Radio friends in the Gainesville/Ocala, Florida market are reporting that WRUF-FM 103.7 (“Rock 104”) has ended the Album Rock format which it had been programming since 1982. At 11AM this morning, the frequency became home to the all new “Country 103.7, The Gator.” The previous Rock format will continue to air online at Rock104.com.
My friend Mark Tillery is a walking encyclopedia on the history of North Florida radio! He sent me the following information regarding the WRUF stations:
Drew, WRUF-FM flipped to Rock 104 at 4AM Monday morning, May 3rd, 1982, so it was Rock 104 for 28 1/2 years. I was working overnights at WGGG-AM 1230 when the flip took place, so I heard it when it happened. The first song Rock 104 played was Steely Dan’s “FM”. WRUF-AM flipped from Top 40 “Music Radio 85” to adult standards/big bands “Unforgettable AM 850” at the same time. The first song on WRUF-AM was Nate King Coles “Unforgettable”. Both songs were very appropriate as the first songs for each respective format change… Just a bit of interesting trivia.
WRUF-FM is owned and operated by the University of Florida.