WTOS-FM

Infobox Radio station
name = WTOS


city = Skowhegan, Maine
area = Augusta, Maine
branding = 105-TOS
slogan = "The Mountain of Pure Rock"
airdate = Early 1970s
frequency = 105.1 FM (MHz)
format = Rock
erp = 57,000 watts
haat = 747 meters
class = C
facility_id = 46352
callsign_meaning = Top Of Sugarloaf
former_callsigns =
owner = Blueberry Broadcasting
webcast = [http://www.tosrocks.com/cc-common/streaming_new/launchpage.html Listen Live]
website = http://www.tosrocks.com
affiliations =

WTOS (105.1 FM), known as "The Mountain of Pure Rock", is an FM radio station licensed to Skowhegan, Maine and with studios located in Augusta.

History

WTOS originated as a free-form rock music station in 1973 on 107.1 fm, with a studio based in Skowhegan, Maine. The tower was moved to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain with an upgrade to the current frequency of 105.1.

WTOS remained locally owned by Mountain Wireless, and gained a reputation as one of the region's more daring stations throughout the 80s and 90s, due to their penchant for playing harder or more obscure rock bands that did not normally appear on commercial radio stations. . Music Directors Annie Earhardt and Duane Bruce helped to take WTOS in a direction that many others followed. The DJ's also had input into what selections were played and an eclectic mix soon prevailed, separating the station from other rock oriented stations in the region. WTOS struggled with ratings, but ironically was #1 in the Canadian provinces that picked up the signal.

In October 1987 the station changed format from an eclectic college alternative format to a more commercial classic rock format. After a public funeral for the previous format (organized by then Music Director Duane Bruce), "The Mountain" continued to build up a large local following of fans, which was especially obvious at their frequent on-location remotes, usually at area bars and nightclubs.

WTOS was acquired by Cumulus Media in late 2000, and the main studios were moved from Skowhegan to Augusta. The association with Cumulus did not last long, as only months later, WTOS was purchased by media giant Clear Channel Communications. In May 2008, WTOS and the 16 other Clear Channel stations in the Augusta and Bangor markets were sold to Blueberry Broadcasting, a Maine-based company headed by Louis Vitale and Bruce Biette. On July 28, 2008, the newly-formed Blueberry Broadcasting LLC assumed control of WTOS.

Broadcast area

With a 57,000 Watt signal and the advantage of having a tower placed at such a high elevation, WTOS reaches a significant portion of northern New England. The station can be heard over the airwaves from their studios in Augusta to Bangor and as far north as Houlton. It carries into the Estrie region of Quebec province to places such as Lac-Mégantic and Thetford Mines, and can be received in eastern Maine in places such as Bar Harbor. The station is also heard by listeners in northern New Hampshire and parts of Vermont, although reception can be sporadic in those areas due to interference from the White Mountains.

Until April 1, 2005, WTOS' broadcast area included the greater Portland area. However, the FCC granted a license to a small, Portland-area, community-programmed jazz station (WJZP-LP) to broadcast on the 105.1 frequency. As such, WJZP is available to listeners instead of WTOS, in Maine regions south of Brunswick and Freeport.

However, WTOS is available to listeners in Portland (and everywhere else) as they do stream their signal over the internet via their homepage and for a time, the morning show was simulcasted on co-owned talk station WCME.

WTOS Battle of the Bands and Rock Relief

The WTOS Battle of the Bands takes place annually at the Skowhegan fairgrounds in mid-August. The event has gained in popularity, and almost 6,000 fans attended the most recent battle in 2008. The winners of the events include Emptyhead (2003) and Dead Season (2004, 2005, and retired from the competition after their win in 2006), Civil Disturbance (2007) and Soundbender (2008).

WTOS also hosts Rock Relief every year, which is a fundraiser for various causes. It originated as a response to Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and has become an annual event to raise money for charities in need.

WTOS personalities

Tom O & Mr. Mike--"The Mountain Morning Show", which has been on the air since 1992. Both joined WTOS in 1987 - Tom O as afternoon personality, and Mr. Mike as News Director.

Mark Matzell-- Mid-day personality. Former host of the "Mark and Mark Remarkable Morning Show" on WBLM in Portland.

Mandy X- Afternoon personality. Formerly of WFZX in Bangor.

Kat- Night-time personality. Formerly of WFZX in Bangor.

Kennedy-- Hosts "WTOS Homegrown", a Wednesday evening show devoted to local artists, and "The Metal Church", a Sunday-night show dedicated to classic and vintage heavy metal from the 70s, 80s and early 90s.

External links

* [http://www.tosrocks.com WTOS-FM official website]
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