WMOP-FM 93.7
Ocala
Original Calls: WMOP
Originally Licensed: 1960
Original City of License: Ocala
Original Format: Pop
Owner(s): 1960-WMOP, Inc. (James Kirk)
1985-Dix Communications, Inc (Ocala Broadcasting)
History Of Call Letters and Formats: WMOP-1960-Pop
WFUZ-1973-Big Bands/Easy Listening
WFUZ-1981-Block Programming (Easy Listening-Day/Country-Night)
WFUZ-1985-Adult Contemporary
WMMZ-1986-Top 40 "Z-93"
WOGK-1994-Country "K-Country 93.7 FM"
WMOP History
Thanks to Marc Tyll for this history of WMOP.
WMOP-FM began broadcasting on November 7, 1960 at 93.7 mhz, with 4,200 watts, co-owned with country giant legend WMOP-AM 900. The format was Pop and remained with that format until 1973 when WMOP-FM increased its power to 100,000 watts and changed its call letters to WFUZ--named to honor the area's police officers. Kirk considers the development of the FM station in this area as one his greatest accomplishments.
At that time, WFUZ became Ocala’s first and only Easy Listening station with special Big Band programming in the afternoons. Big Daddy Miles Foland, a long time broadcast legend in Cincinnati, had retired to Ocala years earlier and was the afternoon air talent on WTMC-AM 1290. WFUZ's owner, "Country" Jim Kirk, lured Big Daddy away from WTMC to host the afternoon Big Band show on the new 100,000 watt WFUZ. Programming on WFUZ remained easy listening until 1983 when it was decided to switch the nighttime programming to country to better compete against another FM country station that recently commenced 24-hour operations. However, the daytime on WFUZ remained Easy Listening until 1985. That’s when Country Jim decided it was time to sell the FM, and a switch was made to full-time Adult Contemporary. The new owners, Dix Communications, constructed a new transmitter plant and studio in 1986. The call letters were changed to WMMZ and it became a cult following CHR known as "Z-93". The New CHR "Z-93" remained a hit until it all came to an end in March of 1994. That’s when Dix Communications decided to take 93.7 in a different direction. So a new general manager and staff was hired. The call letters were once again changed, this time to WOGK, and the format became a mix of modern and classic country, known as "K-Country, 93FM".
Names In WMOP History
James Kirk-Owner ("Country Jim")
Tom Catalano-General Manager
Chuck Deele-Mornings/Program Director
Fred Mullins-Program Director
Wes Unold
Scotty Pacquin
Miles "Big Daddy" Foland
Reynolds Hawk- General Manager (Z-93)
Mark Davis-Program Director (Z-93)
Bobby Hart
Jay Matthews
Tony Downes-Biography
Mike Tanner
Sean "Omatic" Scott
Nate Graham
Frank Stevens
Don Schmal
Edwin Lee Smith-News Director