WDST

Last updated
WDST
Broadcast area Hudson Valley
Frequency 100.1 MHz
BrandingRadio Woodstock
Programming
Format Adult Album Alternative
Ownership
OwnerCHET-5 Broadcasting
History
First air date
April 29, 1980
Call sign meaning
WooDSTock
Technical information [1]
Licensing authority
 FCC
Facility ID 10781
Class A
ERP 3,000 watts
HAAT 96 meters (315 ft)
Transmitter coordinates
 41°59′24.25″N74°1′5.2572″W / 41.9900694°N 74.018127000°W / 41.9900694; -74.018127000
Links
Public license information
Webcast Listen Live
Website RadioWoodstock.com

WDST (100.1 MHz), branded as "Radio Woodstock 100.1", is a commercial FM radio station licensed to Woodstock, New York, and serving the Mid-Hudson Valley. [2] Radio Woodstock is known as a progressive station that was at the forefront of both the modern rock and adult album alternative (triple A) formats. The radio studios are in the former West Hurley Methodist church on Route 28.

Contents

The station is owned by CHET-5 Broadcasting. Its effective radiated power is 3,000 watts. The transmitter is on Miggins Road in the Town of Kingston. [3]

History

On April 29, 1980, WDST first signed on the air from studios in Woodstock and a tower in Lake Katrine. Initially, WDST featured a free-form format which was described as "public radio with commercials". From its start until being sold in 1993, it used the slogan "The Bulldog of the Hudson Valley".

During this free-form period under Program Director Richard Fusco, though the station's eclectic format won three Billboard "Station of the Year" awards, the rock portions of the station's programming became the most-listened-to. WDST evolved its format more towards rock music, though free-form elements would remain until the early 1990s. Early hosts include Jeanne Atwood and nighttime DJ The Mysterious Robo. The progressive rock lean of the original format would evolve into an early modern rock format by the mid-1990s. The rise of alternative rock, a genre WDST had to itself, saw the station improve its overall listenership by the early 1990s.

In 1993, WDST was sold to CHET-5 Broadcasting along with WKNY in Kingston. Principal owner Gary Chetkof hired promoted Nic Harcourt to the morning show and the station was programmed with an alt-rock format. WDST soon thereafter purchased a radio station in Arlington, New York (a suburb of Poughkeepsie, New York) and simulcast WDST on FM 96.9 MHz (also known as WDSP). It was a natural extension for the 96.9 MHz signal, which debuted in the late 1980s as WEXP Next FM, offering an eclectic mix of modern rock and progressive rock elements.

In April 1997, WDSP and WKNY were sold to the Crystal Radio Group, owners of WPDH and WRRV. Because of the loss of the 96.9 MHz simulcast, much of the station's coverage south of Poughkeepsie was lost. In 1998, WDST moved its transmitter site to a tower on Hallihan Hill in the Town of Kingston, slightly north west of the city. [4] This greatly improved overall coverage in the Hudson Valley. [5] Small areas of coverage to the south were restored via translators in Newburgh (1998) [6] and Poughkeepsie (the Poughkeepsie translator service being discontinued in August 2009). Shortly after the sale, then Program Director (PD) Dave Leonard left to start The Woodstock Broadcasting Network at Utopia Studios and (MD) Nic Harcourt left for KCRW in Los Angeles, California, where he hosted Morning Becomes Eclectic until December 2, 2008.

To diversify its business offerings, Chetkof started to produce concerts in and around the Hudson Valley and became one of the largest independent concert promoters in the Hudson Valley. It is estimated that Radio Woodstock's concert division has produced over 500 shows, including one day music festivals such as The Felice County Fair at Opus 40 in Saugerties, the Speed of Sound Festival in Wappingers Falls outside Poughkeepsie (with headliners the Avett Brothers in 2015 and The Lumineers in 2016), and various Craft Beer Festivals known as the Boogaloo.

In 2005, to celebrate its 25th anniversary, Gary Chetkof formed a new company to produce a musical festival on behalf of the radio station. The Festival was named Mountain Jam after the Allman Brothers song, and was such a success, that it was brought back the following year as a 2-day music and camping festival. The Festival expanded to 3 days the following year, and is currently the Northeast's biggest music and camping festival. In 2013, Chetkof partnered with Townsquare Media to launch the Taste of Country Music Festival the weekend after Mountain Jam and that festival is now the largest country music camping festival in the Northeast. As part of the deal with Townsquare Media, Townsquare also became partners in Mountain Jam and the festival gradually shifted its programming from Jamband music to Inde/Alt Rock. In 2018, Chetkof and Townsqaure parted ways, with Chetkof owning Mountain Jam and Townsquare owning Taste of Country. Live Nation subsequently purchased 51% of Mountain Jam and 100% of Taste of Country. Mountain Jam moved to Bethel Woods Center for the Performing Arts in 2019, and was cancelled in 2020 due to the corona virus pandemic. The festival has yet to return, which has been a source of contention between Chetkof and Live Nation. In 2010, Radio Woodstock celebrated its 30th anniversary. The station released two volumes of a 30th anniversary CD featuring live recordings from the station's rich history of hosting top talent for in-studio performances, local concerts, and its annual Mountain Jam Festival. Additionally, Radio Woodstock's year-long 30th Anniversary Concert Series featured performances in the Woodstock area by Assembly of Dust, Amos Lee, and The Hold Steady to name a few.

