As was typical of most stations at that time WJML
offered a variety of special programs mixed in with
a Middle of the Road music format. On weekends a
favorite of many listeners was a Classic Radio
combination of Fibber McGee and Molly followed
by Suspense.
Because of our coverage area JML chose
to feature the top contests in High School
football and basketball each week. So
while local stations broadcast their home
teams you could keep up with the play by
play of what we thought was the game of
the week. Sports fans had the best of both
worlds and two radios bringing them the
action. Bill Supernaw handled the play by
play.
Winter meant snowmobile racing
and we were trackside to report
the results.
The Annual Chicago to Macinac Island Yacht races
kept the listeners upto date with live reports and
ship to shore phone calls from the yachts. And you
can bet that the skippers listened in to our coverage
just as soon as they could pick up our signal.
Hockey Fans. We had you covered too.
Michigan State and Notre Dame football drew a huge local audience
including all the vistors from down state including Chicago, northern
Indiana and Ohio
Besides sports and music, two call-in shows invited the listeners to participate. Instant ads for
30 minutes Monday through Saturday let callers sell, trade or look for items. Anything was fair game
from horse trailers to a kitchen sink.
Also Monday through Saturday, Sound Off let people comment on stories in the news or local affairs.
Occasionally we would have a guest on local events or one of the areas government representatives.
Bill Supernaw was the Monday through Friday host and knew how to mix it up with some of the callers with
unconventional views on politics and government. A special block of Country Music aired Saturday
afternoons and a half hour of Polka Music hosted by Dee Lawton.
John Harrington recorded a series of programs titled "Lasting Impressions". These 5 minute vignettes
related an interesting story of some famous personality whose identity would be withheld to the very last
moment. The series could be compared to a similar feature "The Rest of The Story" presented by another
famed Chicago Broadcaster, Paul Harvey.
Ray Heatherton, star of Broadway, Television and Radio provided us with an
hour variety show on Sunday mornings. Another show of special interest was a public affairs show produced
in Russia featuring stories of daily life in the Soviet Union.
The mid 70's also saw the station increase its power from 27,000 watts to 100,00 which provided a
stronger signal in the fringe areas of our coverage area. Stereo was also added to our signal. The staff
size increased by adding more DJ's and news staff and broadcasting expanded to a 24 hour schedule. Such
was the sound of one of the most popular stations in Northern Michigan.
The unexpected passing of John Harrington September 1974 left his estate in a position
that it was decided to put the station up for sale.
