Magic 98 History
"Magic 98" went on the air at Midnight, December 1st, 1983, and our legal name switched from WISM-FM to WMGN.
WISM has a special place in Madison radio history. The original WISM-AM 1480 went on the air in 1959, the first Madison broadcast property of Mid-West Family Broadcasting (owners of Magic 98 to this day). The "Wizzum" Top 40 format was an immediate hit and became Madison's #1 radio station within one year. Personalities like Clyde Coffee, Bill Short, Stoney Wallace and "Rockin" Robin Steele kept the station at the top throughout the 1970s.
Bob Dylan visits Madison. At left WISM's Jonathan W. Little and Charlie Simon, at far right Mayor Paul Soglin
In the 1960s and early 70s, most FM stations across America had few listeners. Most people did not have FM car radios. The majority of FM stations offered "easy listening" or rock music. In the late 1970s Mid-West Family created a popular "adult contemporary" approach for WISM-FM, and the station (automated, meaning no announcers) began attracting listeners that liked the music on "Movin' Easy 98 FM." In 1983 Mid-West Family decided that the station could be even more successful if it became involved in community events, offered fun promotions and was staffed by live personalities.
The first Magic 98 airstaff:
Pat O'Neill 6-10am
Jim Reed 10am-2pm
Vic Martin 2-6pm
Johnny Marks 6-11pm
Our first events included "Magic Nights" at area restaurants and a weekly "Take Your Radio To Work Day" that offered listeners a $98 prize. "Magic Money" was introduced in 1984.The first "Magic Van" appeared in countless parades. A "Lunch with the Elephants" contest to celebrate a circus appearance drew a crowd to Ella's Deli in the summer of 1984."Movin' Easy" WISM-FM left the air while in 6th place with Madison adult radio listeners. "Magic 98" jumped to 2nd place in the first 1984 survey and has been one of Madison's most listened-to stations ever since. Many of the Magic 98 personalities that joined the station in the 1980s are still here today, including Pat O'Neill, Bob Bonner, Juli Hinds, Jim McGaw, Sara Freeman and Kathryn Vaughn.
"Magic 98" went on the air at Midnight, December 1st, 1983, and our legal name switched from WISM-FM to WMGN.
WISM has a special place in Madison radio history. The original WISM-AM 1480 went on the air in 1959, the first Madison broadcast property of Mid-West Family Broadcasting (owners of Magic 98 to this day). The "Wizzum" Top 40 format was an immediate hit and became Madison's #1 radio station within one year. Personalities like Clyde Coffee, Bill Short, Stoney Wallace and "Rockin" Robin Steele kept the station at the top throughout the 1970s.
Bob Dylan visits Madison. At left WISM's Jonathan W. Little and Charlie Simon, at far right Mayor Paul Soglin
In the 1960s and early 70s, most FM stations across America had few listeners. Most people did not have FM car radios. The majority of FM stations offered "easy listening" or rock music. In the late 1970s Mid-West Family created a popular "adult contemporary" approach for WISM-FM, and the station (automated, meaning no announcers) began attracting listeners that liked the music on "Movin' Easy 98 FM." In 1983 Mid-West Family decided that the station could be even more successful if it became involved in community events, offered fun promotions and was staffed by live personalities.
The first Magic 98 airstaff:
Pat O'Neill 6-10am
Jim Reed 10am-2pm
Vic Martin 2-6pm
Johnny Marks 6-11pm
Our first events included "Magic Nights" at area restaurants and a weekly "Take Your Radio To Work Day" that offered listeners a $98 prize. "Magic Money" was introduced in 1984.The first "Magic Van" appeared in countless parades. A "Lunch with the Elephants" contest to celebrate a circus appearance drew a crowd to Ella's Deli in the summer of 1984."Movin' Easy" WISM-FM left the air while in 6th place with Madison adult radio listeners. "Magic 98" jumped to 2nd place in the first 1984 survey and has been one of Madison's most listened-to stations ever since. Many of the Magic 98 personalities that joined the station in the 1980s are still here today, including Pat O'Neill, Bob Bonner, Juli Hinds, Jim McGaw, Sara Freeman and Kathryn Vaughn.
Magic Photos
Concerts on the Square 2010
July 6,2010
The best seat at Concerts on the Square is at Table 75, the Magic 98 table!
Mugs and Muffins - June 30th
July 6,2010
Magic 98's Amy Hudson and Liz Terry surprised Magic listener Pam Larson, working at Sub-Zero & Wolf Appliance, with goodies from PDQ!
Click here to view all photo galleries.
