In July 1922, Leslie L. Altman starts the Bradbury Heights Bus Line to Washington with 2 buses. Its garage & offices were located at 1510 Southern Avenue in SE, DC. In 1926 it incorporates as the Washington, Marlboro and Annapolis (WM&A) Motor Lines, Inc.

The bus line grows and on December 6, 1941 opens its new garage & office building at 4421 Southern Ave, SE, DC.

 

The Federal Communications Commission grants a construction permit for a new FM station to the Chesapeake Broadcasting Company, Inc. in late 1947 to build and operate a station on 96.7 megacycles at Bradbury Heights, Maryland, "just over the District of Columbia line".

Furniture dealer Arthur Baldwin Curtis was President of Cheasapeake Broadcasting which selected and was granted WBUZ-FM as call letters for the 1KW station. By the end of the year, the station was authorized to use 420 watts Effective Radiated Power.

WBUZ-FM's transmitter and 255 foot tower were located at Bradbury Heights while studios & offices were installed in the WM&A passenger terminal 1510 Southern Ave. in SE, DC.

 

1948

The independent station originally announced a target date of Christmas, 1947 but delays caused by the failure of some equipment to arrive postponed WBUZ-FM's airdate to January 18th.

Treasurer & General Manager of WBUZ-FM was Leslie L. Altman, President of the WM&A Bus Line. Al K. Porter was Vice President & Commercial Manager of the new station, "the first all Gates-equipped station in the Washington, DC area".

Operating hours were from 7:00AM until 12 midnight daily. In late 1948, Leslie L. Altman was named President of the Chesapeake Broadcasting Co. while continuing as WBUZ-FM's General Manager.

 

By early 1949, WBUZ-FM was 'transitcasting', programming recorded music into buses of the WM&A line. Another 'transitcaster in the DC area was WWDC-FM. Read a related story on 'transitcasting' here.

 

The Chesapeake Broadcasting Co. is reorgnized in 1950. For a consideration of $1,300, 22.24% interest is acquired from A.C. Connelly by President & General Manager, Leslie L. Altman. The FCC sanctioned this transfer on August 14th, 1950.

 

The WBUZ-FM transmitter tower in Bradbury Heights is felled by vandals on October 13th, 1951. At the time, the WM&A Bus Line is the target of a labor dispute with its drivers. The station later returns to the air with 50 watts using a temporary antenna until a new tower can be erected and full power restored.

 

During this time, the 'transitcasting' concept, in vogue over a number of independently operated FM stations across the United States, was attacked by the Transit Riders Association, winning at the U.S. Supreme Court level the right not to hear FM programming on municipal transportation.

WWDC stops 'transitcasting' (but now simulcasts WWDC-AM) in May 1953. But WBUZ-FM continues to broadcast to a total of 35 buses (out of a fleet of 90) of the WM&A line.

WBUZ-FM raises power to 6.3KW that same month and its city of license is changed to Oakland, Maryland. Then on June 8th, 1953, the FCC grants a permit to the station to raise power from 6.3KW to 18KW.

Meanwhile, on November 12th, 1953, Washington electronics engineer and former FCC employee, Harry Hayman receives a construction permit to build and operate a new Morningside, Maryland AM broadcasting station. The FCC assigns 250 watt daytime only operation to the station on 1580 kilocycles. Estimated construction cost $9,420; first year operating costs $28,140; anticipated first year advertising revenue $31,200. The call letters WPGC, representing Prince Georges County are issued late in the year.

 

The tower for WPGC-AM is erected in April and broadcasts begin in mid-May 1954 from Morningside on a hill on the farm of Duval B. Evans on Walters Lane. Harry Hayman is President & General Manager of the new independent station which airs 'Hillbilly Music' for 25% of its broadcast day. On September 15th, 1954, WPGC - AM's power is increased to 1,000 watts (250 watts Critical Hours).

