WSMW

Infobox Radio Station


name = WSMW
city = Greensboro, North Carolina
area = Piedmont Triad
branding = 98.7 Simon
slogan = "We Play Everything"
airdate =
frequency = 98.7 MHZ
format = Variety Hits
power = 100,000 watts
class = C0
haat = 375 meters
facility_id = 71272
coordinates = coord|35|56|42|N|79|51|45|W|type:landmark
owner = Entercom
sister_stations = WJMH, WPAW, WQMG-FM
website = [http://www.987simon.com www.987simon.com]
callsign_meaning = W SiMon W

WSMW / Simon FM) is a Variety Hits station licensed to Greensboro, North Carolina and serves the Piedmont Triad region, including High Point and Winston Salem. The Entercom outlet broadcasts at 98.7 MHz with an ERP of 100 kW (a signal so large it reaches as far as Charlotte, Raleigh, and Roanoke, Virginia).

History

On January 9, 1958, WMDE signed on at 98.5. Owner Hall Electronics had used the ham radio call sign W4MDE. In the early 60s WMDE moved to 98.7, a frequency used from 1948 to 1950 by WCTP. Early formats on WMDE included classical music, middle of the road and jazz. In 1966 WMDE played country music and aired Tobacco Radio Network news. Suburban Broadcasting sold WMDE to Mido Broadcasting in 1973 and the station became WPET-FM, airing Southern gospel music.

Starting November 1, 1973, the station went Top 40 as WRQK, known as "K-99" [http://www.geocities.com/rdurw/wozn.html, Retrieved on 2008/08/26.] . Later the name became "99-RQK." In 1985 the station changed to WKSI "98-7 Kiss FM," still playing Top 40, but would evolve to Modern-leaning Adult Top 40 by 1995 (after a brief stint as a country station "98-7 Kiss Country"). The station would also change its slogan to "The Point" in 1997 and by 2002 changed it again to "The Zone" and its calls to WOZN. In 2005 the station would join the list of stations embracing the Variety Hits concept by introducing "Simon" to the market. The slogan is a reference to the children's game "Simon Says," but it also refers to whatever the jockless station plays in its music library.

The station

The station has two regular hosts: Jeff Wicker and Skip "The Prize Guy". The radio station's morning show, The Wicker Show, is named after Jeff Wicker. Jeff was voted "best triad radio personality" for 2007 (GoTriad.com) Skip came in 4th.

The station is partially dedicated to playing music of every genre, era, and style. Music ranging from today's hits to 80's music and older classics are played. Several slogans, such as "Random Rules" or "We play everything" demonstrate this dedication to a wide variety of music.

References

External links

* [http://www.987simon.com SIMON SAYS.....]
* [http://www.radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/pat?call=WSMW&service=FM&status=L&hours=U WSMW-FM on Radio-Locator.com]