Go Mix Radio (flagship WAGO 88.7 in Pink Hill) mentioned something on their website about Roanoke Rapids public radio station WZRU 90.1 FM becoming a part of the Go Mix Radio Network come October. What's the story behind this? Is WZRU going away completely or moving to another channel as they did a few years ago with the WRTP 88.5 swap? How about their Norlina repeater WZRN 90.5; what happens to them?
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Go Mix expansion? Fate of WZRU?
- Thread starter RadioDze
- Start date
Z
ZAX Double J
Guest
I haven't heard anything and I listen to them quite a bit. I know Allen Garrett is still there and at one time he was PD there. I'd hate to see a good station like ZRU go away they did play some stuff you don't hear much on mainstream radio anymore.
When i heard the news that the "Go Mix" radio network was expanding to Northeastern North Carolina & parts of Southside Virginia, it surprised me,
this is a radio ministry that has grown a lot over the past ten years, going
from one station, to two(when they had WZUP before becoming spanish)
back to one, then to two with the addition of WZGO, then signing on small
translator stations in Rose Hill, Jackonville, and other places, and along the
way, adding streaming audio for those of us like me who listen to them.
As for WZRU, i think they have a sister station, WZRN, which is probably
where WZRU's current format will continue, and maybe they have plans to
increase power, but i'm sure those who enjoyed WZRU are disappointed
that they sold to them, but i'm sure many will be listening to Go Mix.
this is a radio ministry that has grown a lot over the past ten years, going
from one station, to two(when they had WZUP before becoming spanish)
back to one, then to two with the addition of WZGO, then signing on small
translator stations in Rose Hill, Jackonville, and other places, and along the
way, adding streaming audio for those of us like me who listen to them.
As for WZRU, i think they have a sister station, WZRN, which is probably
where WZRU's current format will continue, and maybe they have plans to
increase power, but i'm sure those who enjoyed WZRU are disappointed
that they sold to them, but i'm sure many will be listening to Go Mix.
They don't run ads. They run underwriting announcements. It can sound like a spot, but can't have a call to action... so no "come on down to Billy Bob's, we've got a sale going on!" -- it would have to say "Billy Bob's is having a sale. You can find Billy Bob's at ...."
That's pretty much the gist of it.
I want to know why they have/need a translator in Kinston. The main transmitter is in Snow Hill!!
That's pretty much the gist of it.
I want to know why they have/need a translator in Kinston. The main transmitter is in Snow Hill!!
M
Marathon Don
Guest
I read on their website that longtime morning man Keith Aycock has moved on to "another radio ministry". I worked with Keith back in the 90's in Curtis' WGBR-WKTC building. Great guy, always the perfectionist.
Wonder where he ended up?
Speaking of Go Mix, I also noticed that ex-WKIX PM driver and production guru Mike Farley is now doing afternoons there.
Don
Wonder where he ended up?
Speaking of Go Mix, I also noticed that ex-WKIX PM driver and production guru Mike Farley is now doing afternoons there.
Don
According to the FCC website, Roanoke Valley Communications, licensee of WZRU and WZRN, has applied to build a class C2 outlet on 90.5 MHz at Williamston, NC in addition to a license for translator station W250AZ 97.9 in Wilson. These two, even combined with WZRN (90.5 in Norlina) don't come close to covering the area served by the 90.1 FM facility. WZRU has always made much of its service to Lake Gaston, but this will probably take somewhat of a hit without 90.1, especially closer to Roanoke Rapids. It appears WZRU is no longer an NPR outlet, as no NPR programs are listed on their website and they don't come up on the NPR website's list of member stations.
F
firecop947
Guest
I was glad to see that Mike Farley has landed another gig! I talked with him last when he was at WKIX and he said that if that gig didn't work out it would be his last. Mike was my first pd when I was still in school and worked part-time at WFTC in Kinston. Eddie Dee was there too!
