WLON Lincolnton

[eacalhoun1]

When did WLON switch from Oldies to Country - plus start simulcasting WCSL (Cherryville) and WOHS (Shelby)? These stations have had such an inconsistent format history - particularly WCSL and WLON - how can they maintain a listening audience? I don't how they can afford maintenance on the format wheel, because I don't believe it ever really stops spinning - it only slows to a crawl.
It's almost like all of these have come full circle and are back to the "Piedmont Super Stations" that evolved in the late 80s, I believe. Also, is WGNC included in this current scenario - I can't pick them up in Morganton.

 

[djjim6629]

When did WLON switch from Oldies to Country - plus start simulcasting WCSL (Cherryville) and WOHS (Shelby)? These stations have had such an inconsistent format history - particularly WCSL and WLON - how can they maintain a listening audience? I don't how they can afford maintenance on the format wheel, because I don't believe it ever really stops spinning - it only slows to a crawl.
It's almost like all of these have come full circle and are back to the "Piedmont Super Stations" that evolved in the late 80s, I believe. Also, is WGNC included in this current scenario - I can't pick them up in Morganton.

I drove to Forest City last week and WGNC was still talk and WOHS was still country. I personally think they should just simulcast talk from WGNC on all 4 frequencies. WGNC is so weak the barely cover Gastonia and most of their advertisers are in Kings Mountain and Shelby where they can't even be heard well. Or simulcast WGNC with WOHS at least.

 

[vchimpanzee]

When did WLON switch from Oldies to Country - plus start simulcasting WCSL (Cherryville) and WOHS (Shelby)? These stations have had such an inconsistent format history - particularly WCSL and WLON - how can they maintain a listening audience? I don't how they can afford maintenance on the format wheel, because I don't believe it ever really stops spinning - it only slows to a crawl.
It's almost like all of these have come full circle and are back to the "Piedmont Super Stations" that evolved in the late 80s, I believe. Also, is WGNC included in this current scenario - I can't pick them up in Morganton.

I drove to Forest City last week and WGNC was still talk and WOHS was still country. I personally think they should just simulcast talk from WGNC on all 4 frequencies. WGNC is so weak the barely cover Gastonia and most of their advertisers are in Kings Mountain and Shelby where they can't even be heard well. Or simulcast WGNC with WOHS at least.

Speaking of Kings Mountain, what ever happened to WKMT?

And does Gaston County have a community radio station at all?

 

[JOHNNY on the RADIO]

When did WLON switch from Oldies to Country - plus start simulcasting WCSL (Cherryville) and WOHS (Shelby)? These stations have had such an inconsistent format history - particularly WCSL and WLON - how can they maintain a listening audience? I don't how they can afford maintenance on the format wheel, because I don't believe it ever really stops spinning - it only slows to a crawl.
It's almost like all of these have come full circle and are back to the "Piedmont Super Stations" that evolved in the late 80s, I believe. Also, is WGNC included in this current scenario - I can't pick them up in Morganton.

I drove to Forest City last week and WGNC was still talk and WOHS was still country. I personally think they should just simulcast talk from WGNC on all 4 frequencies. WGNC is so weak the barely cover Gastonia and most of their advertisers are in Kings Mountain and Shelby where they can't even be heard well. Or simulcast WGNC with WOHS at least.

Speaking of Kings Mountain, what ever happened to WKMT?

And does Gaston County have a community radio station at all?

WKMT is now WDYT 1220 AM / Spanish.

 

[vchimpanzee]

When did WLON switch from Oldies to Country - plus start simulcasting WCSL (Cherryville) and WOHS (Shelby)? These stations have had such an inconsistent format history - particularly WCSL and WLON - how can they maintain a listening audience? I don't how they can afford maintenance on the format wheel, because I don't believe it ever really stops spinning - it only slows to a crawl.
It's almost like all of these have come full circle and are back to the "Piedmont Super Stations" that evolved in the late 80s, I believe. Also, is WGNC included in this current scenario - I can't pick them up in Morganton.

I drove to Forest City last week and WGNC was still talk and WOHS was still country. I personally think they should just simulcast talk from WGNC on all 4 frequencies. WGNC is so weak the barely cover Gastonia and most of their advertisers are in Kings Mountain and Shelby where they can't even be heard well. Or simulcast WGNC with WOHS at least.

Speaking of Kings Mountain, what ever happened to WKMT?

And does Gaston County have a community radio station at all?

WKMT is now WDYT 1220 AM / Spanish.

Amazingly no one told Wikipedia. It does say a Spanish owner is thinking of buying it but that's several years old.

 

[eacalhoun1]

I think it's really sad that with Gaston County's significant population, there is no (to the best of my knowledge) local radio. But there are a lot of stations licensed to Gaston County, with the vast majority of its daily programming originating OUTSIDE the county:

WGNC (Gastonia), WCSL (Cherryville), WGAS (South Gastonia), WCGC (Belmont), WDYT (Kings Mountain), WCRU (Dallas), WTCG (Mount Holly), WZGV (Cramerton)

And on the FM...WSGE (Dallas), WBAV (Gastonia)

If anyone comes close to being "local" in this list, it's probably WSGE from Gaston College. Just my guess since I rarely listen to the station.

 

[jonamayhew]

As I am very familiar with WLON/WCSL/WGNC/WOHS, here are the facts.

Calvin Hastings recently did a LMA with WLON/WCSL owner Mark Boyd, who also owns a local convenience store franchise, the name I forget.

Milton Baker (a dear, old friend) is back as the morning show host and host of the popular Trading Post, which gets a multitude of listeners throughout the market.

Why am I qualified to speak on this? I, the "Mooresville Muffin," once worked there in both a full and part time capacity. Besides hosting duties with various airshifts, I also produced many of Milton's sports broadcasts throughout the 1990s.

Kudos to Tim Biggerstaff for nicknaming me "The Mooresville Muffin." It stuck!

 

[BIG APE]

Did you ever know a Chief Engineer named Steve Greene at WOHS.. I worked with him at WTOB in Winston Salem and lost track of him. he was from Shelby and had worked there before coming to WS!

 

[Matt]

Kudos to Tim Biggerstaff for nicknaming me "The Mooresville Muffin." It stuck!

Speaking of Tim, is he just retired from broadcasting, or from life altogether?

Later . . . .

 

[jonamayhew]

Tim's retired. I last heard even though he had that life-changing surgery several years ago, he is now on kidney dialysis. He was one of the greats of broadcasting in the Charlotte area and a great mentor to me.

Jon Mayhew
Retired broadcaster/publisher
The Carolina Scoop

 

[jerry7242]

When did WLON switch from Oldies to Country - plus start simulcasting WCSL (Cherryville) and WOHS (Shelby)? These stations have had such an inconsistent format history - particularly WCSL and WLON - how can they maintain a listening audience? I don't how they can afford maintenance on the format wheel, because I don't believe it ever really stops spinning - it only slows to a crawl.
It's almost like all of these have come full circle and are back to the "Piedmont Super Stations" that evolved in the late 80s, I believe. Also, is WGNC included in this current scenario - I can't pick them up in Morganton.

Eric, as usual and as normal, the root story is not on the surface. When something doesn't make sense, it's usually because there's something you don't know. (Remember the WSVM ground system arguements? BTW: 17 ohms is STILL 17 ohms.)

It's good to see that you're still around and functioning. As for me, let it be known that I'm living at the beach in West Coast Florida.