In 2016, Radio Woodstock created the Radio Woodstock Cares Foundation to help raise money for breast cancer research and care in the Hudson Valley. Its Pink October Fundraisers, started in 1998, had become so successful that a 501(c)(3) entity was officially created. Nearly $1 million dollars has been raised over the years via a combination of charity concerts, radio-thons supported by listener donations for song requests, and online auctions. Some of the featured concert headliners over the years include Natalie Merchant, The Indigo Girls, Michael Franti, and Brandi Carlile.

Also in 2016, Radio Woodstock became one of the first listener- and advertiser-supported commercial FM radio stations in the country. The station pledged to reduce the number of commercials it would play each hour, refused advertising from certain large multi-national corporations whose products were inconsistent with its Woodstock brand, and canceled its contract with the Nielsen Ratings Company. Radio Woodstock won a "most innovative station" award from the prestigious Jacobs Media in March 2017. The station continues to add supporters via its website and through two on-air supporter drives each year. Radio Woodstock is estimated to have nearly 1,000 supporters who pledge 100.1 dollars per year to help the station stay independent and keep its progressive and eclectic programming, and to receive Member benefits such as exclusive invitations to in-studio concerts and events.

Programming

Greg Gattine, former production director of WPDH, is the current program director and morning show host. Middays and the Lunch Lounge are hosted by senior account manager Aja Whitney, and afternoons by production director Justin Foy. Weekends feature Ron VanWarmer, host of Acoustic Breakfast, General Manager Joel Simon on Sunday's and Lenny Bloch, one of the founders of the channel Jam On on Sirius XM Radio. Radio Woodstock also syndicates shows such as eTown, [7] and the Underground Garage, hosted by E Street Band guitarist Steven Van Zandt. [8]

Radio Woodstock's programming has evolved into a more mainstream Adult Album Alternative (Triple A) format, with popular rock songs from the 1960s to the present.

Related Research Articles

WVKR-FM(Independent Radio) is a college radio station owned by and primarily staffed by students of Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York. The station broadcasts on 91.3 MHz at 3,700 watts ERP from a tower in Milton, New York with a directional signal to the south. The station also streams on the web.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WSPK</span> Radio station in Poughkeepsie, New York

WSPK is a Top 40 (CHR) station licensed to Poughkeepsie, New York. Its studios are located on NY 52 Business in the town of Fishkill. It is owned by Pamal Broadcasting and transmits from a tower atop Beacon Mountain in Fishkill.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WCZX</span> Radio station in New York, United States

WCZX is a radio station licensed to Hyde Park, New York and serving the Mid-Hudson Valley of New York state. The station is owned by Townsquare Media and broadcasts at 300 watts ERP from the Illinois Mountain master tower in Marlborough, New York with studios on Pendell Road in the Town of Poughkeepsie.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WPDH</span> Radio station in Poughkeepsie, New York

WPDH is a commercial radio station licensed to Poughkeepsie, New York, and serving the Hudson Valley and Catskills. The station is owned by Townsquare Media and broadcasts a classic rock radio format. Its studios and offices are on Pendell Road in Poughkeepsie.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WEOK</span> Radio station in Poughkeepsie, New York

WEOK is a commercial radio station licensed to Poughkeepsie, New York and serving the Mid-Hudson Valley. The station is owned by Townsquare Media and airs a Spanish adult hits format, known as "Juan 95.7".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WALL</span> Radio station in Middletown, New York

WALL is a commercial radio station licensed to Middletown, New York, and serving Orange County and parts of the Hudson Valley. WALL is owned by Neversink Media Group through licensee Digital Radio Broadcasting, Inc. and broadcasts a classic hits radio format, its studios and offices are in Port Jervis and Middletown.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WRRV</span> Radio station in Middletown, New York

WRRV is a commercial radio station licensed to Middletown, New York, and serving Orange County, including parts of the mid Hudson Valley and Catskill Mountains. The station is owned by Townsquare Media and broadcasts an alternative rock radio format. WRRV's programming is simulcast on 96.9 WRRB Arlington, New York which serves the Mid-Hudson Valley, north of WRRV's signal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WZAD</span> Radio station in New York, United States

WZAD is country music radio station licensed to Wurtsboro, New York, that serves the Catskill Mountains region, Orange County, New York, and Pike County, Pennsylvania. The station is owned by Townsquare Media and broadcasts with 620 watts ERP from a tower between Wurtsboro and Monticello. Its studios are in Poughkeepsie, New York.

