WTOS-FM
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| WTOS | |
| City of license | Skowhegan, Maine |
|---|---|
| Broadcast area | Augusta, Maine |
| Branding | Rock 105 TOS |
| Slogan | "The Mountain of Pure Rock" |
| Frequency | 105.1 FM (MHz) |
| First air date | Early 1970s |
| Format | Rock |
| ERP | 57,000 watts |
| HAAT | 747 meters |
| Class | C |
| Facility ID | 46352 |
| Owner | Clear Channel Communications (sale pending to Blueberry Broadcasting) |
| Webcast | Listen Live |
| Website | http://www.tosrocks.com |
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.
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[edit] 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.WTOS was the first station in Maine to play alternative acts like The Beastie Boys, Jane's Addiction, The Cure, Depeche Mode and man others. 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 of 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 in a move that sparked outrage among some longtime listeners, 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. The sale is pending FCC approval.
[edit] 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.
[edit] WTOS Homegrown and Battle of the Bands
WTOS made a commitment to air more local acts starting in 2002 with the creation of "WTOS Homegrown", a local show dedicated to airing rock bands from all over Maine and New Hampshire. This evolved into the WTOS Battle of the Bands, which 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 2007. The winners of the events include Emptyhead (2003) and Dead Season (2004, 2005, and retired from the competition after their win in 2006), and Civil Disturbance (2007).
WTOS also hosts Rock Relief every September, 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.
[edit] WTOS personalities
Tom O & Mr. Mike--The Mountain Morning show, which has been on the air since the late 1980s.
Jessie--Mid-days from 10-2, and host of the "Workforce Lunch" request show.
Chris Rush--Afternoon and evening drive personality who often represents the station in public. Host of "Rush Hour" request show and "WTOS Homegrown".
The Reverend--Director of WTOS and night-time personality. Hosts "90s at 9 and Beyond" show, plus "Roll Your Own" request show.
Kennedy-- Hosts "Pure Rock Playground" request show, and "The Metal Church", a Sunday-night show dedicated to classic and vintage heavy metal from the 70s, 80s and early 90s.
[edit] Former personalities
J-Mac--Hosted the legendary "Dead Set", along with "Gone 'Phishin" and "Zappa's World" for over a decade. The show was put on hiatus in early 2007.
Fazman--A WTOS mainstay, Faz hosted "Recreational Chemistry", an eclectic mix of music on Sunday afternoons. Faz still makes occasional appearances for the Mountain from time to time, and currently hosts a radio show on WMHB Tuesdays from 10pm-12am.
Jay Knight--Hosted TOS at night, and specialized in darker, harder metal bands.Currently a weekend DJ on WKIT.
Joe Conrad- Airstaff in afternoons and evenings in the late 80s and early 90s, as he moved between WTOS and Portland's WBLM. Returned as a part-time weekend DJ in 2002 through 2005.
Duane Bruce- Full time Airstaff 1982-1987. Host of "Breakfast with the Beatles", "Down Home" host 1984-1987. Went to WFNX/Boston 1987-1992 and WBCN/Boston 1993-1994.
[edit] External links
- WTOS-FM official website
- Query the FCC's FM station database for WTOS
- Radio Locator information on WTOS
- Query Arbitron's FM station database for WTOS
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