WayFM Network
The WAY-FM Network is a national, non-profit radio broadcasting network in the United States that primarily plays Contemporary Christian music operating in 25 states (as of July 2006). It is based in Colorado Springs, Colorado, while most programming originates in Franklin, Tennessee.
History
Origins in Fort Myers
WAY-FM Media Group, Inc. has been in existence since 1987. The non-profit corporation began as a single FM radio station in Fort Myers, Florida.
In the early 1980’s, Bob and Felice Augsburg were residing in Fort Myers, Florida, where Bob was working as the Program Director at WSOR, a Christian Radio Station formatted for adults 35+. Bob and Felice have said that they "were compelled by the burden to see a younger audience reached and Bob began producing a Saturday evening broadcast geared for youth."[1] This program, which aired on WSOR, became the springboard for Christian Rock concerts in the area and the impetus for a 24/7 station with this type of format.[1]
Much discussion with local parents and business people led to a non-profit Florida corporation and an application filed with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for an unused FM frequency.
The Board of Directors met regularly to pray and consider how the station would be funded and operated, should an FCC license be granted. On December 24, 1986, Christmas Eve, an FCC permit appeared in the mail, allowing for the construction of a non-commercial FM station in Fort Myers. On October 9, 1987, WAY-FM (WAYJ) signed on the air.
New stations and concerts
By 1992, three WAY-FM radio stations were on the air—including Fort Myers, Florida, Nashville, Tennessee and West Palm Beach, Florida.
In the mid-90’s, WAY-FM stations, beginning with West Palm Beach, began to sponsor and organize large Christian music concerts and day long music festivals. Within a few years, Nashville and Fort Myers also began to sponsor major Christian music events.
In 2002, WAYM Nashville set an all time concert attendance record of 16,000+ celebrating their 10th anniversary. Over the years, WAY-FM radio stations have been selected four times as winners of the prestigious Dove Award for excellence in the operation of Christian Radio station.
CHR satellite network
After several years of planning, in 1996, WAY-FM began The Christian Hit Radio Satellite Network (CHRSN). The Network was designed to help other stations who desired to reach the youth and young adults of their respective communities but lacked the manpower or resources to operate a station on their own.
The Nashville WAY-FM became the flagship station of CHRSN, where the satellite hub remains to this day.
Corporate office established
In 2001, WAY-FM Media Group established a corporate office in Colorado Springs, Colorado where Bob Augsburg, the president and founder now lives. Dusty Rhodes, former Station Manager of WAYF West Palm Beach, joined Augsburg in Colorado as Chief Operating Officer and is now the ministry’s Senior Vice President.
In 2005, Dar Ringling joined the ministry as Chief Financial Officer while Lloyd Parker, formerly General Manager of the K-LOVE & Air 1 Radio Networks, became the Chief Operating Officer.
Current reach
At this time, WAY-FM owns and operates 14 full power FM radio stations including, newly added stations in Denver, Colorado; Wichita, Kansas and Tallahassee, Florida. WAY-FM also owns more than 20 low-power repeater stations. The Christian Hit Radio Satellite Network (CHRSN) serves over 25 additional radio stations nationwide with satellite programming. Today more than 70 cities are served by a WAY-FM station or repeater.
On February 3, 2009, WAY-FM joined Radiolicious and began streaming on the iPhone and iPod Touch.[2][3]
Program list
- Total Axxess, afternoons
Station list
- Athens – 88.1 FM
- Cullman – 98.3
- Decatur – 88.1
- Dothan - 88.3 (Broadcasting Out of Marianna, FL)
- Florence – 99.5
- Huntsville – 88.1
- Killen – 92.9
- Montgomery – 91.5 & 91.9
- Muscle Shoals – 98.7
- Boulder – 89.7 FM
- Brush – KBWA 89.1
- Castle Rock – 89.7
- Centennial – 101.9
- Colorado Springs - 90.9
- Denver – KKHI 101.9
- Estes Park – 89.7
- Fort Collins – 89.7
- Fort Morgan – 89.1
- Greeley – 89.7
- Littleton – 89.7
- Loveland – KRKU 93.9
- Rye - KRWA 90.9
- Sterling - K299AO 107.7
- Trinidad – KJWA 89.7
- Boca Raton – 88.1 FM
- Cape Coral – 88.7
- Clewiston – 90.5
- Fort Lauderdale – 88.1
- Fort Myers – 88.7 (original station)
- Fort Pierce – 107.5
- Live Oak – 88.1
- Naples – 88.7
- Perry – 88.1
- Port St. Lucie – 106.7
- Quincy – 88.1
- Stuart – 96.7
- Tallahassee – 88.1
- West Palm Beach – 88.1
- Marianna - 88.3
- Blountstown - 88.3
- Albany – 88.1 FM
- Bainbridge – 88.1
- Moultrie – 88.1
- Rome – 90.3
- Thomasville – 88.1
- Tifton – 88.1
- Valdosta – 88.1
- Valdosta - 88.3 (Broadcasting out of Marianna FL)
- Bainbridge 88.3 (Broadcasting out of Marianna FL)
- Derby – 90.7 FM
- Wellington – 90.7
- Wichita – 90.7
- Bowling Green – 88.1
- Hopkinsville – 88.3 & 100.7
- Leitchfield - 89.5
- Louisville - 93.9 & 105.9 WWPW
- Madisonville – 90.3
- Murray – 106.1
- Astoria – 89.7 FM
- North Coast – 89.7
- Portland - 102.3
- Beaverton - 104.5
- Ashland City – 88.3 FM
- Camden – 89.9
- Chattanooga – 90.9 & 104.7
- Clarksville – 88.3
- Cleveland – 91.3
- Cookeville – 90.5
- Donelson/East Nashville – 99.3
- Dyersburg – 88.9
- Fayetteville – 95.7
- Franklin – 88.7
- Hendersonville – 94.5
- Goodlettsville/Rivergate – 94.5
- Kingsport/Tri-Cities – 89.9
- Lewisburg - 103.7
- Lawrenceburg – 105.3
- Murfreesboro – 88.7
- Nashville – 88.7 WAYM (flagship station)
- New Johnsonville – 89.9
- Pulaski – 106.1
- Springfield – 88.3
- Union City – 91.5
- Waverly – 89.9
- Longview & Kelso – 90.3 - discontinued in 2010
- Spokane - 89.1
- Vancouver – 93.5
Network affiliates
- Glenn St. Mary – 100.3
- Columbus – 96.1
- Bloomington – 103.3
- Marion - 94.3 WIWU "The Fortress"
- Cedar Rapids – 89.1
- Hays – 98.5
- Mt. Washington – 93.9
- Ironwood – 90.9
- Port Huron – 88.3 WNFA
- Grand Rapids, Michigan - 89.9 WAYG
- Kalamazoo, Michigan - 88.3 WAYK
- Bemidji - 94.9
- Fosston – 107.1
- Park Rapids – 92.9
- Roseau - 102.9
- Thief River Falls – 107.9
- Walker – 104.9
- Jackson – 93.5
- Bozeman – 99.1
- Keene – 94.9
- Grand Forks – 104.9
- Brookings – 106.3
- Canyonville – 96.7
- Coos Bay – 98.7
- Gold Beach – 105.5
- Sutherlin – 107.1
- Winston – 105.5
- Brookville – 95.9
- Indiana – 103.7
- Pittsburgh – 910 AM
- State College – 89.1
- Spartanburg – 104.1
- Charleston - 100.9
- Rapid City – 97.9
- Kerrville – 101.5
- Burlington – 90.9
