Vermont Broadcasting Through the Years

(Compiled by Eric Michaels and Jim Condon)

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1922:
WCAX-AM in Burlington begins audio service; will eventually become WVMT-AM

WLAK-AM in Bellows Falls, owned by the VT Farm Machinery Corporation, signs on

1924:
WCAX-AM (College of Agriculture Extension) upgrades transmitter

1925:
WLAK-AM owner goes out of business

1927:
WNBX-AM in Springfield signs on; eventually moves to Keene, NH and becomes WKNE

1929:
WQDM-AM in St. Albans (now WRSA-AM) signs on as VT’s first commercial radio station

1930:
WSYB-AM in Rutland commences operations as Vermont’s second commercial station

1931:
WCAX-AM, acquired by Burlington Daily News, goes commercial

WDEV-AM in Waterbury commences broadcasting

1935:
WMFF-AM (now WEAV-AM) signs on in Plattsburgh, NY

1938:
Charles Hasbrook buys WCAX-AM and the Burlington Daily News

vermont 1938 radio directory1941:
WQDM-AM in St. Albans becomes WWSR-AM

1946:
WJOY-AM in Burlington commences operations

1947:
WSKI-AM in Montpelier signs on the air

1949:
WHWB-AM, the second station in Rutland, commences operations

WMCRS-AM, forerunner to Middlebury College station WRMC-FM, begins operations
WTWN-AM in St. Johnsbury (now WSTJ-AM) commences operations

1950:
WTSA-AM in Brattleboro signs on

1952:
WIKE-AM in Newport signs on

1953:
WBTN-AM in Bennington signs on

1954:
Dean Finney named first VAB President

WCAX-TV Burlington signs on as Vermont’s first television station
WIRI-TV (now WPTZ-TV) begins operations in Plattsburgh, NY
WNIX-AM (now WCFR-AM) in Springfield signs on the air
WDOT-AM (now WCAT-AM) in Burlington commences operations

1955:
Articles of Association adopted by the VAB

UVM station WRUV-AM in Burlington signs on the air
First meeting of the Board of Directors, Roof Garden, Hotel Vermont, Burlington
Alfed E. Spokes of WJOY named VAB President

1956:
J. Gordon Keyworth of WBTN-AM named VAB President

1957:
Frank Balch of WJOY-AM named VAB President

1958:
Stuart “Red” Martin of WCAX-TV named VAB President

1959:
Carlo Zezza of WCFR-AM named VAB President
First set of By-Laws adopted by the VAB

WKVT-AM in Brattleboro signs on
WSNO-AM in Barre signs on
WWRJ-AM in White River Junction signs on

1960:
WEAV-FM (now WBTZ-FM), Plattsburgh, signs on the air

Annual Meeting at National Life Insurance Building, Montpelier

1961:
Annual Meeting at Woodstock Inn

Rusty Parker named VAB President

vermont 1962 radio directory
1962:
WJOY-FM, Vermont’s first FM station, signs on the air (now WOKO-FM)

Annual Meeting at Lake Morey Inn, Fairlee

1963:
Annual Meeting at Lake Morey Inn, Fairlee

Dan Ruggles of WSKI named VAB President

1964:
Annual Meeting at Town & Country Motor Lodge, Stowe

1965:
Annual Meeting at Lake Morey Inn, Fairlee

WFAD-AM in Middlebury signs on
WRUV-FM begins broadcasting at the University of Vermont
Vin D’Acuti of WJOY named VAB President

1966:
Annual Meeting at The Cupola Restaurant and Motel, Burlington

1967:
WETK-TV, Burlington, begins operations

Annual Meeting at Marble Island Golf & Yacht Club, Colchester
Frank McCormack of WHWB named VAB President
WNUB-FM in Northfield signs on at Norwich University

1968:
WKDR-AM (now WTWK-AM), licensed to Plattsburgh, NY, signs on the air

WVNY-TV, Burlington, commences operations
WVTB-TV, St. Johnsbury, signs on the air
WVER-TV, Rutland, begins operations
WVTA-TV, licensed to Windsor, begins operations
WCVR-AM in Randolph signs on the air
WVTC-FM, licensed to Vermont Technical College in Randolph, signs on
Annual Meeting at Mountain Top Inn, Rutland

