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Hi Guys!! HISTORY OF NEW ORLEANS FM RADIO.

T

thebeach33445

Hey Guys:

I hope all of you in the BIG EZ are doing well and are having a happy holiday. I have been doing research on the history of New Orleans radio and I have found a lot of stuff. AMAZING!! But I have some blanks on some FM stations. I was hoping you all can help me with these questions:

1. Can anybody tell me the format of 92.3 WCKW from the 1966 sign on to 1987 when it went classic rock? Was it Country or AC?

2. Can anybody tell me the format of WDSU 93.3 in the 60's and 70's? I noticed in the 70, 71 yearbook it says the format was MOR. Was it the "Hit Parade" auto format?

3. Can anybody tell me the format of WNOE 101.1 from 1968 to when it went AOR in 1973?

4. Would anybody know the format of WXEL 105.3 from 1974 to 1981? In the yearbooks it had no format listings for that station. I do know 105.3 was progressive rock from 1972 to 1974 and the first soul FM WVSL from 1970 to 1972.

5. Now here is a station I am confused with. What was the format of WJMR 97.1 from 1968 to 1972?
I saw on a site that WNNR 97.1 in the mid 60's was part jazz and part simulcasting 990 AM, is that true?
Also when 97.1 signed on in 1945 as WRCM was it classical or a simulcast of WJMR 990?

Thanks for your help on the questions. I really appreciate it big time!!

T.J.
 
Contact Oldie King Bob Walker on your questions as his website is about the best when it comes to NOLA radio
http://www.walkerpub.com/radio_directory.html#anchor2898905

He also runs a facebook club called New Orleans Area Radio & TV Broadcasters that would probably fill in what can't be answered there

I know people have said that for a while WCKW was both a/c and country... supposedly a/c during the day, country at night. I do remember it as a a/c station in mid 1980s
 
3) WNOE signed on as a Country station.
It was automated and voice tracked by Dan Diamond.
 
I don't think any FM's when on air until 1961... could be wrong as I was a wee lad. So 1945 for 97.1, WRCM seems a bit early to me.
Thoughts.
 
Fascinating.
I just saw where WWV in Fort Collins actually went on the air 6 months before KDKA... if you trust Wiki! Also WSM in '41!
Terrific topic thread. Thanks tj.
 
I believe WXEL was soul during that time period.

According to Duncan, the FM stations in the Fall of 1978 and their Arbitron ratings were:

WQUE--Rock 8.1
WBYU--Easy 7.4
WEZB--Easy 3.1
WYLD--Jazz 4.1
WRNO--Rock/AOR 5.6
WNOE--AOR 6.8
WWL--Easy 3.3
WXEL--Black 3.4

WTIX was still #1 on the AM dial with a 8.3 in the Fall of 1978. WWL only had a 5.0. WSMB still had a 7.4
 
WCKW signed on January, 1966. I am not 100% sure of the format in the early years, but I do know that in the very early 70's (1972-1980), the format was split and known as "River Parish Radio". From 6AM sign on to 5PM was a mix of MOR/AC currents and 50's-60's oldies (lots of Fats Domino and Elvis as I recall). The station was live in AM drive, but was automated until 5PM. Then at 5PM the format went to a mix of current and old country music, and Louisiana swamp pop was mixed in (Rod Bernard, Van Broussard and the like). This part of the format was live with listener requests and dedications. The station signed off by 1030PM during the week. During these years, there was a full time news director with local news hourly, also lots of remotes from businesses and local fairs and festivals, local high school football. Ad rates were around $5 or so for a 30. On air staff included folks like Jerry Lousteau, Charles Zewe, Bobby Martinez, Henry Fried, Burt Cashio, Rick Simon, Bob Barney, Gerald Keller.
The format went to full time classic rock January 1986 under the supervision of owner Sid Levet and Lew Carter from Baton Rouge.
 
In the early 70's...around 72-73...WQUE was a Schulke beautiful music station housed in a closet of WGSO. WGSO had been WDSU....and, I suppose WQUE had been WDSU-FM. Hope that helps. :-\
 
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