Summer holiday weekends are known for countdowns and special programming. Here’s a quick sampling of special programs, including some submitted by Ross on Radio readers, including a few major tributes to legendary radio stations.
The first major format flip of the weekend is WXMA Louisville’s change from Adult Hits Jack-FM to “Lite Favorites” Soft AC as “The Rose.” As heard on the first day, The Rose leans to the softer, more ‘70s-driven end of the format. If there are any other major format changes this weekend, you’ll read about them here.
There’s a 66-hour tribute to Chicago’s battle-of-the-top-40 powerhouses WLS and WCFL with extensive live audio from both stations featuring original clips of Larry Lujack, Dick Biondi, John Landecker, Barney Pip, Fred Winston, and many more, as well as new audio from legendary jocks. Hear it on Rewound Radio from Saturday morning at 6 a.m. through Labor Day.
Listener favorite KDRI (The Drive) Tucson, Ariz., will air back-to-back ‘70s episodes of American Top 40.
N/T WHLO Akron, Ohio, makes a brief return to music for a “Hello Radio Rewind Weekend,” saluting the station’s heritage with “oldies, classic jingles, and more,” according to Keith Kennedy.
Charlie O’Brien’s Big 8 Radio will start airing the classic 1050 CHUM Toronto-produced “Evolution of Rock” on Saturday and Sunday. Monday is an all-day CKLW Rewound, with 24 hours of ‘60s and ‘70s talent from “The Big 8.”
Sirius XM’s ‘70s on 7 channel will be counting down the Top 1,000 songs of the decade. 80s on 8 is planning the “Almost No. 1 Weekend,” featuring songs that peaked at No. 2.
The syndicated “That Thing With Rich Appel” wraps up its “all summer songs, all summer long” with a “Summer Songs Countdown” and announces the winter of a die-cast ’69 powder-blue Chevy Corvair mini-Monza convertible.
Community-owned WVMO Monoa, Wis., near Madison, is playing classic concerts from the Beatles at the Hollywood Bowl to Sheryl Crow in Central Park.
At the Audacy Madison cluster, Triple-A WMMM (105 Triple M) is replaying live studio sessions on “Labor Day Live.” Classic Hits WOLX is doing a “Totally ‘80s” weekend. Hot AC WMHX (Mix 105.1) will have a “Labor Day Throwback Weekend.”
Classic Rock KSLX Phoenix’s annual “Labor Day Perfect Playlist Weekend” is listener-submitted with Sammy Hagar tickets for those whose playlists are used.
“Hip-Hop and Hope” network Boost Radio’s “Turnt Up Weekend” will be a mix of current uptempo hits and throwbacks.
Triple-A Birmingham Mountain Radio’s “Flipback Weekend” will go as far back as the ‘60s roots of progressive radio.
Oldies Boss Boss Radio’s “Blockbuster Blowout Weekend” will be all-movie songs, culminating in a Top 100 countdown on Monday.
Matthew Reid’s syndicated “Acoustic Sunrise” is “digging into the archives for some of the biggest hits ever and all-time faves.”
Active Rock WGFM (Rock 105) Traverse City, Mich., will be doing all ‘90s and ‘00s for its “Old School Weekend” starting Friday night at 7 p.m.
AC WARM (Warm 103.3) York, Pa., is planning a “Labor Day ‘90s Throwback Weekend.”
AC WKAY (105.3 KFM) Galesburg, Ill., is doing a “Party Songs Weekend,” emphasizing the ‘70s and ‘80s.
Hot AC WIXZ (Mix 95.1) Hagerstown, Md., has a “Four Day Labor Day Party Weekend” starting Friday morning at 6 a.m.
Classic Hits WWZY (The Boss) Monmouth/Ocean, N.J., is planning an “Endless Summer Weekend.” (Separate of the weekend, they also have your chance to win Modern English tickets.)
Eclectic Classic Rock WBTL (Boomtown Richmond) Richmond, Va., which appears in these pages on a semi-regular basis is doing a “Twin Spin Weekend.”
Got something to add to the calendar? I may add shows as I become aware of them between now and Friday, or just share your station’s program in the comments.