WWBN (101.5 FM, "Banana 101.5"), is a radio station broadcasting rock music to Central Michigan and The Thumb areas of Michigan. The station is owned by Townsquare Media and is a member of the Michigan Association of Broadcasters.[1] WWBN is most often referred to as The Banana by the public audience.
[edit] Associated Businesses
The Banana staff frequently broadcast live from various Flint businesses, sometimes from multiple locations in one night. These live broadcasts are called remotes. The staff most commonly broadcast from bars and restaurants; including Hooters, Jesters, Puzzlers Pub, Dakota Lodge, and Mo Doggies and the Aloha Lounge. They also broadcast from strip clubs such as Teasers, The Odyssey, and The Men's Club. Occasionally the Banana broadcasts at other businesses, such as jewelry or automobile retailers, in conjunction with special sales.
The Machine Shop, Flint's most popular rock music venue, features Banana staff at a majority of their live shows. These staff serve as MCs. The Banana often gives out free items, such as Banana T-shirts or bumper stickers, at these concerts. The concerts are also highly advertised on the station's normal in-studio broadcasts.
[edit] History
The station began operations in 1987 as WGMZ-FM with an Easy Listening music format, reviving the call sign and format formerly used on 107.9 FM (now WCRZ) from 1961 to 1984 and also in the 1980s on 1570 AM (now WWCK). In 1991, WGMZ-FM became country WKMF-FM, simulcasting AM 1470 (now WFNT). The "Banana" name, album-oriented rock format and the WWBN calls debuted in 1994. Subsequently, WWBN moved from 101.7 to 101.5 in a frequency swap with WPRJ-FM, a contemporary Christian music station in Coleman, Michigan, and both stations were also able to increase their power.
WWBN's owner, Regent Broadcasting (now Townsquare Media), took control of active rock station WRXF 103.1 FM "Radio X" in Lapeer, Michigan in December 2001.[citation needed] After a short three-month period of simulcasting the Banana on 103.1, WRXF debuted a new classic rock format as "U.S. 103.1" WQUS in February 2002, and the Banana evolved from mainstream AOR into its current active rock sound. Current program director and air personality Tony LaBrie is a veteran of WRXF's "Radio X" days.
[edit] Morning drive shows
Banana 101.5 formerly carried the nationally syndicated program The Bob and Tom Show. In September 2008, it switched its morning drive show to the also syndicated program The Free Beer and Hot Wings Show, produced by Regency sister station WGRD-FM in nearby Grand Rapids.
[edit] Sources
[edit] References
[edit] External links
|
|
|
| By frequency |
|
|
| By callsign |
|
|
| By city |
|
|
See also: adult contemporary, classic hits, college, country, news/talk, NPR, oldies, religious, rock, sports, top 40, urban, and other radio stations in Michigan
Also see: active rock, classic rock and modern rock.
|
|
