WDLW

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Oldies radio station in Lorain, Ohio

title: "WDLW" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["1969-establishments-in-ohio", "lorain,-ohio", "oldies-radio-stations-in-the-united-states", "radio-stations-established-in-1969", "radio-stations-in-cleveland"] description: "Oldies radio station in Lorain, Ohio" topic_path: "geography/united-states" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WDLW" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Oldies radio station in Lorain, Ohio ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox radio station"]

Field	Value
name	WDLW
image	WDLW Radio logo.png
city	Lorain, Ohio
country	US
area
branding	Kool Kat WDLW
frequency
translator
airdate
format	Classic rock
power
class	D
licensing_authority	FCC
facility_id	70108
coordinates
former_callsigns
affiliations
owner	WDLW Radio, Inc.
licensee	WDLW Radio, Inc.
sister_stations	WOBL
webcast
website
::

Signing on as WLRO in 1969 as the replacement to WWIZ, this station initially featured a full-service/middle of the road format oriented towards Lorain. A sale to real estate developer Jon Veard in 1984 saw the station become WRKG with an adult standards format, which changed again to a country gospel format in 1990 after another sale to Christian radio operators. Tropical music and other Spanish language programming, which had been featured in some capacity on throughout its history, became the station's primary format in 1998 as WDLW via a local marketing agreement with the Cleveland-based Latino Media Group. Sold to WOBL's owners Doug and Lorie Wilber in 2002, WDLW adopted an oldies format later in the year. Both stations have been owned by Gary and Renee Tollett from 2021 onward.

History

WLRO (1969–1984)

Owned by Lorain Community Broadcasting Corporation, this station signed on as WLRO, fully replacing WWIZ after two and a half years of silence on . WWIZ's license renewal had been denied in 1964 because of an improper transfer of control for the station, ceasing operations on July 14, 1967. Lorain Community prevailed against two other applicants for a replacement license in a bidding process which began in 1966, one year before WWIZ signed off. WLRO was authorized to began operating on December 4, 1969, under a temporary permit, but due to several delays did not sign on until December 13. The official license for the station was not granted for over a year.

At launch, WLRO initially had a combined middle of the road and full-service format, with an emphasis on community news, and operated from 6 a.m. to sunset. The initial staff was composed of Bill King, Bob Ladd, Rodger Glover, sports anchor Jim Allen, news director Bill Wilkens, production director Jeff Baxter and music director Norm N. Nite. During this time, it was also an affiliate of the Mutual Broadcasting System and carried Mutual's coverage of Notre Dame football throughout the 1970s and 1980s. WLRO also carried Cleveland Indians daytime games in 1971 and 1972.

WRKG (1984–1997)

On July 7, 1984, WLRO was sold by Lorain Community Broadcasting to local real estate developer Jon Veard. Shortly thereafter, on July 13, the call sign was changed to WRKG and a pop standards format was installed. The WRKG calls stood for their new slogan, "Working for you is our business". The station's studios were moved to the Antlers Hotel in downtown Lorain, of which Veard also owned. The station still remained as a daytime station for many years, with overnight service (via just 57 watts) being added as of the fall of 1986.

Among the air talent that was on "Golden 13 Radio" at this time included Dick Conrad, John Antus, Donovan "D.K." Kent, Charles LuBear, Dave Rush, Lauren Wreath, John Ryan and sportscaster Jim Allen. Newscasts were handled by Craig Demyan, Joan Lowry, Mike Partin and Terry Burnabell. Ethnic programming on Sundays included the Ecos Latinos Hispanic music show hosted by Miguel Berlingeri, The Polka Express with Jimmy Bryda and The Friendly Promoter Club with Matty Bright.

On February 12, 1990, Jon Veard sold WRKG to Victory Radio, Inc. headed by Vernon Baldwin, who was also the owner of WZLE (). WRKG's format changed to country gospel during the day with personalities Terry Lee Goffee and Teri Drda, with Hispanic music played in the evening and overnight hours. WZLE was sold off in late 1998.

