Sunday, September 05, 1999
Broadcasters group honors WEBN as 'station of year'
BY JOHN KIESEWETTER
The Cincinnati Enquirer
If tonight's Toyota/WEBN Riverfest fireworks seem louder than usual, it's because the station has an extra reason to celebrate.
WEBN-FM (102.7) was named “rock station of the year” by the National Association of Broadcasters last week in Orlando, Fla.
“The frog has an extra-wide grin right now,” said Alene Grevey, WEBN-FM general manager, referring to the station's amphibian mascot.
“This is the most prestigious award in our business. It's the Oscar,” she said.
The Marconi award gave WEBN-FM a clean sweep of the major radio awards in its size this year.
The station was named “rock station of the year” by two trade magazines, Billboard and Radio & Records. It has won the Billboard honor three consecutive years.
“We're really pumped,” Ms. Grevey said. “We're very proud of our accomplishment. The Marconi definitely belongs to the entire station, from the on-air staff to sales and everyone.”
Cincinnati's original album-oriented rock station, started in 1967 by Frank Wood Sr., beat out nominees from Los Angeles (KROQ-FM), Dallas (KZPS-FM), Minneapolis (KQRS-FM) and Boston (WAAF-FM). It was the only local winner.
WGRR-FM (103.5) was nominated as large-market “oldies station of the year” for a second consecutive time, but lost out to WWSW-FM in Pittsburgh.
Despite the other national honors this year, Ms. Grevey was surprised to bring home the “Oscar.” The Marconi nomination was the station's first since the Marconi awards were established 10 years ago.
“This is probably the only award that has eluded WEBN over the years,” said Mike Kenney, Clear Channel vice president and market manager for WEBN-FM, WVMX-FM, WOFX-FM and WFKS-FM.
Ms. Grevey returned from Florida with the award Friday afternoon, but the staff didn't have time to celebrate. The 23rd annual Labor Day weekend Riverfest fireworks at 9:05 p.m. (broadcast by Channel 9) are an all-hands-on-deck event.
“We're all swamped right now. We're busy, busy, busy,” Ms. Grevey said.
“But after the fireworks, believe me, we'll throw one heck of a party.”
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