1969:
Annual Meeting at Summit Lodge, Killington

WVNY-FM (now WEZF-FM), Burlington, signs on
WNHV-FM (now WXLF-FM in Hartford) signs on
David Parnigoni of WKVT named VAB President

1970:
Annual Meeting at The Montpelier Tavern

WCFR-FM in Springfield signs on the air; later moves to Swanzey, NH as WEEY
WWSR-FM (now WIXM-FM) in St. Albans signs on

1971:
Annual Meeting at Lamplighter Inn, Brattleboro

Alan H. Noyes of WSNO-AM named VAB President
WCNL-FM (now WKKN-FM in Westminster) begins operations in Newport, NH

1972:
WJSC-FM, licensed to Johnson State College, begins operations

Annual Meeting at Sugarbush Inn, Warren

1973:
WGDR-FM, licensed to Plainfield by Goddard College, signs on

Annual Meeting at Sugarbush Inn, Warren
Phil Waterman of WCAX named VAB President

1974:
Annual Meeting at Shelburne Inn

WWPV-FM begins broadcasting from St. Michael’s College, replacing WSSE-AM
WORK-FM in Barre (now WRFK-FM) signs on the air
WRUT-FM (now WZRT-FM) signs on in Rutland

1975:
WCVM-FM, Middlebury (now WWFY-FM, Berlin) signs on

William Graham of WIKE-AM becomes VAB President
WTSA-FM in Brattleboro, originally WMMJ-FM, begins operations

1976:
WIUV-FM, licensed to Castleton State College, begins operations

1977:
Annual Meeting at Quechee Lakes

WNCS-FM, Montpelier, begins operations
WVPR-FM, Windsor, begins operations
Peter Martin of WCAX-TV becomes VAB President

1978:
WNNE-TV, licensed to Hartford, begins broadcasting

Annual Meeting at Basin Harbor Club, Panton

1979:
WHGC-FM in Bennington, later WBTN-FM, signs on

WKVT-FM in Brattleboro signs on
Annual Meeting at Topnotch Resort, Stowe
Bob Kimel of WWSR-AM and WLFE-FM becomes VAB President

1980:
WHWB-FM (now WJJR-FM) signs on the air in Rutland

1981:
WVNR-AM in Poultney begins operations

WTIJ-FM (now WZLF-FM) in Bellows Falls signs on
WVPS-FM, Burlington, begins operations
Brian Harwood (WRFB-FM) becomes VAB President

1982:
WHRC-FM (now WVTK-FM), licensed to Port Henry, NY, begins operations

WCVR-FM in Randolph (now WVXR-FM) signs on

vermont 1983 across the dial
1983:
WIZN-FM Burlington begins operations

WVRS-FM (now WMMP-FM), licensed to Waterbury, commences operation
WTIJ-FM in Walpole, NH is purchased by Bradley Broadcasting, moved to Bellows Falls and becomes WBFL-FM.

Mark Brady (WFAD-AM) becomes VAB President

1984:
WEQX-FM in Manchester begins operations

WXXX-FM, licensed to South Burlington, goes on the air

1985:
WNKV-FM (now WKXH-FM) signs on in St. Johnsbury

Ken Greene of WCAX-TV is named VAB President

1986:
WTWN-AM in Wells River signs on

1987:
WRVT-FM, Rutland, begins operations

Tom Pierce of WEZF-FM becomes VAB President

1988:
WKLZ-FM (now WDVT-FM) signs on in Rutland

WNYV-FM, licensed to Whitehall, NY, begins operations
WGMT-FM in Lyndon signs on
WYKR-FM, licensed to Haverhill, NH, begins operations
Terry Boone of WNHV becomes VAB President

1989:
WVAY-FM (now WTHK-FM) in Wilmington commences operation

WMXR-FM Woodstock (now WWOD-FM) signs on
WSHX-FM (now WDOT-FM), Danville, signs on

1990:
WVTQ-FM in Sunderland signs on

David Underhill of WKVT becomes VAB President

1991:
WGLV-FM (now WMVY-FM) in Woodstock begins operations

WMOO-FM, licensed to Derby Center, begins operations

1992:
Ken Jarvis of WCAX-TV is named VAB President

WEBK-FM (now WJEN-FM) in Rutland signs on
WADQ-FM (now WCLX-FM) goes on the air in Westport, NY

