Charles McCreery
Recently, Cruisin' 92.1, WVLT had received permission from the Federal Communications Commission for a power increase that doubles our ERP, Effective Radiated Power. That power increase is now in effect allowing Cruisin' 92.1, WVLT to be heard louder and farther than ever before. Our signal now broadcasts into four states; New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland.
On May 24, 2002, just in time for the Memorial Day Weekend, WVLT became "Cruisin' 92.1." We're South Jersey's #1 Oldies Powerhouse for the Delaware Valley. "Cruisin' 92.1" serves to the east, Cape May through Atlantic City and beyond at the shore and our signal broadcasts loud and clear into Wilmington, Newark and Dover, Delaware. Of course, the "Cruisin' 92.1" program booms into the entire city of Philadelphia, cradle of liberty and birthplace of our nation and home of Jerry Blavat, a living broadcast legend and heard right here on WVLT, Cruisin' 92.1.
STATION HISTORY
WVLT, 92.1 on your dial, first came on the airwaves as WDVL-FM in October of 1968. Husband and wife, Mortimer and Vivian Hendrickson trading under the corporate name of "Delsea Broadcasters" owned the station at that time. WDVL-FM simulcast with sister station WDVL, 1270 on the AM dial. That AM outlet is still WVLT's sister station, currently using the call letters, WMIZ.
WDVL-FM carried AM's broadcasts during the day. Those programs included Urban Contemporary and Hispanic formats. However, the AM station's main strength was from a format called "Town & Country" by the Hendricksons. At night when the AM station was off the air, WDVL-FM carried what was then referred to as "MOR" or Middle of the Road" music. MOR was what was successful at that time on major market stations like WIP and WNEW.
During the Hendrickson's time, Mort did the noon news (mostly local) and then followed it with his own music program until 2 pm. Viv did several things at the station including hosting a children's program (called "Story Hour") airing Saturdays at 12 noon.
In mid 1972, the Hendricksons sold the two stations to Vita Marie and Frank Ventresca for a quarter of a million dollars.
Just before the station was sold, Station Chief Enginer George Dodds hosted a country music show entitled "The Corncob Show." It aired mornings until 10 am. At ten (until noon), the station's Program Director Henry Morey did a show called "WDVL Classics." It was a light classical music program. Then at 2 pm (until 4), Jose Luis Acosta had a show which was named "Radio Caribe" and was broadcast in broadcast. It was a forerunner of today's format. After Jose (at 4 pm), George Anthony Struckell presented "beautiful music" and MOR music. His show was entitled "The Music Room."
On August 30, 1979, WDVL-FM became WKQV. Two years later, the call letters were modified to be WKQV-FM. Five years later, the call became WVLT, the same one being used today.
In 1986, Clear Communications, Inc. and its President, Charles McCreery purchased WVLT and its sister station, which is now WMIZ. Clear Communications still owns both stations.
Over the years like most modern day radio stations, WVLT has changed or modified their programming to fulfill the needs and desires of the community it serves. You may remember us as "Mix 92" or "92 First." Based in Vineland, Cumberland County, New Jersey, WVLT broadcasts into four states, which are: New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland. Our signal broadcasts to an area with a population of over five million people.