WKFL-AM 1170 Bushnell
Original Call Letters: WWLB
Originally Licensed: Oct 6, 1986
Original City of License: Bushnell
Original Frequency: 1170
Origin of Call Letters:
Original Power: 1,000 watts daytime
Original Location:
Original Format: Country
Network Affiliation(s):
Owner(s):
1986-Sumter County Radio
1989-StarStrip Communications Inc.
1993-Maranatha Media
2001-Walker Information & Education Institute
2001-K Florida Radio, Inc.
2004-Talknsports, Inc. ($155,000)
2011-Scott Walker
2012-Zeigler Media Svcs (LMA)
History Of Call Letters and Formats:
WWLB-1986-Gospel
WKFL-1987-Country (Simulcast-WKIQ-AM 1240) "Country 1170 and 1240"
WBEA-1987-Country "Country 1170"
WKFL-1992-Sports
WKFL-1992-Gospel/Sports
WKFL-1998-Urban Gospel "American Family Radio" "Mighty Gospel 1170 AM"
WKFL-1998-Gospel/NASCAR/College Football
WKFL-1999-Urban Gospel
WKFL-2004-Southern Gospel
WKFL-2006-Licensed/Silent
WKFL-2007-Sports
WKFL-2007-Licensed/Silent
WKFL-2008-Sports
WKFL-2009-Licensed/Silent
WKFL-2010-Sports "Sporting News Radio"
WKFL-2010-Classic Country "Real Country USA"
WKFL-2011-Licensed/Silent
WKFL-2012-Classic Country "Kickin' Country"
History Of WKFL
In 1987 WKFL began simulcasting with WKIQ-AM 1240 in Eustis. The new slogan became "Country 1170 and 1240". In September of 1987, the call sign was changed to WBEA, then changed again in November of 1987 to the current WKFL. In 1992, Henry Fehrmann's Maranatha Media purchased the station. In August of 1998, Fehrmann purchased the 59-year-old Martin Theater on Main Street in Wildwood in the hope of turning it into a Christian radio station and performing arts center. The theater was renamed The King's Theatre. The dilapidated $500,000 property included a 6,500-square-foot hall with 500 seats and a large stage for performances. Fehrmann's radio station, known as American Family Radio, used part of the site for a broadcast studio and offices.
(The Martin Theatre opened in 1949 and had closed by 1988. The building is now split between a realtor and a church, but it still retains many theater attributes.) Fehrmann later sold WKFL to Keith Walker who flipped the format to Southern Gospel and paired it with WWKO-FM 91.3 Ocala. Walker's estate sold WKFL to Bruce Cox for $155,000 in 2004.
In 1987 WKFL began simulcasting with WKIQ-AM 1240 in Eustis. The new slogan became "Country 1170 and 1240". In September of 1987, the call sign was changed to WBEA, then changed again in November of 1987 to the current WKFL. In 1992, Henry Fehrmann's Maranatha Media purchased the station. In August of 1998, Fehrmann purchased the 59-year-old Martin Theater on Main Street in Wildwood in the hope of turning it into a Christian radio station and performing arts center. The theater was renamed The King's Theatre. The dilapidated $500,000 property included a 6,500-square-foot hall with 500 seats and a large stage for performances. Fehrmann's radio station, known as American Family Radio, used part of the site for a broadcast studio and offices.
(The Martin Theatre opened in 1949 and had closed by 1988. The building is now split between a realtor and a church, but it still retains many theater attributes.) Fehrmann later sold WKFL to Keith Walker who flipped the format to Southern Gospel and paired it with WWKO-FM 91.3 Ocala. Walker's estate sold WKFL to Bruce Cox for $155,000 in 2004.
Names In WKFL History
Jim Johnson-1989-President-StarStrip Communications Inc. Henry Fehrmann-1992-President/1998-Host of "The Gospel Connection"-Noon-2PM Fridays-Maranatha Media Bob Green-1997-"It's Time to Talk"-4PM-6PM-Maranatha Media Roger Kwapich-1998-"Consumer Automotive Repair"-Saturdays-9AM-10AM-Maranatha Media Rev. Gary Chambers-1998-Mornings/Station Manager-Maranatha Media Sharon Schrepple-1998-"Seniors on the Go''-Maranatha Media Keith Walker-2001-President-K Florida Radio, Inc. Bruce Cox-2004-President-Talknsports, Inc. Jan Hall-2004-General Manager-Talknsports, Inc.
Jim Johnson-1989-President-StarStrip Communications Inc. Henry Fehrmann-1992-President/1998-Host of "The Gospel Connection"-Noon-2PM Fridays-Maranatha Media Bob Green-1997-"It's Time to Talk"-4PM-6PM-Maranatha Media Roger Kwapich-1998-"Consumer Automotive Repair"-Saturdays-9AM-10AM-Maranatha Media Rev. Gary Chambers-1998-Mornings/Station Manager-Maranatha Media Sharon Schrepple-1998-"Seniors on the Go''-Maranatha Media Keith Walker-2001-President-K Florida Radio, Inc. Bruce Cox-2004-President-Talknsports, Inc. Jan Hall-2004-General Manager-Talknsports, Inc.
Ron Bisson-2011-Morning Host-"Ron Bisson's Real Country USA" (The American Military Entertainment Network) |
Dana-2011-Morning Co-Host-"Ron Bisson's Real Country USA " (The American Military Entertainment Network) |
Jeff-2011-Morning Co-Host-"Ron Bisson's Real Country USA" (The American Military Entertainment Network) |
Scott Walker-2011-Owner |
Glen Zeigler "Cowboy Rowdy"-2012 -President/7AM-11AM-Zeigler Media Svcs |
Martin Rowdy Tijmes-2012- "Rowdy Radio Show"-Syndicated-Zeigler Media Svcs |
|
Marty McFly-2013- "Live Ride with Marty McFly"-Syndicated-Zeigler Media Svcs. |
Jon Metts - 2013
"Cowboy Jon"-3PM-6PM-Zeigler Media Svcs. |
Programs In WKFL History
Sports Talk-1997-6AM-Noon Mon-Thursday/all day Friday through Sunday
Branson Country Music-1997-Noon-4PM weekdays/6PM-Sign Off
"The Gospel Connection"-1998-Henry Fehrmann-Noon-2PM Fridays-Maranatha Media
"Gospel Train"-1998-Weekdays-6AM-9AM/Saturday 10AM-Noon/Sunday 6AM-10AM-Maranatha Media
Heartland Heat Basketball-2012
"Great Stuff"-2012-Syndicated-Zeigler Media Svcs "Great Stuff Gospel"-2012-Zeigler Media Svcs
"NASCAR Live"-Tuesday nights-Maranatha Media
Dr. James Dobson-"Focus on the Family" Joyce Meyers
Sports Talk-1997-6AM-Noon Mon-Thursday/all day Friday through Sunday
Branson Country Music-1997-Noon-4PM weekdays/6PM-Sign Off
"The Gospel Connection"-1998-Henry Fehrmann-Noon-2PM Fridays-Maranatha Media
"Gospel Train"-1998-Weekdays-6AM-9AM/Saturday 10AM-Noon/Sunday 6AM-10AM-Maranatha Media
Heartland Heat Basketball-2012
"Great Stuff"-2012-Syndicated-Zeigler Media Svcs "Great Stuff Gospel"-2012-Zeigler Media Svcs
"NASCAR Live"-Tuesday nights-Maranatha Media
Dr. James Dobson-"Focus on the Family" Joyce Meyers