WOWQ "105.1 The Wolf" (Waverly, TN) flips to Variety Hits

[615 FM]

That would be exciting for you if you would be able to move the station northward. I believe that when I lived in Clarksville, I was at the northern edge of their coverage area. Covering Hopkinsville, too, would likely give you a better chance of survival. I hope that you are (soon) able to do that. I remember that when I worked at the old WDXN, they were owned by TennAire Communications, who had an option at the time (1993) of buying 105.1. I know that all of that fell through after I moved away shortly thereafter. If you are able to move, it would almost certainly mean that I could no longer listen to your station, but moving would definitely be for the greater good.

I know of another Bryan Fowler, but he is almost certainly older than you, so I know that you are not him.

Best of luck with all that you do, carry on, and keep us up to date on what is happening. It is relatively rare for anyone actually associated with a given station to weigh in, and let us know the background of what is going on.

The new proposed move essentially took our 60dbu and moved it 15 miles north. All of Clarksville was encompassed and most of Hopkinsville. It wasn't essentially an ah-ha change, but it did fill in some holes in highly populated areas. It was to increase the population count inside the 60dbu by almost 400k persons. This is significant for any station as you know in a rural area.

I will say this, in the 6 years we have had the station I have never had a complaint about coverage in Clarksville. It sounds really good there and you can listen in about any building or home you want. There are a few places that we are plagued with multi-path but that even happens to some of the Saga Properties in the Market.

Our presence in Clarksville seems very welcomed and wanted. With us being independent and locally owned it really helps with a large segment of the Clarksville Business Owners. While I would give Saga a good report and grade for their presence in the Market, many will never accept them because they are owned by a large out of town group.

We could most likely survive indefinitely in Clarksville as just being an alternative to Saga. I mean that with the highest respect toward them.

 

[615 FM]

THIS.. right here. Many people have no idea just what's involved, what a station is really billing, the daily issues a station faces... unless they were in upper management (and many making these remarks/comments about what a station could or should do werent!).... or like you .... and to a lesser extent me, worked for good owners. Two owners I've worked for in particular I can think of were very honest with me about troubles we faced, and had an open book policy.. any time i wanted to discuss station finances, had a question, whatever.. they answered and explained.


(I say to lesser extent me, because bill.. you've worked in upper management.. I've only gone as far as PD, but I've worked for small ma and pa owners where i see the owners every day.. so that tends to lend itself to different things)

amen

 

[615 FM]

Thank you Bryan for that finely composed response. There are so many things that can affect a radio station from the obvious to the undetectable. It might be fair to state the average person has no clue until they sit in that chair as owner or General Manager assigned to operate and report directly to the owner. That perspective shows many possibilities that are not perceived by the average radio station employee much less the listener.

I am fortunate to have worked on air and in programming before being placed in sales. This knowledge of both sides of the building has led me to label programming and sales as the chicken and the egg. There's a way for sales to complement programming and vice versa.

Smart broadcasters find their niche, usually an uncrowded field, dominate and succeed. Your route as a regional signal opens up opportunities many fail to see. It's a good plan that will likely eclipse what many stations can bill meaning your station(s) are well funded and primed to coast through tough economic times with relative ease while growing the overall value of the license.

I appreciate and applaud what you're doing and hope for the return of better health for you as time goes on. And much success to you and your team.

Thank you so much for your kind words. You are correct in all of your assertations. It is a tough business today, but appears to have been that way for a long time.

Thank you again.

 

[615 FM]

I wonder if they have an endgame, or if they're just throwing things at the wall to see what sticks.

The endgame is the same as it has been since we purchased it--- to operate and make a good living while serving our Listeners and Clients. Outside of being Adult Hits for 90 days the station has been essentially doing the same thing for about 6 years. (I think the call sign changes make some radio people think it has went through a change each time. I've been shuffling and moving call signs for a while now as we divested properties and some moved to other companies, etc.).

I hope that helps. Thank you so much!

 

[615 FM]

I saw all of that after you mentioned this, Firepoint. What they heck are they calling themselves again? Seems like this is been a station of high hopes and low results. I would be wonder if $1 sell price is worth it.

It is Presently branded as 105.1FM The Wolf. This is what we have been since August 2016 (minus the Adult hits format for 90 days as 105.1 The Train)

 

[exdjted]

The endgame is the same as it has been since we purchased it--- to operate and make a good living while serving our Listeners and Clients. Outside of being Adult Hits for 90 days the station has been essentially doing the same thing for about 6 years. (I think the call sign changes make some radio people think it has went through a change each time. I've been shuffling and moving call signs for a while now as we divested properties and some moved to other companies, etc.).

I hope that helps. Thank you so much!

Thanks for clearing things up. I know everyone's endgame is to make a good living, and I really hope you can do that. I In today's economy, that isn't so easy, and having lost my best friend to Covid at 50, I understand that you haven't been able to put as much into the business as you would like. Are you going to get a website up? The info we get from Radio-Locator and Wikipedia is woefully lacking, and being out of the area it's hard to get correct info sometimes. Good on the "Wolf" calls. I am also glad to hear you are sticking with the Classic Country and not changing formats. I think one of the problems with so many stations is they panic and change EVERYTHING instead of toughing it out and building a station for the long-haul. Also, great to actually hear from a person at the actual station. Good luck with the station and your health!

 

[kc4rae]

When the station got its power increase, I could get it in Gallatin without too much work. For years, I could hear it on car radios and at home living next to the Cumberland River. Then, it kind of disappeared years later. At least around here, the elevation difference is enough for even a 50kW at 150 meter signal that far away to get here without too much of a problem. The same with WKSW which is also a C2 about the same distance away to the east.

Here's to better health for you and the hopes that things will get better. I think that what you're doing will be the key to success.