The Cromwell Group launched Classic Country “93.5 Griz-FM” W228CK Decatur, IL on Wednesday, July 3.
Being fed from 93.1 WYDS-HD3, the 175 watt translator is named after local Country musician and radio personality Gerald “Griz” England. England, who passed away in 2001, ended his radio career working for Cromwell’s WYDS.
The Press Release announcing the launch of Griz-FM follows:
The Cromwell Radio Group, today introduced a brand new radio station for Decatur, and it’s being named to honor a Central Illinois legend.
Classic Country, 93.5 GRIZ-FM was launched officially today. It can be heard at 93.5 FM as well as on an HD Radio at 93.1 HD-3. Very soon the radio station will be streaming online at www.decaturradio.com.
The station was named to honor Gerald “Griz” England, who gave so much to Central Illinois as a family man, broadcaster, and as a country musician. England worked for a couple of radio stations along the way, finishing his broadcasting career at Cromwell Radio Station, WYDS when it was known as “D-93”. He was Moultrie County Clerk until he passed away twelve years ago.
General Manger Chris Bullock said the tribute is fitting. “Griz was such an important part of Country Music in Central Illinois. People loved his radio show, and loved his music. Along the way, he helped countless charities raise money for so many great causes. When we knew we were going to start a Classic Country radio station, it was an easy choice to honor Griz.”
Cromwell Radio Group Owner, Bud Walters, named his first Decatur radio station after his college broadcasting professor. “WEJT was named for Elizabeth J. Turnell, who helped start the broadcast program at DePauw University, and she made a difference in my life. Betty lived her last years in Decatur, and naming WEJT after her was an important way for me to honor her. Now we get to honor Griz in much the same way.”
93.5 GRIZ-FM will feature country music legends like Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Reba McEntire, Hank Williams Jr., Merle Haggard, and so many more. Cromwell Radio Group operates 105.1 JACK-FM, 93.1 The Party, 106.7 The Fox, Talk 101 FM, Magic 98 and 93.5 GRIZ-FM in Decatur, as well as eight other radio stations in Mattoon, Effingham, and Vandalia.