WDQN signs back on at 5:30 a.m. this morning

by Steve Dunford

On May 14th, WDQN, 1580-AM in DuQuoin, ceased operations.  The station would sign on the air occasionally to keep their FCC license in compliance.

This morning, at 5:30 a.m. the station signed back on the air.    The station will be managed in a partnership with two Perry County papers the Pinckneyville Press and the DuQuoin Weekly.

I spoke with the publisher of the Perry County publications, Jeff Egbert last night.  He said the tradition of the station with all local programming will exist that the Showalter family always had with the station.

In the past the format of the station has been “Top 80” with a mix of top 40 country and top 40 rock/pop.  Egbert said the playlist will be updated.

The playlist will be adult contemporary/lite rock in the daytime hours, with mixing in country in the evening hours.  The station will broadcast 24 hours now, with going to a classic rock format overnight.

The studio of WDQN in DuQuoin, from the station’s Facebook page. The station is located on the north edge of DuQuoin in the village of St. Johns

The Sunday Morning show will be changed to a Contemporary Christian format instead of Southern Gospel.  With WXAN in Ava very strong in the Perry County market, Egbert feels he can introduce more groups to the listeners such as the David Crowder Band, Skillet, Third Day, Casting Crowns, and Mercy Me.

Being a High School Sports guy, I asked about if the station would bring back DuQuoin High School sports.  Egbert said “definitely, Indian Football will be back on the air in week one.”  It is the plan that Steve Marek, the long time voice of the Indians will be at the mic.

I also asked Egbert about the FM signal of WDQN, 95.9, which Three Angels Broadcasting out of Thompsonville has programing on.  He said Three Angels purchased the frequency.  It has been assumed it was leased by several individuals.  It is his goal, however, to have the station one day simulcast on FM.

I am going to add an editorial comment here.  With the DuQuoin Evening Call now a weekly publication, WDQN is the only daily media outlet in Perry County.  There was a big hole in the Perry County media when the station went dark.

The last time I pulled up some numbers on our website I was amazed of the growth in Perry County.  Franklin County will be primary and it always will be, but you will see more coverage in the surrounding counties.

Like Perry County, there has been a whole in Franklin County with the Benton Evening News going to a weekly publication and the West Frankfort Daily American shutting its doors.  The Gazette in both towns really helped fill the gap.  WQRL and franklincounty-news.com are the only two daily sources of news in this county.

I am green in the media business.  One thing I have observed, and the majority of seasoned people in this business that I have picked their mind agree.  Strong media sources strengthen the other.  With WDQN back on the air, it will make this website and other publications and media outlets across Southern Illinois stronger.

 

 

 

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