WBBO: Difference between revisions
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{{for|other radio stations that have held the WBBO call sign|WBBO (disambiguation)}} |
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{{Infobox Radio station |
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{{Infobox radio station |
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| image = [[Image:grock3.jpg]] |
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| name = WBBO |
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| logo = B985newlogo2010.png |
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| area = [[Monmouth County, New Jersey]] at 106.5 FM <br> [[Ocean County, New Jersey]] at 106.3 FM |
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| logo_size = 200px |
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| city = WHTG ([[Eatontown, New Jersey|Eatontown]])<br>WBBO ([[Bass River Township, New Jersey|Bass River Township]]) |
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| city = [[Ocean Acres, New Jersey]] |
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| branding = G Rock Radio |
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| area = [[Ocean County, New Jersey|Ocean]], [[Burlington County, New Jersey|Burlington]] County, New Jersey |
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| frequency = 106.3 and 106.5 |
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| branding = B98.5 |
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| format = [[Modern Rock]] |
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| frequency = 98.5 [[MHz]] |
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| power = |
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| airdate = March 10, [[1993 in radio|1993]] |
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| callsign_meaning = Harold and Thea Gade, original station owners |
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| format = [[Contemporary Hit Radio|Top 40 (CHR)]] |
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| owner = Press Communications LLC |
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| erp = 3,400 [[watt]]s |
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| website = [http://www.grockradio.com www.grockradio.com]| |
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| haat = 136 meters |
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| class = A |
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| facility_id = 59495 |
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| coordinates = {{coord|39|42|56|N|74|17|32|W}} |
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| callsign_meaning = |
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| former_callsigns = WQNJ (1990–1997)<br>WBBO (1997–July 5, 2006)<br>WKOE ( July 5,-24 2006)<br>WKMK ( July 24, 2006– September 15, 2010)<br>WHTG-FM (September 15,–December 8, 2010)<ref>http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/call_hist.pl?Facility_id=59495&Callsign=WBBO FCC Call Sign History</ref> |
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| affiliations = |
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| owner = [[Press Communications]], LLC |
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| licensee = |
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| sister_stations = [[WHTG (AM)|WHTG]], [[WKMK|WKMK/WTHJ]], [[WWZY|WWZY/WBHX]] |
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| webcast = {{listenlive|https://www.b985radio.com}} |
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| website = [https://www.b985radio.com/ b985radio.com] |
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| licensing_authority= [[Federal Communications Commission|FCC]] |
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}} |
}} |
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''' |
'''WBBO''' (98.5 [[FM broadcasting|FM]], "B98-5") is a [[radio station]] broadcasting a [[Contemporary Hit Radio]] format. Licensed to [[Ocean Acres, New Jersey]], it serves [[Ocean County, New Jersey|Ocean]] & [[Burlington County, New Jersey|Burlington]] counties in New Jersey. It first Sign-on On March 10, 1993. [[1993 in radio|1993]] under the [[callsign (radio)|call sign]] '''WQNJ''', but more recently operated under WKMK. The station is currently owned by Press Communications.<ref>http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/fmq?call=WKMK FCC FM Query</ref> |
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==Coverage Area== |
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WHTG has gone through many format tweaks and program directors over the years. |
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98.5's signal blankets [[Ocean County, New Jersey|Ocean]] and [[Burlington County, New Jersey|Burlington]] in New Jersey as well as the New Jersey suburbs of [[Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|Philadelphia]]. The station can be heard from [[Atlantic City, New Jersey|Atlantic City]] to the South, [[Belmar, New Jersey|Belmar]] to the North, and [[Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|Philadelphia]] to the West. |
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Since February of 2005, WHTG's programming has been simulcast on [[WBBO]] (formerly known as '''B98.5'''), and the station inherited some of WBBO's staff. In July of 2006, WBBO switched frequencies from 98.5 to 106.5. For more on the 98.5 frequency, and it's history, see the [[WKMK]] page. |