As far as GO-Mix goes, whatever happened to Pam Rouse aka Pam Houston? Great talent and person to boot!
Kris
As far as GO-Mix goes, whatever happened to Pam Rouse aka Pam Houston? Great talent and person to boot!
Kris
I drove by the WZRU studio last weekend. There is a "Go Mix Christian Radio WZRU" sign on the front of the building. Listening to WZRU, I noticed all the imaging excludes 90.1. You here something like, "Light and Easy Favorites on 90.5"...no more "90.1 and 90.5 WZRU". Obviously, the Go Mix programming will go on 90.1 and they will attempt to keep the EZ listening on 90.5. 90.5's coverage of the eastern part of Lake Gaston is marginal at best. I believe the change will leave a void in places like Rocky Mount. The LPFM in Roanoke Rapids (95.9) sounds much like WZRU did. They are not airing NPR, but they are playing a "modified" version of the WZRU format, and many of the independently-produced programs formerly heard on WZRU (Big Band Jump, Folk Sampler, etc). My bet is that the switch will happen on November 1st.
E
ECRadioGuy
Guest
change will happen soon. there will still be some programming done locally at ZRU. They will still run Paul Harvey on 90.1 and will run the local ministry programs they have there and Alan Garrett will do the morning show on GO MIX 90.1 but not on the other GO MIX channels. He will be on until 11 AM. He will also continue to do the AM Show on 90.5.
Glad to hear Allen will stay on board with the new format. What a great guy! That will be quite a flip from Sinatra to Gold City and The Cathedrals. I am sorry to see the easy listening music go. It will be interest see how things pan out. Still betting on November 1sr for the switch...or definitely by Monday morinng.
Z
ZAX Double J
Guest
radiofreenc1 said:Glad to hear Allen will stay on board with the new format. What a great guy! That will be quite a flip from Sinatra to Gold City and The Cathedrals. I am sorry to see the easy listening music go. It will be interest see how things pan out. Still betting on November 1sr for the switch...or definitely by Monday morinng.
Yeah I've worked with Allen Garrett and he is s super guy to work with and super nice too. He is quite tall though. I haven't seen or talked with him in quite a while.
F
firecop947
Guest
I worked with Alan many moons ago in Rocky Mount. Does anyone know how I can get in touch with him? I would love to catch up!
Kris
Kris
Does anyone near Roanoke Rapids and/or Rocky Mount know if the switch has happenned? If not, I would think Monday would be the day, unless they are having some trouble linking the stations. I am really sad to see the Easy format go. This station really did a great job executing a great easy listening format!!
No More WZRU
I read on the Go Mix Christian Radio website that they added Roanoke Rapids on November 10. They are now on WZRU 90.1. It seems they have put the easy format on their 2300 sister station in Norlina, NC. If memory serves me it does not cover the entire Lake Gaston Area and it's primary coverage misses South Hill... From the coverage map at radio-locator, it seems to cover lots of farmland. That also cuts Rocky Mount out of the easy format that was on ZRU. Now Roanoke Rapids has some form of Christian Radio on 88.5 His Radio, 90.1 Go Mix, 91.1 CSN, 92.5 BBN, 107.3 from Enfield and a couple AM stations.
I read on the Go Mix Christian Radio website that they added Roanoke Rapids on November 10. They are now on WZRU 90.1. It seems they have put the easy format on their 2300 sister station in Norlina, NC. If memory serves me it does not cover the entire Lake Gaston Area and it's primary coverage misses South Hill... From the coverage map at radio-locator, it seems to cover lots of farmland. That also cuts Rocky Mount out of the easy format that was on ZRU. Now Roanoke Rapids has some form of Christian Radio on 88.5 His Radio, 90.1 Go Mix, 91.1 CSN, 92.5 BBN, 107.3 from Enfield and a couple AM stations.
Z
ZAX Double J
Guest
Yes 90.1 has now gone Go Mix and they have lost 3 listeners too - me and my parents. I wish them lots of luck.
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