The simulcast ended in 1976, when 106.1 FM changed its call sign to WJOX, and switched to TM Programming's automated "Stereo Rock" Top 40 format. The station's morning show, hosted by local talent Jerry Barnhart, was live, but the rest of the dayparts were full automation, complete with pre-recorded song backsells from TM's John Borders, a voice heard on many Stereo Rock stations across the country at the time. The station's moniker was "Rock 106 WJOX." WJOX only broadcast at an effective radiated power of 20,000 watts from a 180-foot tower, so its signal was limited, mainly serving the Jackson area. The TM format was maintained until 1981, when the station moved its tower and transmitter from Jackson to a location four miles east-north-east of the town of Springport, in the northwestern part of Jackson County and increased power to 50,000 watts in preparation to begin serving the larger Lansing market with a brand new format.
Q106 debuts
On the afternoon of March 11, 1981, the call letters were switched to WJXQ. The station's power had more than doubled from a new tower site, giving it a strong signal into Lansing. Gone was the automated TM Stereo Rock format, and it was replaced by a Rock 40 format with high energy live air talent. The station also had a new moniker "Q106", WJXQ's very first song which was played March 18, 1981 was "Rock & Roll Never Forgets" from Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band. The original Q106 QJs which it was consisted of: Mornings: Patricia "Patty" Cheeks & Jimmy "Jim" Ryan Middays: Roger "The Big Dog" Sinclair Afternoon Drive: Jim Ryan Evening: Terry "Hester" Hesters Nights: Michael "Mike" Vaughn Overnights: Donald "Don" Poole Weekends: Jackson "Jack" Daniels Within three months, WJXQ claimed the #1 spot 12+ in the Lansing Arbitron ratings from relative obscurity. WILS-FM was hit hard and changed to an Adult Contemporary format in April 1984.
The new Q106 would soon face tough competition from another Top 40 station, 94.1 WVIC, consulted by E. Alvin Davis. The two stations engaged in a Top 40/CHR formatted radio wars in the early and mid 1980s, from which WVIC would eventually emerge as the ratings leader. In the fall of 1985, Q106 dropped their rock 40 approach for a more teen bubblegum pop oriented top 40 and CHR sound, playing artists such as Madonna and Michael Jackson, trying to take on WVIC directly. But the effort ultimately failed and within two years WJXQ was gearing back towards a rock 40 format, this time concentrating on an AOR basis. And it was that here the station found its very own niche and Q106's ratings began to rebound. By the early 1990s Q106 had solid ratings helped in part by the success of the Debbie Hart and Timmy Barron morning show, which had developed a steady following. Then in January 1997 when Debbie and Timmy left the station for WVIC then Active Rock"Buzz 95" they were replaced by the syndicated Bob and Tom Show from Indianapolis' WFBQ, which remains popular on the station to this day. WJXQ briefly changed its moniker to "The All Brand Spanking New Q106!" in the fall of 1997. This was accompanied by a format modification toward Alternative Rock. The moniker returned to the legendary "Q106" within six months although the format modifications remained in place. In 2000, WJXQ was acquired by the Rubber City Radio Group based in Akron, Ohio. On March 17, 2010 it was announced that the Rubber City Radio Group was planning to sell WJXQ, along with sister stationsWWDK, WQTX, and WLMI to Midwest Communications. The deal officially closed on July 1, 2010. Midwest Communications later shifted WJXQ's city of license from Jackson to Charlotte, although the location of the transmitter and studios remained the same.