WDLW (1997–present)

By the spring of 1997, WRKG began simulcasting some programming from WELW in Willoughby, Ohio, during the daytime hours. Among the WELW fare carried by WRKG included the television audio from WOIO's morning, noon and 6 p.m. newscasts, and a daily polka show hosted by WELW co-owner Tony Petkovsek, a 36-year station veteran. Accordingly, the callsign was first changed to WELL on June 6, 1997, but was eventually switched again to WDLW that August 1. The nighttime hours remained devoted to Hispanic music, now amounting to over 80 hours a week.

During the Cleveland Indians' 1998 season, the team produced Spanish-language broadcasts for 12 games over a three-station network, with WDLW serving as the flagship. The commitment was extended through the 1998 playoffs. WDLW was converted into a 24-hour Spanish/tropical format in January 1999, dropping all WELW-originated programming and leasing operations over to the Latino Media Group. The airstaff was all-volunteer, midday host Luis "Loco Loco" Lugo worked at WDLW for eight months after the switch before quitting over lack of compensation; his replacement was nightclub DJ Benny Velez. WDLW also offered Spanish-language broadcasts of Cleveland Crunch indoor soccer.

On January 2, 2002, WDLW was sold a group consisting of Latino Media Group head Angel Ramos and WOBL owner Doug Wilber. Technical upgrades were made to the air signal, and WDLW's studios were moved from the Antlers Hotel to WOBL's studio/transmitter facility in Oberlin; by coincidence, the call sign became an initialism for Doug and his wife, Lorie Wilber. Citing a lack of advertising revenue outside of Lorain proper for the Hispanic format, WDLW switched formats to oldies on November 8, 2002, dubbed "Kool Kat Oldies 1380-AM." Wilber noted the station's multiple formats over the years shortly after the change, saying, "it's been a little bit of everything through the ages... it's been a station that has never had real stable programming. Hopefully, we have that now." Hispanic programming was retained on Sundays afternoons as part of a day-long ethnic block of programming hosted by local musician Jose "Pepe" Rivera, featuring music from both Puerto Rico and Mexico.

In late 2021, Jose "Pepe" Rivera retired, and the Hispanic programming was cut back to Sundays from 8AM to 10AM, with the two-hour Polka Show with Tom Borowitz following at 10AM. Regular oldies programming resumed at 12 Noon for the rest of the day and evening. --

Both WDLW and WOBL were sold to Gary and Renee Tollett on March 1, 2021, for an undisclosed amount after Doug Wilber announced a pending retirement. Gary, who had been the station's existing general sales manager, pledged to keep the station owned by local interests and to keep their respective formats. Gary & Renee pledged to continue the family tradition of family owned radio stations. Both stations respective studios are at the WOBL transmitter site in Oberlin, Ohio.

Programming

WDLW is an affiliate of Fox News Radio; ONN Radio. Lorain County Sports Network; Lorain County High School Football; and JR LC8 Football.

Local & national programming personalities include: "The Wakeup Call" w/ Mz. Nikki; "Midday Music Machine" w/ David Q; "The Afternoon Drive" w/ GT; "Hometown Voices Radio Show" w/ Russ Van Wormer; "The Magical Mystery Hour" w/ Matt Slys; "Saturday Afternoons" w/ DJ Jimbo; "The Funhouse Show" w/ Moe; "Saturday Night Special" w/ Russ, "The Vinyl Garage" w/ Dave Nelson; "American Warrior Radio" w/ Ben Buehler-Garcia; "Hispanic Radio Show"; "The Polka Express" w/ Tom Borowicz; "Floydian Slip" w/ Craig Bailey; "Community Chatter"; "Conversations on Main Street"; "Jim Allen Sports Reports"; Various Daily Pod Casts; & Daily News Updates w/ Max the News Guy.

