WKAY explained

WKAY
City:Knoxville, Illinois
Area:Galesburg and Vicinity
Branding:105.3 KFM
Frequency:105.3 MHz
Format:Adult contemporary
Erp:3,700 watts
Class:A
Facility Id:76984
Owner:Galesburg Broadcasting Company
Sister Stations:WAAG, WGIL, WLSR
Website:1053kfm.com
Licensing Authority:FCC

WKAY (105.3 FM, "105.3 KFM') is a radio station broadcasting an adult contemporary format. Licensed to Knoxville, Illinois, the station serves the Galesburg area including Knoxville, Monmouth, Abingdon and surrounding communities. WKAY is owned by Galesburg Broadcasting Company. The station, known on the air as "Today's Refreshing Light Rock 105.3 KFM" or "105.3 KFM" for short, signed on the air on Wednesday, December 13, 2000. Before the "official" sign on, the station played Christmas music while testing the transmitter. "Officially", the first song played was the "Heart of Rock-n-Roll" by Huey Lewis & The News. Mornings host Chris McIntyre was the first jock to be heard on 105.3 KFM. The original on-air line-up consisted of Chris McIntyre (5:30 am – 10 am), Scott Michael (10am3pm), K.C. Fleming (3 pm7 pm). Chris McIntyre is still Program Director and host of "Mornings with McIntyre" with Nick Ischer with the News & Sports. As of 2022 the on-air line up consists of Chris McIntyre (5 am12 pm), and Tyler Gumm (12 pm6 pm). In addition to morning duties, Chris McIntyre is also the Program/Music Director.

The station's format is adult contemporary featuring artists such as John Mayer, Lady Gaga, Daughtry, Katy Perry, Pink, Rob Thomas, Taylor Swift, along with hits from the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. On weekends, the station features an all-1970s format on Saturdays titled "Saturday in the 70s". In addition to locally hosted shows, "Saturday in the 70s" also features syndicated shows like Casey Kasem's AT 40:The 70s, The 70s with Steve Goddard, and Back to the 70s with M.G. Kelly. On Sundays, the station features an all 1980s format titled "Absolutely 80s". It features locally hosted shows along with Casey Kasem's AT40: The 80s.

WKAY-FM is also known as the "Christmas Station". This is because the station drops the adult contemporary format for an all Christmas format beginning at 9am the day before Thanksgiving through Christmas Day.

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40.943°N -90.344°W