In October 1947, WLBC-FM signed on the air. It was the FM counterpart to WLBC (1340 AM; now WMUN). WLBC (AM) was established in 1926 in the home of broadcasting pioneer Don Burton on South Jefferson Street in Muncie.[3] Until the 1970s, the two stations mostly simulcast their programming. In 1953, a television station was added on Channel 49, WLBC-TV (today PBS member station WIPB).
In the 1970s WLBC-FM (previously WMUN) was one of the first Indiana FM stations with a Top 40 format competing with crosstown AM daytimer WERK (later WNAP). At first, WLBC-FM used an automated hit music package produced by Drake-Chenault Enterprises while WLBC (AM) aired traditional middle of the road programming. Over time, live disc jockeys were added to WLBC-FM.
An early employee was Chris Schenkel, who later became a top ABC-TV sports broadcaster.[4] Schenkel came to WLBC after working at WBAA as a premedical student at Purdue University. Morry Mannies was a sportscaster on WLBC-FM and sister station WXFN. He retired several years ago[when?] after calling Ball State University sports for many years.
WLBC-FM is led by owner and president J Chapman and CFO Susan Rodricks. Staff also includes: Steve Lindell (with WLBC since the 1990s) who serves as Director of Operations and Morning Host, Sean Mattingly is the Director of Technical Operations (Chief Engineer), Sue Tschuor (GSM), Kim Morris (more than two decades with WLBC, hosting middays), Jared Boomer (afternoons) and Sidny Grow (evenings).
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