WGRF

Infobox_Radio_station
name = WGRF


city = Buffalo, New York
area = Buffalo, New York
branding = 97 Rock
slogan = Classic Rock, Classic Jocks; The Voice of the Bills; 96.9--The Mighty 97 Rock; Local Radio Made in Buffalo
airdate =
frequency = 96.9 MHz HD Radio
format = Classic rock
power =
erp = 24,000 watts
haat = 217 meters
class = B
facility_id = 56102
callsign_meaning = W George Rand FM (former owner's initials; F added to distinguish it from former sister station WGR-AM)
owner = Citadel Broadcasting
webcast = [http://www.97rock.com/article.asp?id=545389 Listen Live]
website = [http://www.97rock.com/ www.97rock.com]
sister_stations = WEDG, WHTT

WGRF is a radio station in Buffalo, New York, USA. The station's on air branding is "97 Rock". The station mostly plays Classic rock from the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. Since 2006, the station has also aired numerous rock-leaning oldies, such as songs from The Beatles, that were displaced by the format change at sister station WHTT.WGRF broadcasts at 96.9 MHz.

The WGRF morning show consists of Larry Norton, Rob Lederman, Chris Klein and their Producer Russ. Other local disc jockeys include John "J.P." Piccollo, Carl Russo, John Hager, "Slick" Tom Tiberi, Anita West, Jeff Gordon, Cindy Chan, Megan Davis, Jim McGee, and Rick Walters. WGRF's significant local presence and history in the area has made the station nearly as much of the Buffalo culture as chicken wings.

WGRF is the flagship station of the Buffalo Bills Radio Network, the official broadcast network of the Buffalo Bills of the NFL. WGRF is also the primary sponsor for the Buffalo Jills cheerleaders.

WGRF is owned by Citadel Broadcasting. Previous owners included the Taft Television and Radio Company, Rich Communications, and before Citadel, Mercury Radio Communications (who separated the longtime combination with WGR in 1995 when it bought WGRF from Rich Communications, who in turn retained WGR until selling it to the Sinclair Broadcast Group two years later). Its transmitter is located in Buffalo.

WGRF streamed its programming on the Internet up until 2002, when Internet radio collapsed because of massive regulations. In March 2006, Citadel launched an initiative that provided for the streaming of many of Citadel's stations. WGRF was one of them, and was among the first commercial stations in Buffalo to resume streaming after the collapse.

Other programming

*The Deep End with Nick Michaels
*Flashback with Bill St. James
*Breakfast with the Beatles, a local version
*Little Steven's Underground Garage
*Nights with Alice Cooper (Saturday nights only)
*The Grateful Dead Hour

WGRF is one of many stations that carries Arlo Guthrie's 1967 diatribe "Alice's Restaurant" every Thanksgiving. WGRF was also affiliated with The Source and occasionally still uses taped announcements from the network, which were voiced by Don Pardo.

External links

* [http://www.97rock.com/ Official WGRF website]
*FMQ|WGRF
*FML|WGRF
*FMARB|WGRF
* [http://www.staffannouncer.com/wysl/wysl.html 1970s Photos of 97 Rock jocks from Steve Cichon's staffannouncer.com]