WZMR
Encyclopedia
WZMR is a country music
formatted radio station
licensed to Altamont
and serving New York's Capital District
and surrounding areas. The station is owned by Pamal Broadcasting
, and broadcasts at 6 kilowatts ERP
from the Helderberg Mountains antenna farm in New Scotland. WZMR is one of several signals to have moved into the Albany market in recent years, prior to its move in March 1999 it was licensed to Johnstown, New York
as the sister to WIZR
.
in 1980. WIZR-FM left the air in 1982, returning to the air as a simulcast of WMYL (formerly WIZR) in 1983. In early 1984, WIZR-FM and WMYL were sold. WIZR-FM flipped formats to album oriented rock as WSRD, "The Wizard", with live DJs. However the format only lasted through late 1984, when it was flipped to satellite-delivered adult contemporary. In mid-1987, the format was flipped to satellite delivered oldies
, still known as "The Wizard". This format would last until March 1999, when the station was moved into the Albany market.
, but was moved to the WYJB
tower in November 2000.
, WRVE
to a more mainstream format, and the then-stunting WKLI. It was WKLI which spoiled these plans, as Albany Broadcasting was sued by CBS Radio
, then-owners of the Point name, on the behalf of WKLI-owner-in-waiting Tele-Media. In response, the station relaunched as WZMR with the Z104.9 branding and a modern rock
format and the Point name surfaced on WKLI (which changed to WCPT) that May. However, poor ratings on WZMR resulted due to the dominance of competitor WQBK-FM/WQBJ
and WCPT's stronger signal.
to modern rock
, the stations swapped formats within the course of two weeks, with WZMR flipping to smooth jazz at 6:00 AM on October 18, 1999 as Smooth Jazz 104.9 after WHRL dumped it for modern rock
at midnight on October 2, 1999. The final song played under WZMR's short-lived modern rock format was "You Get What You Give
" by The New Radicals, also the first song played under the format. Though the return of smooth jazz was initially a success, ratings had declined at the station by early 2003, leading to the tweak to an urban AC format.
(as a compliment to then-urban WAJZ
) by adding R&B and soul music to the then-current smooth jazz playlist, with the branding 104.9 Love FM. However, the new format failed to attract listeners as well as advertising revenue, and the station was up for sale in 2004 to prepare WNYQ (105.7 FM) for a move-in; however, Regent Communications would eventually buy that station after the sale to Pamal fell through, and Pamal instead retained WZMR. After a Christmas music
stunt in December 2004, the format was again changed on January 6, 2005 to a simulcast of country music
station WFFG-FM
in Corinth, New York
(however, the simulcast only acknowledged 104.9 in the top-hour legal IDs).
After a weekend of stunting
, WZMR flipped formats to active rock
on February 13, 2006 as 104.9 The Edge, picking up the format abandoned by the former Edge, WQBK-FM/WQBJ
in December 2005. WZMR saw the most success during this time, with their Edgefest concerts, and even attracted John Mulrooney
for its morning show. However, with WQBK-FM/WQBJ
reverting to its previous active rock format in 2008, and WHRL tweaking from modern rock to active rock one year later, the future of WZMR's active rock format was cloudy as there were three stations in the format by that time (however, by the end of 2010, only WQBK-FM/WQBJ
would remain with the active rock format in the Albany market). Pamal would later return to the active rock format in 2011, with the flip of WKLI-FM from variety hits to active rock.
" by Ted Nugent
, was anticlimactically interrupted, as WZMR returned to a country music format under the 104.9 The Cat branding, taking on a similar playlist and imaging to sister WJEN in Vermont. The first song played under the new country format was "Building Bridges" by Brooks & Dunn
. Unlike the former Edge, only two live jocks are on the station under the Cat format: Mike Thomas (weekday mornings) and Ashlee Reid (weekdays 2pm–7pm).
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 Altamont
Altamont, Albany County, New York
Altamont is a village located in the town of Guilderland in Albany County, New York. The village is in the western part of the town. The population was 1,720 at the 2010 census. The name means "high mountain."- History :...
and serving New York's Capital District
Capital District
New York's Capital District, also known as the Capital Region, is a region in upstate New York that generally refers to the four counties surrounding Albany, the capital of the state: Albany County, Schenectady County, Rensselaer County, and Saratoga County...
and surrounding areas. The station is owned by Pamal Broadcasting
Pamal Broadcasting
Pamal Broadcasting, Ltd. is a family-owned radio ownership with stations in medium-to-small markets in the Northeast and Florida. Based in the Albany suburb of Latham, New York, Pamal Broadcasting was founded in 1986 as Albany Broadcasting when business man James J. Morrell entered broadcast...
