WEKL

Infobox Radio station
name = WEKL


city = Augusta, Georgia
area = CSRA
branding = "Eagle 105.7"
slogan = "Augusta's Classic Rock"
airdate =
frequency = 105.7 MHz
format = Classic rock
power =
erp = 100.000 watts
haat = 371 meters
class = C
facility_id = 59250
callsign_meaning = "Eagle" (The station's moniker)
former_callsigns =
owner = Clear Channel Communications
sister_stations =
webcast = [http://www.eagle1057.com/cc-common/streaming_new/index.html?refreshed=yes Listen Live]
website = [http://www.eagle1057.com/main.html www.eagle1057.com]
affiliations =

WEKL, also known as "Eagle 105.7" is a Classic rock station located in Augusta, Georgia. The station is licensed by the FCC to broadcast on 105.7 FM with a ERP of 100 kw.

Station History

105.7 signed on as WAUG-FM. The station was sold in 1980 and became WYMX with a Album Rock format known as "Rock 106". This format lasted until 1984 when it became WFMG with an Adult Contemporary format known as "M105". WFMG became "Sunny 105" in early 1986 under the WZNY call letters, but kept the AC format.

In 1994, WZNY was acquired by Savannah Valley Broadcasting, which owned longtime CHR outlet WBBQ. A format and airstaff swap was done in August of that year as WBBQ went AC and WZNY became CHR. At first, the station was known on air as "WZNY 105.7", but adopted the "Y105" handle within a year's time.

With former WBBQ program director Bruce Stevens at the helm, Y105 saw a transformation that led to new top 40 voices in the market. Long-time WBBQ and Y105 morning host Mark Summers left to pursue a show at rival country station WKXC. Stevens promoted afternoon jock Ron Roberts to mornings in February 1995, and hired Mackenzie Clarke to fill the afternoon vacancy. With longtime WBBQ jock Rob Collins at middays and Michael Chase (now asst. program director at WSTR-FM) at nights, Y105 became the top 40 powerhouse the market had long lacked since WBBQ's heyday. Y105 saw unprecedented success in a more diverse Augusta radio market.

Both WZNY and WBBQ were donated to the Medical College of Georgia in 1997 after George Weiss, the owner of both stations, succumbed to cancer. MCG then sold the stations to Cumulus Broadcasting for 14 Million in order to establish the Weiss Endowment for Research for cancer research.

That was the beginning of the end for Y105. After a tumultuous period of transition, Cumulus market manager Gary Pizzati terminated Roberts, who left to host mornings at WABB in Mobile, Alabama. After seven years and after having the entire cluster swapped over to Clear Channel in a multi-market deal, Clear Channel aired Ace & TJ via syndication, with Michelle Mitchell hosting middays and then-program director TJ McKay at afternoons. Station ratings plummeted.

In September, 2004, WZNY stunted with a ticking clock sound effect that ended in the afternoon. When the stunting ended, "105.7 The Bull" was born as a Gold-leaning Country outlet with the new call letters of WIBL.

On August 13th, 2007, WIBL traded frequencies with sister Classic Rock outlet WEKL, moving WIBL's Country format to 102.3 re-launching it as "102.3 The Bull", while WEKL moved to 105.7, becoming "Eagle 105.7"

The station is owned by Clear Channel Communications.

Station Alumni

Mark Summers (former WBBQ mornings; currently in sales for Beasley Broadcasting/Augusta, Ga)Michael Chase (former night host, music director, assistant program director; currently asst. program director for WSTR/Atlanta, Ga)Ron Roberts (former morning host; former program director for KQID/Alexandria, La, former morning host for WABB/Mobile, Al, current program director,WWXM (Mix 97.7) Myrtle Beach.Mackenzie Clarke (former afternoon and morning co-host; former mornng host for Coast 92.5/Charleston, SC)now works for WRDK/Weichert Realtors.

External links

* [http://www.eagle1057.com/main.html Eagle 105.7's website]
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