WSYN

WSYN (103.1 FM, "Sunny 103.1") is a classic hits music formatted radio station licensed to Surfside Beach, South Carolina and serves the Grand Strand area. The Cumulus Media outlet is licensed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to broadcast at 103.1 MHz with an ERP of 8 kW. Its current slogan is "The Grand Strand's Greatest Hits". Its studios are located on U.S. Highway 17 in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, and its transmitter is located in Carolina Forest.

WSYN
CitySurfside Beach, South Carolina
Broadcast areaGrand Strand
Frequency103.1 MHz
BrandingSunny 103.1
SloganClassic Hits and The Most 80s
Programming
FormatClassic Hits
AffiliationsJohn Boy and Billy
Ownership
OwnerCumulus Media
(Cumulus Licensing LLC)
WDAI, WAYS, WSEA, WLFF
History
First air date
1977 (as WYAK-FM)
Former call signs
WYAK-FM (1977-2008)
Call sign meaning
"Sunny"
Technical information
Facility ID46964
ClassC3
ERP8,000 watts
HAAT161 meters (528 ft)
Transmitter coordinates
33°47′6.00″N 78°52′44.00″W
Links
WebcastListen Live
Listen Live via iHeart
Websitesunny1031.com

History
For the history of the classic hits format prior to the move to 103.1, see WLFF.

103.1 signed on as WYAK-FM "Big Yak" with a country music format in 1977. In 1985 the name changed to Y-103 under new owners who wanted a different image. WYAK DJs at that time included John Dixon, Ralph Connor and Steve Mimms. WROQ FM personality Chris Lee began his radio career at WYAK in 1985[1]

An AM frequency was added at 1270. WYAK (AM) became a separate station around 1990, first calling itself WXMB and playing southern gospel music. The AM station became WYAK again later, the first Myrtle Beach area station to air Rush Limbaugh, and broadcast the FM programming part-time. Later the AM station played R & B oldies as WCKN, using the WCIN classic oldies format,[2] but signed off.

During the mid-1990s WYAK-FM, owned by Multi-Market Radio Inc., was also heard on WVCO 94.9.[3][4] On October 1, 1996, Pinnacle Broadcasting Co., owner of WYAV, announced its purchase of WYAK, WMYB, and WRNN-FM. Pinnacle intended to continue managing WVCO,[5] though that station began separate programming in 1997.[6]

WYAK returned to the Big Yak name in 1999 and moved Rick Roberts to mornings with Tab Allen for "Big Yak Mornings with Rick and Tab". Allen's previous partner Michale Jeffries moved to middays and program director Frankie B was afternoon host.[1] After ten years, Allen was let go December 30, 1999, replaced by Holli Heart, formerly of WGTR. Dave Priest was program director for Pinnacle's stations.[7] In 2000, it reverted to the K-103 name.

WSYN and WYAK switched frequencies and were reborn as Sunny 103.1 WSYN and The Coyote 106.5 (WLFF).[8]

WSYN also switched to the "True Oldies" feed;[9] many 1950s and 1960s Oldies were once again heard. Later, with some programming also being done locally, the playlist included many 1960s oldies and also some 1950s ones as well blended in with the mostly early 1970s oldies along with some Carolina beach music classics like "Sixty Minute Man" by Billy Ward (1949).

In January 2010, Craig Russ, the Operations Manager of the Cumulus Cluster, became Program Director of the station. Personalities included Kenzie (from 104.9 BOB-FM) and Craig Russ (also former Program Director of BOB-FM) in afternoon drive.

In April 2016, WSYN added "Casey Kasem’s American Top 40 – The 80s". The station promotes the Awesome '80s Weekends.[10]

References
  1. Toby Eddings, "WYAK changes its lineup and image," The Sun News, Apr. 25, 1999.
  2. Greg Paeth, "WCIN 'Classic Oldies' format expanding into syndication," The Cincinnati Post, June 6, 1995.
  3. "Multi-Market Radio adds third Myrtle Beach station". Business Wire. 1996-08-29. Retrieved 2011-01-24.
  4. "Issue 10". mbsc.com. 1996-07-19. Retrieved 2011-01-24.
  5. Andrew Shain, "WYAV-FM Owner Buys WYAK-FM, WMYB-FM, The Sun News, October 2, 1996.
  6. Toby Eddings, "Catching Up on News in the Area," The Sun News, January 12, 1997.
  7. Toby Eddings, "Holli Heart replaces Tab Allen at WYAK," The Sun News, Jan. 16, 2000.
  8. Steve Palisin, "Radio Format and Station Changes in Progress," The Sun News, September 7, 2008.
  9. "WYAK Flips Frequencies With WSYN, Becomes 'The Wolf'". allaccess.com. 2008-04-08. Retrieved 2011-01-24.
  10. Palisin, Steve (August 4, 2016). "1980s remain ageless in age of their own". The Sun News.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.