WNOR

WNOR

Norfolk, Virginia
Broadcast area	Hampton Roads Northeastern North Carolina
Frequency	98.7 MHz (HD Radio)
Branding	"FM99 WNOR"
Programming
Format	Active Rock
Affiliations	Sixx Sense Rumble in the Morning
Ownership
Owner	Saga Communications (Tidewater Communications, LLC)
Sister stations	WAFX, WJOI
History
First air date	1961
Call sign meaning	W NORfolk
Technical information
Facility ID	67080
Class	B
ERP	46,000 Watts
HAAT	158 Meters
Transmitter coordinates	36°50′4.0″N 76°16′11.0″W
Links
Webcast	WNOR Webstream
Website	WNOR Online

WNOR is an Active Rock formatted broadcast radio station licensed to Norfolk, Virginia, serving Hampton Roads and Northeastern North Carolina. WNOR is owned and operated by Saga Communications.

WNOR broadcasts in the HD Radio (hybrid) format.

History

During the 60s WNOR-FM was an easy listening station, and at one point employed an all-female air staff, a revolutionary move at the time. In 1969 the station began airing a progressive rock format from 9pm-6am. They abandoned the "split-format" approach in 1974 and began playing rock full-time. The station’s Arbitron ratings quickly took off, culminating in the station’s rise to #1 – the first time an FM station in the Norfolk market had achieved #1 status.

Henry "The Bull" Del Toro

The station was, for many years, home to the late shock jock Henry "The Bull" Del Toro, who became a legend in Norfolk radio in the 80s. Del Toro, was co-host of the "Reeger and The Bull Show", then "Jimmy and The Bull", and later "Tommy and The Bull" morning show. Del Toro, along with Tommy Griffiths (who left WNOR in 2009), created havoc on April Fools' Day in 1992 by warning listeners that a large build-up of methane gas was about to cause a fiery explosion at Mount Trashmore, a landfill-turned-park in Virginia Beach. Residents were warned to evacuate the area, causing the local 911 to be flooded with calls.^[1][2]

Del Toro was also known for his charity work with the many organizations in the Hampton Roads area.

He would later go on to work at WROX-FM, WKLR and finally WOBR before he died in 2002. He was 44 years old.^[3]

Rick Rumble

Rick Rumble is the host of “Rumble in the Morning” on WNOR, FM99 (98.7) in Hampton Roads, Virginia. Rick has been with FM99 since 1995. Rumble was been voted “Favorite Radio Host” by readers of the Virginian Pilot, Hampton Roads Magazine and Virginia Living Magazine. He has also been recognized as “Best Morning Show in Virginia” by the Virginia Association of Broadcasters multiple years.

Rumble and his team do a live and local radio version of “The Daily Show,” complete with comedy and commentary. When Virginia’s elected leaders want to reach out to Hampton Roads, they call Rick Rumble. In fact, “Rumble in the Morning” made national news last year when Senator Mark Warner (D-Virginia) offered to sign the petition to deport Justin Bieber on Rick’s show.

Rumble and FM99 are strong supporters of the Military, The Red Cross, Special Olympics, and the local Foodbanks. Rumble and WNOR also conduct the annual FM99 Christmas Wish program to benefit the less fortunate members of the Hampton Roads community.

Rick is married, with 2 children and 2 dogs, and has a habit of offering unsolicited home improvement advice.

Shelley

Shelley is our Morning Show News Girl and our Mid-Day On-Air Personality.

She's a big fan of heavy metal music, video games, and puppies! She plays bass guitar and spends all of her time outside of work at the gym either lifting weights or teaching kickboxing. She rides a motorcycle and can tell you anything that ever happened on any episode of Full House.

She works with the local animal shelters to help dogs find forever homes with her feature "SHELLEY'S PUPPIES". Helping animals is a passion of hers.

She has been nominated for the best newscaster in VA award from the VABs several years in a row. 2015's Coastal Magazine Best Alternative DJ as voted by the fans!

She's a graduate of the STAND UP COMEDY class at the Funny Bone Comedy Club, a personal trainer, Cornell University Plant Based Nutrition Certified, and a graduate of Old Dominion University with a Bachelor's Degree in Communication.

Rod Fitzwell

Rod Fitzwell started with FM99 WNOR in 1995 as a Promotion Assistant, but within two months found his way onto the airwaves with the Morning Show. A Former Norfolk Tides Visitor’s Clubhouse Manager, Rod became an endearing member of Morning Show by delivering sportscasts with his own unique and quirky takes. In addition, Rod also serves as an On- the-spot Reporter as well as Stuntman for the show.

When not performing on or off the air duties with FM99, Rod serves as the Public Address Announcer for the Norfolk Admirals; a position he had had since 2007. He is a Two Time Award Winner for Outstanding Sports Coverage from the Virginia Association of Broadcasters as well as being a Runner up for that Award on multiple occasions. A Graduate of The King’s College in New York with a Degree in History and Minor in Communications, Rod is married and has two beautiful daughters. He has resided in Virginia Beach since 1992.

Adam

After graduating from Specs Howard’s Broadcasting Media Program, Adam began his radio career as a promotions assistant for WNOR and WAFX. He worked his way up to the Rumble in the Morning Show Producer and Sound Engineer. In addition, Adam contributes to the production department and produces the Friday Video Game Report.

Adam spent three years growing out his hair in order to donate it during the St. Baldrick’s Foundation – Shave to Raise. In his spare time, he plays guitar, disc golf and is co-owner of A-Team’s DJ Service.

The Michigan native has been living in Hampton Roads for over ten years but has been with Rumble in the Morning for over four years. He is still the newest member of the show and is nicknamed “Young Adam.”

Programming

The station's morning programming is dominated by the Rumble in the Morning show, which broadcasts from 5:30AM to 10:00AM. Afterwards, the programming is composed of a 20 song marathon at 10 AM, then Shelley's Lunch Box. WNOR also carries the nationally syndicated Sixx Sense. Currently, on air talent includes Shelley during the rest of the morning and early afternoon, Eric from 2 PM until Sixx Sense starts at 7, Rod Fitzwell (also Sports Director for Rumble In The Morning) on Saturday mornings, Adam (also the board operator for Rumble) on Saturday nights, and several part-time staffers (such as McGinnis and Cassie) on Sundays. Sean Hood handles traffic reports for both Rumble in the Morning and Eric from 3:45 to 5:45 with Dave "Sugar Teets" Taylor as traffic back up.

External links

• FM99 WNOR Online
• Facility details for Facility ID WNOR ({{{2}}}) in the FCC Licensing and Management System
• {{{2}}} in Nielsen Audio's FM station database