FORMAT SHIFT TO MORE POSITIVE COUNTRY
After several years of operating primarily as a tribute station to WJJD in Chicago, I have deemed it necessary to make a few slight changes.
Listeners will now notice a shift towards more music that is "positive country" mixed with some lighter contemporary Christian tunes, in a music blend somewhat like the old 'Walk' station in Greenville, S.C. However, WJJD includes a lot more country, and classic country tunes, unlike the 'Walk.' It's a new radio adventure and a fresher sound for our station.
The new format officially launched on Monday, June 8.
WHY?
Unfortunately, the station has been in a tight financial situation for the past few months, as listener donations have dwindled for the past few months. Since the first of the year, the demand for classic country alone seems to have peaked, at least for us. I am now finding it necessary to locate sponsors and advertisers to stay on the air, as there's not enough contributions from listeners to maintain a "tribute" station any longer. This is unfortunate, but this is reality and the cost of operating a station must be met if the station is to remain on the air.
THE COST OF BROADCASTING
I estimate the cost of broadcasting for the coming year to be approximately $3600. Our PRO contract is up for renewal later this summer and I hope to be able to continue.
Here's the rough breakdown:
1.) Streaming/bandwidth/music license fees to Live365: $1800
a. Royalties to ASCAP, BMI, SESAC and SoundExchange: $900
b. Streaming, software, bandwidth, storage to Live365: $900
2.) Building renovation: $1800
A 10x20 building has been donated to us. This will become the new home for the station, with a combo on-air studio, production area, office area and music storage. The building will require painting, insulation, additional electrical work, inside wall, additional windows, and air conditioning. Total cost is estimated at $1800.
CONTRIBUTE TO WJJD
If you enjoy our station and music, please consider making a donation now to help us during our contract renewal time.
Here are a couple of ways to do so:
It is now possible to donate to the station via Paypal!
Delta Star Radio's Paypal email address to use is alanmccal (at) hotmail (dot) com. I attempted to place a PayPal button here and am not geeky enough to figure out how to do it! However, this PayPal account is strictly for use by Delta Star Radio of Florida, Inc. Therefore, all funds received are used only for station purposes.
You may also mail a contribution to us:
Delta Star Radio of Florida Inc.
Attn: Alan McCall
2625 Doll Place
Tallahassee, FL 32311
THE BUDGOMETER SHOWS HOW WE'RE DOING:
JULY REVENUE/CONTRIBUTIONS TO DATE: $65.00
Thank you for listening and for your support!
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. WJJD began its run as a "country giant" in 1965.
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. Most are unrecognizable as any type of "heritage" station, instead offering syndicated or brokered programs, with little personality of its own.
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 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. Program directors from stations around the country would travel to Chicago, listening to the formatics and programming of this country music station.
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 THE WJJD OF TODAY
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 corporation, but is not a 501(c)3, allowing us to sell advertising if necessary to sustain the broadcast endeavors. Our radio studios are located just outside of Tallahassee, Fla.
WJJD BROADCASTING AT 32 KBPS BITRATE
The majority of our listeners have broadband. WJJD is now broadcasting at a bitrate of 32k. This seems to be the best bitrate for reaching both dial-up and broadband listeners.
WJJD IS A "PRO" LEVEL STATION
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 making a donation or becoming a sponsor of our programming.
It costs a minimum of $150 per month to operate.
If you are a business, organization or individual that would be interested in supporting us via advertising/sponsorship, please contact me via email or snail mail address below.
CONTACT US
You are welcome to write us:
Delta Star Radio of Florida Inc/WJJD
c/o Alan McCall
2625 Doll Place
Tallahassee, FL 32311-5324
Email me: alanmccal@hotmail.com
Thanks to all of you who are helping create the best country station ever!
