Country Music Returns to the NYC FM Radio Dial

After weeks of speculation 94.7 FM flipped to a country music format today.  My family was planning a trip to the Guggenheim Museum, but I would not leave the house until after the format change shortly after 9:47 AM.  There hadn't been a full country music signal in NYC since February 1996 when WYNY at 103.5 became WKTU.  There have been some suburban stations over those years, but none reached the 5 boroughs of NYC.  The calls of 94.7 is now WRXP, but I suspect that that will change.

According to Radioinsight.com the first songs played were:


Randy Houser – This Is How Country Feels
Alan Jackson – Gone Country
Brad Paisley – Southern Comfort Zone
Brooks & Dunn – Boot Scootin’ Boogie
Carrie Underwood – Blown Away
Lady Antebellum – I Run To You
The Band Perry – Better Dig Two
Garth Brooks – Friends In Low Places
Jason Aldean – My Kind Of Party
Taylor Swift – Begin Again
George Strait – Write This Down
Thompson Square – You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not
Lee Brice – I Drive Your Truck
Reba McIntyre – Turn On The Radio
Zac Brown Band – Free
Dierks Bentley – 5-1-5-0
Kenny Chesney – Big Star
Eric Church – Springsteen

The key to success of this station will be its appeal to advertisers who covet the 25-54 year old demo.  There is a perception that country music does not appeal to listeners with buying power.  I hope there will be some personalities who will attract listeners.  I remember on Sunday nights WYNY had a classic country show hosted by Steve Warren.  Hopefully, 94.7 FM will play some of the oldies.

I congratulate Cumulus Media for picking the right format which has been missing for too long.  Best of luck.