WPXY-FM

WPXY-FM is a heritage Top 40/CHR radio station licensed to Rochester, New York, which broadcasts at 97.9 FM. Its transmitter is located on Pinnacle Hill in Brighton, and its studios are located at High Falls Studios in downtown Rochester. WPXY also broadcasts on HD Radio, and includes a secondary subchannel, known as "Channel Q", a LGBTQ+ destination for Gay News, Pop Culture and Music.

WPXY-FM
CityRochester, New York
Broadcast areaRochester
Frequency97.9 MHz (HD Radio)
Branding98 PXY
Slogan"The #1 Hit Music Station!"
Programming
FormatTop 40 (CHR)
HD2: (Channel Q)
Ownership
OwnerEntercom Communications
(Entercom License, LLC)
WBZA, WBEE, WROC, WCMF
History
First air date
September 14, 1959 (as WROC-FM)
Former call signs
WVET-FM (1959–1961)
WROC-FM (1961–1975)
WPXY (1975-1983)
Call sign meaning
PXY = Pixy (former beautiful music format)
Technical information
Facility ID53966
ClassB
ERP50,000 watts
HAAT142 meters (466 ft)
Transmitter coordinates
43.135°N 77.585°W / 43.135; -77.585
Links
WebcastListen Live!
Websitewww.98pxy.com

History

WPXY-FM signed on air on September 14, 1959 as WVET-FM, as the FM sister to WVET. It first aired classical music, before flipping to an automated beautiful music format. In addition to being an FM sister, WVET-FM was also a sister station to WVET-TV, and was originally under the ownership of Veterans Broadcasting. Veterans changed the stations call letters to WROC-FM in 1961, and sold the WROC stations (which included WROC-TV) to Rust Craft Broadcasting in 1964, before being sold to Associated Broadcasters, which later became part of Pyramid Broadcasting. Due to the ownership split, in 1975, WROC-FM became WPXY, and was known as "Pixie" (hence the "PXY" call letters). (WROC would become WPXN.)[1] In the Summer of 1982, WPXY began its long running top 40 format. The first Top 40 talent that was heard on 98 PXY was then-morning personality Jim Harrington. Consultant Gary Burns had Harrington demo the new format for an hour, the afternoon before the new format was actually implemented. Harrington had just arrived in Rochester and his car was still unpacked. The station began broadcasting Rick Dees Weekly Top 40 in November 1983 (until late 1988) and American Top 40 with Casey Kasem in March 1987.

WPXY would begin simulcasting on its AM sister station in 1983, with the simulcast running until 1991, when the AM would flip to standards, and then oldies, before returning to a simulcast in 1992, and then splitting again a year later. (The AM would be sold off to Jacor in 1996.)

The Lincoln Group would purchase the station from Pyramid in late 1993.[2] Lincoln would then merge with American Radio Systems in February 1996, with ARS merging with Infinity Broadcasting in September 1997. (Infinity would be renamed CBS Radio in December 2005.)[3] CBS sold WPXY-FM to Entercom Communications on November 30, 2007.

98 PXY

Scott Spezzano was the morning voice of 98 PXY for over 25 years & is one of the most recognized celebrities in the Rochester Community. For years, Spezzano would climb atop the roof of Marketplace Mall the weekend after Thanksgiving and broadcast live, living on the roof for 57 hours to raise money for the Salvation Army Homeless Holiday Campaign. This "stunt" for years was called the 98 PXY Help the Homeless Weekend or just simply "The Roof-Sit". Community members and business owners every year pledged their support of Spezzano, the only brave celebrity locally to attempt stunts like this for the community.

