WKLR (96.5 FM) is an American radio station licensed to serve Fort Lee, Virginia. The station's broadcast license is held by Cox Radio, Inc. WKLR broadcasts a classic rock format branded as "96.5 KLR" to Richmond/Petersburg, Virginia area.^[3]

History[link]

WBCI era[link]

The station's beginnings can be traced back to July 1963, when the station signed on as WBCI-FM, licensed to, located in, and serving Williamsburg, Virginia, partially simulcasting a middle of the road music format with sister station WBCI.^[1] WBCI later changed calls to WMBG, when the AM went Top 40 and the FM became an automated beautiful music format. In 1977, the station switched to an automated adult contemporary format.

The station was, for many years, the flagship station for The College of William & Mary Tribe football and men's basketball.

In 1980, the station became a live adult contemporary format. Popular Norfolk-based talk show host Tony Macrini's first radio job in Virginia was mornings at WBCI. In 1981, the station went to a syndicated adult contemporary format. Some of the other personalities on WBCI's Live A/C format were Tim Grogan, Jim Payne, Tony Michaels and Chris Dennell.

Kiss 96[link]

In 1982, the station was purchased by African-American owned Northeastern Mutual Insurance Company and became a CHR/Urban hybrid station called WQKS, "Kiss 96" and attempted to serve both the Richmond and Norfolk markets. Kiss 96 did a little better in Richmond than in Norfolk and almost overtook established Urban WPLZ in the ratings. In late 1984, the station was knocked off the air for several weeks due to a hunter running into one of the station guy wires with his SUV and snapping the guy wire and toppling the transmitter tower. The station was at partial power for a long period after it signed on, with equipment donated by various competitors. The popularity of the station faltered following the incident.

Soft 96[link]

By early 1985, the Churban format on Kiss 96 was rapidly losing listeners and the owners decided to sell. In mid-1985, the station was purchased by a group of investors that included radio executive Don Cuthrall, who decided that the station should only target the Richmond market, and in the summer of 1985, the station changed formats to Beautiful Music as WQSF, "Soft 96".^[2] In 1988, WTVR-FM returned to its former beautiful music format, which prompted WQSF to adjust their own format to a soft adult contemporary format as "Soft Rock 96". Notable air personalities included long-time WRVA announcer Chris Dennison on afternoons, WRNL and WDYL personality Denis Reidy on mid-days, and former WRNL Program Director Dick Grant in the morning drive. Later on-air personalities included Doug Langston, Don Sebara, Pat Henry and Jay Carneal.

Soft Rock 96 and 96.5 The Duck[link]

By 1988, the station had sold AM sister WMBG, and moved the FM's tower to a closer location in Lanexa, Virginia, and the studios and offices to a small strip mall in Quinton, Virginia, just off I-64 in New Kent County. In 1989, the station was sold to Keymarket Communications, who continued the Soft Rock format but in 1990 changed to an Oldies format as WDCK, "The Duck".^[2][4]

Keymarket attempted to upgrade the station's signal by requesting a change in the city of license from Williamsburg to Fort Lee, just 25 miles from Richmond. Unable to get approval for the change due to legal challenges from the other broadcasters in Richmond, they sold the station to Benchmark Communications, who already owned AAA WVGO, in 1992. In 1993 the station's studios and offices were moved into the Boulders Office Complex in Richmond with WVGO.

WLEE-FM[link]

In early 1995, the station switched to an all 1970s format as WLEE-FM,^[2] adopting the call letters of once popular AM Top 40 station WLEE, brought back popular former WLEE personality Shane into morning drive. But the 1970s format was unsuccessful and the station eventually evolved into a classic rock format, and Shane was replaced by the syndicated "John Boy & Billy Show" several months later. Mike Rivers, formerly of WRVQ-FM, was also a DJ at 96.5 during this period. Dick Hungate returned to the Richmond airwaves as a weekender, later Middays, after being off the air for a few years around this same time. Prior to coming to Richmond, Hungate had created the nation's first classic rock station at WYSP in Philadelphia.^{[citation needed]}

The Planet[link]

In June 1995, both WVGO & WLEE-FM were sold to Richmond-based ABS Communications, who already owned Country leader WKHK, and Alternative WBZU. The call letters were later changed to WKLR and the station became known as "96.5 The Planet". Best remembered DJs at The Planet over the years have included Dick Hungate, Lark Logan, Gary Micheals, and Sheri Blanks.

In 1996, ABS merged with SFX Broadcasting. The company underwent two mergers in the next four years, first as Capstar, then finally AMFM.

