After a failed sale and LMA led to Farmers National Bank of Griggsville’s GBI Communications former Classic Rock 97.5 WBBA-FM Pittsfield IL to go silent last May, a new operator has resurrected the station with a new format set to debut on St. Patrick’s Day.
Jim Fishback’s Fishback Media, owner of Talk 1150 WGGH/98.1 W251DC Marion IL has begun operating WBBA-FM via Time Brokerage Agreement. Fishback, who began his broadcasting career at WGGH in 2008, previously was an on-air talent at stations in Cincinnati, Evansville, and St. Louis before moving into ownership.
Mike Batchelor will serve as General Manager for WBBA-FM. Batchelor, who also is Station Manager of KMRV-LP St. Charles MO, previously managed stations for 21 Sound Communications in Missouri from 2005 to 2016 and then 104.3 KVMO Vandalia/Hannibal MO fro 2017-19. He can be reached at mbatchelor@gmail.com or (636)748-0777.
WBBA-FM is currently stunting with what it is describing as a “random music” until its new format launches on Monday, March 17. Upon launch, WBBA-FM will carry all St. Louis Cardinals baseball games. WBBA-FM covers areas of western Illinois between north of St. Louis and south of Quincy.




















It’s funny how they’re incorporating the logo from iHeart’s 97.5 KWTX – Waco, TX into their logo. I’m not sure if iHeart would approve of that…
This is the old logo from previous operators…
And the “Classic Rock” was lifted from 103.5 WIMZ Knoxville too.
Living in the area, I noticed WBBA had been on the air spinning a format wheel of music. There was even an RDS display promising a new format on the 17th. That was over a week ago. Since then, the station has been off the air. Knowing the past history of some involved in this, the dead air (and excuses to follow) won’t be a surprise.