# WPON > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/WPON > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/WPON.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WPON > Source revision: 1331382715 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) Radio station in Walled Lake, Michigan, United States WPON Walled Lake, Michigan United States Frequency 1460 kHz Branding WPON AM 1460 Programming Format Oldies Ownership Owner Birach Broadcasting History First air date December 1954 Call sign meaning Pontiac Technical information[1] Licensing authority FCC Facility ID 22045 Class B Power 670 watts (day) 580 watts (night) Transmitter coordinates 42°32′39″N 83°33′36″W / 42.54417°N 83.56000°W / 42.54417; -83.56000 Links Public license information Public file LMS Webcast Listen Live Website wpon.com **WPON** (1460 [AM](/source/AM_broadcasting)) is a [radio station](/source/Radio_station) in the [Detroit](/source/Detroit) market, broadcasting from a 6-tower array in [Walled Lake, Michigan](/source/Walled_Lake%2C_Michigan). ## History WPON was founded in September 1954, with studios in Pontiac, Michigan, and towers located at the corner of Square Lake Road and Telegraph Road in neighboring Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.[2] The station was owned for many years by [Chief Pontiac Broadcasting](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Chief_Pontiac_Broadcasting&action=edit&redlink=1), broadcasting such formats as top-40 and Country music. Broadcasting at 1000 watts omnidirectional, the station covered the majority of [Oakland County](/source/Oakland_County).[3] WPON was sold to Michigan Cablevision and Radio in 1977. The company was backed by Wisconsin Cablevision and Radio, and brought talent in from Wisconsin for news and operations positions. Shortly after taking ownership, the studios were moved from the Pontiac State Bank building in Pontiac to a one story building on Huron Street in Waterford. The station switched to country music in the wake of the Urban Cowboy movement. Now becoming an active part of the Pontiac and Waterford area, they soon embraced the local country music scene. The station had local artists and bands performing live on-air each week, transforming its newsroom into a live music studio for a program, "Hometown Country." In 1980, WPON took this a step further, producing an album, "[Hometown Heroes](https://www.slipcue.com/music/country/countrystyles/regional/states-michigan_01.html)", a collection of self-recorded country singles from local artists. Money from that album went to benefit the Pontiac-Oakland Symphony. One track includes guitarist [Marshall Crenshaw](/source/Marshall_Crenshaw) on guitar before he broke through on his own.[4] The station was sold in 1986 to [Algis Zaparakis](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Algis_Zaparakis&action=edit&redlink=1), who in turn sold the land containing the tower array in Bloomfield Hills to developers, and moved the tower array to a swamp near [Wolverine Lake](/source/Wolverine_Lake%2C_Michigan) in [Walled Lake, Michigan](/source/Walled_Lake%2C_Michigan).[5] The move forced WPON to change its power to 1,000 watts directional daytime, and 760 watts directional nighttime. This change in power saw many of WPON's listeners unable to pick up the station's signal in much of its former coverage area. The format was changed to ethnic in 1986, and stayed this way until the station was purchased in 1995 by [Foreign Radio Programs, Inc.](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Foreign_Radio_Programs,_Inc.&action=edit&redlink=1) Under the leadership of station manager Marie Fotion, WPON started a semi-successful "Talk and Oldies" brokered radio format in 1997, specializing in hard-to-find oldies from the 1950s through the early 1970s. More recently the station also began airing pre-rock "traditional" pop/nostalgia hits from the early and mid-1950s mixed in with the rock and roll oldies, possibly to appease fans of [CKWW](/source/CKWW), a former [adult standards](/source/Adult_standards) station which now also plays rock oldies. WPON was again sold in 2003 to [Birach Broadcasting Corporation](/source/Birach_Broadcasting_Corporation), who closed the old Bloomfield Hills studios and moved operations to Birach headquarters located in the Town Center Plaza in [Southfield, Michigan](/source/Southfield%2C_Michigan). WPON is streaming their "Talk and Rare Oldies" format live through their website.[6][7] ## Shows, hosts and DJs Through the years, WPON was home for many of metro-Detroit area's finest on-air talent, aspiring and seasoned alike. For many years, "Crazy Al" (Allyn Schmitz) hosted the morning show "Crazy Al's Radio Party" along with Larry Matthews and others. The program saw a variety of guests from the community as well as moderately popular "oldies" musicians. Crazy Al, known for his wildly over-the-top personality brought rare oldies and talk to the community until Al and the gang left WPON in May 2004, shortly after the sale of the station to [Birach Broadcasting Corporation](/source/Birach_Broadcasting_Corporation).[8] Travel aficionado, Michael Dwyer hosted weekly radio program "Travel and Adventure" for many years. Dwyer, a freelance travel columnist in Detroit, brought his love for traveling to the airwaves of WPON. Dwyer also worked as a board operator, and like many others, left the station shortly after being sold. Dwyer, along with Jimmy James, and Ted Eberly were said to have left WPON in July 2004 because an agreement could not be reached between them and new owner Birach Broadcasting.[9] WJR veteran Bryan Styble hosted a midnight show "The Pontiac Insomniac with Bryan Styble" weeknights from October 1996 through November 1998. That overnight timeslot on the weekends was filled by Anthony Torres and his "Thinking Aloud with Anthony Torres" call-in program during the same period. WPON is widely known throughout Detroit's large [Indian American](/source/Indian_American) and [Desi](/source/Desi) population. It has many shows featuring Hindi and other Indian language songs in the superhit Rockin' Raaga hosted by Anu, Geetmala and Voice of Pakistan.[10] Deano Day also had a long running show on WPON.[11] The popular Improv Troupe, "Void Where Prohibited," also had a 2-year stint on WPON with a call in improv radio show. It was hosted by the Improv Troupe founders Pat Caporuscio and Tommy Ventimiglio. One of the youngest DJs on WPON was Aaron Gresser, host of The Double-A Revolving Door Show where they played oldies and classic rock. Along with music, they had coverage of current events, sports, and entertainment. The show aired weekdays, Monday through Friday, but ended its two year run in May 2024.[12][13] ## Programming shifted to WCXI In October 2010, WPON went silent so the station could make improvements to its broadcast signal. Programming was shifted to co-owned [WCXI](/source/WCXI) in [Fenton](/source/Fenton%2C_Michigan) broadcasting from the WPON studio and still streaming from the WPON web site.[14] Birach relocated WPON and WCXI to the same broadcast facility near [Wixom, Michigan](/source/Wixom%2C_Michigan), a few miles west of the old WPON site (which has been razed).[15] Both WPON and WCXI were issued construction permits for new facilities from the new site, WCXI for 15,000 watts days and 1,000 watts nights, and WPON for 670 watts days and 175 watts nights. As of December 2019, WPON has been on air offering oldies in the morning.[16] 1960 WPON Staff ## See also - [Media in Detroit](/source/Media_in_Detroit) ## References 1. **[^](#cite_ref-FCC-LMS-22045_1-0)** ["Facility Technical Data for WPON"](https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/public/tv/publicFacilityTechDetails.html?facilityId=22045). *Licensing and Management System*. [Federal Communications Commission](/source/Federal_Communications_Commission). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["FCC Facility Data for WPON"](https://publicfiles.fcc.gov/am-profile/wpon). Federal Communications Commission. Retrieved January 4, 2026. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Broadcasting Yearbook (1975). [*Broadcasting Publications*](https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-BC/BC-YB/1975/Section-C-Radio-Broadcasting-YB-1975.pdf) (PDF). p. C-98. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Hometown Heroes - Oakland Country Radio 1460 WPON LP"](https://gripsweat.com/item/231506472808/hometown-heroes-country-radio-1460-lp-pontiac-detroit-private-marshall-crenshaw). Gripsweat Archive. Retrieved January 4, 2026. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["AM Station Query Results: WPON"](https://transition.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/amq?call=WPON). Federal Communications Commission. Retrieved January 4, 2026. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-arb1_6-0)** ["Station Information Profile"](http://www.arbitron.com/radio_stations/station_information.htm). *Arbitron*. Retrieved June 28, 2009. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Changing Hands"](https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-2003/BC-2003-06-16.pdf) (PDF). *Broadcasting & Cable*. June 16, 2003. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["ALLYN "CRAZY AL" SCHMITZ"](https://michiganrockandrolllegends.com/hall-of-fame/artists/293-allyn-crazy-al-schmitz). Michigan Rock and Roll Legends. Retrieved January 4, 2026. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["About Michael Dwyer"](https://rochesterwriters.com/about/rochester-writers-speaker-database/michael-dwyer/). Rochester Writers. Retrieved January 4, 2026. