
's "Take This Job and Shove It" and a DJ "holding the station hostage", the new format became a 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 under the branding "Real Classic Rock".
In 2003, The Virginia Association of Broadcasters awarded then morning host Joe Sanchez, the "Best Morning Show in a Medium Market" honors.
In 2005, nationally syndicated "Bob and Tom" became the morning hosts and Joe Sanchez was moved to afternoons.
The 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 placed consistently ahead of crosstown classic/new rocker WFQX in the Arbitron
Arbitron
Arbitron is a consumer research company in the United States that collects listener data on radio audiences. It was founded as American Research Bureau by Jim Seiler in 1949 and became national by merging with L.A. based Coffin, Cooper and Clay in the early 1950s...
ratings.
Both of the 104.9 FM and 105.5 FM signals can be heard across the Winchester area, but come in the clearest in the towns nearest to their towers, due to the terrain of the area.
Mid-Atlantic Sale
On April 13, 2007, media websites DCRTV in Washington DC reported that WWRE-FM and WWRT-FM, along with sisters WINCWINC (AM)
WINC is a News/Talk/Sports formatted broadcast radio station licensed to Winchester, Virginia, serving Winchester and Frederick County, Virginia. WINC is owned and operated by Centennial Broadcasting.-History:Richard F. Lewis, Jr...
and WINC-FM in Winchester and WBQB-FM and WFVA-AM in Fredericksburg, VA, had been sold to Centennial Broadcasting based in Roanoke, VA. No further information has been released.
On May 17, 2007, it was finally reported and confirmed that Centennial Broadcasting had bought the stations for $36 Million. According to a Winchester Star article, no changes would be made at any of the stations in format or staff.
Five months later, WWRT/WWRE Program Director and Midday DJ Kym McKay, moved to WWEG
WWEG
WWEG is a Classic Hits formatted broadcast radio station licensed to Myersville, Maryland.The station can be heard throughout the "Four-State Region" of western Maryland, south central Pennsylvania, eastern West Virginia and northern Virginia...
(in nearby Hagerstown
Hagerstown, Maryland
Hagerstown is a city in northwestern Maryland, United States. It is the county seat of Washington County, and, by many definitions, the largest city in a region known as Western Maryland. The population of Hagerstown city proper at the 2010 census was 39,662, and the population of the...
) to take a midday shift there. WWRT/WWRE dropped nationally syndicated "Bob & Tom". That program was replaced with former morning DJ and current afternoon DJ Joe Sanchez. Joe Sanchez was released in January 2008 and replaced by Ron Baker, who came from nearby Martinsburg stations WICL
WICL
WICL is an Oldies and Classic rock formatted broadcast radio station licensed to Williamsport, Maryland, serving the Martinsburg, West Virginia/Hagerstown, Maryland area. WICL is owned and operated by Prettyman Broadcasting Co.-History:...
and WLTF
WLTF
WLTF is a Light Adult Contemporary formatted broadcast radio station licensed to Martinsburg, West Virginia, serving the Four-State Region. WLTF is owned and operated by Prettyman Broadcasting Company.-Information:...
. Ron Baker retires from Radio in July 2009 to pursue a budding voice over career. Joe Sanchez moved on to WMDM-FM
WMDM-FM
WMDM is a classic rock formatted broadcast radio station licensed to Lexington Park, Maryland, serving the Northern Neck. WMDM is owned and operated by Somar Communications, Inc.-History:WMDM aired an oldies music format prior to May 31, 2006....
in Southern Maryland where he served and Morning Show Host and Program Director, though was laid off in February 2009 from WMDM-FM due to budget cuts and resurfaced as WLTF
WLTF
WLTF is a Light Adult Contemporary formatted broadcast radio station licensed to Martinsburg, West Virginia, serving the Four-State Region. WLTF is owned and operated by Prettyman Broadcasting Company.-Information:...
at the Program Director and Morning Show Host.
Format Flip: 2007
On September 17, 2007, the station began "stunting" by playing "everything" rock with a new Active RockActive rock
Active rock is a radio format used by many commercial radio stations across the United States and Canada. Active rock plays contemporary rock artists with a mix of songs common in the classic rock radio format.-Format background:...
format to follow. The station also dropped their branding as "Real Classic Rock". Three days later at noon on September 20, the station became "Rock 104-9 105-5" with the slogan "Everything That Rocks". The station launched a then-new website at everythingthatrocks.fm.
Branding Change: 2009
On November 30, 2009, the station's website began showing a single promotional Flash animationAdobe Flash Player
The Adobe Flash Player is software for viewing multimedia, Rich Internet Applications and streaming video and audio, on a computer web browser or on supported mobile devices. Flash Player runs SWF files that can be created by the Adobe Flash authoring tool, by Adobe Flex or by a number of other...
indicating a new branding change starting on December 3. This change was also being announced repeatedly throughout the on-air broadcast.
Shortly after noon on December 3, 2009, WWRE and WWRT became WXNB and WXBN respectively. The station would ultimately only change branding to "The Bone" and keep their Active Rock format. The station also launched a new website rockthebone.com. The station would also pick up the nationally syndicated Free Beer and Hot Wings Show
The Free Beer and Hot Wings Show
The Free Beer and Hot Wings Show is a syndicated talk radio show based at WGRD-FM in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The show is hosted by Gregg "Free Beer" Daniels and Chris "Hot Wings" Michaels with Eric "Zane" Zeitunian, "Producer" Joseph Gasmann, Jr, Assistant Producer Steve McKiernan, and Robot. The...
during weekday mornings. The station continues to carry Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are a professional football franchise based in Baltimore, Maryland.The Baltimore Ravens are officially a quasi-expansion franchise, having originated in 1995 with the Cleveland Browns relocation controversy after Art Modell, then owner of the Cleveland Browns, announced his...
football games live.
Simulcast Broken
On September 12, 2011, the callsign for 104.9 was changed to WZFC, while the callsign for 105.5 was changed to WXBN (formerly at 104.9). The two stations, while still simulcasting together, are only being ID'd as "105-5 The Bone". Also on September 12, media website VARTV.com reported the 104.9 frequency might be switching to a CountryCountry music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
format, which took place on the morning of September 19. WZFC carries programming directly from Dial Global
Dial Global
Dial Global is a radio syndication company. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Triton Media Group and is a sister company to Townsquare Media, both of which are owned by Oaktree Capital Management....
's Hot Country
Hot Country
Hot Country is a 24-hour music format produced by Dial Global. Its playlist is composed of country music released from the late 1990s to the present.Its competitors were "Country Today" by Waitt, CD Country, True 24-Hour Country, and U.S...
satellite network.