The Sun from Biloxi, Mississippi • 28

i I a a Two new stations debut on Jan 1 Lucas in court? Page 3 DEC JAN 4 1984 3 Jim Lucas scheduled to go on the air Jan 1 as operations manager for WQFX-FM 96 and WAIZ-AM 1130 may be in court in January 4 film critic Harold-Reynolds chooses his Top 20 films for the year in the Cover Story Thursday because it dawned on me that we only had two working days until the stations go on the air We've got it all figured out technically the live element is the only part you worry Lucas a Birmingham Ala native who came to the Coast via Kansas City Mo and DeRidder La boasts a wealth of radio experience He got his start in radio at KDLA in DeRidder while in high school and left there at age 18 to work on-air at WTIX He's also worked at WVMI WNOE and WWL in New Orleans WHB in Kansas City and KCBQ in Kansas City and Dad moved here to the Coast in the he said I've always claimed this as Lucas said the recent reports in about his illness were exaggerated by his former partner at WGCM Joe Brister was built up more than it was I think I was sick in the hospital for five days My doctor advised me to change my lifestyle and career or get some more help WGCM couldn't provide that and these people will I did what I had to do" The Gulfport football and basketball games previously carried on WGUF will be carried on the AM Lucas said but since the sunrise-to-sunset restriction is in effect he secs no way to broadcast the games live they fall in our broadcast time we'll carry them on the AM or we might be able to work out something on a tape-delay basis All that's in the future Lucas commented The broadcaster has high hopes for how the stations will fare in the next Arbitron ratings which will be in June Lucas said: think Foxy 96 will be No 2 1 think it will be right behind WQID Actually you know WAIL was No 2 in this market and I think we're gonna fill that void think the country will be No Lucas continued can knock WGCM out of that spot I think people miss traditional country music The biggest gainer in the last Arbitron book was WXGR in Bay 8t Louis They gained six or seven points by playing traditional country I think be able to do that Lucas also said the stations would be very active in community affairs going to be in the heart of he said By VINCENT CREEL Marquee Editor Jim Lucas the former WGCM radio personality said to be suffering from ulcers weeks ago resumes his on air-duties Tuesday morning as the operations manager for two new Coast radio stations Lucas will be working with WQFX-FM 96 and WAIZ-AM 1130 The Gulfport stations were formally known as WGUF The FM station begins broadcasting at the minute the New Year starts while the AM will start up at sunrise on Jan 1 both going to be different than anything else offered on the said the 39-year-old Lucas a 22-year radio veteran hit radio which will be called 96 will be very much like the old WAIL We'll have Top 40 black and Top 40 white so you don't have to listen to WTAM for black music or WQID for white music Listen to one station for both of The AM country station which will be in operation from local sunrise to sunset will be called WAIZ will be traditional country" Lucas continued be any Dan Fogelberg or that type stuff Just pure country The new stations owned by Caravelle Broadcast Group will have studios in the penthouse of the Security Markham Building overlooking downtown Gulfport the most modern studio in any medium market" said Lucas of the stations that will use 3000 watts on the FM and 500 watts on the AM Lucas said will improve the station's low wattage Lucas will work the morning drive from 6 to 10 on Foxy 96 From 10 am to 3 pm the station will be automated and at 3 pm Rip Daniels thd former WQID Daysleeper and former WTAM program director comes on for a five-hour show At 8 pm the station goes back to automation which Lucas likes to call The automation he said just like regular radio There's a voice talking like a regular It's just Several other stations like WGCM-FM and Eight Days has info on area concerts and other events A The films and are reviewed "I Harold Reynolds reviews 2 Electric and and 14 An interview with Vinny Applce the drummer for Dio is featured (The Books section returns next week) Encore has the dart league standings and a story about MTVs New Eve Ball The charts listing the top hits of 1984 are also on this page INDEX AT THE MOVIES12 THE CHARTS 15 EIGHT DAYS 6 Vincent Creel Editor Harold Reynolds Movie Critic Mary Alexander Staff Writer Jerry Klnser Arts Editor Judy Hilton Page Composition Jim Lucas at the controls tt both going to be different than anything else offered on the Coast The hit radio which will be called 96 will be very much like the old WAIL WAIZ Country on the AM will be traditional country year will be the first female working afternoon drive Ume in Mississippi The Ralph Emory show will be featured on WAIZ from 1 to 2 pm On weekends WAIZ will feature former WGUF broadcaster Buddy Baylor and Coast musician Eddie McDaniel doing real good Lucas said Friday I'm getting excited about the new opportunities I'm scared to death to tell you the truth There are some parts of the puzzle that have to fit together at the last minute just sitting on pins and needles right now I just got nervous on WROA-AM also use automation Daniels and Lucas will also work on Saturdays Others working on the Foxy 96 staff are Wilson (Sunday from 6 am to noon) and Richard Hidleburg (noon to 6 pm) Among the on-air staff lined-up for WAIZ are Bay St Louis country and western singer Tony Hoda (from sign-on to 9 am) Picayune performer Marilyn Rae (from 9 to 1) and former WZKX personality Dixie Wright (afternoon drive from 2 pm to sign-off) Lucas said Wright who engineered the Alan Thicke visit to the Coast for earlier this 29 Friday January 4 1985 2 MARQUEE The SunThe Daily Herald Saturday December.