WHTG
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WHTG-FM, known on-air as G Rock Radio (alongside WBBO-FM in Ocean County, New Jersey), is an alternative rock radio station located in Eatontown, New Jersey, serving Monmouth County, and owned by Press Communications, LLC. Its transmitter is located in Tinton Falls, New Jersey.
WHTG has gone through many format tweaks and program directors over the years. Since February of 2005, WHTG's programming has been simulcast on WBBO (formerly known as B98.5), and the station inherited some of WBBO's staff. In July of 2006, WBBO switched frequencies from 98.5 to 106.5.
Early History
(Source: http://www.angelfire.com/nj2/piratejim/njfmhistory10.html)
WHTG-FM first signed on at the 105.5 MHz frequency on October 11, 1961, as the sister station of WHTG (1440 AM). Interference with WDHA in northern New Jersey resulted in the move to its current 106.3 MHz frequency in 1965, which had been vacated in 1963 when WFHA in Red Bank, NJ discontinued operations. It broadcast Adult Standards (e.g. popular vocalists like Frank Sinatra) alongside its sister station until 1982, then Adult Contemporary music up to the switch to Alternative Rock in August, 1984.
Glory days
In the very early FM 106-3 days, the station had a more free-form approach, with DJ's who were alternative rock fans picking what music they played, from The Pixies to Prince. During the mid-1980s, The Smiths and their ilk were especially favored by the station's jocks.
In the nineties, it was known as FM106.3, Modern Rock at the Jersey Shore.
WHTG achieved its highest ratings in 1993 and 1994 when it received "favorite radio station" honor both years in Rolling Stone's annual readers' polls. The station managed to beat every rock station on the Jersey shore until 1996 --- which was also the same year the station tightened up its playlist.
Narrower playlists
By 2000, WHTG's music library was down to 250 Hot A.C. and alternative tracks, and the DJ's no longer had any say in what they played. Despite hiring a consultant and playing more mainstream music, ratings were at their lowest point ever. In November 2000, WHTG was then sold to Press Communications. WHTG then became known as G106.3, and took on a format that could be described as a hybrid of alternative and modern adult contemporary. During the first week of this format change, studio phone lines were clogged with messages from very irate listeners wanting their Rock station back.Since then, WHTG has evolved into an alternative rock station that plays current and re-current alternative hits as well as heritage artists such as The Cure and REM.
Before the acquisition of WBBO, WHTG was referred to as G106.3, Your Rock Alternative, echoing - perhaps unwittingly - FM106.3's original alternative-era slogan from 1985 to 1989.
G Rock Radio also features special programming on weekend mornings. The Saturday Morning Breakfast Club takes a nostalgic look at alternative rock from the 1980s, while Common Threads (a program that dates back to the FM 106-3 era and originally featured "theme" sets of songs) showcases modern acoustic music.
Main Jocks
Brian Phillips (co-host of The Morning Show with Brian and Jen - 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. weekdays)
Jen Ursillo (co-host of The Morning Show with Brian and Jen)
Gavin (10 a.m. to 2 p.m. weekdays; also host of Common Threads - 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. Sundays)
Zanyor (2 p.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays)
Matt Knight (host of The Knight Life - 7 p.m. to 12 a.m. weekdays)
Dave Wetmore (12 a.m. to 5 a.m. weekdays)
Maryelizabeth (host of The Saturday Morning Breakfast Club - 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. Saturdays)
Other Airstaff
Dan Lanni
Chris Von
Jason Brewer
Brooke Connolly
Mike M.
Kevin Collins
John Galya
Pete Lepore
Tommy Else (Meteorologist)
Former Airstaff
(Source: http://www.altrok.com/fm106.3/airstaff.htm)
Rob Acampora (1987-1996; Program Director 2000-2001)
Neal Adams (1993-1999)
Eliot Alzamora (Unknown)
Michelle Amabile (1993, 1996-1998, 2001-2004)
Amber (unknown)
Allison Behm (Morning Newscaster 1985-1986)
Lisa Bivona (unknown)
Mike Black (1990-1998; did Local Licks)
The Bob (2000)
TJ Bryan (1996-1997)
Mike Butscher (1990-1993)
Missi Callazzo (unknown)
Al Camelli (1992?-2000)
Sean Carolan (1985-1992)
Nick Ciavatta (Production 1999-2000)
Bryan Cichon (1986-1987)
Clay (surf reports 1991-1999)
Dave Cohen (1999-2000)
J.T. Copolus (1984-1989? - known for J.T.'s Saturday Evening Rock Show)
Stephanie Coskey (1998-2000)
Brian Cotter (1999-2000)
Bart Cross-Tierney (1984-1992)
Denise Czarnecki (1995-1996)
Nikki D. (unknown-2000)
Penny Davis (2000)
Collette Denardo (2000)
Chuck Devine (1983-1985)
Aimee Dio (left on March 3, 2006)
Ro DiSalvo (1986-1987)
Kevin Dunn (1984-1985)
Anya Feldman (unknown)
Andy Gradel (Andy G) (Weekend Overnights 1994 - 1996)
Chuck Homler (1995-1999)
Eileen Hutnick (traffic manager, unknown dates)
Michele Jackym (unknown-2000)
Melanie K (unknown)
Jackie Kajzer (Sunday Afternoons 1999-2000)
Gabrielle Korb (2000)
Marie Levins (Morning Newscaster 1986-1992)
Jodi Landis (Office Manager 1988-1990; often on commercials)
Bob Larkin (Production Staff 1986-1987)
Molly (Liefer) Lenz (1986-1999)
Tod Lewis (1999-2000)
Heidi Lieb (unknown dates; did Local Licks)
Jimmy Lister (1986-1988)
Melanie Kolbasowski (1999)
Liz McCann (1989-1994)
Bruce McDonald (Program/Music Director, 10am-2pm weekdays; 1995-1996)
Chris Mailley (1995-1999)
Jeff Mannheimer (1991-1995)
Mike Marrone (1984-1989)
Chopper (1984-1991)
Vinny Marino (unknown)
Chuck Michaels (1985-1991)
Shelley Miller (1996-1997)
Mark Mistretta (1996-2000)
Pat Mooney (1999)
Maggie Morgan (1997-2000)
Kerry Nolan (1988-1993; did Common Threads from 1992-1993)
Glenn Page (1998-2000)
Matt Pinfield (1984-1995)
Chris Rake (1993-2001; did Common Threads during that period)
Jeff Raspe (1988-2001; did The Underground from 1996-2001)
Jerry "Rec" Recco (1999-2000)
Ron Resnick (1986-1989)
Mark Rosenthal (1999)
Rich Robinson (1984-1991, 1997-1998)
Jerry Rubino (unknown)
Amy Salerno (1986-1988)
Jennifer Saunders (Newscaster 1996-1999)
Mike Sauter (1992-2000)
Dan Schade (unknown)
Rich Scroggs (1995-1996)
April Smith (1999-2000)
Randy Stern (unknown)
Jim Szwede (1982-1986, 1988-1990)
Joe Tarala (1984-1985)
Jason Ulanet (unknown-1999)
Jon Vena (1994-1998)
Glenn Vistica (1993-1999)
David Weinstein (unknown)
Ray Whittaker (unknown dates; did blues program)
Pam Wilson (office staff, often on commercials; unknown dates)
Loretta Windas (1984-1992)
John Yarusi (1991-1992)
Leo Zaccari (1994-1999)
This is a partial list, please add more.
External link
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