1993:
VAB By-Laws amended by membership
WAEE-FM (now WKOL-FM), Plattsburgh, NY, signs on
WLVB-FM in Morrisville commences broadcasting

1994:
WCPV-FM, licensed to Essex, NY, signs on

Dave Kimel of WWSR-AM/WLFE-FM is named VAB President

1995:
VAB Hall of Fame Charter Members honored at the Commodore Inn, Stowe:
Frank Balch, George Cameron, Jack Barry, Jean Walsh, Ken Greene, Ken Squier, Lloyd Squier, Mickey Gallagher, Rex Marshall, Robert Kimel, Stuart “Red” Martin, Stuart Hall, Tom Pierce and Tony Adams.

WRJT-FM, licensed to Royalton, begins operations
WCMD-FM in Barre signs on
WCMK-FM (now WGLY-FM), licensed to Bolton, begins operations
Bradley Broadcasting sells WBFL-FM to a group of stations in West Lebanon, NH

1996:
WWFY-FM (now WIFY-FM), licensed to Addison, starts operations

WSSH-FM in Marlboro (now WRSY-FM) signs on
WXPS-FM (now WXZO-FM), Willsboro, NY, signs on
VAB Convention at Lake Morey Inn in Fairlee
Carlo Zezza and Dave Underhill named to VAB Hall of Fame
Eric Michaels of the Radio Vermont Group becomes VAB President

1997:
Dave Kimel and John Kimel named to VAB Hall of Fame

WNHT-FM (now WXXS-FM) in Lancaster, NH signs on
WFFF-TV Burlington begins operations

1998:
VAB Convention at Cortina Inn, Killington
VAB By-Laws amended

Gene Puffer and Vin D’Acuti named to VAB Hall of Fame
Bruce James becomes VAB President

1999:
Dennis Snyder and Ernie Farrar named to VAB Hall of Fame

WEXP-FM in Brandon signs on
WVPA-FM, St. Johnsbury, begins operations

2000:
WCKP-FM (now WCMK-FM) in Putney signs on

Bird Berdan and Val Carter named to VAB Hall of Fame
Ted Teffner of WCAX-TV is named VAB President

2001:
Don Mullally and Ken Jarvis inducted into the VAB Hall of Fame

2002:
Eric Michaels and Mike Donovan named to VAB Hall of Fame

2003:
VAB By-Laws amended
Paul Goldman and Peter Martin named to VAB Hall of Fame

2004:
Jack Healy and Joel Najman named to VAB Hall of Fame

Dan Dubonnet becomes VAB President
WNCH-FM Norwich signs on

2005:
A. Brooks Brown and Russ Kinsley named to VAB Hall of Fame
Candis Leopold of Vermont Broadcast Associates is named VAB President

2006:
Brian Harwood and Ralph Smith named to VAB Hall of Fame

2007:
Frank McCormack named to VAB Hall of Fame

WVTI-FM in Brighton signs on
WTNN-FM, licensed to Bristol, begins operations
Ted Teffner named to VAB Hall of Fame

2008:
Al Noyes retires; Jim Condon becomes 2nd VAB Executive Director

Calvin Coolidge and Ron Whitcomb named to VAB Hall of Fame
WOTX-FM in Lunenburg begins operations
WJPK-FM (now WQJQ-FM), licensed to Barton, commences operations
WYME-FM (now WZXP-FM), Au Sable, NY begins broadcasting

2009:
Belva Keyworth and Marselis Parsons named to VAB Hall of Fame

Hall of Fame Awards Banquet becomes a separate event from the annual convention and first ever takes place at the Inn at Essex.
Ken Kasz of WFFF-TV/WVNY-TV becomes VAB President

2010:
55th Annual Convention at Capitol Plaza Hotel, Montpelier
VAB By-Laws amended by membership

16th Hall of Fame Awards Banquet at Hilton Hotel, Burlington
Jack Donovan and Mark Brady named to VAB Hall of Fame

2011:
56th Annual Convention at Capitol Plaza Hotel, Montpelier
Judy Leech of WVNR-AM/WNYV-FM is named VAB President
17th Hall of Fame Awards Banquet at Hilton Hotel, Burlington

Andy Potter, George Commo, John King and Rudy Vallee named to Hall of Fame
WGDH-FM, licensed to Hardwick by Goddard College, begins operations