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The WBBO antenna is co-located with [[WVBH (FM)|WVBH]] and [[W265CS]] on a tower located near the intersection of [[New Jersey Route 72|Route 72]] and the [[Garden State Parkway]] in [[Manahawkin, New Jersey|Manahawkin]]. |
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==WBBO History== |
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'''WBBO''' is a radio station in southern [[Ocean County, New Jersey]] thats simulcasts [[GRock Radio]] from [[WHTG]] in [[Eatontown]]. The station is owned and operated by Press Communications LLC, and broadcasts on the 106.5 FM frequency. The station is licensed to [[Bass River Township, New Jersey]], and the transmitter is located about 1 mile southeast of the [[Garden State Parkway]] exit 58 in [[Tuckerton]] Note: As of July 5th, 2006 [[GRock Radio]] has moved it's Ocean County simulcast "98.5" up the dial to 106.5 FM. The Monmouth County station remains at 106.3 FM. Before February 2005, WBBO was known as '''B98.5''', and was officially considered a [[Top 40 (radio format)|Top 40]] radio station. During mid-2004, its playlist leaned heavily towards [[alternative rock]]. It was a station that for many years sent at least 1 personality (the morning show host) up onto a Billboard in [[Brick, New Jersey]] to raise Money for Ocean of Love, which is an organazition that helps children with cancer. For several years they raised well over $100,000 each fall. The radio station was viewed by many as an asset to the community and is still missed to this day. For more on the frequency and history of 98.5 see the [[WKMK]] page |
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==Early history== |
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Since then, WBBO has merged with and become a simulcast of its sister [[alternative rock]] station [[WHTG]]. The two stations are collectively known as '''G Rock Radio'''. (For more information on G Rock Radio, see the [[WHTG]] page.) |
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98.5 was granted the '''WQNJ''' calls on February 7, 1990. Even before this station hit the air, it had extensive coverage in the local newspapers, because it was to be the first commercial station to hit the air in Ocean County since WJRZ signed on in 1976. FM 98.5 was originally owned by Seaira, Inc., a local company that was headed by Pat Parson, a former WCBS/880 news anchor from 1970 to 1990 and a former alumnus of WERA in [[Plainfield, New Jersey|Planfield]]. |
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Parson originally planned 98.5 to be a live and local Smooth Jazz station, using the slogan "Cloud Nine," with an original sign-on date of Spring 1991. However, that sign-on date changed many times, due mostly because of antenna clearances that had to be taken care of prior to signing on. In late 1992, with Seaira not having enough financial backing to sign on themselves with a local format, 98.5 entered into an agreement with D&K Broadcasting (the owners of WJLK at the time.) |
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On July 24, 2006 98.5 started a county format known as Jersey Kountry and it's calls changed to [[WKMK]] |
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On February 11, 1993, WQNJ began on-air testing and on March 10, 1993, officially signed on with a simulcast of 94.3 WJLK. It was pretty much a 100% simulcast, with the exception of local commercial cut-ins and on weekday mornings at 6, 7, 8 and 9 o’clock, Pat Parson would do a 5-minute newscast. |
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==WHTG History== |
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This basic format lasted until 1996 when it was announced that Nassau Broadcasting had purchased the station (and others in the Jersey Shore area.) |
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==B98.5== |
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''(Source: http://www.angelfire.com/nj2/piratejim/njfmhistory10.html)'' |
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[[File:Wbbologo.jpg|thumb|left|The original B98.5 logo]] |
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Pat Parson's newscasts were soon discontinued. The simulcast continued with WJLK until Memorial Day weekend in 1997 when Nassau launched "B-98.5 – The Jersey Shore's Hit Music Station." |
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The first song played on "B-98.5" was the [[Spice Girls]] "Wannabe". |
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On July 11, 1997, the calls were changed to WBBO. |
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In 2001, Nassau sold WBBO (along with [[WOBM-FM]] and WJLK) to Millennium Radio Group. in march of 2002 WCHR 105.7 simulcast was on the air but on April 15, 2002 105.7 WCHR ends it Simulcast and WCHR changes it format to Classic Rock. In April 2003, it was announced that Millennium was selling WBBO to Press Communications, who ironically enough, was the original applicant for 98.5 in the late 1980s. In August 2004, Press officially took over WBBO. |
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WHTG-FM first signed on at the 105.5 MHz frequency on October 11, 1961, as the sister station of WHTG (1440 AM). Interference with WDHA in northern New Jersey resulted in the move to its current 106.3 MHz frequency in 1965, which had been vacated in 1963 when WFHA in Red Bank, NJ discontinued operations. It broadcast [[Adult Standards]] (e.g. popular vocalists like Frank Sinatra) alongside its sister station until 1982, then [[Adult Contemporary]] music up to the switch to [[Alternative Rock]] in August, 1984. |
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===Alumni=== |
