User:Marcus crockett

WBGR-AM 860

WBGR 860 AM served the Baltimore Metro Area, as the city's first all black gospel radio station. The station was formally known as WAYE. In 1981, the station was flipped to gospel with new call letters WBGR- Baltimore Gospel Radio. Archbishop Noami Durant help start the station and became the Morning Drive Personality. During the Stations Gospel Days, it went through several ownerships including, Jack Mortenson, American Radio Systems, and Infinity Broadcasting (CBS Radio).

The station help launch the careers of many radio broadcasters throughout the Baltimore Metro Area. Many Broadcasters got their start or worked sometime or another at WBGR. These Broadcasters include Lee Michaels (WCAO) and Brad Rogers (WCAO). Other radio broadcasters that worked at WBGR were David Brown, Mike Murrinal, Curtis Anderson, Barbara McClean, and many others.

The station was famous for several features. One of the most important features was the Kiddie Commute, where children would call in and be on the radio. Focus on the Word was another feature where on-air personalities interviewed local pastors about their ministry.

The station was managed by Baltimore Radio Legend "Hotrod" up until 1991. Veteran Programmer B'Berry programmed the WBGR up until 2005. Station enjoyed several good years of ratings dominance and excellent revenue, generating over $1 million dollars a year. The competition would get tuff as new competitors came into the market including, WWIN-AM Spirit 1400 and WCAO-AM Heaven 600.

WBGR for many years was located on Druid Park Drive in Baltimore City along with WEBB 1360 (now WVIE 1370). In 1996-97 WBGR was sold to Infinity/ CBS Radio for $2.8 Million from American Radio Systems. Over the next several years the station suffered from low ratings and low revenue. Pressured to make money the station begin airing more church ministries and played less music.

Infinity Broadcasting/ CBS Radio sold WBGR 860am and WBMD 750am to Family Stations, Inc at the end of 2004 for $7.5 million. The gospel format ended on WBGR 860am on April 30, 2005 at 3:00pm. The gospel format ended with B'Berry interviewing Archbishop Noami Durant. At 3:00pm B'Berry turned off the transmitter and walked out of the studio. All the employees of both stations WBGR and WBMD were laid off including one employee from WBMD who worked their for 51 years.

WBGR-AM 860 and WBMD-AM 750 is now owned and operated by Family Stations, Inc.