2012:
57th Annual Convention at Capitol Plaza Hotel, Montpelier

WVBA-FM, Brattleboro, signs on the air
Eric Michaels of Radio Vermont Group becomes VAB President for 1 year
18th Hall of Fame Awards Banquet at Hilton Hotel, Burlington

Bruce James, Paul Sands and Tom Cheek named to the VAB Hall of Fame

2013:
58th Annual Convention at Capitol Plaza Hotel, Montpelier
Eric Michaels of Radio Vermont Group is elected VAB President for a 2-year term
19th Hall of Fame Awards Banquet at Hilton Hotel, Burlington

Dan Dubonnet and Louie Manno named to the VAB Hall of Fame

2014:
WOXM-FM Middlebury signs on

59th Annual Convention at Capitol Plaza Hotel, Montpelier
Hall of Fame 20th Anniversary “Emerald” celebration at Hilton Hotel, Burlington
Tim Johnson, Jack LaDuke and Candis Leopold named to VAB Hall of Fame

2015:
60th Annual Convention at Capitol Plaza Hotel, Montpelier
Alex Martin of WCAX-TV named VAB President
21st Hall of Fame Awards Banquet at Hilton Hotel, Burlington
Ken Kasz, Ken Barlow and Ginny McGehee named to VAB Hall of Fame

2016:
61st Annual Convention at Capitol Plaza Hotel, Montpelier
22nd Hall of Fame Awards Banquet at Hilton Hotel, Burlington
Sharon Meyer, Tom Messner and Dean Slack named to VAB Hall of Fame

2017:
62nd Annual Convention at Capitol Plaza Hotel, Montpelier
Wally Caswell of Great Eastern Radio named VAB President
23rd Hall of Fame Awards Banquet at Hilton Hotel, Burlington
Tom Beardsley, Judy Simpson and Brian Collamore named to VAB Hall of Fame

2018:
63rd Annual Convention at Capitol Plaza Hotel, Montpelier
WKVT-AM changes call letters to WINQ-AM and becomes “Wink Country”
Eric Michaels agrees to act as Interim Executive Director

24th Hall of Fame Awards Banquet at Hilton Hotel, Burlington
Jim Condon, Terry Jaye & Jeff Shapiro named to the VAB Hall of Fame

2019:
WXXX-FM & WVMT-AM enter into an LMA with VOX AM/FM
Wendy Mays becomes 3rd VAB Executive Director
WIUV-FM ceases broadcasting over the airwaves and becomes Castleton Internet Radio
64th Annual Convention at Capitol Plaza Hotel, Montpelier
Kelli Corbeil of Four Seasons Media (WTSA AM & FM) named VAB President
25th Hall of Fame Awards Banquet at Hilton Hotel, Burlington
Stewart Ledbetter, Dick Noble & Roland Lajoie named to the VAB Hall of Fame

2020:
WEXP-FM enters into an LMA with Music Guild International
Pine Tree Broadcasting sells WVNR-AM & WNYV-FM to Loud Media 
Coronavirus Pandemic forces the cancellation of Annual Convention, but VAB Annual Meeting Held via ZOOM
WPLA-FM is purchased by Great Eastern Radio and become WWFK-FM

2021:
Montpelier Broadcasting sells WRJT-FM to Educational Media Foundation (EMF)
Alexander von Lichtenberg of Nexstar Media elected VAB President
65th Annual Convention at Lareau Farm, Waitsfield
26th Hall of Fame Awards Banquet at Hilton Hotel, Burlington
Bruce & Hobbes, Shelly Holt Allen, Steve Cormier and Stephanie Gorin named to the VAB Hall of Fame

2022:
WXMS-FM is purchased by Great Eastern Radio and becomes WSNO-FM
66th Annual Convention at Sugarbush Resort, Warren
27th Hall of Fame Awards Banquet at Hilton Hotel, Burlington
Stephen Puffer, Betty Smith and Craig Ladd named to the VAB Hall of Fame

2023:
WWLR-FM is sold by Vermont State University to Vermont Public
David Goddette of Vox AM/FM/Digital elected VAB President
67th Annual Convention at Capitol Plaza Hotel, Montpelier

Please send any corrections or additions to vab@vab.org.