WBRF

[nuffsaid]

So what's the deal with WBRF in Gaylax? At one time they were sounding pretty good and felt they could have a shot in the Winston-Salem/Greensboro market but that appears not to be happening. Listened to their stream recently and felt the music was way older than Classic Country and not sure what the afternoon Outlaw Country show was about. Sad to see a huge signal like that just founder.

 

[OldJockDude]

WBRF in Galax is one of those stations, which is NOT under some corperate executive, who doesn't know music or his market from what's on the charts or his Selector program! Realize this station is in Southwest Virginia with a kick-butt signal, which reaches into several states! The format may not be a traditional country, rock, urban, oldies, talk or AM gospel offering. But, you have to realize who the audience is...folks in rural areas, which it covers! These folks, many of whom, are older and remember and love music from the by-gone country and bluegrass era. The station has its younger listeners, as well! Why go against WTQR, The Wolf, or stations out of Roanoke, Charlotte, etc., which are only playing the "hot country" stuff of today, some of which sounds too much like rock? My hat is off in honor of such a format. The Eppersons may be caught in a time warp for some folks. But the WBRF format, along with the format of WPAQ in Mt. Airy DOES SERVE some of those listeners out there! In a time when a lot of the general public is turning to satellite radio or Ipods, it is good to see some station owners, like the Eppersons, who really know their market and go after it! Granted, some corporate group or deep-pocketed individual would love to own that 100,000 watt signal, which sits on the edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains. But I guarantee they would screw-up such a heritage station just like the Clear Channel idiots did with WFMX in Statesville, which was the very first FM in the nation to play all country music back in the day! In my old opinion, programmers of today's cookie-cutter formats could learn a thing or two from WBRF, WPAQ and the Eppersons! Radio stations are licensed to serve the public! How may can really say that today? Once again, in my old opinion, not many! As Walter used to say..."That's The Way It Is!"

 

[triadradionewsman]

I agree with oldjockdude 100%. I would hate to hear what CC or Entercom would do to "improve" WBRF. I'm sure our neigbors to the north appreciate the way nuffsaid spells the WBRF city of license too.

 

[vchimpanzee]

It wasn't all that long ago that WBRF didn't sound that good. According to people here, they played new country part of the day. I actually heard The Band Perry.

 

[OldJockDude]

That was when Tom "Wilber" Collins had been brought-in. He and his idea of changing the station didn't last too long after the core audience began complaining. The powers that be heard the complaints and listened. Back to my original post...don't mess with what works just for the off-chance at trying to make an inpact into the Triad market. Keep to your roots and what your audience really wants! In many instances, the "doctors" don't know there is no need for a cure because the patient is just fine the way it is!

 

[vchimpanzee]

That was when Tom "Wilber" Collins had been brought-in. He and his idea of changing the station didn't last too long after the core audience began complaining. The powers that be heard the complaints and listened. Back to my original post...don't mess with what works just for the off-chance at trying to make an inpact into the Triad market. Keep to your roots and what your audience really wants! In many instances, the "doctors" don't know there is no need for a cure because the patient is just fine the way it is!

That's true. But what I read on this site was that at certain times of day even before Tom Collins, some of the shows focused on new songs. I know I remember "Single White Female" as I experienced interference on WIST.