Within 6 months of its on air debut, Maxwell Richmond, purchases WPGC-AM from Harry Hayman for $10,000 on November 10th, 1954.

Also that year, WBUZ-FM, its 'transitcasting' days now behind it, changes frequency from 96.7 to 95.5 megacycles and power is reduced to 16.5KW from a new transmitter & tower site on Walker Mill Road in Oakland, MD, a few miles from Bradbury Heights.

WBUZ-FM's President Leslie L. Altman names Leslie Smith as the new General Manager. Former WPGC-AM Chief Engineer, Gene Winters is named General Manager of WPGC-AM that same year so that Max Richmond could devote more time to his advertising agency in Philadelphia as well as to WPGC's sister station in Boston, WMEX.

On April 14th, 1955 a modification of WPGC-AM's permit to raise power to 10,000 watts daytime only and install a directional antenna system was granted. Late in the year WPGC-AM opens new offices and studios at 4421 Southern Ave., SE, DC above the WM&A Bus Line repair facility, in the studios formerly used by WBUZ-FM (which has since moved it's studios to the transmitter site).

 

On March 30th, 1956, WBUZ-FM changes its call letters to WRNC-FM. (Today the WBUZ calls are used by an Alternative station in Nashville). Late in the year, WRNC-FM is purchased from the Chesapeake Broadcasting Company by WPGC, Inc. $5.00 is paid for the station license and $10,000 for its equipment and tower. FCC approval takes place on November 20th, 1956. The purchase is made to add nightime programming to WPGC-AM's daytime only operation.

At this time, WPGC-AM owner Max Richmond becomes President of WRNC-FM and names Gene Winters, General Manager of WPGC-AM as General Manager of WRNC-FM too. WRNC begins duplicating WPGC-AM's daytime programming immediately.

WRNC-FM changes call letters to WPGC-FM in mid-March 1958. (Today the WRNC calls are assigned to an AM Country station not presently on the air in suburban Atlanta). Power on the FM is reduced to 15.7KW while the power increase authorized for the AM in 1955 to 10,000 watts (Daytime only) is implemented. The FM temporarily goes silent as new studios in preparation for a new format are constructed at the transmitter site. General Manager, Gene Winters does the morning show.

 

In February 1959, the FM returns to the air from new studios at the transmitter site at 6369 Walker Mill Road in Oakland, MD, playing Big Band music. Robert Howard joins the station early in the year as its new General Manager. On July 2nd, 1959, the FCC authorizes the station to mount the FM antenna on the north (280 foot) tower of the AM's array. The morning show is done by 'Gentleman Jim' Granger. Stan Major is the Program Director.

By this time, the Washington, Marlboro & Annapolis Bus Line is sold to an employee group and founder Leslie L. Altman retires to Florida.

The FM drops its Big Band format and resumes simulcasting 100% with the AM during daytime hours which has since gone 100% Rock & Roll as 'The New Sound of WPGC' under new Program Director Dean Griffith #1 (Dean Anthony) from WGH, Norfolk (who takes his last name from the Washington Senator's Griffith Park).

Jerry G joins the station for mornings when Pat McCoy departs. David B. Simmons inherits news duties when Stan Major departs. Larry 'Barefoot' Justice takes over middays when Jerry Kearns leaves.

'MacNamara' joins the station for morning news when David B. Simmons leaves. On Monday, August 6th, 1962, Larry 'Barefoot' Justice allegedly locks himself in the air studio and plays the same novelty record over & over until he gets a raise. 

Harv Moore joins the station initially doing nights till AM sign-off, then moves to mornings in November, just days before the JFK assassination. In the aftermath of the tragedy, the station suspends regular programming through the funeral.  Bob Raleigh #1 (Rolle Ferrar) joins the station for middays with the departure of Larry 'Barefoot Justice'. Bob Howard rises to Vice President & General Manager.