WKXP is a commercial radio station licensed to Kingston, New York, and serving the Hudson Valley of New York state. The station is owned by Townsquare Media and it broadcasts a soft adult contemporary radio format from its radio studios in Poughkeepsie, New York. Weekday evenings, WKXP carries the nationally syndicated show "Intelligence for Your Life" with John Tesh.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WRNQ</span> Radio station in Poughkeepsie, New York

WRNQ is a commercial radio station licensed to Poughkeepsie, New York and serving the Mid-Hudson Valley of New York state. The station is owned by iHeartMedia, Inc. and broadcasts an adult contemporary radio format, switching to Christmas music for much of November and December.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WBPM</span> Radio station in Saugerties, New York

WBPM is a classic hits radio station licensed to Saugerties, New York, serving the Mid-Hudson Valley and Catskills. The station is owned by Pamal Broadcasting and broadcasts at 6,000 watts ERP from a tower in the Town of Kingston, New York, while its studios are in Beacon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WRRB</span> Radio station in Arlington, New York

WRRB is an alternative rock radio station licensed to Arlington, New York and serving the Mid-Hudson Valley of New York state. The station is owned by Townsquare Media and broadcasts at 310 watts ERP from the Illinois Mountain master tower in Marlborough, New York

WBWZ is a commercial FM radio station licensed to New Paltz, New York, and serving the Mid-Hudson Valley of New York state. The station is owned by iHeartMedia, Inc. Its effective radiated power (ERP) is 330 watts, broadcasting from a transmitter near Illinois Mountain in Marlborough, New York, on a tower shared with longtime sister station 107.3 WRWD-FM.

WGHQ is a commercial AM radio station licensed to Kingston, New York, and serving the Hudson Valley. WGHQ is owned by Pamal Broadcasting and airs a conservative talk format known as "The Beacon".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WCTW</span> Radio station in New York, United States

WCTW is a hot adult contemporary music formatted radio station licensed to Catskill, New York, and serving Columbia and Greene counties as well as the upper Hudson Valley, the southern Capital District, and Berkshire County, Massachusetts. The station is owned by iHeartMedia and broadcasts at 4.7 kW ERP from the center tower of the three-tower array used by former sister station WCKL, on Route 9G in Greenport, New York. WCTW's signal can be received as far north as Albany and as far south as Poughkeepsie; however, the station begins to mix with co-channel WCKM-FM and WTRY-FM north of Albany.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WKIP</span> Radio station in New York, United States

WKIP is a commercial radio station licensed to Poughkeepsie, New York. The station is owned by iHeartMedia, and broadcasts at 1,000 watts from a two-tower array adjacent to its studios in the Arlington section of the Town of Poughkeepsie. During daytime hours it uses a directional antenna, and changes to a non-directional antenna at night. An unusual switch from standard practice where many AM stations are non-directional by day and directional at night. Programming is also heard on FM translator W253BV at 98.5 MHz and on WJIP 1370 AM in Ellenville, New York.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WDBY</span> Radio station in New York, United States

WDBY is an American country music radio station licensed to Patterson, New York. The station serves the eastern Hudson Valley and Greater Danbury, Connecticut, listening areas, as part of a trimulcast with 97.7 WCZX in the Poughkeepsie area and 97.3 WZAD in the Catskill Mountains. The station is owned by Townsquare Media and broadcasts from a tower located in Patterson, New York, near the Putnam/Dutchess county line. WDBY also operates a booster, WDBY-FM1 in Brookfield, Connecticut, which broadcasts with 1.2 kilowatts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mountain Jam (festival)</span> Music festival in upstate New York

Mountain Jam is an annual music festival held in upstate New York since 2005. It started as a small one day music festival in 2005 with 3000 attendees, and has grown over the years into the largest rock and camping festival in the Northeast that is usually 3 or 4 days long, drawing over 40,000 attendees over the duration of the Festival.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WKNY</span> Radio station in Kingston, New York

WKNY is an AM radio station in Kingston, New York, serving Ulster County. It broadcasts at a power of 1,000 watts from a single tower located off Albany Avenue. The studios and offices are on Broadway in Kingston. WKNY is owned and operated by not-for-profit charitable licensee Radio Kingston Corp.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WPDA</span> Radio station in Jeffersonville, New York

WPDA is a radio station broadcasting a classic rock radio format, simulcasting WPDH 101.5 FM Poughkeepsie, New York. Licensed to Jeffersonville, New York, United States, the station is owned by Townsquare Media and features programming from AP Radio. Its studios are in Poughkeepsie, and its transmitter is located in Liberty, New York.

References

  1. ↑ "Facility Technical Data for WDST". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  2. ↑ "WDST Facility Record". United States Federal Communications Commission, audio division.
  3. ↑ Radio-Locator.com/WDST
  4. ↑ "WDST Application Record". United States Federal Communications Commission, audio division.
  5. ↑ "WDST 60 dBu service contour". United States Federal Communications Commission, audio division.
  6. ↑ "W293AE 60 dBu service contour". United States Federal Communications Commission, audio division.
  7. ↑ "Find a Station". 9 May 2014.
  8. ↑ "Little Steven's Underground Garage Radio Affiliates". undergroundgarage.com. Archived from the original on 2014-07-23.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.