WDEN-FM

Infobox Radio station
name = WDEN


city = Macon, Georgia
area = Macon and Vicinity
branding = "#1 Country 99 WDEN"
slogan = "A Country Music Radio Heritage For Over 40 Years!"
airdate =
frequency = 99.1 MHz
format = Modern Country
erp = 100,000 watts
haat =
class = C1
facility_id =
coordinates =
callsign_meaning = The word "den"
former_callsigns =
owner = Cumulus Media
licensee = Cumulus Licensing, LLC
sister_stations = WAYS, WDDO, WIFN, WLZN, WMAC, WMGB, WPEZ
webcast =
website = http://www.wden.com/
affiliations =

WDEN (branded as "#1 Country 99") is a radio station serving the Macon, Georgia area with a Country music format. This station broadcasts on FM frequency 99.1 MHz and is under ownership of Cumulus Media.Until December 2000 WDEN was on 105.3 on the FM dial, for about a month WDEN simulcasted on 105.3 and 99.1 until the switch was complete. The day after Christmas in 2000 105.3 went dead and 99.1 took over. Until 2002 WDEN was owned by US Broadcasting. WDEN has been broadcasting in the middle Georgia market for over 40 years and is the top rated country music in the area. It is home to the popular "Early Morning Crew" morning show, featuring radio personality Laura Starling and Vance Shepherd. The Early Morning Crew formerly featured Laura Starling and program director Gerry Marshall, who retired in 2004. The current program director of the station is Bobby Reed, and Gail Daniels is the featured air personality during the midday time slot. WDEN is an active participant in the community as well as charitable affairs, conducting a local St. Jude Radiothon for the St. Jude's Children's Hospital annually.In the 1990s WDEN became popular because of then afternoon drive host Rick Knight(now at 104.9 in Dubblin,GA ),let his listeners blow off some steam by talking about everything from Football to Nascar. Knight who was known for his trade mark saying "Yeah Buddy" to counter Atlanta Morning jock Mr.Moby's "Yeah Baby".WDEN's signal reaches Atlanta's Southside, which what allowed Knight to become a star. These listeners would often tune away from the Atlanta stations in the afternoon to hear Knight's banter with listeners and sidekick Maintenance Man Corbin. After WDEN was sold in 2002, Knight was fired, which outraged listeners. In the 70s, WDEN FM radio personalities included Grady Spires, Don Denver, Ray McDonald, Terry Culpepper, Aubrey Hammock,and Meridith (Buddy Wheeler). Hammock and Wheeler both had worked at WNEX in Macon together in the mid 70s as well as several other Middle Georgia stations

External links

* [http://www.wden.com/ #1 Country 99 WDEN - Official Site]
*FMQ|WDEN
*FML|WDEN