 

1964

On January 27th, 1964, the FM is granted FCC authorization to change its city of license from Oakland to Morningside. The FM begins expanded broadcasts in the evening beyond the AM sign-off time.

Beatlemania hits the Nation's Capitol as Harv Moore and Dean Griffith #1 (Dean Anthony) introduce the Four Lovable Lads from Liverpool at the DC Coliseum. Harv & Bobby Poe co-write their 'Interview  with the Fab Four' record only to have Capitol Records get a cease & desist order barring further air play of the novelty cut-in song.

Dean Griffith #1 (Dean Anthony) leaves for WMCA, New York in November.  Paul Carmen is hired as the 'new' Dean Griffith. Harv Moore takes on acting Program Director duties. Former morning man Jerry G goes on tour with the Beatles as a roving reporter.  'Marvelous Marv' Brooks joins the station for nights when Don 'Pee Wee' Reese leaves, then moves to middays when Bob Raleigh #1 (Rolle Ferrar) goes to WWDC.

The station is now broadcasting on the FM till midnight every night.

On Air line up :

Harv Moore (PD / mornings)

MacNamara (news)

'Marvelous Marv' Brooks (middays)

Dean Griffith #2 (Paul Carmen) (afternoons)

Jingles in use: PAMS 'The Jet Set'.  

#1 song on year end countdown: 
'I Want To Hold Your Hand' - Beatles.

 

On June 28th, 1965, the stations are granted a modification of their licenses to move studios to Bladensburg, MD (outside the city limits of Morningside but are allowed to continue to identify themselves as being in Morningside). New offices & studios are located in the Parkway Building adjacent to the Baltimore Washington Parkway, 5801 Annapolis Road, Landover Heights (adjacent to Baldensburg), occupying the third floor of a multi story office building which opens late in the year. Hank Burdick joins the station for afternoons when Paul Carmen leaves. He becomes the third 'Dean Griffith'.

 

1966

WM&A Bus Line founder, Chesapeake Broadcasting Co. President and original WBUZ-FM General Manager, Leslie L. Altman dies in Florida.

'Cousin Warren' Duffy is hired as the station's new Program Director. 'Marvelous Marv' Brooks moves from middays to morning news when McNamara leaves the station. Bob Peyton #1 (Bob Allen) (who takes his name from TV's 'Peyton Place') is hired for middays.  'Tiger Bob' Raleigh #2 (Bill Miller) is hired for nights. 

On Air line up :

Harv Moore (mornings)

Marv Brooks (news / production)

Bob Peyton #1 (Bob Allen) (middays) 

'Cousin Warren' Duffy (PD & afternoons)

'Tiger Bob' Raleigh #2 (Bill Miller) (nights).

Jingles in use: Spot Production's 'Funtastic' 'Thatman', based on the Bat-mania phenomena nationwide. 

#1 song on year end countdown:
'California Dreamin' - Mamas & Papas. 

On Air contesting: Good Guy DJ Derby, Good Guy Swimming Derby, Bat-Contest. 

 

'Tiger Bob' Raleigh #2 (Bill Miller) moves to morning news when Marv Brooks leaves the station.  'JA the DJ', Jack Alix is hired from WEAM for nights.

On Air line up :

Harv Moore (mornings)

Bob' Raleigh #2 (Bill Miller) (news / production)

Bob Peyton #1 (Bob Allen)  middays

'Cousin Warren' Duffy (PD & afternoons)

'JA the DJ', Jack Alix (nights) 

 

Major promotions: Hide The Picnic. The first instance of the 'Missing W' contest airs as The Riddler steals the 'W' from WPGC, ultimately to be found by a winning listener as the 'W' in the 'Welcome to Virginia' sign at the Woodrow Wilson Bridge on the Beltway. 

Charlie Scheu is named the station's new Program Director when Cousin Warren Duffy leaves the station.   Bob Peyton #2 (Bob Burian) replaces Bob Peyton #1 (Bob Allen). Davy Jones from WBZ, Boston replaces the exiting Jack Alix for nights in May.

