WOGK-FM 93.7 Ocala

WOGK-FM 93.7
Ocala

Original Call Letters: WMOP

Originally Licensed: Nov 7, 1960

Original City of License: Ocala

Original Frequency: 93.7

Origin of Call Letters:

Original Power: 100,000 watts

Original Location: 311 Robertson Bldg.

Original Format: Country

Network Affiliation(s):

Owner(s):	1960-WMOP, Inc.
	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-Contemporary Hits "Z-93"
	WOGK-1994-Country "K-Country 93.7 FM"

WOGK History
Thanks to Marc Tyll for this history of WOGK.
WOGK began broadcasting on November 7, 1960 at 93.7 mHz, with 4,200 watts as WMOP-FM, 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".

WMMZ-FM to change to WOGK
Ocala Star-Banner (FL) - Friday, March 11, 1994
Author: Star-Banner staff

OCALA -- Adult contemporary rock radio station WMMZ-FM ("Z-93") gets a new name, as well as a new format, later today. WOGK-FM ("K Country 93.7") is scheduled to begin broadcasting at 5 p.m. today, station officials said Thursday, with what is to be a blend of old and new country music. To help with the transition, the station owners recently hired Jim Robertson as the general manager. Robertson had served as operations manager for KIKK in Houston. "Jim brings a lot of country expertise to our new format, having worked at one of the leading country stations in Houston," said Chuck Dix, president of the station's parent company, Ohio-based Dix Radio Group. Former general manager Chris Corson will serve as station manager.
The switch was made because country is currently the most popular radio format among adult listeners, Robertson said earlier this week. K Country will compete with the market's top station, WTRS-FM 102.3 and long-time Ocala country station WMOP-AM 900. Officials at both stations expect K Country to have minimal impact on their share of listeners. "We were country when country wasn't cool," said M.J. Lucas, program director for WMOP. The station was recently bought by Dick Andrews and plays a mix of old and new country music.