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WWBB
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Big Hits, B101! | |
| Broadcast area | Providence, Rhode Island |
|---|---|
| Branding | Big Hits B101 |
| Slogan | Big hits of the '60s and '70s |
| Frequency | 101.5 (MHz) |
| Format | Classic Hits |
| Callsign meaning | "We Want Baby Boomers" |
| Owner | Clear Channel Communications |
| Website | www.b101.com |
WWBB-FM, better known by its on-air brand of B101 or Big Hits B101, is a radio station in Providence, Rhode Island that broadcasts at 101.5 FM. The station mainly plays classic hits and oldies from the '60s, '70s, and early '80s. The station is also carried as background music on several local access channels in southeastern Massachusetts. B101's offices and studios are located on the 3rd and 4th floors respectively of the Roland Building adjacent to Interstate 95 in the city of Providence.
Contents |
- 6am-10am, TC (Tom Campbell) & Friends
- 10am-3pm, Ed McMann (voicetracked from out of town)
- 3pm-7pm, Amy Hagan
- 7pm-12mid, Tom St. John (9pm-12mid is voicetracked)
- Donna Mac
- Scott Murphy
- Dave Newfell (formerly "Johnny Sommers")
- Mike O'Reilly
- Steve Valentine, "The Ol' Fool From Fall River"
- Mark Ambrose
- Ray Anthony
- Jed Barton
- Big John Bina
- Robby Bridges
- Daria Bruno
- Kenny Cool
- Melissa Culross
- Austin Davis
- Bob Kay
- Tiffany Hill
- Michele Hughes
- Roger Letendre
- Rick Lyle
- Bobby Michaels
- Rebecca Morse-Whitten
- Rockin' Rob Mullin
- Cruisin' Bruce Palmer
- Paul Perry
- Keri Rodrigues
- Jeff Ryan
- Randy Saxx
- Dr. Don Spencer
- Norm Thibeault
WWBB hit the air in 1989 with an Oldies format, which was very popular across the nation at that time. Prior to that, the station was known as WLKW-FM and aired a Beautiful Music format. As the 21st century dawned, B101 started to slowly see changes in the music it played. Music from the 1950s was phased out until it was almost gone completely around 2003. More music from the 1970s began to appear, and the slogan changed from "Good Times And Great Oldies" to "Big Hits Of The 60s And 70s". It was around this time, that former program director Bill Hess repositioned the station as "Big Hits, B101", a moniker which still exists today. In the last year or so, music from the 1980s began to be aired. Over the years, the number of songs in rotation has shrunk from approximately 1,500 down to 300.
In October 2004, two on-air veterans, Cruisin' Bruce Palmer and Big John Bina, after 25 years of combined service were told their services were no longer needed. Station management said that they wanted to "go in another direction", however, it is widely accepted that this was just a cost cutting move. Clear Channel Communications, the owner of over a thousand radio stations including B101, is notorious for dismissing highly paid air talent in an attempt to save money. Bruce Palmer found work again almost immediately and is now the afternoon disc jockey at 96.1 WSRS in Worcester, Massachusetts, ironically another Clear Channel owned station. He also does occassional part-time shifts at Oldies 103.3 WODS in Boston, Massachusetts.
Prior to Bina and Palmer's dismissal, Roger Letendre, Dr. Don Spencer, and Randy Saxx were other full timers who were shown the door in 2000 in a similar fashion. Scott Murphy was let go a year or so later, again believed to be a cost cutting measure, but he opted to remain part-time.
More bad luck hit B101 in December 2004, as morning co-host Rebecca Morse-Whitten refused to take a breath test after being suspected of driving while intoxicated by the Warwick, Rhode Island police. While she was allegedly intoxicated, she rammed a car and left the scene of the accident. All this supposedly happened after leaving the station's Christmas party. Clear Channel subsequently terminated her employment.
In the last 10 years, many B101 DJs have gotten calls on the listener lines from people trying to reach WBEB in Philadelphia, also positioned as "B101" (but located at 101.1 FM). The confusion lies in the fact that the "b101.com" website is owned by WWBB and Clear Channel, not WBEB. WBEB listeners sometimes log on to "b101.com", assume they are on the correct website, find the phone number, and end up calling WWBB. Both stations also used a bumblebee logo, which could add to the confusion (WWBB dropped the bumblebee from their logo a few years back). Jerry Lee, the owner of WBEB, has made offers to Clear Channel for the "b101.com" domain name. All offers have been rejected. Thus, WBEB uses "b101radio.com". Coincidentally, WBEB's current morning show co-host, Tiffany Hill, was also once the morning co-host at WWBB.