Jukebox Radio
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Jukebox Radio was low power FM radio station known as in Dumont, NJ from 1993 to 2003 with the call letters WJUX-LP on 103.1 FM. In addition, "Jukebox radio" was heard on a Full Power Class A FM station, WJUX-FM 99.7 from Monticello, New York from 1995 until 2004. These two stations simulcast during that time period. In addition, 94.3 FM also simulcast Juxebox radio from Rockland County, New York from 1996 to 2003. "Jukebox Radio" originally played Traditional Big Band Music in 1993, then evolved to more of an adult standrards format by 1995. "Jukebox Radio' evolved into to Oldies in 1997. The station switched back to Adult Standards but emphasising more baby boomer pop in 2000. Due to legal issues, Jukebox Radio was forced to sell the stations in 2002 and today a Christian Teaching/Preaching/Praise & Worship Music format called "The Bridge occupy the dial positions.
Originally licensed as a Non-Commercial station "Jukebox Radio" hit the air on March 5, 1993 on low power station 103.1 FM with DJs Lee Martin (Morning and Afternoon Drive), Matthew Borzi (Mid-days) and Larry Hopper (Evenings). The station was owned by Jerry Turro. Jerry Turro was the chief engineer of 1130 WNEW New York City from the 1980s until 1992 when WNEW folded. That station also had a big band/adult standards format from 1981 to 1992. Jerry purchased WNEW's music library at the end of 1992 for use on Jukebox Radio.
Jukebox radio's music was originally a blend of traditionsl adult standards and big bands from the 1930s, 1940's and early 1950s. Core artists originally included Frank Sinatra, Tommy Dorsey, Mills Brothers, Peggy Lee, Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Andrews Sisters, Artie Shaw, Bing Crosby, Duke Ellington, and others. The station, initially, only played a handful of sings newer than 1955 and sounded similar to the 1981 version of 1130 WNEW.
In 1994, more easy listening artists such as Nat King Cole, Tony Bennett, Ray Charles, Lettermen, Perry Como, Jerry Vale, pre-1970 Barbara Streisand, and others were added and Jukebox began playing more of the 1960s non rock songs but no baby boomer pop just yet. Jukebox Radio was commercial free originally but each hour was underwritten by various sponsors. In 1995, WJUX was able to become a commercial station when buying commercial license 99.7 FM in Monticello, New York, which was nearly 100 miles away, becoming WJUX-FM. WJUX-LP 103.1 in Bergen County became a translator station for WJUX. But what was unusual was that the station's studios and offices and announcers were all based in Bergen County. The station transmitted from the 103.1 frequency and sent the signal through fiber optic cable to WJUX-FM in Monticello which rebroadcast the signal to the north-western section of The Hudson Valley. At this point, Jukebox Radio became a commercial station.
This radio station is famous in the broadcast radio industry, due to Jerry Turro (former chief engineer of WNEW, New York), who thought that he figured out how to legally operate an FM translator, commercially, in the #1 Market in the world, New York City. Unfortunately jealous nearby competition did not think it was legal. Miriam Warshaw, owner of AM stand-alone station 1160 WVNJ filed a lawsuit in federal court claiming that Jukebox Radio's signal was illegal because the low power station was run as the main station while the full power station was a translator. Also since the signals had little if any overlap, WJUX 99.7 Monticello was not receiving the signal from 103.1 but through fiber optic cables. The suit also claimed that 99.7 was designated to serve the Northwestern Hudson Valley and the southern Catskills and not Bergen County, but all its programming aimed at Bergen County and all its advertisers were based out of Bergen County. WVNJ had an R & B Oldies format at the time WJUX went commercial in 1995, but switched to Adult Standards early in 1996 due to low ratings. Also, WJUX had an advantage being on FM, taking potential advertisers away from WVNJ. If WVNJ could get Jukebox off the air, they assumed they would have all the advertisers to themselves.
Jukebox Radio won the first round of proceedings, but WVNJ appealed the decision to the federal appellate court. Throughout 1997, Jukebox Radio began emphasising more baby boomer pop music. Big Band artists like Tommy Dorsey and old time crooners like Bing Crosby were gone. Artists like Frank Sinatra, The Lettermen, and Johnny mathis would remain but now shared airtime with softer songs by artists like the Beatles, Elvis Presley, The Carpenters, Dion, Fats Domino, Everly Brothers, James Taylor, Paul Anka, Commodores, Kenny Rogers, The Beach Boys, Dionne Warwick, The Association, and many others. By 1998 classic rockers like The Rolling Stones, The Doors, Billy Joel, Doobie Brothers and others were mixed in. Most of the pop standards staples were eliminated. Also, more Motown artists like Stevie Wonder, Four Tops, The Miracles, The Supremes, The Temptations, and others were added. By the spring of 1998, Jukebox Radio was a broad based oldies outlet focusing on the music of 1964 to 1979 with a sprinkling of big hits from the 1980s and the 1955-1963 era.
Over the years, people such as Chuck Leonard, Jimmy Howes, Max Kinkel, Lee Arnold, Bill Owen, Stan Martin, Mike Egan, Mark Summers, Nick Straka and Bobby Ryan worked at the Jukebox. In terms of selling advertising, Jukebox was very successful. The oldies format did fairly well for the station. Max Kinkel, Jimmy Howes, Stan Martin, Lee Arnold and Mark Summers have received Marconi Award honors. Chuck Leonard is now in the Radio Hall of Fame and was the first African American DJ breaking the color barrier in New York City, working at 77-WABC Radio 1965-1979. Local News was delivered by Mike Prelee (WNEW-AM) and David Matthau (son of Walter Matthau).
In 2000, however, it was decided that Jukebox Radio would go back to adult standards but more of a hybrid of oldies and easy listening (sort of an MOR format...the way AC stations sounded in 1976). They would be more contemporary than their arch rival WVNJ (which by then was not selling much advertising and now experiencing financial problems), but softer than an oldies station. Stand Martin and Johnny Knox would return. Core artists included Sinatra, Bennett, Elvis, Neil Diamond, Simon & Garfunkel, The Lettermen, Tom Jones, Carly Simon, Andy Williams, and many others.
Unfortunately, legal battles continued. Due to the excessive legal fees forced upon Jukebox Radio, financial problems also began to occur in spite of the station otherwise being profitable. In 2002, WVNJ won the appeal. It was determined that if Juke Box Radio's 103.1 FM translator cannot receive the WJUX Monticello over the air (rather than through fiber optic cable), that they were operating illegally and could be liable for multiple fines and sanctions effectively shutting the station down. A compromise was reached that the station could stay on the air until it got sold to a non commercial broadcaster. Since Non Commercial broadcasters, have more lenient rules regarding translators, such abroadcaster could continue to run the license. As a result, Jukebox Radio was forced to go dark due to these lawsuits and being buried with debt. Before going dark, Juke Box Radio was the most listened to radio station in New Jersey. In the last year, the station cut music time down to about 6 hours a day. The rest of the time was filled by infomercials. The station on 99.7 and the 103.1 translator was sold to a religious broadcaster. In October 2004, Jukebox Radio signed off for the last time and a religious format consisting of Praise & Worship Music, Christian Charismatic Preaching, Teaching, and features replaced Jukebox Radio. The station is known as "The Bridge" today.
Also, the suit did WVNJ little good. They have hardly any advertsiers and have themselves resorted to running infomercials in order to stay afloat. Many Jukebox advertisers and listeners were angry to see Jukebox leave and WVNJ's lawsuit has been the blame for that. If WVNJ just left things alone, they too may be in better shape.
