The Vulcan
"The Vulcan" was the name of a series of "active rock"-format radio stations broadcast in the Birmingham area by Clear Channel Communications and their successor iHeartMedia. They used the phrase "Man Up!" as a tagline.
The first incarnation of "The Vulcan" debuted in early December 2006 after Dick Broadcasting's WRAX-FM switched to a sports-talk format. Clear Channel launched "105.5 The Vulcan" in place of long-time Gospel station WENN-FM to fill the niche, despite a small protest at Kelly Ingram Park.
At FM 105.5, licensed to Hoover, "The Vulcan" broadcast from the WJLD Tower on Red Mountain (map) at an effective radiated power of 29.5 kilowatts. The studios were located in The Tower at 530 Beacon Parkway West.
On September 19, 2008 the station's call letters were changed to WVVB-FM.
On July 6, 2009 Clear Channel dropped the rock format and used the frequency to re-broadcast the talk radio programming of WERC-AM. The call letters were changed to WERC-FM.
When Clear Channel was awarded the use of the new FM 103.1 frequency (WQEN-HD2), it went through a rotation of program formats on the "New 103.1 FM" and hosted an on-line poll to determine what format it should air. About 6,000 votes were cast, with 38% favoring "active rock", followed by "Gen X" and "Adult Album Alternative". The new format was also simulcast on the WERC-AM station.
The new station began airing at 5:00 PM on January 13, 2011 with the Nirvana song "All Apologies". Program director was Keith Allen. On-air talent included Aly and Klinger, who had both been part of The Vulcan's earlier incarnation, as well as newcomer Pyke.
For most of its run, The Vulcan aired Townsquare Media's "The Free Beer & Hot Wings Morning Show" from WGRD-FM in Grand Rapids, Michigan. In November 2023 it switched over to "The Walton & Johnson Show" from KPRC-AM in Houston, Texas.
"The Vulcan" was switched over to a hip-hop and R&B format called 103.1 The Beat in January 2025.
Preceded by: WENN-FM (modern rock) |
FM 105.5 2006–2009 |
Succeeded by: WERC-FM (talk radio) |
Preceded by: New 103.1 FM |
FM 103.1 2011–2025 |
Succeeded by: 103.1 The Beat |
References
- Carlton, Bob (January 13, 2011) "Nirvana kicks things off as Clear Channel Birmingham brings back rock station The Vulcan." The Birmingham News