WBBB

Infobox Radio Station
name = WBBB


city = Raleigh, North Carolina
area = Raleigh, North Carolina
branding = 96 Rock
slogan = "Everything That Rocks"
airdate = 1948
frequency = 96.1 (MHz)
format = Rock
power = 100,000 watts
class = C
HAAT = 300 meters
facility_id = 889
coordinates = coord|35|41|7|N|78|43|14|W|type:landmark
callsign_meaning = We're Building a Better Burlington [cite web|url=http://www.geocities.com/rduradiowaves/calls.html|title=Callsign Cryptology|accessdate=2008-07-28]
owner = Curtis Media Group
sister_stations = WQDR, WYMY, WWMY, WDOX, WPTF, WCLY
website = [http://www.96rockonline.com www.96rockonline.com]

WBBB, better known as 96rock, is a radio station out of Raleigh, North Carolina that features "Everything That Rocks". The station sign on in February of '98; playing everything from Chumbawaba to Hendrix. At the time of sign-on, WBBB was called "Real Rock, 96rock" then transitioned to "The Rock Station, 96rock" but after the second time the Carolina Hurricanes went to the Stanley Cup finals, they changed to "Championship Rock" in honor of the Carolina Hurricanes Stanley Cup run (the station was even renamed to 96.1 The Cup during this time). The station used that time period to transition into playing the more variable style of rock which continues today. The locally owned station has proven to be a rarity in the industry, investing in live and local talent throughout the day.

WBBB is owned by Don Curtis and Curtis Media Group.

Current On Air Lineup

The day begins at 5:00 AM with Salt and Demetri the Greek. They came to the station (Salt from Richmond, VA and Demetri from Birmingham, AL) in November 2005. Alli Morgan begins her airshift at 9:00 AM and ends at 2:00 PM. She joined the station in June 2008.Jay Nachlis a.k.a. Foster, the station's program director begins his airshift with market legend Bob The Blade at 2:00 PM. Foster and The Blade features include the 3 o Clock Threesome, the 4:20 Smokebreak, and the Bad Band Name of the Day. At 6:00 PM, Assistant Program Director Adam-12 begins his airshift which lasts until 11:00 PM. From 11pm-5am, the station is in "shuffle" mode, generating a random playlist that crosses eras and genres.

Bob "The Blade" Robinson was most recently in the market on competitor 106.1 WRDU, but resigned by playing "The Song Is Over" by The Who soon after the station switched formats to country. His first song on 96rock with Foster was The Who's "Long Live Rock".

The station's weekend staff consists of Stylez, Vaughn, Mark Arsen, Fat Tim, BT, McFly, and Jersey.

pecialty Programming

The station's specialty programming includes three nationally syndicated shows: Little Steven's Underground Garage, The Chop Shop, and Racing Rocks and three locally produced shows: Friday night's Very Hairy Rock Show hosted by Andy and Dave of Deep South Entertainment For Local's Only (local music showcase) hosted by Stylez and DJ Warrior, and The Hangover Café hosted by Fat Tim on Sunday mornings.

tation Sponsored Events

96 Rock has sponsored a summer concert series called Downtown Live in Moore Square Park since 2004. Past bands to perform at Downtown Live have included Puddle of Mudd, Everclear, Violent Femmes, Warrant, FireHouse (band) and Night Ranger among others. The event is always free to the public and produced by Deep South Entertainment. 96 Rock also works with Deep South Entertainment on an event called Downtown Live Rocks The Bahamas. The first Raleigh Rocks event was held at the Superclub Breezes resort in the Bahamas.

Charity Work

As a part of the Curtis Media Group, 96 Rock broadcasts live from the UNC Children's Hospital every November as part of the Children's Promise Radiothon. In 2006 the radiothon raised more than $600,000.00. The station's djs also participate in St. Baldrick's Day every year. Participants shave their heads to raise money and awareness for pediatric cancer research. There are many St. Baldrick's events in the Triangle every year. 96 Rock sponsors the one at the Hibernian in Downtown Raleigh. Other station charitable initiatives include the Special Olympics Plane Pull and The Walk For Hope for the treatment of mental illnesses.

History

The station signed on in 1949 as by the Raleigh News and Observer as WNAO-FM to simulcast sister station WNAO, 850 AM. In 1959 the station became WKIX-FM, simulcasting much of sister AM WKIX's Top 40 format. This move was out of necessity as WKIX-AM's 10 kW signal was powered down to a directional 5 kW at night, preventing the station from having full area coverage. In the 1970s, WKIX-FM changed format to easy listening WYYD. The station changed its letters to WYLT and became a satellite MOR station in the mid-80s, and began playing soft adult contemporary music soon after that. In 1994, WYLT traded call letters with co-owned WKIX and switched to country. [David Menconi, "WYLT Changes Format, Call Letters - Station Chucks Alternative Rock for Country Digs", "The News & Observer", January 5, 1994.] When the station switched to rock, the WBBB letters were taken from a Burlington, North Carolina radio station at 920 AM (which had originally signed on as WPCM). [David Menconi, "Station Opts for Format of 'Real Rock'", "The News & Observer", January 29, 1998.]

References

External links

* [http://www.96rockonline.com/ official site]
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* [http://www.geocities.com/rdurw/wbbb.html WBBB history]