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The station was named for Harold and Thea Gade, its first owners and operators. |
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Original Staff * Neil Sullivan, Program Director 1997–1999 * Fox Feltman (aka. Alan Fox), Assistant Program Director/Music Director, Afternoons 1997–1999 * Jessica Taylor, Midday host, 1999 * Andy Chase, Promotions and Swing jock 1997–2003, morning host 2003–2004 * Mike and Diane, Mornings 1998–1999 * JC, then Scotty Valentino Nights 1997–1999 * Ed Bishop, Imaging Director * General Manager Don Dalesio 1997–2002; 2016–2019 |
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== |
==G Rock Radio== |
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On February 18, 2005, 98.5 started simulcasting sister station WHTG-FM "G-106.3" from [[Eatontown, New Jersey|Eatontown]] and became [[GRock Radio]]. On July 5, 2006, 98.5 changed calls to WKOE as part of a switch with new move-in 106.5 in Bass River Township. WKOE was formerly located at 106.3 in [[Ocean City, New Jersey|Ocean City]] On July 24, 2006 at midnight, the simulcast on 98.5 ceased. |
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[[Image:FM1063.jpg|thumb|WHTG FM106.3 logo]] |
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In the very early FM 106-3 days, the station had somewhat of a free-form approach, with DJ's who were alternative rock fans picking what music they played, from [[Pixies]] to [[Prince (musician)|Prince]]. During the mid-1980s, [[The Smiths]] and their ilk were especially favored by the station's jocks. |
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==Real Jersey Kountry K98.5== |
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In the nineties, it was known as '''FM106.3, Modern Rock at the Jersey Shore'''. |
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[[Image:k985logo.jpg|200px|thumb|WKMK logo from 2006 to 2009]] |
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Later on July 24, 2006, after "stunting" with playing The Eagles "New Kid In Town" over and over for 12 hours, 98.5 debuted as "K-98.5: Real Jersey Kountry" and new call letters of WKOE, were assigned at 10 a.m. that day (switching from WBBO which had been re-instated). The WKOE call letters were quickly replaced with WKMK to avoid a legal situation after it was noted that using WKOE on a country formatted station violated a usage agreement that Press Broadcasting signed regarding the WKOE calls. |
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The first song played was Alan Jackson's "Gone Country." Past staffers of K98.5 include Jim Radler, Leeann Taylor and Brian Moore. |
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==Ocean County's Country Thunder 98.5== |
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WHTG achieved its highest ratings ever in 1993 and 1994 when it received "favorite radio station" honor in ''[[Rolling Stone]]'''s annual readers' polls. |
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[[File:WKMK logo.png|thumb|200px|WKMK logo from February 16, 2009 until September 12, 2010]] |
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On February 16, 2009, "K98.5" under the direction of longtime Country Music PD Captain Jack Aponte, switched its name to "Thunder 98.5". Along with the name change, Captain Jack changed the station's format to an edgier "Rockin Country" sound, playing some classic southern rock along with country music; similar southern rock/country "hybrid" formats were used unsuccessfully on various U.S. country outlets in the 1990s, most even used the same "Thunder Country" moniker also. |
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==B 98.5 returns== |
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==Ownership change== |
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The station swapped its "Thunder" country format with co-owned WHTG and WBBO on September 15, 2010 at 3:00 p.m.<ref name="app">{{cite web|url=http://www.app.com/article/20100908/BUSINESS/100908074/Monmouth-radio-station-106-3-FM-changes-to-country-music|publisher=app.com|title=Monmouth radio station 106.3 FM changes to country music," Asbury Park Press, September 8, 2010 |access-date=2017-03-12}}</ref> At that time, the station resumed its former identity of "B 98.5", and at that time also swapped call signals, assuming the WHTG-FM identity long associated with 106.3 FM in Eatontown, which became WKMK at that time. some of the staff were a carry-over from [[WKMK#Hit 106|Hit 106]]. In the weeks leading up to the station change, commercials continuously announced "Hit 106 is moving down the dial". On December 8, 2010, 98.5 Went back to The WBBO Calls. |
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In November 2000, WHTG was then sold to Press Communications. WHTG then became known as '''G106.3''', and took on a format that could be described as a hybrid of alternative and [[modern adult contemporary]]. Since then, WHTG has evolved into an alternative rock station that plays current and re-current alternative hits as well as heritage artists such as The Cure and REM. |
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==Airstaff== |
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[[Image:whtgfm.gif]] |
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The current lineup (as of October 30, 2024) is as follows |
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'''[https://instagram.com/b985morningshow B98.5 Morning Show] (6–10 am):''' TJ Mateo & [https://lenoreluca.com Lenore (Lenny) Luca] |