The FM is granted a construction permit to raise power to 50KW on August 6, 1968. Coinciding with this, the FM begins its first 24 hour broadcasts, also in August. An 'underground' show, the 'Magic Carpet Ride' airs Friday nights in the Fall at 11PM.

Dave McKay is hired for middays replacing Bob Peyton #2. 'Gentleman Jim' Madison #2 (Dave Moore) is hired for late nights while 'Amos & Andy', 'Famous Amos' (Rolf Rykken) & 'Handy Andy' Andrews (another name with local reference to Andrews AFB) split up the overnight shift. 

The raise in power for the FM to 50KW authorized in 1968 is implemented, utilizing two transmitters in parallel.

On Air line up :

Harv Moore (mornings)

Bob' Raleigh #2 (Bill Miller) (news / production)

Dave McKay (middays)

Charlie Shue (PD & afternoons)

Davy Jones (nights)

'Famous Amos' / 'Handy Andy' Andrews  (overnights)

 

Bob Raleigh #3 ('Junior') begins middays replacing Dave McKay, under the pretense of being the son of Bob Raleigh #2 (Bill Miller).  'Big' Wilson is named Program Director when Charlie Shue moves into sales. New syndicated show,  'American Top 40' with Casey Kasem debuts on July 4th with WPGC being one of the original seven stations nationwide to carry the show. A special year end feature, 'The Rock & Roll Generation', produced by 'Big' Wilson, Bob Raleigh #2 (Bill Miller) & Davy Jones airs for the first time.

On Air line up :

Harv Moore (mornings)

Bob' Raleigh #2 (Bill Miller) (news / production)

Bob Raleigh #3 ('Junior') (middays)

'Big' Wilson (PD & afternoons)

Davy Jones (nights)

'Gentleman Jim' Madison #2 (Dave Moore)

'Famous Amos' / 'Handy Andy' Andrews (overnights)

 

 

1971

Tom Allen joins the station for nights when Davy Jones leaves for WMAL-FM. Later in the year he moves to middays when Bob Raleigh #3 ('Junior') leaves.  'Columbus' discovers DC and begins nights while Alexander Goodfellow & Todd Reynolds now split up the overnight shift.

WPGC, Inc. President, Maxwell Richmond dies at an unknown age.

On Air line up:

Harv Moore (mornings)

Bob' Raleigh #2 (Bill Miller) (news / production)

Tom Allen middays)

'Big' Wilson (PD & afternoons)

'Columbus' (nights)

Alexander Goodfellow / Todd Reynolds (overnights)

On air Positioner: 'All Hit Music'. 

#1 song on year end countdown:
'Joy To The World' - Three Dog Night.

 

 

The FM goes ((Stereo))!! Harv Moore is again named Program Director when 'Big' Wilson leaves.  'Columbus' moves to middays when Tom Allen leaves to become Program Director for sister station WMEX, Boston.  Part timer Jim Collins (who had previously been known on the air as 'Mark West') is promoted to afternoons. Johnny Jones joins the station from WAMS in Wilmington, Delaware for nights while Chris Curtis is hired for late nights and Bryan Lawrence for overnights. 

On Air line up: Harv Moore (PD & mornings)

Bob' Raleigh #2 (Bill Miller) (news / production)

'Columbus' (middays)

Jim Collins (afternoons)

Johnny Jones (nights)

Chris Curtis (late nights)

Bryan Lawrence (overnights)

 

#1 song on year end countdown:
'Brandy' - Looking Glass. 

Major promotions: The Missing 'W' (again, this time stolen by 'Dr. Strangeletter' and found on the 'Welcome to historic Olde Georgetown sign). 