, and broadcasts at 6 kilowatts ERP
Effective radiated power
In radio telecommunications, effective radiated power or equivalent radiated power is a standardized theoretical measurement of radio frequency energy using the SI unit watts, and is determined by subtracting system losses and adding system gains...
from the Helderberg Mountains antenna farm in New Scotland. WZMR is one of several signals to have moved into the Albany market in recent years, prior to its move in March 1999 it was licensed to Johnstown, New York
Johnstown (city), New York
Johnstown is a city and the county seat of Fulton County in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2000 Census, the city had population of 8,511. Recent estimates put the figure closer to 8,100. The city was named by its founder, Sir William Johnson after his son John Johnson...
as the sister to WIZR
WIZR
WIZR is a radio station that is currently broadcasting an oldies format. Licensed to Johnstown, New York, USA, the station serves the Mohawk Valley area...
.
The Johnstown years
WIZR-FM, forerunner to today's WZMR, signed on in 1968 largely simulcasting the middle of the road programming of its parent station WIZR. Between 1973 and 1979, both stations flipped to a top 40 simulcast. Eventually, WIZR-FM would flip to 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....
in 1980. WIZR-FM left the air in 1982, returning to the air as a simulcast of WMYL (formerly WIZR) in 1983. In early 1984, WIZR-FM and WMYL were sold. WIZR-FM flipped formats to album oriented rock as WSRD, "The Wizard", with live DJs. However the format only lasted through late 1984, when it was flipped to satellite-delivered adult contemporary. In mid-1987, the format was flipped to satellite delivered 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....
, still known as "The Wizard". This format would last until March 1999, when the station was moved into the Albany market.
Moving in
In early 1998, longtime WIZR/WSRD owner Joe Caruso obtained a construction permit to move WZMR to the Albany suburb of Altamont, in turn making the station a full Albany signal. That October, Caruso sold the stations to Albany Broadcasting (today's Pamal Broadcasting) for $2.2 million http://www.bizjournals.com/albany/stories/1998/10/26/story3.html. Albany Broadcasting closed on the stations in March 1999 and near immediately moved WSRD into the Albany market and gave it the new calls WAAP. The transmitter site was initially on the Channel 23 tower with sister station WAJZWAJZ
WAJZ is an urban-leaning Rhythmic Contemporary station serving the Albany-Schenectady-Troy area. The station is owned by Pamal Broadcasting and operates at 96.3 MHz with an ERP of 6 kW and is licensed to Voorheesville, New York...
, but was moved to the WYJB
WYJB
WYJB is an adult contemporary formatted radio station licensed to Albany, New York and serving New York's Capital District as well as the surrounding areas, including the Adirondacks...
tower in November 2000.
104.9 The Point/Z104.9
The format was changed to modern adult contemporary as The Point among its signon from Altamont on March 10, 1999, an attempt to capitalize on the then-recent flips of WXLE (now WTMM-FM) to rhythmic oldiesRhythmic oldies
Rhythmic Oldies is a radio format that concentrates on the rhythmic, disco or dance genres of music. Playlists may span from the 1970s through the early 1990s...
, WRVE
WRVE
WRVE is a Hot Adult Contemporary radio station licensed to Schenectady, New York and serving the Capital District and Upper Hudson Valley of New York. It broadcasts at 99.5 FM at 14.5 kilowatts ERP from a transmitter in Guilderland, New York...
to a more mainstream format, and the then-stunting WKLI. It was WKLI which spoiled these plans, as Albany Broadcasting was sued by CBS Radio
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...
, then-owners of the Point name, on the behalf of WKLI-owner-in-waiting Tele-Media. In response, the station relaunched as WZMR with the Z104.9 branding and a modern rock
Modern rock
Modern rock is a rock format commonly found on commercial radio; the format consists primarily of the alternative rock genre...
format and the Point name surfaced on WKLI (which changed to WCPT) that May. However, poor ratings on WZMR resulted due to the dominance of competitor WQBK-FM/WQBJ
WQBK-FM
WQBK-FM and WQBJ are Active Rock music formatted radio stations licensed to Rensselaer, New York and Cobleskill, New York respectively, and serving New York's Capital District and Mohawk Valley. The stations are owned by Townsquare Media...
and WCPT's stronger signal.
Smooth Jazz 104.9
After WHRL flipped from smooth jazzSmooth 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 ....
to modern rock
Modern rock
Modern rock is a rock format commonly found on commercial radio; the format consists primarily of the alternative rock genre...
, the stations swapped formats within the course of two weeks, with WZMR flipping to smooth jazz at 6:00 AM on October 18, 1999 as Smooth Jazz 104.9 after WHRL dumped it for modern rock
Modern rock
Modern rock is a rock format commonly found on commercial radio; the format consists primarily of the alternative rock genre...
at midnight on October 2, 1999. The final song played under WZMR's short-lived modern rock format was "You Get What You Give
You Get What You Give
"You Get What You Give" is a song by the New Radicals. It was an international hit, the first and most successful single from their album Maybe You've Been Brainwashed Too. It reached No. 30 on Billboard Hot 100 Airplay in January 1999, No. 36 on the overall Hot 100 and No. 8 on the Billboard...
