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For the web browser, see WKZO.
WKZO
File:WKZO featured article img.png
Broadcast area[1]
Frequency96.5 MHz
Programming
Formattalk/news
Ownership
OwnerMidwest Communications
WKZO, WNWN, WNWN-FM, WQLR, WVFM
History
First air date
February 28, 1992
Former call signs
WYZO, WFAT (6/9/92-2/18/08)
WUBU (10/1/89-6/9/92)
WLWJ (12/30/88-10/1/89)
Technical information
Facility ID67775
ClassA
Power6,000 watts
HAAT76 meters
Links
Website[2]

WKZO-FM (96.5) is an FM radio station in Portage, Michigan. The station currently boradcast a News Talk format. It was formerly branded as "Kalamazoo New Country Y96.5" with a country music format. FM 96.5 switched to a simulcast of News/Talk 590 WKZO, and now operates as WKZO-FM. The previous programming of WYZO continues to operate on WNWN in 98.5, based in Battle Creek.

History

The station began broadcasting on February 28, 1992 as WUBU, with an urban adult contemporary format, WUBU, owned by Larry Langford was Kalamazoo's first FM R&B station and was supported highly. In June 1992 the station was acquired by Tri-State Radio and the WUBU calls were dropped as well as the urban AC Format. The WUBU call letters and format were then picked up by 106.3 FM in South Bend, Indiana shortly thereafter, throughout the years there have been attempts for another FM R&B station. Today there is WNWN-AM "the touch" which has the same format that WUBU had.

On June 9, 1992, the station acquired the calls WFAT and switched its format to Hot AC. But by April 2000 the station decided to a move in a new direction and switched its format to mainstream AC with Rick Dees coming to the station for mornings and Delilah at night.

The mainstream AC format did not last long against WQLR and WOOD-FM, and in October 2001 it became a classic rock station with the syndicated Bob and Tom Show in the morning drive.

On February 15, 2008, at 5pm the station abruptly changed format from classic rock to country music. The last song on WFAT was "Happy Trails" by Van Halen, after which the station became "Y96.5", with the first song of the new format being "It's Five O'clock Somewhere" by Alan Jackson & Jimmy Buffett. A couple of days later the station changed its callsign to WYZO after fifteen years as WFAT.

On March 31, 2010 the station underwent changes again dropping the country format in favor of a simulcast of its sister station WKZO-AM which airs a News-Talk format. The call sign was also changed to WKZO-FM to mirror its AM counterpart

Former WYZO On-air staff

The current lineup (as of May 26, 2009) Starting out the day on the morning drive is The Bob and Tom Show with Bob Kevoian, Tom Griswold, Kristi Lee and Chick McGee. Next is PJ Lacey on middays. Dan Diggler holds down the afternoon drive. Wrapping up the day on nights is Sean Patrick.

Weekends/fill-ins include Brent Allen, Lynn Grant and Larry Long. WYZO program director is current mid-day host PJ Lacey.

Former on-air staff

96.5 WUBU (Adult Urban) era 1991-1992

Larry Langford (Miday Host)[citation needed]

96.5 The Fat One (Hot AC) era 1992-2000
  • Collean Adams (Mid-Day Host 1996-1998)
  • Ace Armstrong (Weekend's/Nighttime/Morning Host "The Fat Morning Show" 1995-2000)
  • Mike Austin (Morning Host "The Fat Morning Show 1998-1999)
  • John Carson (Afternoon Host 1999-2000)
  • John Dial (Morning Host "Get Up & Go Show" 1997-1998)
  • Dave Doran (Morning Host "The Fat Morning Show" 1999-2000) - Now weekends at 94.7 WCSX in Detroit
  • Jim Lawless (Weekend's/Overnight Host, stays after flip to Mainstream AC)
  • Dan Mason (Early Afternoon Host 1998-2000)
  • Mike "Hurricane" McClain (Afternoon Host 1996-1999)
  • Monkeyboy (Nighttime Host 1997-1998)
  • Rob Ryan (Afternoon Host 2000)
  • Kristin Taylor (Mid-Day Host, stays after flip to Mainstream AC)
  • Tony Travatto (Afternoon Host, stays after flip to Mainstream AC)
96.5 WFAT (Mainstream AC) era 2000-2001
  • Angelo Ayers (Late Morning Host 2001)
  • Rick Dees (Morning Host "The Rick Dees Morning Show" 2000-2001)
  • Ellen Kaye (Morning Co-host "The Rick Dees Morning Show" 2000-2001)
  • Jim Lawless (Weekends/Overnight Host 1997-2001)
  • John McNeil (Morning News, stays after flip to classic rock)
  • Kevin O'Neill (Morning Host "The Fat Morning Show" 2000) - Now morning host at 100.3 WNIC in Detroit
  • Chris Nichols (Afternoon Host 2001)
  • Delilah Rene (Nighttime Host 2000-2001)
  • Robb Rose (Mid-Day Host 2001)
  • Kristin Taylor (Mid-Day Host 1999-2001)
  • Tony Travatto (Afternoon Host 2000)
  • Chris West (Afternoon Host 2000-2001)
96.5 WFAT (Classic Rock) Era 2001-2008
  • Alex Cale (Afternoon/Nighttime Host 2004-2008)
  • Joe Daugherty (Mid-Day Host 2001-2002)
  • Brian Hayes (Afternoons/Morning Producer/Nighttie/Mid-Day Host 2003-2008)
  • Justin Katz (Morning Producer/Weekend's 2004-2005)
  • Bill Martin (Program Director/Late Morning Host 2001-2004)
  • John McNeil (Morning News 2001-2007)
  • Matt Millhouse (Nighttime Host/Morning Producer 2001-2004)
  • Todd Thompson (Nighttime Host 2002-2004)
  • Mike Tinnes (Afternoon Host 2001-2003)
  • Chris Winters (Mid-Day/Afternoon Host 2002-2008)
Y96.5 (Country) era 2008-March 2010
  • Bob Bateman (Afternoon Host 2008)
  • Chad Daniels (Nighttime Host 2008-2009)
  • Jay "Uncle Buck" Morris (Weekends 2008)
  • Danny Wright (Overnight Host "All Night" 2008)

Sources

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