FM translator

References

(April 27, 1964). "WWIZ, WXTV(TV) ordered off air". Broadcasting magazine.
(June 15, 1967). "WWIZ has 30 days to leave air". The Chronicle-Telegram.
(July 15, 1967). "Station WWIZ leaves air". The Chronicle-Telegram.
(June 4, 1968). "FCC gives Lorain group WWIZ OK". The Chronicle-Telegram.
(May 26, 1966). "2 firms seek radio permit". The Chronicle-Telegram.
(December 22, 1969). "New AM stations". Broadcasting.
(December 10, 1969). "Station to go on air Saturday". The Chronicle-Telegram.
"History Cards for WDLW (WLRO)". [[Federal Communications Commission]]}} ([[Wikipedia:WikiProject Radio Stations/History Cards.
Naeglele, William F.. (December 4, 1969). "New radio station at Lorain due on air by weekend". The Chronicle-Telegram.
(October 8, 1983). "FCC approves the sale of WLRO-AM for $195,000". The Chronicle-Telegram.
Grossman, Linn. (November 22, 1985). "Ballroom anyone? Antlers owner looking for tenant". The Chronicle-Telegram.
Van Treuren, Philip. (December 23, 2001). "Jon Veard's vision of Lorain". The Morning Journal.
Vidika, Ron. (March 3, 2011). "FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS: Radio duo to be honored at appreciation benefit". The Morning Journal.
Dyer, Bob. (December 3, 1989). "Ethnic broadcasters might move down the dial". [[Akron Beacon Journal]].
Fogarty, Steve. (September 23, 1994). "Sound Bites". The Chronicle-Telegram Encore.
Brown, Steve. (January 30, 1999). "WZLE changes owners, but not format". The Chronicle-Telegram.
(May 30, 1997). "WOIO newscasts going out on radio". The Plain Dealer.
Miller, William F.. (November 8, 1997). "Thanksgiving Day's Big Polka Party honors broadcaster". The Plain Dealer.
Strassmeyer, Mary. (June 27, 1997). "Renaissance Ex plans own hotel". The Plain Dealer.
Fybush, Scott. (August 7, 1997). "North East RadioWatch: August 7, 1997: A Change of Sale". North East RadioWatch.
Brown, Roger. (October 20, 1997). "Some upbeat music for adult ears". The Plain Dealer.
Inge, Angela. (June 13, 1998). "Tribe 'Beisbol' to air in Spanish". The Chronicle-Telegram.
Crump, Sarah. (September 30, 1998). "Gingrich to help Blackwell's bid". The Plain Dealer.
Naymik, Mark. (December 9, 1999). "El Gallito".
Vishnevsky, Zina. (October 20, 1999). "Club Caliente DJ to join WDLW Radio". The Plain Dealer.
(January–February 1997). "SG y WDLW transmiten 1er partido de fútbol en español en la radio". Senor Gol.
O'Connor, Clint. (January 11, 2002). "Change in the air for Channel 19 news operation". The Plain Dealer.
(January 2, 2002). "Radio Station WDLW 1380 To Be Sold". LorainCounty.com.
Mohrman, Jeff. (January 11, 2003). "Off the beat: Radio station boasts fitting call letters". The Chronicle-Telegram.
(November 7, 2002). "WDLW 1380AM To Change Program Format". LorainCounty.com.
Mohrman, Jeff. (January 11, 2003). "New sound has oldies crowd purring". The Chronicle-Telegram.
Ramirez, Awilda. (July 6, 2003). "Music drives Lorain man who is account exec and broadcaster". The Chronicle-Telegram.
Jacobson, Adam. (March 2, 2021). "Ohio Couple Completes Sale Of AM Twins".
Aquino, Lyric. (March 1, 2021). "Oberlin: Former WOBL WDLW radio station owners say goodbye".
Hawk, Jason. (November 13, 2020). "Wilbers selling Gold Country and Kool Kat Oldies to Tolletts". Elyria Chronicle-Telegram.
"Demos Home | FOX News Radio Affiliate Website".
"Affiliates". Ohio News Network Radio.
Venta, Lance. (October 23, 2015). "Station Sales Week Of 10/23".
(October 29, 2015). "DEAL DIGEST FOR THE WEEK OF OCTOBER 29, 2015". InsideRadio.com.
(January 12, 2016). "Arizona Translator Changes Hands". AllAccess.com.
Thompson, Blaine. (February 8, 2016). "Indiana RadioWatch - Serving Hoosier Broadcasters Since 1998 - 8 February 2016". Indiana RadioWatch.

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