Spezzano, in his over 30 years on Rochester radio, has been honored many times for his charitable contributions and always giving back to the community, and remains a household name in the Rochester Community. On September 7, 2014 it was announced that Spezzano and Sandy Waters would be moving to sister station WBZA. Megan Carter, along with Corey James (former PXY alumni Corey Kincaid), took over the PXY morning show beginning on Friday, September 12, 2014 with a special duel simulcast including Spezzano and Sandy with special guests on both WPXY and WBZA. Their show was called #TeamPXY with Carter + Corey.[4]

Carter + Corey continued until early 2018, when Megan Carter exited the station. Whitney Young (who had been doing the midday shift) was promoted to co-host with Corey.[5] However, Whitney's time at PXY did not last long, and she departed the station in July 2019, being replaced by Brianna 'Breezy' Sloth.[6]

Another popular personality on 98PXY is Chris Debbins, known simply as 'Debbins'. Debbins has been with the station since 2014, and currently hosts the afternoon drive show from 3pm - 7pm.[7]

Throughout the years, 98PXY has put on many fun events including the High School Challenge, a penny drive where Rochester area High Schools competed to collect the most pennies. The winner got a free concert at their school by a national recording artist. The proceeds benefited various Hillside agencies. Artists that performed include Donnie Klang, Boys Like Girls, O-Town, and more...with Justin Bieber being the draw in 2009.

98 PXY was the first station to air Teddy Geiger's single "For You I Will (Confidence)". Teddy mentions the station inside the cover of their hit album Underage Thinking.

98 PXY began streaming worldwide online at 98pxy.com on April 1, 2008.

98 PXY "Jam" brands

The legendary 98 PXY Summer Jam was originally called "The 98 PXY Birthday Suit Jam" celebrating the station's birthday every year.

The Summer Jam was in the past for years followed up by: "The 98 PXY Acoustic Jam, The 98 PXY Jingle Jam, and the 98 PXY Halloween Jam" which were always like the previous Summer Jams in the past featuring "Invite-Only Passes, 18+ Only Shows, & Secret Locations"

Since then, the Station has matured into 2 Large Summer Jams and "Smaller Jams" called "Freeloader Studio Sessions."

The 98 PXY Summer Jam went on hiatus from 2005 until its revival in 2009.

In 2010, the 98 PXY Jingle Jam returns after a longer hiatus.

2008 Summer Jam:
August 28, 2008 at the Riverside Festival Site featuring Secondhand Serenade, Tyga, We the Kings, Chris Willis, & The Sunstreak!

2009 Summer Jam:
June 4, 2009 at the Port Of Rochester featuring Kristinia DeBarge, White Tie Affair, We the Kings, The Ting Tings, 3OH!3, & Kevin Rudolf.
August 20, 2009 at Frontier Field featuring Flo Rida, Boys Like Girls, Jessie James, Wale, and Tina Parol.

2010 Summer Jam:
June 8, 2010 at Frontier Field featuring Spose, Jaicko, JLS, Taio Cruz, New Boyz, Mayday Parade, B.o.B, Aaron Fresh, Iyaz, & Train (band).

2010 Jingle Jam:
December 1, 2010 at the Blue Cross Arena featuring Neon Trees, Mike Posner, Sara Bareilles, Bruno Mars, Travie McCoy, and returning for another round 3OH!3

2011 Summer Jam:
June 7, 2011 at Frontier Field featuring LMFAO, Allstar Weekend, iSquare, Hot Chelle Rae, Tinie Tempah, Jeremih, New Boyz, & Cody Simpson

2012 Summer Jam:
June 12, 2012 at the Frontier Field featuring Dev, Neon Hitch, Breath Carolina, Carly Rae Jepsen, Chiddy Bang, Wallpaper., Karmin, and Gym Class Heroes.

2013 Summer Jam:
May 31, 2013 at Frontier Field featuring Jason Derulo, Hot Chelle Rae, Icona Pop, Sammy Adams, Little Mix, Classified, Wallpaper., and MKTO.

2014 Summer Jam:
June 3, 2014 at Frontier Field featuring Jason Derulo, B.o.B., R5 (band), MKTO, AJR (band), SoMo, My Crazy Girlfriend, and Timeflies.

Past notable 98 PXY Summer Jam and Jingle Jam artists

98 PXY features

98 PXY has many features during its programming schedule.

Former PXY features:

  • Rip it Up Friday (Fridays, 8:30-10AM): Spezzano & Sandy spin the 1980s & 1990s hits that we all know and love!
  • Fourplay @ 4 (Weekdays, 4PM): Mike Danger plays the 4 biggest hits in Rochester.
  • Interactive 9@9 (Weeknights, 9PM): JB & Kasper spins the 9 hottest songs in the ROC.
  • 98 PXY's Hi 5@9 (Weeknights, 9PM): The top 5 songs in Rochester according to listener requests on the phone or online, hosted by Kasper, then Raphael.
  • Club PXY Freeloader Alerts (7:30AM, 9:30AM, 12:30PM, 3:30PM, 6:30PM): Club PXY Password of the Day for online fan club.

