Stereo Rock/WJOX
The simulcast ended in 1976, when 106.1 FM changed calls to WJOX, and switched to TM Programming's automated "Stereo Rock" Top 40 format. The station's morning show (hosted by local talent Jerry Barnhart) was live, but the rest of the dayparts were full automation, complete with pre-recorded song backsells from TM's John Borders, a voice who was heard on Stereo Rock stations across the country at the time. The station's moniker during this time was "Rock 106 WJOX", and it served mainly the Jackson area.
The TM format was maintained until 1981, when the station moved its tower and transmitter location from Jackson (also the station's then-city of license) to a location four miles east-north-east of the town of Springport in the northwestern part of Jackson County and increased power from 20,000 watts to 50,000 watts in preparation to invade the Lansing market with a brand new format. (WJXQ can be heard as far away as Angola, Indiana, Alma, Michigan, as far west as Kentwood on the outskirts of Grand Rapids and as far east as Novi in the western suburbs of Detroit.)
Famous quotes containing the word rock:
“Glorious things of thee are spoken, Zion city of our God!
He, whose word cannot be broken, Form’d for thee his own abode:
On the rock of ages founded, What can shake thy sure repose?
With salvation’s walls surrounded Thou may’st smile at all thy foes.”
—John Newton (1725–1807)