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Before the acquisition of WBBO, WHTG was referred to as '''G106.3, Your Rock Alternative''', |
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echoing - perhaps unwittingly - FM106.3's original alternative-era slogan from 1985 to 1989. |
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'''Middays (10 am – 2pm):''' Liv Rescigno |
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G Rock Radio also features special programming on weekend mornings. The Saturday Morning Breakfast Club takes a nostalgic look at alternative rock from the [[1980s]], while Common Threads (a program that dates back to the FM 106-3 era and originally featured "theme" sets of songs) showcases modern acoustic music. With the acquisition of WBBO, G106.3 became known as "G-Rock Radio", with a simulcast on 106.3 and 98.5. In July 2006, WBBO's 98.5 signal was moved to 106.5. During this time, G-Rock was trimulcasted on 98.5, 106.3, and 106.5 to assist listeners in the frequency transition. G-Rock has recently dropped their weekday noon request show called "90's at Noon" for a more 80's influenced request show known as "The Retro Request Hour". Another specialty show heard on Sunday nights called The Underground, which features indie bands as well as b-sides and unknown tracks from current played artists, as of March 2007, seems to have been dropped as well. |
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'''Afternoon (2–6 pm)''': Rashaud Thomas |
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==Main Jocks== |
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'''Nights (6 pm-midnight):''' E |
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Brian Phillips (co-host of The Morning Show with Brian - 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. weekdays) |
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'''Program Director/Music Director:''' Rashaud Thomas |
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Terrie Carr (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; also the station's program director) |
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==References== |
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Matt Knight (2 p.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays; previously hosted The Knight Life from 7 p.m. to midnight) |
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{{Reflist}} |
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==External links== |
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Brooke Connolly (7 p.m. to midnight weekdays) |
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*{{FM station data|59495|WBBO}} |
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{{Monmouth-Ocean Radio}} |
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==Other Airstaff== |
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{{Contemporary Hit Radio Stations in New Jersey}} |
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[[Category:Contemporary hit radio stations in the United States]] |
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Jason Brewer |
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[[Category:Radio stations in New Jersey|BBO]] |
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[[Category:Radio stations established in 1993]] |
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Pete Lepore |
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[[Category:1993 establishments in New Jersey]] |
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Crazy Mike |
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Frank D. |
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Dan Lanni |
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Josh! |
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Matt Murray (Saturday Morning Breakfast Club) |
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Adrienne Watson (Traffic) |
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Tommy Else (Meteorologist) |
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==Former Airstaff== |
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''(Source: http://www.altrok.com/fm106.3/airstaff.htm)'' |
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Rob Acampora (1987-1996; briefly G-106.3 Program Director 2000-2001; Currently at [[WSTW]] in Delaware) |
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Neal Adams (1993-1999) |
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Eliot Alzamora (Unknown) |
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Michelle Amabile (1993, 1996-1998, 2001-2004) |
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Amber (unknown) |
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Allison Behm (Morning Newscaster 1985-1986) |
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Brian Billy (1990-1993) |
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Lisa Bivona (1994-1999) |
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Mike Black (1990-1998; did Local Licks) |
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The Bob (2000) |
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TJ Bryan (1996-1997) (Now with Wind Up Records) |
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Mike Butscher (1990-1993) Program Director |
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Missi Callazzo (unknown) |
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Al Camelli (1992?-2000) |
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Sean Carolan (1985-1992) |
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Maryelizabeth Carter (1994-1999, ?-2007) |
