WBZI

Infobox Radio station
name = WBZI


city = Xenia, Ohio
area = Dayton
slogan =
branding = "Classic Country Radio"
frequency = 1500 kHz
repeater =
airdate =
share = 0.7
share as of = Wi'08
share source = R&Rcite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=Dayton Market Ratings | date= | url=http://www.radioandrecords.com/RRRatings/DefaultSearch.aspx?MarketName=Dayton&MarketRank=%20 | work =Radio & Records | pages = | date = | language = ]
format = Classic Country
power =
erp = 500 watts day
haat =
class = D
facility_id = 69992
coordinates = coord|39|42|48.00|N|83|54|48.00|W|region:US_type:city
callsign_meaning = "We're Busy"
(BZI as acronym)
former_callsigns = WGIC (1963-1984)
WBZI (1984-1985)
WLGY (1985-1987)
WBZI (1987-present)
owner = Town And Country Broadcasting, Inc.
licensee =
sister_stations = WEDI, WKFI
webcast =
website = [http://www.wbzi.com wbzi.com]
affiliations = Fox News Radio

WBZI "Classic Country Radio" is a daytime-only AM broadcasting station in Xenia, Ohio, United States, at 1500 kHz operating with 500 watts. Its current owner Town and Country Broadcasting operates it with a country oldies format serving Greene, Clark, eastern Montgomery and surrounding counties. Its downtown studios are located on West Second Street and transmitter on East Kinsey Road (the former studio location.) World news from Fox News Radio is aired at the top of the hour in addition to farm and agriculture news from the ABN throughout the day.

History

Began operation in Novermber of 1963 by founder Xenia Broadcasting Inc. as WGIC (for: "Greene Information Center.") It is Xenia and Greene County's first and oldest full service radio station. Several format changes took place on the station during the 1970s,most noted as contemporary hit-formatted "G-15" using an automation package called "Stereo Rock" produced by Dallas-based TM Productions being used successfully on FM stations at the time(notably the former WPTH in Ft Wayne,WFBQ in Indianapolis and the former WCIT-AM in Lima). The format was switched over to 95.3 FM in 1978 as "I-95"(where the WBZI calls originated.) As a result, WGIC swapped contemporary hits for southern gospel competing with crosstown rival WELX (now WGNZ).

The former WGIC and its news department played a huge role in relaying information and desperately needed help between the listening public and the local residents in the aftermath of an F5 tornado which ravaged the city of Xenia and the neighboring communities of Beavercreek and Wilberforce on April 3,1974. As such, WGIC operated on an emergency basis past its daytime hours-only license during this time.

WBZI-FM switched to country in 1980 competing with WONE (AM) in Dayton and the former WJAI-FM in Eaton.(now WGTZ.) Several other format and call letter changes took place quite frequently for the FM station throughout the 1980s and 90s. It is currently classic rock WZLR.

WBZI moved to AM 1500 in 1984 for about a year, then re-assigned later in 1988 and with it the country format (after a two year stint as WLGY from 1985 to 1987.) It is currently managed by Joe Mullins,son of Moon Mullins who retired in 2005 and passed away in 2008. Like his father,Joe is also a bluegrass musician as well as a broadcaster. In addition to managing the station,Joe is also the current afternoon personality. Bucks Braun(formerly of WONE (AM) in Dayton) is morning personality.

Classic Country Radio

... is also heard on:

AM repeaters

WKFI 1090 in Wilmington, Ohio serving southwestern Ohio,metropolitan Cincinnati and portions of Northern Kentucky.

and

WEDI 1130 in Eaton, Ohio serving Preble,western Montgomery and surrounding counties in Western Ohio and Eastern Indiana.

ource

* [http://home.cinci.rr.com/cincyradio/history.html Greater Cincinnati Radio Guide]

ee also

*WEDI
*Classic country
*Bluegrass music
*Christian country music
*Southern Gospel
*List of radio stations in Ohio

References

External links

* [http://www.myclassiccountry.com Official site of "Classic Country Radio" WBZI,WKFI and WEDI (with streaming audio)]
* [http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/amq?call=WBZI Query the FCC's AM station database for WBZI]
* [http://www.radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/finder?call=wbzi&sr=Y&s=C WBZI's technical information from Radio-Locator website]