WQDY-FM (92.7 FM), on air as ''Classic Hits 92.7 & 95.3'', is an American radio station licensed to

Calais, Maine Calais is a city in Washington County, Maine, United States. As of the 2020 census, it had a population of 3,079, making Calais the largest municipality by population in Washington County, but the third least-populous city in Maine (after Ha ...

. The station simulcasts on WALZ-FM (95.3) in

Machias, Maine Machias is a New England town, town in and the county seat of Washington County, Maine, Washington County in Down East Maine, United States. As of the 2020 United States Census, 2020 census, the town population was 2,060. It is home to the Univ ...

. The station carries a classic hits format, with a heavy emphasis on local sports, including

Boston Red Sox The Boston Red Sox are an American professional baseball team based in Boston. The Red Sox compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League East, East Division. Founded in as one of the Ameri ...

baseball. Previous to the station's owners buying

WCRQ WCRQ (102.9 Hertz, MHz, Border Country 102.9) is a commercial radio, commercial FM radio, FM radio station city of license, licensed to Dennysville, Maine. The station is owned by WQDY, Inc., which also owns 92.7 WQDY-FM Calais, Maine, Calais a ...

in 2003, WQDY-FM was also carried on WQDY (1230 AM).

History

WQDY launched on July 4, 1959. It originally broadcast on AM 1230. Founders John Vondell and John Foster established the station that year. In 1964, it was sold to

Buffalo Bob Smith Robert Emil Schmidt (November 27, 1917 – July 30, 1998), nicknamed Buffalo Bob, was an American radio and television personality and presenter; he was well known as the host of the children's show ''Howdy Doody''. Biography Early life and radio ...

, best known as the host of children's television series ''

Howdy Doody ''Howdy Doody'' is an American Children's television series, children's television program (with circus and Western (genre), Western frontier themes) that was created and produced by Victor F. Campbell

''. Smith also had a summer home on Big Lake in

Grand Lake Stream Grand Lake Stream is a plantation in Washington County, Maine, United States. The population was 125 at the 2020 census. The town Grand Lake Stream is named after the stream that flows through it, which is notable for its excellent landlocked sa ...

. Dan Hollingdale, who started at the station several months after it originally began, rose through the ranks to become station manager under Smith. Hollingdale bought the station from Smith in 1978. In 1995, WQDY began simulcasting on WALZ-FM (95.3) in Machias, Maine. In 1996, 24/7 operation began on both stations when they were sold to Mike Goodine and Bill McVicar. Goodine had been station manager under Hollingdale. McVicar began career at the station in 1986 as an account executive and play-by-play announcer. In 1998, McVicar, Goodine and partner Roger Holst purchased WALZ-FM in Machias. In 2001, McVicar and Holst took over ownership. In 2003, WQDY, Inc., acquired

(102.9 FM) from

Citadel Broadcasting Citadel Broadcasting Corporation was a Las Vegas, Nevada-based broadcast holding company founded and developed by Larry Wilson. Citadel owned 243 radio stations across the United States and was the third-largest radio station owner in the count ...

References

External links

Official WQDY-FM website
* * QDY-FM Mass media in Washington County, Maine Classic hits radio stations in the United States Calais, Maine Radio stations established in 1976 1976 establishments in Maine {{Maine-radio-station-stub