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Nick Ciavatta (Production 1999-2000) |
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Bryan Cichon (1986-1987) |
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Clay (surf reports 1991-1999) |
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Dave Cohen (1999-2000) |
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Kevin Collins (2005-2006) |
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J.T. Copolus (1984-1989? - known for '''J.T.'s Saturday Evening Rock Show''') |
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Stephanie Coskey (1998-2000) |
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Brian Cotter (1999-2000) |
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Bart Cross-Tierney (1984-1992) Overnights, Morning Drive |
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Denise Czarnecki (1995-1996) |
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Nikki D. (unknown-2000) |
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Penny Davis (2000) |
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Collette Denardo (2000) |
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Chuck Devine (1983-1985) |
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Aimee Dio (?-2006) |
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Ro DiSalvo (1986-1987) |
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Kevin Dunn (1984-1985) |
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Anya Feldman (unknown) |
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Andy Gradel (Andy G) (Weekend Overnights 1994 - 1996) |
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Mike Gavin (2001-2006) (Program Director 2004 - 2006) |
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Chuck Homler (1995-1999)(Left in 1999 for WJLK. Currently Production Director for all of Nassau Broadcasting's Maine holdings) |
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Eileen Hutnick ('80s, '90s traffic manager) |
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Michele Jackym (unknown-2000) |
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Jackie Kajzer (Sunday Afternoons 1999-2000) |
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Gabrielle Korb (2000) |
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Marie Levins (Morning Newscaster 1986-1992) |
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Jodi Landis (Office Manager 1988-1990; often on commercials) |
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Bob Larkin (Production Staff 1986-1987) |
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Molly (Liefer) Lenz (1986-1999) |
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Tod Lewis (1999-2000) |
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Heidi Lieb (unknown dates; did Local Licks) |
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Jimmy Lister (1986-1988) |
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Melanie Kolbasowski (1999) |
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Liz McCann (1989-1994) |
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Bruce McDonald (Program/Music Director, middays; 1995-1996) |
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Chris Mailley (1995-1999) |
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Jeff Mannheimer (1991-1995) |
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Mike Marrone (1984-1989) |
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Chopper (1984-1991) Music Director |
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Vinny Marino (unknown) |
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Mike Merrill (2005-2007, Host of The Underground 2006-2007) |
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Chuck Michaels (1985-1991) |
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Shelley Miller (1996-1997) |
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Mark Mistretta (1996-2000) |
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Pat Mooney (1999) |
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Maggie Morgan (1997-2000) |
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Kerry Nolan (1988-1993; did Common Threads from 1992-1993) |
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Glenn Page (1998-2000) |
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[[Matt Pinfield]] (1984-1995) |
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Chris Rake (1993-2001; did Common Threads during that period) |
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Jeff Raspe (1988-2001; did The Underground from 1996-2001) now at [[WBJB]] |
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Jerry "Rec" Recco (1999-2000) (now at [[WFAN]]) |
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Ron Resnick (1986-1994) |
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Scott Rizzuto (2000-2001; weekends) (now mid-days/music director [[KPNT]]-FM, Saint Louis) |
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Mark Rosenthal (1999) |
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Rich Robinson (1984-1991, 1997-1998) Program Director (now at [[WBJB]]) |
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Jerry Rubino (unknown) |
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Amy Salerno (1986-1988) |
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Jennifer Saunders (Newscaster 1996-1999) |
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Mike Sauter (1991-2000) Program/Music Director 1998-2000 (now Music Director at [[WYEP]], [[Pittsburgh]]) |
