WKZQ-FM
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| City | Forestbrook, South Carolina |
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| Broadcast area | Myrtle Beach, South Carolina |
| Branding | 96.1 KZQ |
| Slogan | The Grand Strand's Alternative |
| Frequency | 96.1 MHz |
| First air date | March 11, 1985 |
| Format | Alternative Rock |
| ERP | 8,500 watts |
| HAAT | 265.4 meters |
| Class | C2 |
| Facility ID | 13890 |
| Transmitter coordinates | 33°35′27.00″N 79°2′55.00″W / 33.5908333°N 79.0486111°W |
| Former callsigns | WAVF (1985-2008) |
| Owner |
Alpha Media (Alpha Media Licensee LLC) |
| Sister stations | WMYB, WRNN, WRNN-FM, WYAV |
| Webcast | Listen Live |
| Website | wkzq.net |
WKZQ-FM (96.1 FM, "96-1 KZQ") is an Alternative rock radio station licensed to Forestbrook, South Carolina and serves the Grand Strand area. The station is licensed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to broadcast at 96.1 MHz with an effective radiated power (ERP) of 8,500 watts.
The format and call sign WKZQ-FM had been on 101.7 MHz since the late 1970s before a frequency swap on September 23, 2008.
WKZQ-FM signed on July 3, 1969. Originally on 101.7 MHz, WKZQ was established as a "beautiful music" automated station, operating out of the back room of its big sister AM rocker, WTGR. At one point WKZQ played middle of the road music during the day, and Top 40 at night when WTGR had to go off the air. In the mid-1970s General Manager Bill Hennecy transitioned to an oldies format with limited live announcers in AM drive (Hennecy), afternoons (J. Patrick Milan), and night (Tom Walters). Other day parts were automated until Hennecy hired Greg Fowler who took the FM station live and progressively formatted it to a mix of Top 40 and oldies with female Personality Linda King along with (Bad) Brad Todd with the overnight duties when Rock 102 went 24 hours live in 1975..
During the 1980s WKZQ had a full-time Top 40 format. WTGR became WKZQ and began simulcasting the FM. In 1985, Marv Clark was morning host and The Freakin' Deacon was also a DJ. When the FM station increased power from 3,000 to 50,000 watts in 1989, the format changed to rock.
On March 11, 1997, Tony Hirsh announced he was buying WKZQ and WKZQ-FM from Tom Rogers, president of Grand Strand Broadcasting, which had owned both stations since each signed on.
Under the direction of Hennecy and Fowler Q-102 overtook its sister station and went on to become Billboard Magazine's Station of the Year and won numerous Brandon 'Station of the Year' awards. Notable rock jocks who passed through 'KZQ were Sirius Satellite Radio host and programmer, Human Numan (who was known as Shotgun Jeff Stone), the late Bob Decay (killed in auto accident in late '70s), Kenn Heinlein (WLS' Citizen Kenn), The Freakin' Deacon, Brian Phillips, Jay Charland, Mike Urben, John Van Pelt, Chuckie Boo Boo "Boo" Baron (who was named by James Brown!), Bob Chase, Mike Willis, Scott Summers, Marv Clark, Henry Kaye, Chris William, John Kilgo, Ray Mariner, Jack Boston, and Fowler, who left to become manager of country sensation, Alabama. As of May 21, 2009, Milan, Van Pelt, Jack Murphy and Deacon, can be heard online at QRockRadio.
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Wikipedia