WKMK

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WKMK - 98.5 FM, Ocean Acres, New Jersey.

Contents 1 Early History 2 B98.5 3 G Rock Radio 4 Jersey Kountry K98.5 5 Coverage Area

[edit] Early History

98.5 was granted the WQNJ calls on February 7, 1990. Even before this station hit the air, it had extensive coverage in the local newspapers, because it was to be the first commercial station to hit the air in Ocean County since WJRZ signed on in 1976. 98.5 was originally owned by Seaira, Inc., a local company that was headed by Pat Parson, a former WCBS-AM news anchor from 1970 to 1990 and a former alumnus of WERA in Plainfield. Pat originally planned 98.5 to be a live and local Smooth Jazz station, using the slogan "Cloud Nine," with an original sign-on date of Spring 1991. However, that sign-on date changed many times, due mostly because of antenna clearances that had to be taken care of prior to signing on. In late 1992, with Seaira not having enough financial backing to sign on themselves with a local format, 98.5 entered into an agreement with D&K Broadcasting (the owners of WJLK at the time.) On February 11, 1993, WQNJ began on-air testing and on March 10, 1993, officially signed on with a simulcast of WJLK. It was pretty much a 100% simulcast, with the exception of local commercial cut-ins and on weekday mornings at 6, 7, 8 and 9am, Pat Parson would do a 5 minute newscast. This basic format lasted until 1996 when it was announced that Nassau Broadcasting had purchased the station (and others in the Jersey Shore area.)

[edit] B98.5

Pat Parson's newscasts were soon dropped - but the simulcast continued on until Memorial Day weekend in 1997 when 98.5 broke away from WJLK and branched out on its own as "B-98.5 - The Jersey Shore's Hit Music Station." The first song played on "B-98.5" was the Spice Girls "Wannabe". On July 11, 1997, the calls were changed to WBBO. In 2002, Nassau sold WBBO (along with WOBM and WJLK) to Millennium Radio Group. In April 2003, it was announced that Millennium was selling WBBO to Press Communications, who ironically enough, was the original applicant for 98.5 in the late 1980's. In August 2004, Press officially took over WBBO. It was, however a format popular with its fans. To this day fans continue to voice their support with a petition appearing on the internet with over 970 signatures as of 4/05/07.

Sign the petition [here.]

ALUMNI

Original Staff * Neil Sullivan, Program Director 1997-1999 * Fox Feltman (aka. Alan Fox), Assistant Program Director/Music Director, Afternoons 97-1999 * Jessica Taylor, Mid day host, 1999 * Andy Chase, Promotions and Swing jock 1997-2003, morning host 2003-2004 * Mike and Diane, Mornings 1998-1999 * JC, Nights 1997-1999

[edit] G Rock Radio

On February 18, 2005, 98.5 started simulcasting sister station WHTG "G-106.3" from Eatontown and became GRock Radio. On July 5, 2006, 98.5 changed calls to WKOE as part of a switch with new move-in 106.5 in Bass River Township. WKOE was formerly located at 106.3 in Ocean City On July 24, 2006 at midnight, the simulcast on 98.5 ceased.

[edit] Jersey Kountry K98.5

Later on July 24, 2006, after "stunting" with playing The Eagles "New Kid In Town" over and over for 12 hours, 98.5 debuted as "K-98.5: Real Jersey Kountry" and new call letters of WKMK were assigned at 10 AM that day. The first song played was Alan Jackson's "She's Gone Country."

[edit] Coverage Area

98.5's signal blankets Ocean & southern Monmouth counties. It could be heard as far south as the northern fringes of the Atlantic City area, and as far north as the Asbury Park/Tinton Falls area. It could be heard as far west as Mount Holly. Sometimes 98.5 could be heard faintly in parts of the Philadelphia area.

Official Website: http://www.k985radio.com