I cannot vouch for what was on WMRY prior to 1977, but I'm sure there are records that the Missionary Oblates at the Shrine Of Our Lady Of The Snows can help you there.
One show I do recall in 1976 was a specialty Spanish language show that was on the weekends. It was short lived.
WMRY had an automation system that ran an AC format starting in 1977. It was a non-commercial operation at the time. The AC format ran during the daytime, and Leo Chears hosted a jazz show from 7 PM to Midnight (1 AM Friday/Saturdays). The evening jazz program would continue until the end of 1985.
The daytime AC format added personalities around 1980, and slowly evolved into a commercial radio station. In 1982 contemporary jazz cuts were added to the format, especially in the afternoon leading into the Leo Chears show. Two personalities I recall from that era were Mac Chamblin, and Angela Gabriel (who stayed on in the rock format).
By 1984 contemporary jazz dominated the playlist in the afternoons, with a sponsored Friday and Saturday show.
In the spring of 1985 Mark Klose got on morning drive, with a show that he funded by selling ad time himself. The AC/jazz format continued after 10 AM.
Klose's show was successful, and WMRY adopted the rock format they became known for at the end of 1985. They also became a 24 hour operation.
WMRY's format was a mix of KSHE-Klassics (which KSHE themselves downplayed under their newly aquired Emmis owners), and modern rock that other commercial stations didn't touch. Some of the personalities who worked there included Ted Habeck, Les Aaron, Jim Doyle, Dan Strauss and Gary Coleander.
While initially successful, stations like KSD-FM (which transitioned from AC to classic rock during the second half of 1987) cut into their audience and advertising. WMRY flipped formats to soft AC on April 15, 1989, and for two years became known as "Sunny 101" (WSNL).
