1540 becomes "The Farm"
Youngstown:
On August 18th,
Beacon Broadcasting sold 1570 WANR in Warren, and 1540 WRTK, in Niles, to
Whiplash Radio LLC. New owners Chris
and Kathy Lash are currently operating the stations on a time brokerage
agreement, until the FCC approves the sale.
The Lashes currently operate 89.3 WYNS radio in Waynesville, OH and have owned and built stations in PA, Tennessee and Florida. Chris Lash is a 32 year veteran broadcaster, and will be the General Manager of the two new properties. Other current staff members will stay in place at the stations. 1570 WANR will remain Fox Sports Radio 1570 and continue its rich tradition of local high school sports.
On Wednesday, September 1st,
Lash debuted a new format on WRTK. The
new 1540 The Farm features classic country favorites from the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s. “My family are all farmers in and around
Pittsburgh, so the format and name came from my many days working along side my
cousins, and uncles, while listening to the radio in the barn” said Lash. Currently there are no stations in there
Youngstown-Warren radio market with the format.
The new 1540 The Farm will also feature live web streaming 24/7 of the format at www.youngstownscountrylegends.com. WRTK is a daytime only station, signing on at sunrise, and off at sunset. The 24/7 streaming will allow listeners to enjoy the format, even when the station is off air. Lash will serve as the station’s morning man, and more local talent will be added shortly. The Lashes renovated the old WRTK studios in Mineral Ridge, and will move both stations to that location shortly. “These stations have a rich radio history. And it is my goal to return them to their former glory. It's what I do, it's what I’ve done in my career.” added Lash. The two new Whiplash Radio stations are the only independent stations in the Youngstown-Warren market.
Readers’ Forum
The closest is WGRP 940 from Greenville and WLOA 1470 in Farrell. Both are in Pa. but could change formats with their sale.
Tom Lavery (URL) - September 01, 2010 at 11:01 pm
I wish Chris Lash all the luck with the new classic country format. It is about time someone made a legitimate attempt at a country format that pre-dates 1990. Now, if only we could get a similar format on FM for the Pittsburgh market…God only knows the pop-country schlock that Y108 and Froggy play could use some serious competition!
deerejohn - September 02, 2010 at 08:43 am
Good luck to Mr. Lash with the country station. It seems as if way too much of the country heard on corporate radio is little more than rock music with fiddles.
Rick - September 08, 2010 at 2:36 pm