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Remembering Winston-Salem's 93.1

M

Mr Winston-Salem

Since this station changed formats, I thought it would be fun to remember how it sounded about 30 years ago when it was Winston-Salem's Z-93. I haven't done one these threads in over three years. It's about time for another "check this" thread. The first is a clip of Oldies 93. The other two are of Fresh Air Z-93 and should bring back a lot of memories. Enjoy! :)

Check this:
http://winstonsalemskyscrapers.com/Ra931.html
 
Matt Smith said:
http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/WMQX ...I posted the timeline myself.

Matt Smith
WGSR-TV
Reidsville, NC
Click to expand...
Thanks for that, but you forgot a couple of details.

I remember WSEZ being listed in Broadcasting Yearbook around 1980 as easy listening. Obviously that was wrong at that time, because when I was in college this was one of the top stations among the students.

Also, WSEZ was rock for several years. I can't remember whether they came before Rock 92, but I do know they weren't that conservative, and the format didn't last too long after Rock 92 made its debut. It was 1987 when they became 93 Mix.
 
Actually, WMAG 99.5 was the demise of WSEZ and WRQK. WMAG used to have a more upbeat format before it became "Soft Rock". When it started in March of 1983, it slowly wiped-out the audiences of WSEZ (Winston-Salem's contemporary/rock? station) and WRQK (Greensboro's contemporary/rock station). Formats were much broader in those days, which probably made them more vulnerable to a slick product like WMAG who was consulted by Fairwest who consulted the top AC station in the country at that time, WLVK (I think) in Dallas, Texas.
 
Matt Smith said:
http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/WMQX ...I posted the timeline myself.

Matt Smith
WGSR-TV
Reidsville, NC
Click to expand...

I think there are a couple of discrepancies. I worked at WAIR/Z-93 for 11 years, starting when I was 16, and I never remember a WSGH there. The FM was WGPL (Witnessing God's Precious Love). Then came WSEZ. WAAA-FM became WSGH, now WKZL. WSGH was the first radio station in the area to be able to legally include in their station ID all three cities in the Triad, hense the call letters WSGH (Winston-Salem, Greensboro, High Point).
 
CCX said:
Actually, WMAG 99.5 was the demise of WSEZ and WRQK.  WMAG used to have a more upbeat format before it became "Soft Rock".  When it started in March of 1983, it slowly wiped-out the audiences of WSEZ (Winston-Salem's contemporary/rock? station) and WRQK (Greensboro's contemporary/rock station).  Formats were much broader in those days, which probably made them more vulnerable to a slick product like WMAG who was consulted by Fairwest who consulted the top AC station in the country at that time, WLVK (I think) in Dallas, Texas.
Click to expand...
WSEZ was top 40 or at least hot adult contemporary when WMAG started.  Shortly after that they went mainstream top 40, and before they went rock I remember hearing some metal, so it was obvious where they were moving.

Except for WSJS, i don't think anyone was playing the music that WMAG was playing.

I do remember WMAG going more uptempo in the 90s ("My Sharona", for example), but then they switched B-100 (which was Joy 100 prior to 1989, vocal easy listening) to rock and someone had to go after that audience.  Still, a lot of people wrote the Winston-Salem Journal complaining there were no stations playing soft music. Later, the complaint was that no one played big-band music. WIST filled that gap.  Until last year.
 
What a trip. SUCH great radio in W-S in those days. "Fresh Air and the Z", "13 the best music 80, WTOB", and even old-fart station WSJS sounded GREAT. Radio was fun, creative, relevent, and LOCAL! All of which have been lost...not just in the triad, but across this great land. And the only one who remembers how much better things used to be, and could be again, are geezers like me!
 
Hey Mike,

Did you do nights on WKBC back in the late 70's? I remember listening to KBC back then and if my crs isn't acting up again, seems like the night guy went by Mike Walker.
 
Yep Ghattaway, guilty as charged. WKBC was my 2nd radio job...1977 to 1980.

Today I operate a production studio called The Production Room http://www.theproductionroom.net I'm legally blind from retinitis pigmentossa, but today's technology makes it possible to work from home (since I can't drive). One of my functions is as Production Mgr for WKBC AM/FM. Who says you "can't go home again"? Same monster signal (is there another class C station with a comparable signal that's still locally owned?) I have four people who produce for me, all from their home studios. Ain't technology wonderful?

How flattering that you remembered me. I haven't done a daily show since 1998 (although I've done some on-air work at stations from WXRC Charlotte 95.7, to WKSK in West Jefferson 580...just to stay "in practice"). I've always loved the creative possibilities of production, and have been an audio and technology nerd all my life. So computer-centric production and the high speed internet (which is, of course, "a series of tubes") came along at exactly the right moment for me!
 
I thought that might be you. I actually made a few trips up Potter Hill back in the 80's for "Mama Blue" ...you're right, that's a big signal.
 
Thanks for the help PBF1. What was I thinking "W" in Texas? I should have known better. You're exactly right, it was KVIL. I got the L and V right and there was a K! :D
 
No subject was filled in.

I couldn't believe the Arbitron ratings I saw this morning.

This is the dumbest move in Triad radio history.

Old people buy too! Advertisers need to stop thinking they should only reach young people.

On a different subject, has anyone noticed signal problems from this station since the change?
 
As I mentioned on another thread, everything is cyclical. I promise you that before long some Agency bigwig will come out with the latest trend... "Marketing to the generation that wouldn't age". The Baby Boomers are different from their predecessors. They still try new things, remain curious, and have piles of money. Who wouldn't want those people???? I hate to say it, but I think the real problem at Oldies 93 was not having good salespeople. I can't say that I know that for a fact, but if you can't sell with the station's reputation, their numbers, and their incredible qualitative, then what can you sell?
 
Problem with good sales people is industry wide. Both CC and CBS tried to do it without Arbitron but so many sales people whined, they had to make a deal for the book. It wasn't more than two years ago, CBS ditched every book in sight. Most stations couldn't hack it. Truth is if a sales person is good at building relationships, and doesn't over promise - they can deliver results without ratings and results bring them back for more!

Look at the SJS history! Station has always out sold it's ratings and even though they have struggled some in the last year or so, they still out perform the book!
 
I have an indirect connection to the old 93.1

Back in the late 80's I programmed Z93 in Kokomo, Indiana. We ran a show called "Rockline", a music and interview show with artists. The artists would cut I.D.s for some stations. Since we were also Z93, we often got the artist I.D.'s that would include the legal, "Winston- Salem, and High Point." ;D
 
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