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Dan Schade (unknown) |
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Rich Scroggs (1995-1996) |
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April Smith (1999-2000) |
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Randy Stern (unknown) |
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Karen Stewart (1989-1990) Weenends |
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[[Jim Szwede]] (1982-1986, 1988-1990) |
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Joe Tarala (1984-1985) |
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Jason Ulanet (unknown-1999) (now at [[KRBZ]], [[Kansas City Metropolitan Area|Kansas City]]) |
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Jon Vena (1994-1998) |
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Glenn Vistica (1993-1999) |
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Chris Von |
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David Weinstein (unknown) |
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Dave Wetmore (2000-2006; Nights, Overnights and host of The Underground) (now at The Wall Street Journal Radio Network and WAWZ, New York) |
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Ray Whittaker (unknown dates; did blues program) |
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Dave Wilson (1986-1995) Weekend overnights on FM, Sunday with Sinatra and Monmouth College Football on AM 1410 |
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Pam Wilson (office staff, often on commercials; unknown dates) |
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Loretta Windas (1984-1992) |
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John Yarusi (1991-1992) |
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Leo Zaccari (1994-1999) now at [[WBJB]] |
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Brian Zanyor (2004-2007; Afternoons) |
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''This is a partial list, please add more.'' |
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[[Category:Radio stations in New Jersey|HTG-FM]] |
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[[Category:Modern rock radio stations|HTG-FM]] |
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{{Monmouth Radio}} |
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Latest revision as of 11:32, 30 October 2024
 | |
| Broadcast area | Ocean, Burlington County, New Jersey |
|---|---|
| Frequency | 98.5 MHz |
| Branding | B98.5 |
| Programming | |
| Format | Top 40 (CHR) |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Press Communications, LLC |
| WHTG, WKMK/WTHJ, WWZY/WBHX | |
| History | |
First air date | March 10, 1993 |
Former call signs | WQNJ (1990–1997) WBBO (1997–July 5, 2006) WKOE ( July 5,-24 2006) WKMK ( July 24, 2006– September 15, 2010) WHTG-FM (September 15,–December 8, 2010)[1] |
| Technical information[2] | |
Licensing authority | FCC |
| Facility ID | 59495 |
| Class | A |
| ERP | 3,400 watts |
| HAAT | 136 meters |
Transmitter coordinates | 39°42′56″N 74°17′32″W / 39.71556°N 74.29222°W |
| Links | |
Public license information | |
| Webcast | Listen live |
| Website | b985radio.com |
WBBO (98.5 FM, "B98-5") is a radio station broadcasting a Contemporary Hit Radio format. Licensed to Ocean Acres, New Jersey, it serves Ocean & Burlington counties in New Jersey. It first Sign-on On March 10, 1993. 1993 under the call sign WQNJ, but more recently operated under WKMK. The station is currently owned by Press Communications.[3]
Coverage Area
[edit]98.5's signal blankets Ocean and Burlington in New Jersey as well as the New Jersey suburbs of Philadelphia. The station can be heard from Atlantic City to the South, Belmar to the North, and Philadelphia to the West.
The WBBO antenna is co-located with WVBH and W265CS on a tower located near the intersection of Route 72 and the Garden State Parkway in Manahawkin.
Early history
[edit]98.5 was granted the WQNJ calls on February 7, 1990. Even before this station hit the air, it had extensive coverage in the local newspapers, because it was to be the first commercial station to hit the air in Ocean County since WJRZ signed on in 1976. FM 98.5 was originally owned by Seaira, Inc., a local company that was headed by Pat Parson, a former WCBS/880 news anchor from 1970 to 1990 and a former alumnus of WERA in Planfield.
Parson originally planned 98.5 to be a live and local Smooth Jazz station, using the slogan "Cloud Nine," with an original sign-on date of Spring 1991. However, that sign-on date changed many times, due mostly because of antenna clearances that had to be taken care of prior to signing on. In late 1992, with Seaira not having enough financial backing to sign on themselves with a local format, 98.5 entered into an agreement with D&K Broadcasting (the owners of WJLK at the time.)
On February 11, 1993, WQNJ began on-air testing and on March 10, 1993, officially signed on with a simulcast of 94.3 WJLK. It was pretty much a 100% simulcast, with the exception of local commercial cut-ins and on weekday mornings at 6, 7, 8 and 9 o’clock, Pat Parson would do a 5-minute newscast. This basic format lasted until 1996 when it was announced that Nassau Broadcasting had purchased the station (and others in the Jersey Shore area.)
B98.5
[edit]
Pat Parson's newscasts were soon discontinued. The simulcast continued with WJLK until Memorial Day weekend in 1997 when Nassau launched "B-98.5 – The Jersey Shore's Hit Music Station." The first song played on "B-98.5" was the Spice Girls "Wannabe". On July 11, 1997, the calls were changed to WBBO.
