Good Morning:
Northcentral
Just after hitting send on Thursday's IRW, we received the unfortunate news that Ed Moore passed away on Wednesday morning at age 77.
Ed's father Clarence Moore founded Crown Broadcast (in 1952) and later founded Progressive Broadcasting System. In 1960, Ed was the Crown Broadcast Sales Manager, before the draft called. After two years of military service, he became responsible for WCMR (1270am, Elkhart) and WXAX-FM (104.7fm, Elkhart), later becoming GM.
At the end of the 1960s, Fort Wayne called, as Clarence Moore founded 1090am (WFWR) and 101.7fm (WCMX), both as Christian radio stations. Ed became the Fort Wayne station manager. In 1976, Clarence Moore sold both frequencies for $630,000. That's when Ed returned to Elkhart and WCMR/WXAX. WXAX became WFRN in the springtime of 1979.
As a family focused religious radio station, the WFRN network grew in the 1990s (WFRR/Walton and WFRI/Winamac, along with several translators). The network covered from southwest Lower Michigan to Kokomo. Ed remained President and GM until he passed away. Also, Ed was a major Crown Broadcast stockholder and longtime member of the Board of Directors. You can read more of the WFRN story, along with a WFRN memorial to Mr. Moore. The WFRN network has one of the highest listenership percentages in the nation.
Outside of Indiana, Ed and his brother Clyde did missionary work for 4VEH in Haiti. Ed also served on the 4VEH Board of Directors for nearly two decades.
Visitation will be this Friday February 17 from 11am until 2pm and 4pm until 7pm. Also, on Saturday February 18 from 9am until 11am, with a service to follow. Both the visitation and service will be at Calvary Assembly of God, 1010 E Mishawaka Rd., Elkhart, IN 46517.
If you have a remembrance of Mr. Moore, please send me an e-mail. I will print some of those e-mails in Thursday's Indiana RadioWatch.
Northwest
FCR Broadcasting, Inc. has their CP for W285DY (104.9fm, Lafayette) deleted by the FCC. The CP expired in early January.
Central
After five years with "Hank" and 44 years in radio, MD/Midday host JD Cannon will retire from Emmis' Country/WLHK (97.1fm, Shelbyville). Before joining "Hank," Mr. Cannon worked for 32 years at Cumulus' Country/WFMS (95.5fm, Fishers). A Country Radio Hall of Fame inductee, Mr. Cannon will continue as Brand Ambassador and will sometimes do an airshift. In our "Employment Opportunities" section below, you will find the link to Emmis' career page, including this upcoming opening.
Westcentral
Midwest Communications' N/T WPRS (1440am, Paris, Illinois) changes call letters to WBOW.
Southwest
Cromwell's Oldies/WVJS (1420am, Owensboro, Kentucky) adds an FM translator: 250 watt W225CL (92.9fm, Owensboro, Kentucky). WVJS ("Your Greatest Hits") formerly had a translator on 100.5fm (W263BG), but that's now a Hip Hop format ("Vibe"), as a simulcast of WXCM-HD2 (97.1fm, Whitesville, Kentucky). Cromwell moved W225CL from Mattoon, Illinois.
This Week in Indiana Radio History
Sign-on dates seem to be a prickly matter, subject to great debate, and mostly impossible to confirm. If there's something we need to add to the "calendar," please let us know. Please e-mail us if you have updated information.
February 12: In 2002, former Booth American (WJVA 1580am/WZZP 103.9fm) South Bend GM Vincent Fasolo ("Vince Ford") dies. Age 73.
February 13: In 2010, Larry Aiken, former owner of Evansville's WGBF(AM) and FM passes away. Age 70. In 1997, WOWO PD Gary Noe passes away. Age 49.
February 14: In 1953, 1220am in Salem signs on as WSLM (and still is). In 1965, 990am in Muncie signs on as WERK. In 1966, 1290am in New Albany signs on as WREY. It's now deleted. Also in 1966, WBDG (90.9fm, Indianapolis) signs on with a full programming schedule, at 10 watts. In 1978, Indianapolis' WFBQ (94.7fm, Indianapolis) dropped the "TM Stereo Rock" automated format, and went live and local. In 1993, Channel 27 in Jasper signed on as W27BG. It's now on Channel 18 as WJTS-CD ("Watch Jasper's Television Station").
February 15: In 1968, Channel 22 in Vincennes signs on as WVUT-TV, where it remains today. In 1998, former WBAA(AM) Chief Engineer Ralph Townsley dies. Age 87. In 2005, high school play by play man and Metro Networks News Source bureau chief Rod Brooks dies. Age 50. Mr. Brooks was the first voice heard in 1971 when WEEM (91.7fm, Pendleton) signed on the air.
February 16: In 2011, former Paoli radio station owner (1560am, 95.3fm) Virginia A. King passes away. Age 90.
February 17: In 1964, 930am in Centerville signs on, and it's still WHON. In 2003, WGSN (102.7fm, Elkhart) becomes WLEG.
February 18: In 1992, WOWO's legendary host Jack Underwood passes away. Age 66. It's also your editor's birthday.
Employment Opportunities
That's all for this issue. Thank you for your continued support.
=============== Indiana RadioWatch ===============
Indiana RadioWatch is (c) 2017, Blaine E. Thompson
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