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WMCE-FM (88.5 MHz) is a non-commercial classic hits radio station in Erie, Pennsylvania, owned and operated by Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine. WMCE-FM was simulcast on sister station WMCE 1530 AM until its sale on September 1, 2017. The transmitter is located near Knoyle Rd and Dewey Rd outside of Erie.

History

Formation as WMCY

After Mercyhurst College acquired the frequency, 88.5 first signed on as WMCY on February 3, 1989. It was a mixed format station broadcasting classic rock, Broadway musicals, talk programs and more. It eventually switched to opera and classical and then changed formats again in January 2009 to nearly exclusively jazz music.

JAZZ FM

Under the direction of station manager Mike Leal, the station switched to jazz programming in January 2009. Content was provided by local hosts, and weekly regional shows. Programs included Jazz at Lincoln Center, Jazz Profiles, Jazz Variations, Radio Deluxe, European Jazz Stage, Latin Jazz Perspectives, Blues Before Sunrise, Juke in the Back, Blues and Beyond, Frank's Place, Swingin' Down The Lane and The Jazz Scene. Jazz hosts included Bob Protzman, Mark Richard, Helen Wigger, Tony Mowod, Bill Hillgrove. Additional programming was streamed using satellite services.

"The Greatest Hits of all Time"

Under the management of Dan Geary, WMCE changed formats to classic hits in January 2013. The station and features many more local hosts and less syndicated programming. Hosts on WMCE now include former Erie radio and TV personalities.

Captain Dan, hosting Erie morning radio for over 32 years is still in charge of the morning drive in Erie. Johnny Holiday, an Erie radio legend hosts middays. Afternoon drive and the is managed by Commander Bill. The Commander is followed by the Dr. Denny Woytek. Weekends are handled by John "Harada Data" Harada, Teri Bohn and Mighty Mike Langer. Johnny Holiday also handles Saturday evenings and featuring spotlight hour themes. Saturday mornings from 9 to noon the station broadcasts hits with Rick Johnson. Sunday mornings from 9 to noon it broadcasts Bob and Alice Koziel and the Polka Celebration.

WMCE is a broadcast service of Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM), said institution having purchased the station in 2018 from Mercyhurst University. Mercyhurst no longer is connected to WMCE.

Recognizing the station as a valuable community asset, LECOM has retained the talent and the on air format and delivers short and timely messages regarding various topics regarding healthcare services delivered by their institution.

In May 2021, WMCE-FM purchased WWCB, a commercially licensed AM radio station based in Corry, Pennsylvania, from Bill Stafford.

References

1. "Facility Technical Data for WMCE-FM". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
2. "WMCE ratings swing upward". Merciad.mercyhurst.edu. Retrieved March 7, 2019.
3. "88.5 JAZZ FM Erie, PA - WMCE Radio - A look Inside of Erie's Jazz Station". YouTube. January 24, 2011. Archived from the original on December 19, 2021. Retrieved March 7, 2019.
4. "Station Sales Week of 5/7".

External links

• Official website
• Facility details for Facility ID 41215 (WMCE-FM) in the FCC Licensing and Management System
• WMCE-FM in Nielsen Audio's FM station database

42°05′24″N 79°56′35″W / 42.090°N 79.943°W / 42.090; -79.943

• College radio stations in Pennsylvania
• Radio stations in Erie, Pennsylvania
• Radio stations established in 1989
• 1989 establishments in Pennsylvania
• Classic hits radio stations in the United States
• Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine