WKBI-FM
 | |
| Frequency | 93.9 (MHz) |
|---|---|
| Branding | B94 |
| Programming | |
| Format | Adult Contemporary |
| Ownership | |
| Owner |
|
| WKBI (AM), WDDH | |
| Technical information | |
| Class | B1 |
| ERP | 2,350 Watts |
| Links | |
| Webcast | Listen Live |
| Website | http://www.wkbiradio.com |
WKBI-FM, known as "B94", is a Hot AC music formatted radio station based in Saint Marys, Pennsylvania. It is owned by Dennis and Rose Heindl, through licensee Laurel Media, Inc.
History
WKBI-FM has since its inception, been the sister station of WKBI (AM), which first went on the air back in 1950, and had been the first station built as part of the Allegheny Mountain Network. WKBI-FM first went on the air in August 1966, and had originally been licensed to Ridgway. Though Ridgway is the seat of government for Elk County, the station's city of license was later changed to Saint Marys, which lies about 12 miles east of Ridgway.
For a period during the 1970s, this station was known as WTMX. The call letters were representative of the famous cowboy of the silver screen, Tom Mix. The station was located at the corner of Main St. and North Broad St. in Ridgway, PA. It was a country music radio station.
WKBI-FM was formerly on the 94.3FM Frequency until the upgrading of signal, when the station moved to 93.9FM. Former names of the WKBI-FM include, 94.3 The Wizard, Variety 94, and B94.
WKBI-FM, now known as B94, was programmed as a Hot AC/CHR/Top 40 Pop Radio station from 2001 through 2009 which could be considered to be its height of popularity. The station was Hot AC from Midnight-6pm, at 6pm, the station flipped to a CHR/Pop format. During that time, the station's slogan was known as "B94, Today's Hit Music!" The station was heavily listener interactive, taking requests and having contests in each hour the station was live (6am-10pm, 6am-Midnight Fri & Sat). This was truly the golden age of CHR/Pop formats in all markets, large and small. Then, as digital devices began siphoning off the younger audience, and income fell, it became financially impossible to continue live shifts 14 hours daily and 18 hours weekends. This was at the beginning of the economic meltdown that has affected every American. In early 2009, the station flipped its format to an AC/Hot AC, focusing on more 80s and 90s music, and now is known as "B94, The Area's Best Music Variety" The station is less listener interactive, being voicetracked, as, sadly, are so many other radio stations of all sizes. As one old-timer said recently, "there is no substitute for a warm friendly live person behind the mike, communicating friend to friend with the listener."
Former DJ's include, Erik Lane (now at WKVA), Nancy Kelley, Zack Williams, Joe Disque, Jesse Davis(now at STAR 100.7 WBZZ in Pittsburgh, PA), Jonny Ryan, Rich Thomas, Stephanie Rae, Jennifer Lee, Ally O'Neil, J.B. Savage (who left to work for Cumulus in Albany, GA) Shannel Huston, Taylor Jordan, Tim Allen, Terry Long, Matt Stone (known as Matt Matthews on WKBI, now at KRUZ-FM in Santa Barbara), A.J. Michaels and others.
Some of the DJ's who worked there during the 1970s were, "Disco Joe Thompson", "Stubby King", Ken Hoff, Angie Fararri, Dean Paige, Rick Porter, Tom Rogers, Mark Benson, Mike McClain who was hired on January 31, 1977 at the age of 14, Keith McKervey, who left the radio station to pursue a position with the popular "Up with People", Ken Ciroli, Ray Rettger (A.K.A. Joe Emmeran)
Rick Porter is now a sportscaster and weekend dj on 97.5 the Hound WDDH and occasionally does sports play by play on WKBI-FM.
In the 1990s and 2000s, WKBI was an owned-and-operated affiliate of the Tyrone-based Allegheny Mountain Radio Network. That network was dismantled over the course of the late 2000s; WKBI was sold to Laurel Media (owners of WDDH) in late 2012 as part of the dismantling. The sale was consummated on January 31, 2013 at a price of $766,047; the price included both WKBI-FM and sister station WKBI.
External links
- WKBI-FM official website
- Facility details for Facility ID WKBI ({{{2}}}) in the FCC Licensing and Management System
- {{{2}}} in Nielsen Audio's FM station database