FM History Profile: WBAM

History:

This station started off as WFMI-FM, the FM companion of AM 1000, WQTY, which no longer broadcasts. The format was classical music in glorious mono. Later, WBAM AM 740 bought the station, changed the format to country and started having their AM morning show simulcast on the FM. After the AM was sold to a country compeitior, the FM changed to AC as 99 FM, then later to top 40 as BAM 99. In the mid 80's, with the decline of top 40, the station went to oldies for a while as Oldies 98. Later it returned to country with a hot country format. After a third station in the market moved to country, the market became oversaturated and WBAM changed formats yet again, this time to top 40 again as Star 98.9. The format is a virtual duplicate of Atlanta's Star 94, with its focus on adult alternative music.

In September 2000, the station briefly switched to WJMZ's format of urban/hip hop music, with the "98.9 Jamz" slogan, but that didn't last a month.  Early October saw the station back to the CHR format.