WCCG

WCCG
City Hope Mills, North Carolina
Broadcast area Fayetteville, North Carolina
Branding WCCG 104.5 - "The Hip Hop Station."
Slogan Fayetteville's 1st Choice for Hip Hop and R&B.
Frequency 104.5 MHz
Format Mainstream Urban
ERP 6,000 watts
HAAT 84 meters
Class A
Facility ID 17529
Transmitter coordinates 34°56′34″N 78°51′41″W / 34.94278°N 78.86139°W / 34.94278; -78.86139
Owner Dr James E Carson
Website wccg1045fm.com

WCCG is an American radio station licensed to broadcast to Hope Mills, NC on FM frequency of 104.5 MHz with 5,000 kW of power. The station is programmed with an Mainstream Urban music format and carries the Ricky Smiley Morning Show.

History

The 104.5 frequency was allocated in 1986. Among the applicants were John Dawson of WQSM. Dr. James Carson, a former Fayetteville State University vice chancellor, applied with the FCC in 1987 and was awarded a construction permit three years later. On April 16, 1997, WCCG signed on with commercial-free classical music performed on a piano. The station was not yet at full power.[1]

"The Vibe" began broadcasting at 6000 watts June 19, 1997 with "Love and Happiness" by Al Green. The format was classic R&B with such artists as Marvin Gaye, the Supremes, the Shirelles, Brook Benton, Wilbert Harrison, Rick James, Ruth Brown, James Brown, and Ike and Tina Turner. Ron Scurry was morning host, and Tracey Vee, another DJ, went by the name "TV on Your Radio." WFLB was the area's other oldies station.[2]

On November 13, 2000, The Vibe stopped playing older music except on Saturdays, switching to a mix of current R&B and 80s and 90s hits but no rap, intending to reach a younger audience. B. B. Holland, "Bam-Bam" from WRCQ, became the new host of "Wake Up Shake Up." Sonny Pagan, formerly of WKQB, was the new operations manager.[3] The change gave The Vibe its best ratings ever.[4]

In October 2002, WCCG played James Brown's "The Payback" for several days, leading to rumors of a format change. One woman nearly called 911, fearing someone was holding the station hostage. Although Carson denied any change was coming,[5] WCCG was soon calling itself "Hot 104.5"[6] and playing more rap.[7]

In 2005, WCCG dropped the morning show "240 Degrees of Therapy" and replaced it first with music and then with Steve Harvey (who was replaced in 2009).[8][9][10]

Jose "Chico" Vargas hosted a Spanish language show, "Caliente 104.5," on WCCG during 2003 but was fired for offensive comments about a woman he considered a friend. Spanish-language programming returned on Sunday afternoons August 20, 2006, with "Domingo Tropical," including news, Reggaeton, salsa, merengue and Latin jazz. Also, afternoon host Vic Frost was replaced with Michael Baisden, and the station dropped its old school rap programming for a younger audience.[11][12]

WCCG promotes Production Manager, Kalim Hasan to Program Director in 2006, becoming the youngest Urban AC Program Director in the South Eastern US. Under the direction of Kalim Hasan, WCCG has gravitated to a larger younger listening audience, 24-hour live on-air jocks and mix shows, and a more diverse play list including new music by artists such as; B.O.B, Roscoe Dash, Drumma Boy, Tyga, French Montana, and more.

WCCG began playing Old School Rap music on September 21, 2009. After that it play Hip Hop and R&B and in 2011 they switched their name WCCG FM 104.5 "The Hip Hop Station" and picked up Big Bruce in the morning for 2 years, then in 2011 WCCG began playing the Rickey Smiley Morning Show.

WCCG launches the largest FREE community Hip Hop and R&B concert in Fayetteville, North Carolina, which is held every 4th Friday of July, every year since 2004: dubbed, "The Soul Summer Music Festival in 2009" - Then changed the title of the concert to "The Summer Music Festival in 2010"

References

  1. ↑ Michael Futch, "New Station No Overnight Endeavour," The Fayetteville Observer, April 27, 1997.
  2. ↑ Michael Futch, "Radio Station WCCG Starts Oldies Format," The Fayetteville Observer, June 22, 1997.
  3. ↑ Michael Futch, "'The Vibe' Tries to Shake Things Up," The Fayetteville Observer, November 26, 2000.
  4. ↑ Michael Futch, "WKML Tops Radio Ratings," The Fayetteville Observer, August 21, 2001.
  5. ↑ Michael Futch, "WCCG Gets Funky with 'The Payback'," The Fayetteville Observer, October 27, 2002.
  6. ↑ Myron B. Pitts, "Will 'Biker Boyz' Be Another Hit Black Film?", The Fayetteville Observer, January 31, 2003.
  7. ↑ Julia Oliver, "DJs Help Promote Reading," The Fayetteville Observer, December 13, 2004.
  8. ↑ Michael Futch, "Radio Stations Drop Shows," The Fayetteville Observer, September 25, 2005.
  9. ↑ Michael Futch, "Steve Harvey in Fayetteville," The Fayetteville Observer, November 6, 2005.
  10. ↑ Michael Futch, "WMGU Hopes Its 'Magic' Will Succeed in Urban Market," The Fayetteville Observer, April 7, 2009.
  11. ↑ Vargas Says He Wants to Clear Name After Being Fired," The Fayetteville Observer, November 23, 2003.
  12. ↑ Michael Futch, "Hispanic Program Makes Its Debut," The Fayetteville Observer, August 27, 2006.
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