THE "COUNTRY GIANT" SLOGAN AND BRANDING
The "country giant" slogan was used quite extensively throughout the U.S. during the 1960s and 70s. Many of the stations using this term were located in small towns, but this was not always the case. Sometimes it was used on stations in big cities as well. Many of the station jingles and IDs of this era had a very distinctive sound. This is the type of station sound I'm working to recreate.
HISTORY OF WJJD
Many of the historic radio station is U.S. broadcast history are gone - some have gone silent; others have gone through ownership and format changes over the years.
One of these was WJJD, first put on the air in 1924 by J.J. Davies in 1924 at Moosehart, the Moose Club Children's Home, located north of Aurora, Illinois. It was reallocated to Chicago in 1941 and operated on "limited hours" from 1941 to 1980.
WJJD had a number of formats. I'm particularly interested in the format switch from Top-40 to country in 1965. The first record played was Buck Owens' "I've Got A Tiger by the Tail." Under the guidance of program director Chris Lane, WJJD went on to be a trendsetter, featuring such air personalities as Art Nelson, Roy Stingley, Ted Clark, Rich Osborn, Mark Edwards, Mike Larsen and a number of others. WJJD was also the home of the 'Suppertime Frolic' with Randy Blake.
WJJD was quite a trendsetter - if WJJD "broke a record" on the air by being the first to play it, you could bet other country stations across the U.S. would soon be playing it as well.
Despite 73 years of history, this station died quietly on April 8, 1997. Chicago's 1160 is now WYLL, owned by Salem Communications. Very little original WJJD program material has survived. I am grateful to those who have contributed aircheck tapes, jingles and IDs and music!
ABOUT WJJD "THE COUNTRY GIANT REVISITED"
The tribute to WJJD was launched on July 27, 2003 by Alan McCall, under the Delta Star Radio of Florida, Inc. Florida nonprofit corporation. Delta Star is a Florida nonprofit, but is not a 501(c)3, allowing us to sell advertising if necessary to sustain the broadcast endeavors. One of these is the Internet broadcast of The Country Giant.
A FEW CHANGES TO OUR BROADCAST
Effective April 26, 2008, the cost of our Internet broadcast increased due to the extra royalty burdens imposed on 'net radio. We are now operating as a PRO station and are selling our own advertising.
NOW BROADCASTING AT 32 KBPS BITRATE!
Originally, we had many listeners in the boonies on dial-up systems who could only receive the station at this 8 kbps. Also, much of the music and jingles are very old and were recorded only in mono.
Today, the majority of listeners have broadband. We have obtained a new computer to be dedicated solely for the Internet stream. WJJD is now broadcasting at a new bitrate of 32k.
STATION BECOMES "PRO" LEVEL!
The Country Giant is a "professional" level station running our own ads and promotions. If you like and appreciate the type of music and programming offered here, please consider sending us a donation or becoming a sponsor of our programming.
It costs a minimum of $147 per month to operate at the pro level. If you are a business, organization or individual that would be interested in supporting us via advertising/sponsorship, please contact me at the email and/or snail mail address below.
OUR ARTISTS AND THE MUSIC WE PLAY
The Country Giant plays not only current country, but also a very healthy dose of classic country at a deeper level that that normally heard on terrestrial radio classic country stations. You'll hear artists like Merle Haggard, George Jones, Loretta Lynn, Tammy Wynette, Mel Tillis, Sonny James, and more along with today's country stars.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS
Dry-Tech Carpet/Upholstery Cleaning
Earn up to $500 a day in one of America's fastest-growing service industries! Free 16 page report: Dry Tech, 22212 Camay Court, Calabasas, CA 91302 or call (800) 507-7222.
MALL OF THE WORLD
www.themalloftheworld.com/deltastarradio
Books * Music * Videos * Video Games * Home and Office * Hardware * Puzzles and Posters * Watches and Jewelry * Half-Price Specials * and much more! 50% of each purchase price is donated back to us!
DISH NETWORK
www.vmcsatellite.com/
Delta Star Radio is an authorized DISH NETWORK representative!
MAGIC KIDS
www.magickidsusa.com
Referral Code: MK-21304
Easily affordable..children's clothing at low prices!
CLICKBANK MARKETPLACE
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CONTACT US
You are welcome to write us:
Delta Star Radio/WJJD
c/o Alan McCall
2625 Doll Place
Tallahassee, FL 32311-5324
Email us: alanmccal@hotmail.com
A WORD OF THANKS TO OUR DONORS!
To those of you who have contributed financially, or with other donations, please accept my sincerest thanks. I am very grateful for those of you who help WJJD The Country Giant to continue our broadcasts!
Thanks to:
Dan and Gail McCall - Thanks for everything!
Gaylen Jungling and Associates - Thanks for sponsoring Sunday mornings!
Dave and Paula Hubert
Triny Weaver
Rev. James and Maree Peacock
Casey Donovan Family
Dr. Allan and Rita Dean
Tim and Tina Seager
Frances Dennard
Walt Marcis - Thanks for the original WJJD airchecks! Priceless.
Randy Ness - Thanks for the country music!
Erwin O'Conner - Thanks for the country and gospel records!
Frank Ley - Thanks for building our new streaming computer!
Stephen Burke - Thanks for the unexpected gospel mp3 collection!
Thanks to all of you for helping me create the best country station ever!