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["Of Rhythm and Raaga - The Musical Odyssey Continues"](https://www.miindia.com/articles/details/of-rhythm-and-raaga-the-musical-odyssey-continues/453). Miindia.com. Retrieved January 4, 2026. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Carson, David (2000). *Rockin' Down the Dial: The Detroit Sound of Radio*. Adonis Books. p. 122. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0965313216](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0965313216). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["AA and J AKA "Revolving Door" Show - Michigan Radio & TV Buzzboard"](https://mibuzzboard.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=60672&sid=c7aef157aa1650dc95dd21f689f50196). *mibuzzboard.com*. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["WPON 1460 AM Program Schedule"](http://www.wpon.com/WPON%201460%20AM%20Program%20Scedule.pdf) (PDF). Birach Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved January 4, 2026. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["WPON Oldies Airing on WCXI for Now"](http://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/81740/wpon-oldies-airing-on-wcxi-for-now). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["WCXI-AM Station Profile"](https://publicfiles.fcc.gov/am-profile/wcxi). Federal Communications Commission. Retrieved January 4, 2026. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["Attempt to flee Flint foiled by FCC"](https://rbr.com/attempt-to-flee-flint-foiled-by-fcc/). *Radio & Television Business Report*. July 2, 2009. ## External links - [Facility details for Facility ID 22045 (WPON)](https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/public/tv/publicFacilityDetails.html?facilityId=22045) in the [FCC](/source/Federal_Communications_Commission) Licensing and Management System - [WPON](https://www1.arbitron.com/sip/displaySip.do?surveyID=SP26&band=am&callLetter=WPON) in [Nielsen Audio](/source/Nielsen_Audio)'s AM station database v t e Radio stations in the Detroit, Michigan, metropolitan area By AM frequency 560 680/690 760 910 950 1030 1090 1130 1160 1200 1270 1310 1340 1400 1440 1460 1500 1610 By FM frequency 88.1 WBFH WHPR-FM WSDP WSMF 88.3 WDTE WSHJ WXOU 89.1 89.3 WBLD WHFR 89.5 WAHS WDTP1 WOVI 89.7 90.3 90.9 91.5 91.7 92.3 93.1 93.5 94.3 94.7 95.5 96.3 97.1 97.9 98.7 99.5 100.3 101.1 101.9 102.7 103.5 104.3 105.1 105.9 106.7 107.5 LPFM 96.7 100.7 Translators 92.7 93.5 94.3 95.1 96.7 97.5 98.3 99.1 99.9 101.5 103.1 103.9 104.7 105.5 106.3 107.1 W296CG W296DY 107.9 NOAA Weather Radio frequency 162.425 162.45 162.55 Digital radio by frequency & subchannel 560 910 1200 1340 90.9-1 91.7-1 92.3-1 93.1-1 94.7-1 94.7-2 94.7-3 95.5-1 96.3-1 96.3-2 96.3-3 97.1-1 97.1-2 97.1-3 97.9-1 98.7-1 98.7-2 99.5-1 100.3-1 100.3-2 101.1-1 101.1-2 101.1-3 101.9-1 102.7-1 102.7-2 102.7-3 103.5-1 103.5-2 103.5-3 104.3-1 104.3-2 105.1-1 105.9-1 105.9-2 106.7-1 107.5-1 107.5-2 By call sign KDTI KEC63 W224CC W228CJ W232CA W236DR W244DL W248CC W252BX W256EA W260CB W268CN W276DB W280EL W284BQ W288BK W292DK W296CG W296DY W300DI WAHS WBFH WBLD WCAR WCHB WCSX HD2 HD3 WCXI WDET-FM WDFN WDKL HD2 HD3 WDMK HD2 WDTE WDTK WDTP1 WDTW WDVD HD2 HD3 WDZH HD2 WERW WFCB-LP WFDF WGPR WHFR WHMI-FM WHPR-FM WJLB WJR WKEG WKQI WLLZ WLQV WMGC-FM WMKM WMUZ WMUZ-FM HD2 HD3 WMXD WNIC HD2 WNZK WNUC-LP WOMC HD2 WOVI WPHS WPON WPYF269 WRCJ-FM WRDT WRIF HD2 HD3 WSMF WSDP WSHJ WTAC WUFL WUOM WVMV WWJ WXOU WXYT WXYT-FM HD2 HD3 WYCD Defunct W8XWJ WBRB/WWHK (1430 AM) WEBM WOPR (90.3 FM) Nearby regions – United States Ann Arbor Flint Fort Wayne Lansing-East Lansing Sandusky/Port Clinton South Central Michigan Thumb of Michigan Toledo Canada Southwestern Ontario See also List of radio stations in Michigan Notes 1. Station has construction permit to change frequency to 90.1 MHz. v t e Oldies radio stations in the state of Michigan Active Allegan WQXC-FM Alpena WZTK Battle Creek WFAT Benton Harbor/St. Joseph WHFB Bridgeport WJMK Hancock WMPL Hart WEEH-LP Iron Mountain WMIQ Ludington WKLA Marquette WDMJ Munising WQXO Newberry WNBY-FM Reed City WDEE-FM Traverse City WLDR-FM Walled Lake WPON See also adult contemporary classic hits college country news/talk NPR oldies religious rock sports top 40 urban other radio stations in Michigan v t e Birach Broadcasting Corporation Radio stations KJMU KOLE KXLQ WBRD WCAR WCXI WCXN WDMV WEW WGOP WIJR WMFN WNWI WNZK WPON WTOR WWCS Defunct stations KIJR-LP WBVA WVAB [42°32′39″N 83°33′36″W / 42.54417°N 83.56000°W / 42.54417; -83.56000](https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?pagename=WPON¶ms=42_32_39_N_83_33_36_W_type:landmark_region:US_source:FCC) --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [WPON](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WPON) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WPON?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.