Dan Steele is hired for evenings when Johnny Jones departs for 13Q in Pittsburgh, and Dino Del Gallo makes his first appearance in late nights.   Bryan Lawrence begins doing his overnight show live from the 'Black Ulysses' restaurant in DC.  New block letter & 'Music Troll' logos debut. The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) purchases the Washington, Marlboro & Annapolis bus line (WM&A, original owner of WBUZ-FM) for $4.5 million. Along with the near simultaneous acquisition of the other three independently owned bus lines in the greater Washington area, MetroBus is formed.

On Air line up:

Harv Moore (PD & mornings)

Bob' Raleigh #2 (Bill Miller) (news / production)

'Columbus' (middays)

Jim Collins (afternoons)

Dan Steele (nights)

Dino Del Gallo (late nights)

Bryan Lawrence (overnights)

 

#1 song on year end countdown:
'Brother Louie' - Stories. 

Dave Kellogg joins the station for late nights while weekender 'Big' Don O'Bryan inherits the overnight shift. Foreshadowing things to come, ratings on the FM surpass those on the AM for the first time.  For years, the station has continually conditioned its listeners to 'tune over now' at sunset. 

Meanwhile, the estate of station owner, Max Richmond receives FCC approval on August 7th, 1974 to sell the stations for $5.8 million to First Media Corporation (Richard E. Marriott, Chairman & 44% owner).  The transaction is finalized on October 17, 1974. Outbid for the properties, General Manager Bob Howard exercises his right of first refusal, leaves the station and purchases WYSL in Buffalo.  First Media Corporation names Glenn Potter as President and GM.  

On Air line up:

Harv Moore (mornings)

Bob Raleigh #2 Bill Miller) (news / production)

'Columbus' (middays)

Jim Collins (afternoons)

Dan Steele (nights)

Dave Kellogg (late nights)

'Big' Don O'Bryan (overnights)

 

#1 song on year end countdown:
'The Way We Were' - Barbra Streisand.

 

1975

Bob Howard hires Harv Moore for mornings at WYSL, and 'The Morning Mayor' leaves the station after 12 years of AM drive.  Jim Collins is named the new Program Director.  'Columbus' moves to mornings as Jim Elliott is hired from WEAM for middays and Music Director. Wolfman Jack's syndicated show runs on Saturday nights. 

A new FM transmitter is installed late in 1975 concurrent with a boost in antenna height to 480 feet (horizontal & vertical polarization).

Market motion: WRC drops music altogether and goes talk. The anticipated move of it's music and personalities to FM fails to materialize as Disco WKYS debuts.

On Air line up:

'Columbus'  (mornings)

Bob Raleigh #2 Bill Miller) (news / production)

Jim Elliott (MD & middays)

Jim Collins (PD & afternoons)

Dino Del Gallo (nights)

Keith MacDonald (late nights)

Kevin James (overnights)

On air positioner: 'Musicradio' . 

#1 song on year end countdown:
'Love Will Keep Us Together' - Capt. & Tennille. 

On air contesting: Superstash.

Major promotions: Adventure Ring.

 

Long time salesman Bill Prettyman is promoted to Vice President and Station Manager. Glenn T. Potter continues as President of First Media Corporation. 'Columbus' leaves for WLS, Chicago. Tim Kelly is hired for mornings from WRKO, Boston.  Jim Collins presents Helen Reddy a Gold record for her Greatest Hits LP on NBC's 'Midnight Special' TV show. 'Big' Ron O'Brien joins the station for nights when Dino Del Gallo leaves for WYRE, Annapolis.

Market motion: Ratings on the Washington FM dial as a whole surpass those for AM stations for the first time, making DC the first FM dominant market in the country, thanks in no small part to WPGC's long time campaign to convert cume to FM.

 

On Air line up:

Tim Kelly (mornings)

Bob Raleigh #2 (Bill Miller) (news / production)

Jim Elliott (MD & middays)

Jim Collins (PD & afternoons)

'Big' Ron O'Brien (nights)

Keith MacDonald (late nights)

Kevin James (overnights)

 

Jingles in use: First package purchased from JAM Creative Productions of Dallas, a compilation of cuts from 'Logoset' & 'Priority One'.

