He never ceases to amaze me. Josh Groban is a talent. Now, follow me on this thought...you'll understand at the end, why I mention Josh. I grew up in the Twin Cities and I was a faithful listener to WLOL-99.5FM. Even if I didn't like a song, (99 Red Balloons!! ACK), I stuck with them. I felt like the DJ's were part of my extended family.

The DJ's shared parts of their lives with the listener and made me smile. Hines and Berglund in the morning...For me, it was a part of my life. Everything I did, homework, chores, driving, dating...my station was with me. When bad things happened, my radio station was always there. When great things happened, they were there. If anyone trashed them, I ignored them. WLOL was my friend and I didn't care what anyone else thought...
Word came that MPR-Minnesota Public Radio had purchased the signal and would soon be turning it into a classical station. Classical. I felt like I'd been punched in the gut. It was at that moment that I realized how much of an impact a radio station can have on a person. Just having those familiar jingles in your ear can carry you through a bad day...how could they take it away from us?
Well, it happens. I moved on to the "other" station in the market and was always left wanting more. The "other" station wasn't MY station. They weren't there when my dad died...they weren't there when the cute guy asked me out on a date. They weren't playing when I had my first kiss. WLOL 99.5FM will ALWAYS be my station.
If they were still around today, I'm sure I would work there. Some people aren't that loyal to radio stations and I get it. It is what it is. BUT, for those of you who truly understand what I'm talking about, you'll understand why I posted this beautiful audio clip from the one and only Josh Groban. HE feels the same way about the station he listened to when HE was growing up.
Competition comes and goes but friendships last. WIFC has been here for forty years. In fact, WIFC is my new WLOL...I admire the fact that we haven't changed to the flavor of the week. We have been that friend you can count on to always be there.
We've been here through Elvis, Stevie Wonder, The Bee Gees, The Rolling Stones, The Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, Van Halen, Culture Club, Duran Duran, Britney Spears, Backstreet Boys, Madonna, Sheryl Crow, Sugar Ray, Barenaked Ladies, Matchbox 20, and to the current music you hear today (Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, LMFAO, etc...) That's what WLOL was to me but they were snuffed out too soon.
Here's the clip from Josh...The message at the beginning made me think of WLOL...maybe it will conjur up some memories for you, as well.
KCRW had a rapper on during a fundraiser and he did a little song that named everyone on the station MINUS one of the jocks! Josh made up for it...
http://soundcloud.com/kcrw/josh-groban-tribute