By Staff
AIRWAVES Disc jockey Robert Northcutt, left, owner Ken Rainey and Operations Manager Ken Michaels have launched a new radio station, 103.3 FM. Photo by Carisa McCain/The Meridian Star
By Fredie Carmichael/The Meridian Star
June 19, 2001
About this time two years ago, Ken Rainey sold WMYQ 97.9 and appeared to be making an exit from his longtime radio career. Not so fast, says the 61-year-old Meridian radio legend.
Rainey has received approval from the Federal Communication Commission for a new frequency, 103.3 FM-WZKR. The new station went on the air in late May.
Although the 25,000-watt station is licensed to Decatur, it is located in downtown Meridian.
New frequencies
As for anyone thinking of going out and applying for a frequency today, Rainey says it's almost impossible.
Deciding on the station's format was easy.
Familiar faces
Ken Michaels, who worked with Rainey at 97.9, does all the programming for WZKR. He also co-hosts the morning show with Rainey from 6 a.m.-10 a.m. Former Z-102 DJs Robert Northcutt and Jeff Boles round out the rest of the on-air team. Northcutt is on the air mid-days from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; Boles covers the afternoon drive-time from 2 p.m.-6 p.m.
Michaels says he jumped at the opportunity to work with Rainey again and hopes that he can help WZKR become a success.
Michaels said he believes in putting local artists on the air.
Fredie Carmichael is a staff writer for The Meridian Star. Call him at 693-1551, ext. 3228, or e-mail him at fcarmichael@themeridianstar.com.