WEDJ (95.1 The Edge) History

[AM-FM-DXer]

The post about Kiss' anniversary got me thinking. I remember being fascinated by this station when I was a teenager. I heard it a few times in 1994 and 1995 when visiting relatives near Lake Norman. I know the station signed on in early 1994 and that the shift to Kiss happened in May of 1996. If I remember correctly, WEDJ had a rock lean. If anything, it sounded like alternative-learning CHR. Is that accurate? Alternative was hot back in those days. Z100 in NYC was trending alternative for much of 1994 and 1995.

When WEDJ became Kiss, I assume that the alternative lean was ditched and the station became more of a straight CHR.

 

[CrazeeCarroll2]

The roots to 95.1 The Edge started taking place in late September 93 when Pyramid Broadcasting purchased 95 DoubleQ from Adam's radio group. Friday January 14th at 7PM 95DoubleQ rode off into a January cold night. A 1000Hz tone greeted listeners as they tuned in. The late Mark Driscoll greeted listeners as to what was taking place. The contest was centered around the tone. When the tone ended you had to be the 100th caller to win a thousand dollars. 9PM Saturday Jan 15th The Edge was born. The Edge started as CHR with a hint of alternative. Over the summer of 94 The Edge continued it's CHR run. As we head into 95 the winds of alternative change starts to show up even more as the Playlist tweaks starts taking place with less Boyz II Men with more STP, Perl Jam. Up the dial at 106.5 The End was born. The Edge kept the alternative evolution going. By the time November rolled around the tweak was on again as some top 40 tracks were showing up again. As 96 showed up the chr tracks were really ramped up. By the time March 96 rolled around it was straight up CHR. Funny goof on The Edges part before Kiss 95.1 was born if you happened to be listening early the morning kiss was launched someone loaded Kiss jingles, liners, and promotions. Was a fun goof, but entertaining for the radio geek.

 

[Mike Sheridan]

How about 95.1 WROQ?

 

[CrazeeCarroll2]

Mike I remember them being Rock, top 40, rock 40, top 40 rock 40 again til oddly enough Gorilla Radio was born on Jan 15th 1990 only to change formats again on December 26th 1990 to Kool 95.1.

 

[AM-FM-DXer]

The roots to 95.1 The Edge started taking place in late September 93 when Pyramid Broadcasting purchased 95 DoubleQ from Adam's radio group. Friday January 14th at 7PM 95DoubleQ rode off into a January cold night. A 1000Hz tone greeted listeners as they tuned in. The late Mark Driscoll greeted listeners as to what was taking place. The contest was centered around the tone. When the tone ended you had to be the 100th caller to win a thousand dollars. 9PM Saturday Jan 15th The Edge was born. The Edge started as CHR with a hint of alternative. Over the summer of 94 The Edge continued it's CHR run. As we head into 95 the winds of alternative change starts to show up even more as the Playlist tweaks starts taking place with less Boyz II Men with more STP, Perl Jam. Up the dial at 106.5 The End was born. The Edge kept the alternative evolution going. By the time November rolled around the tweak was on again as some top 40 tracks were showing up again. As 96 showed up the chr tracks were really ramped up. By the time March 96 rolled around it was straight up CHR. Funny goof on The Edges part before Kiss 95.1 was born if you happened to be listening early the morning kiss was launched someone loaded Kiss jingles, liners, and promotions. Was a fun goof, but entertaining for the radio geek.

Thanks for the history! The last time I heard the Edge was in April 1995. I have a tape somewhere, but I remember hearing Melissa Ethridge and Dionne Farris. Both were alternative-leaning, I suppose, although Dionne Farris had a pretty big CHR hit that spring and summer.

There were a couple of successful jocks that worked at the Edge too. I remember hearing Jeffrey T. Mason, who currently voicetracks nationally for iHeart. And Tom "Jammer" Naylor, who is the longtime PD of B97/New Orleans, was there in 1994.