98 PXY on-air staff
  • Corey James
  • Orphan Andrew
  • Debbins
  • Breezy

98 PXY alumni
  • Megan Carter (now at WKGS in Rochester, NY)
  • Scott Spezzano (now at WBZA in Rochester, NY)†
  • Sandy Waters (now at WBZA in Rochester, NY)
  • Mike Danger (now at WROC in Rochester, NY, still Program Director)
  • Moose (Actor in Los Angeles, CA)
  • Amanda Valentine (now at KYGO in Denver, CO)
  • Kasper
  • Johnny Ice (now at KLOS in Los Angeles)
  • "The Mayor" Pete Kennedy (now at WDVI in Rochester, NY)
  • Lala (now at Def Jam Records in New York, NY)
  • Alicia (now at KNUC in Seattle, WA)
  • Danny B
  • Harper (now at WMSX in Buffalo, NY)
  • Gina G
  • JB (now at Z99 in Grand Cayman Islands)
  • Chris Savage
  • Carson (now at KDWB in Minneapolis, MN as Steve-O)
  • Danny Meyers (now at WMOV-FM in Norfolk, VA)
  • Darren Downs (now at WSHE-FM in Chicago, IL)
  • Patrick Duffy (now at WCMF-FM in Rochester, NY)
  • Busta Nutt (now at WWHT in Syracuse, NY as Kobe)
  • Dem Jones
  • Diesel (now at WEND in Charlotte, NC)
  • Norm On The Barstool
  • Java Joel (now at WAKS in Cleveland, OH)
  • Artie The One Man Party
  • Chris "Learjet" Leary (Chris Leary)
  • JoJo The Hitman, a.k.a. Skip Kelly
  • Clarke Ingram
  • Jeff Walker (now at WAEB in Allentown, PA)
  • Jim Harrington
  • Rocky Martini
  • Raphael (now at KIIS in Los Angeles, also on WKGS in Rochester & WWHT in Syracuse)
  • Trusty Tristano
  • John Ivey (now at KIIS in Los Angeles, CA)
  • Joan Brandenburgh
  • Marc Cooper
  • Tom George (retired)
  • Scott Michaels
  • Steve Hausmann
  • Eric G
  • Simone
  • Terese Taylor
  • Tommy Boy aka Tom Dot Com
  • Athena
  • JJ Rice "Riceman" (now at WBLI in Long Island, NY)
  • Magic Man
  • Chris Cole
  • Larry Wachs (Now on The Regular Guys Show, WNNX/Atlanta)
  • Cat Collins (now at KYLD in San Francisco, CA)
  • Rhino(now at Majic 95.5 Mornings in Austin TX)
  • Dino ( Now at WFKL-FM 93.3 Rochester, NY )
  • Gene Filiacci
  • Candi Clark
  • Kevin Fennessey
  • Bentley (now at WFIZ in Ithaca, NY)
  • Paul Jason (Now at Legends 102.7FM WLGZ-FM in Rochester, NY)

† Spezzano was the face of WPXY for almost 30 years hosting the morning show (first Spezzano in The Morning later Spezzano and Sandy) and was a large part of the station's early success making it a household name in the ratings and otherwise.

References
  1. https://radioinsight.com/community/topic/wpxy-history/
  2. http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/1990s/1993/RR-1993-10-29.pdf
  3. http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/1990s/1996/R&R-1996-03-01.pdf
  4. http://www.13wham.com/news/features/top-stories/stories/radio-stations-shuffle-am-personalities-15476.shtml
  5. kevincarter (2018-11-29). "#TeamPXY Is Now Complete". RAMP - Radio and Music Pros. Retrieved 2020-02-12.
  6. kevincarter (2019-11-08). "Rochester Morning Forecast: Breezy". RAMP - Radio and Music Pros. Retrieved 2020-02-12.
  7. kevincarter (2018-10-29). "APD Upgrade For WPXY's Debbins". RAMP - Radio and Music Pros. Retrieved 2020-02-12.
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