" by The New Radicals, also the first song played under the format. Though the return of smooth jazz was initially a success, ratings had declined at the station by early 2003, leading to the tweak to an urban AC format.
104.9 Love FM
In June 2003, the format was tweaked to urban adult contemporaryUrban Adult Contemporary
Urban adult contemporary is the name for a format of radio music, similar to an urban contemporary format. Radio stations using this format usually would not have rap music on their playlists. The format was designed by Barry Mayo when he, Lee S. Simonson and Bill Pearson organized Broadcast...
(as a compliment to then-urban WAJZ
WAJZ
WAJZ is an urban-leaning Rhythmic Contemporary station serving the Albany-Schenectady-Troy area. The station is owned by Pamal Broadcasting and operates at 96.3 MHz with an ERP of 6 kW and is licensed to Voorheesville, New York...
) by adding R&B and soul music to the then-current smooth jazz playlist, with the branding 104.9 Love FM. However, the new format failed to attract listeners as well as advertising revenue, and the station was up for sale in 2004 to prepare WNYQ (105.7 FM) for a move-in; however, Regent Communications would eventually buy that station after the sale to Pamal fell through, and Pamal instead retained WZMR. After a 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:...
stunt in December 2004, the format was again changed on January 6, 2005 to a simulcast of country music
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...
station WFFG-FM
WFFG-FM
WFFG-FM is the callsign of a country music radio station licenced to Corinth, New York and serving the Glens Falls-Lake George, New York area plus Saratoga County, the Capital Region, and western Vermont...
in Corinth, New York
Corinth, New York
Corinth is the name of three places in the state of New York:*Corinth , New York, a town*Corinth , New York, located in the Town of Corinth...
(however, the simulcast only acknowledged 104.9 in the top-hour legal IDs).
104.9 The Edge
Stunting (broadcasting)
In radio broadcasting, stunting occurs when a station abruptly airs programming that is seemingly uncharacteristic compared to what they normally play...
, WZMR flipped formats to active rock
Active 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:...
on February 13, 2006 as 104.9 The Edge, picking up the format abandoned by the former Edge, WQBK-FM/WQBJ
WQBK-FM
WQBK-FM and WQBJ are Active Rock music formatted radio stations licensed to Rensselaer, New York and Cobleskill, New York respectively, and serving New York's Capital District and Mohawk Valley. The stations are owned by Townsquare Media...
in December 2005. WZMR saw the most success during this time, with their Edgefest concerts, and even attracted John Mulrooney
John Mulrooney
John Mulrooney is an American comedian, humorist, TV show host, actor, teacher, and spiritualist.Mulrooney was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. He began his career on the Comedy Tonight variety show in the 1970s...
for its morning show. However, with WQBK-FM/WQBJ
WQBK-FM
WQBK-FM and WQBJ are Active Rock music formatted radio stations licensed to Rensselaer, New York and Cobleskill, New York respectively, and serving New York's Capital District and Mohawk Valley. The stations are owned by Townsquare Media...
reverting to its previous active rock format in 2008, and WHRL tweaking from modern rock to active rock one year later, the future of WZMR's active rock format was cloudy as there were three stations in the format by that time (however, by the end of 2010, only WQBK-FM/WQBJ
WQBK-FM
WQBK-FM and WQBJ are Active Rock music formatted radio stations licensed to Rensselaer, New York and Cobleskill, New York respectively, and serving New York's Capital District and Mohawk Valley. The stations are owned by Townsquare Media...
would remain with the active rock format in the Albany market). Pamal would later return to the active rock format in 2011, with the flip of WKLI-FM from variety hits to active rock.
104.9 The Cat
At 10:49 AM on February 26, 2010, the final song under the Edge format, "Cat Scratch FeverCat Scratch Fever (song)
"Cat Scratch Fever" is a rock song by Ted Nugent that appears on the album of the same name. The song is well known for its signature riff, which is a 3-tone "blues scale" melody harmonized in parallel fourths...
" by Ted Nugent
Ted Nugent
Theodore Anthony "Ted" Nugent is an American guitarist, musician, singer, author, reserve police officer, and activist. From Detroit, Michigan, he originally gained fame as the lead guitarist of The Amboy Dukes, before embarking on a lengthy solo career...
, was anticlimactically interrupted, as WZMR returned to a country music format under the 104.9 The Cat branding, taking on a similar playlist and imaging to sister WJEN in Vermont. The first song played under the new country format was "Building Bridges" by Brooks & Dunn
Brooks & Dunn
Brooks & Dunn was an American country music duo consisting of Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn, who were both vocalists and songwriters. They were paired by record producer Tim DuBois in 1990. Before the duo's foundation, both members of the duo were solo recording artists...
. Unlike the former Edge, only two live jocks are on the station under the Cat format: Mike Thomas (weekday mornings) and Ashlee Reid (weekdays 2pm–7pm).