#1 song on year end countdown:
'Afternoon Delite' - Starland Vocal Band.

Major promotions: Visible Vault, 3 G's & a Z, $10,000 Gold Rush.

 

Station Air Personalities, News Guys & Money Girls walk out on strike over objections of management's desire to have jocks record their voices for use on the AM while they are live on the FM.  When the union threatens advertising agencies running spots with WPGC talent on them on other DC stations, the National Labor Relations Board rules it constitues a secondary boycott, outlawed by the Taft-Hartley Act. 

First Media replaces the air staff with jocks from other stations in the chain. Dan Mason from sister station WZGC (Z93) Atlanta is named new Program Director.  Waylon Richards joins the station for nights from WGCL, Cleveland. Liz Kiley becomes the first female full time on air personality on the station.

Market motion: Late in the summer another competitor throws in the towel as WMOD goes Country as WMZQ.

 

Post Strike On Air line up:

Jim Elliott (MD & mornings)

Don O'Day (news)

Dave Foxx (middays / production)

Brandt Miller (afternoons)

Dan Mason (PD & nights)

Waylon Richards (late nights)

Liz Kiley (overnights)

 

Brandt Miller leaves for WLS, Chicago. Scott Carpenter is hired for PM drive. Dan Mason becomes the first off-air Program Director, moves Waylon Richards to nights and hires Steve Michaels for late nights. In the summer, Scott Woodside from Z93, Atlanta is first teamed up with Jim Elliott in mornings when Don O'Day leaves the station. In November, the station airs the 2nd Annual Simulated Thanksgiving Day Parade, an account of a fictious parade in DC.

On Air line up:

Jim Elliott (MD & mornings)

Scott Woodside (news)

Dave Foxx (middays / production)

Scott Carpenter (afternoons)

Waylon Richards (nights)

Steve Michaels (late nights)

Liz Kiley (overnights)

 

Jingles in use: JAM's 'Positron'.

#1 song on year end countdown:
'Stayin' Alive' - Bee Gees.

Major promotions: The 'Ramblin' Raft Race' brings thousands of listeners to the banks of the Potomac in August, and the Toys for Tots concert does the same at the Capital Centre in December.

 

1979

Liz Kiley leaves the station for WABC, New York in February.  Dan Mason leaves the station for a GM position and is succeeded by Scott Shannon from Ariola Records in LA in the spring. Lee Logan, formerly Program Director of WIFE, Indianapolis is brought in for late nights replacing the departing Steve Michaels. Dana Stephens is hired for overnights.

Within a few months of his arrival, Lee Logan is named Program Director of WPGC's sister station, KFMK, Houston.  Weekender Scott (Tony) Jenkins covers late nights until 'Don Geronimo' is brought in to fortify the teen numbers at night in the first real skirmish with Q107. Waylon Richards moves back to late nights. Bill Prettyman is elevated from Station Manager to General Manager.

On April 9th, 1979 the FCC grants the AM a permit to raise power from 10KW to 50KW, still daytime only, directional.

Market motion: In April, amidst concern of continued erosion of WMAL's ratings, ABC relaunches WRQX as Q107, attempting to siphon off as much cume from WPGC as possible to protect its AM mainstay. Ironically, that summer WPGC beats WMAL for the first time ever in Total Persons 12+.

 

On air line up:

Jim Elliott (mornings)

Scott Woodside (news)

Dave Foxx (middays / production)

Scott Carpenter (afternoons)

Don Geronimo (nights)

Waylon Richards (late nights)

Dana Stephens (overnights)

 

Jingles in use: JAM's' Christmas Kit'.

#1 song on year end countdown:
'Reunited' - Peaches & Herb.

#1 song of the decade :
'You Light Up My Life' - Debby Boone.