G Rock Radio
For the Greenville, South Carolina station formerly known as WBBO, see WTPT-FM.
WHTG-FM and WBBO (106.3 and 106.5 FM, "Hits 106") are two radio stations simulcasting a Top 40 format. Licensed to the suburb of Eatontown and Bass River Township, New Jersey, they serve the Monmouth County and Atlantic City, New Jersey metropolitan areas.
WHTG-FM's transmitter is located at the Garden State Parkway exit 105 in Tinton Falls, New Jersey. WBBO's transmitter is located in the New Jersey Pinelands near Garden State Parkway exit 58.
On January 19, 2009, both WHTG and WBBO dropped the long-time alternative format and switched to Top 40.
WHTG-FM and WBBO-FM Broadcasts as Hits 106.
History
WBBO History
WBBO was first assigned the WSLT call sign on February 3, 1981. On July 6, 2006, WKOE swapped frequencies with WBBO, which has been simulcasting WHTG on 98.5 FM and was known as B98.5 prior to that.
From August 2005 - January 2009 it simulcasted G 106.3 in Ocean County and South Jersey. On January 19, 2009, the format switched to Top 40 along with WHTG.
WHTG 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 (1410 AM).
The station was named for Harold and Theo Gade, its first owners and operators. Eventually, the Gades' daughter Faye became general manager of the station.
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.
Primarily a Beautiful Music station, it also broadcast Adult Standards (e.g.
popular vocalists like Frank Sinatra) and big bands in the evenings alongside its sister station until 1983, then Adult Contemporary music up to the switch to Alternative rock in August, 1984.
Air personalities on WHTG at this time included Jack Scott, Don Brennan, Ray Knight, Jeff Michaels (now known as Jeff Rafter), Vince Hartnett, James Theadoracopulous (who used the air name "J.T. Copulous"), Chuck Weigel, Phil Matthews, Rich Robinson, Drew Williamson, Rich O'Reilly, Dave Mackey, Chuck Rossi, and Mike Marrone.
Glory days
WHTG FM106.3 logo
In the very early FM 106-3 days, the station had somewhat of a free-form approach, with DJ's who were alternative rock fans picking what music they played, from Pixies to Prince.
During the mid-1980s, The Smiths and other Manchester Sound artists were especially favored by the station's jocks. DJ Matt Pinfield, who also acted as Program Director, was noted for being extremely knowledgeable of alternative and independent artist information when introducing tracks.
For a brief period in the early nineties, the station used a slogan of "Real Rock Radio, FM 106.3." In the nineties, it's signature copy became, FM 106.3, Modern Rock, at the Jersey Shore.
WHTG achieved its highest ratings ever in 1993 and 1994 when it received "favorite radio station" honor in Rolling Stone's annual readers' polls. The station garnered "underground" marketing support in the form of widespread application of the station's logo (at right) upon traffic signs throughout the state.
Later, WHTG had then evolved into an alternative rock station that played 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 - FM 106.3's original alternative-era slogan from 1985 to 1989.
G Rock Radio also featured special programming on weekend mornings.
With the acquisition of WBBO, G106.3 became known as "G-Rock Radio", with a simulcast on 106.3 and 98.5. During this time, G-Rock was trimulcasted on 98.5, 106.3, and 106.5 to assist listeners in the frequency transition.
G-Rock has recently dropped their weekday noon request show called "90's at Noon" for a more 80's influenced request show known as "The Retro Request Hour". Another specialty show heard on Sunday nights called The Underground, which featured indie bands as well as b-sides and unknown tracks from current played artists, which was dropped in March 2007.
On June 24, 2007, specialty programming on Sunday nights returned with "The Punkyard", which consisted of two hours of punk music. By spring 2008, other weekend programming on G Rock included the all-request "Radio Kaos" from 7pm-midnight Saturdays.