WHOK-FM 95.5, in Columbus, Ohio, is tweaking its playlist to include more of the current mainstream country music when, in fact, there are plenty of other country stations in Central Ohio that play the newer country. WHOK, being the oldest country station in Central Ohio, needs to return to preserving the pre-2000 classic country music.
We the undersigned
On Monday, January 16, 2012, a Columbus, Ohio-based country station, Legendary Country 95.5 The Hawk, announced they were switching back to its longtime moniker, K95.5. It was also announced that they were tweaking their playlist to include current mainstream country music, as opposed to playing, for the most part, pre-2000 "classic" country as they have for eight-and-a-half years.
To those who are not aware, WHOK-FM is the oldest radio station with a continuous country music format, going back to 1948.
Personally, I welcome WHOK's decision to return to the K95.5 branding (as that's how I always refer to it as), and at the same time, I also understand WHOK's need to attract new listeners. But the truth of the matter is that there are plenty enough stations in the Central Ohio area that play the post-2000 country and we need WHOK to continue to stand out amongst other country stations by saving and treasuring the pre-2000 country music for those who prefer it over the post-2000 country music.
I have nothing against WHOK and its staff personally, but as far as its format goes, they must come to the realization that if it ain't broke, don't fix it. WHOK doesn't need to follow the crowd to attract new listeners, and they shouldn't.
My goal is to get 100,000 signatures by the end of February and, in doing that, it is important that you spread the word of how excellent WHOK is as a country station and, at the same time, how important it is that the station must continue to be a unique one by preserving the legends of country music and pre-2000 classic country music overall. Once my goal is met, I will send this petition to the fine folks at WHOK.
