WMDM is a
classic hits formatted
broadcast
Broadcasting is the distribution of audio or video content to a dispersed audience via any electronic mass communications medium, but typically one using the electromagnetic spectrum ( radio waves), in a one-to-many model. Broadcasting began ...
radio station licensed to
Lexington Park, Maryland, serving
Southern Maryland and the
Northern Neck. WMDM is owned and operated by Somar Communications, Inc.
History
WMDM originally aired an
adult contemporary/
Top 40 mixed format since the 1980s as ''All Hit 98 WMDM''.
WMDM aired an
oldies music format from the 1990s until May 31, 2006.
On May 31, 2006, the station switched their callsign from WMDM-FM to WYRX and their format to Modern Rock under the branding "The Rocket".
On September 17, 2007, WYRX changed their call sign to WRKZ. The WRKZ calls had been attached to a
Pittsburgh rock station until April 2007. The format had evolved into an
active rock
Active rock is a radio format used by many commercial radio stations across the United States and Canada. Active rock stations play a balance of new hard rock songs with valued classic rock favorites, normally with an emphasis on the harder edge o ...
music format with the addition of artists like
Aerosmith
Aerosmith is an American Rock music, rock band formed in Boston in 1970. The group consists of Steven Tyler (lead vocals), Joe Perry (musician), Joe Perry (guitar), Tom Hamilton (musician), Tom Hamilton (bass), Joey Kramer (drums) and Brad Whi ...
,
Def Leppard, and
Led Zeppelin to the playlist.
On January 22, 2008, WRKZ changed their call letters back to WYRX. Joe Sanchez was the Morning Show host and Program Director until February 2009.
On March 4, 2009, WYRX switched its call sign back to WMDM. On March 21, 2009, WMDM dropped its Active Rock format and return to its former adult contemporary and picked up the branding "Magic 97.7".
On April 21, 2009, WMDM brought back "The Rocket" branding and switched its format to
Contemporary Hit Radio
Contemporary hit radio (also known as CHR, contemporary hits, hit list, current hits, hit music, top 40, or pop radio) is a radio format that is common in many countries that focuses on playing current and recurrent popular music as determined by ...
.
On November 30, 2009, WMDM switched formats to Easy Listening, branded as "Easy 97-7". The new format consists mainly of vocals (as opposed to the original instrumental-oriented Beautiful Music format).
On March 11, 2011, WMDM again changed their format to classic rock and again re-branded themselves as "97-7 The Rocket."
On the afternoon of April 18, 2017 WMDM changed their format to
Active Rock
Active rock is a radio format used by many commercial radio stations across the United States and Canada. Active rock stations play a balance of new hard rock songs with valued classic rock favorites, normally with an emphasis on the harder edge o ...
, and continues to brand itself as "97-7 the Rocket". Disc Jockey "Blak Jak" announced the change on his 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. program.
The format and name changed in 2018. The station now plays "Classic Hits" and is now branded as "97-7 The Bay".
External links
97-7 The Bay Online*
MDM
Classic hits radio stations in the United States
Radio stations established in 1976
1976 establishments in Maryland
{{Maryland-radio-station-stub