In 2001, Nassau sold WBBO (along with WOBM-FM and WJLK) to Millennium Radio Group. in march of 2002 WCHR 105.7 simulcast was on the air but on April 15, 2002 105.7 WCHR ends it Simulcast and WCHR changes it format to Classic Rock. In April 2003, it was announced that Millennium was selling WBBO to Press Communications, who ironically enough, was the original applicant for 98.5 in the late 1980s. In August 2004, Press officially took over WBBO.
Alumni
[edit]Original Staff * Neil Sullivan, Program Director 1997–1999 * Fox Feltman (aka. Alan Fox), Assistant Program Director/Music Director, Afternoons 1997–1999 * Jessica Taylor, Midday host, 1999 * Andy Chase, Promotions and Swing jock 1997–2003, morning host 2003–2004 * Mike and Diane, Mornings 1998–1999 * JC, then Scotty Valentino Nights 1997–1999 * Ed Bishop, Imaging Director * General Manager Don Dalesio 1997–2002; 2016–2019
G Rock Radio
[edit]On February 18, 2005, 98.5 started simulcasting sister station WHTG-FM "G-106.3" from Eatontown and became GRock Radio. On July 5, 2006, 98.5 changed calls to WKOE as part of a switch with new move-in 106.5 in Bass River Township. WKOE was formerly located at 106.3 in Ocean City On July 24, 2006 at midnight, the simulcast on 98.5 ceased.
Real Jersey Kountry K98.5
[edit]
Later on July 24, 2006, after "stunting" with playing The Eagles "New Kid In Town" over and over for 12 hours, 98.5 debuted as "K-98.5: Real Jersey Kountry" and new call letters of WKOE, were assigned at 10 a.m. that day (switching from WBBO which had been re-instated). The WKOE call letters were quickly replaced with WKMK to avoid a legal situation after it was noted that using WKOE on a country formatted station violated a usage agreement that Press Broadcasting signed regarding the WKOE calls. The first song played was Alan Jackson's "Gone Country." Past staffers of K98.5 include Jim Radler, Leeann Taylor and Brian Moore.
Ocean County's Country Thunder 98.5
[edit]
On February 16, 2009, "K98.5" under the direction of longtime Country Music PD Captain Jack Aponte, switched its name to "Thunder 98.5". Along with the name change, Captain Jack changed the station's format to an edgier "Rockin Country" sound, playing some classic southern rock along with country music; similar southern rock/country "hybrid" formats were used unsuccessfully on various U.S. country outlets in the 1990s, most even used the same "Thunder Country" moniker also.
B 98.5 returns
[edit]The station swapped its "Thunder" country format with co-owned WHTG and WBBO on September 15, 2010 at 3:00 p.m.[4] At that time, the station resumed its former identity of "B 98.5", and at that time also swapped call signals, assuming the WHTG-FM identity long associated with 106.3 FM in Eatontown, which became WKMK at that time. some of the staff were a carry-over from Hit 106. In the weeks leading up to the station change, commercials continuously announced "Hit 106 is moving down the dial". On December 8, 2010, 98.5 Went back to The WBBO Calls.
Airstaff
[edit]The current lineup (as of October 30, 2024) is as follows
B98.5 Morning Show (6–10 am): TJ Mateo & Lenore (Lenny) Luca
Middays (10 am – 2pm): Liv Rescigno
Afternoon (2–6 pm): Rashaud Thomas
Nights (6 pm-midnight): E
Program Director/Music Director: Rashaud Thomas
References
[edit]- ^ http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/call_hist.pl?Facility_id=59495&Callsign=WBBO FCC Call Sign History
- ^ "Facility Technical Data for WBBO". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
- ^ http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/fmq?call=WKMK FCC FM Query
- ^ "Monmouth radio station 106.3 FM changes to country music," Asbury Park Press, September 8, 2010". app.com. Retrieved 2017-03-12.
External links
[edit]- Facility details for Facility ID 59495 (WBBO) in the FCC Licensing and Management System
- WBBO in Nielsen Audio's FM station database