New Richmond signal[link]

In 1999, the station's last link to its beginnings as a local Williamsburg station were severed, when the long-held request for a change of city of license to Fort Lee was approved and the station began broadcasting from a tower formerly used by WKHK in Chester, Virginia. That same year, all of the AMFM-owned stations were moved to the Moorefield Office Complex in Midlothian where WMXB had been since 1985.

In early 2000, the station made some unexpected headlines when part time jock, former Norfolk "shock" Morning jock Henry "The Bull" Del Toro, in what some^[who?] have said was a malfunctioning EAS (Emergency Action Notification) alerting device, during a local ice storm, issued a series of false "evacuation notices" that had local police descending on the station a short time later. Del Toro was later terminated for the incident.^{[citation needed]}

Cox Radio era[link]

In 2000, AMFM merged with Clear Channel Communications. To satisfy local ownership limitations, several stations owned by both Clear Channel and AMFM had to be divested. Cox Radio ended up purchasing not only WKLR, but also WKHK, WMXB, and Clear Channel-owned WTVR-AM.

In 2005, the station let go ten-year veteran Dick Hungate due to budget cuts.^{[citation needed]}

In 2008, the station changed its positioner from "96.5 The Planet" to "96.5 KLR, The Planet". Since August 31, 2008, the station completely dropped "The Planet" and refers to itself as "96.5 KLR" or just "KLR".

References[link]

External links[link]

• WKLR official website
• Query the FCC's FM station database for WKLR
• Radio-Locator information on WKLR
• Query Arbitron's FM station database for WKLR

Sean Paul
Sean Paul at the International Reggae and World Music Awards.
Background information
Birth name	Sean Paul Ryan Francis Henriques
Born	(1973-01-09) January 9, 1973 (age 39) Kingston, Jamaica
Genres	Dancehall, reggae, R&B, ragga
Occupations	Musician, singer-songwriter, producer, actor
Years active	1996–present
Labels	VP, Atlantic
Website	allseanpaul.com

Sean Paul Ryan Francis Henriques^[1] (born January 9, 1973),^[1][2] who performs under stage name Sean Paul, is a Jamaican dancehall and reggae artist.

Life and career[link]

1973–96: Early life[link]

Sean Paul was born in Kingston and spent his early years in Upper Andrew Parish, a few miles north of Kingston.^[2] His parents, Garth and Frances, were both talented athletes, and his mother is a well-known painter.^[3] His paternal grandfather was a Sephardic Jew whose family emigrated from Portugal, and his paternal grandmother was Afro-Caribbean; his mother is of English and Chinese Jamaican descent.^[4][5] Sean Paul was raised as a Catholic.^[6] Many members of his family are swimmers. His grandfather was on the first Jamaican men's national water polo team. His father also played water polo for the team in the 1960s, and competed in long-distance swimming, while Sean Paul's mother was a backstroke swimmer. Sean Paul played for the national water polo team from the age of thirteen to twenty-one, when he gave up the sport in order to launch his musical career. He attended the Wolmers High School for Boys, Belair School, Hillel Academy High School, and the College of Arts, Science, and Technology, now known as the University of Technology, where he was trained in commerce with a view to pursuing an occupation in hotel management.

[edit] 1998–2000: Stage One

Sean Paul's manager and producer Jeremy Harding first heard about the singer when his brother told him about seeing someone at a small open mic event in Kingston who sounded a lot like the popular dancehall DJ and toaster Super Cat.^[7] Harding eventually met the singer when Sean Paul came by his studio to ask for some advice. During the meeting Paul recorded a vocal over Harding's rhythm track and in the process created the song "Baby Girl".^[7] Sean Paul began hanging out at the studio every day, and the pair collaborated on several more tracks. When they recorded "Infiltrate" they decided they had something good enough to get on the radio. As Sean Paul started to attract local attention, Harding began looking after his affairs. He later told HitQuarters that his support of Paul's fledgling career initially led him assuming the roles of "DJ, manager, road manager and security guard."^[7] Sean Paul made a quick cameo appearance in the 1998 film Belly on stage performing. He made a very successful collaboration with DMX & Mr. Vegas (Top Shotter) as a soundtrack of the film. In 2000, Sean Paul released his debut album, Stage One with VP Records.

[edit] 2001–02: Dutty Rock

In 2002, he began working extensively with a team of producers and choreographers from Toronto, namely Jae Blaze and Blaze Entertainment and announced the release of his second album, Dutty Rock. Pushed by the success of the singles "Gimme the Light" and the Billboard Hot 100 topper, "Get Busy", the album was a worldwide success, eventually selling over six million copies. Simultaneously, Sean Paul was heard on Beyoncé's U.S. #1 single "Baby Boy" and Blu Cantrell's "Breathe", a chart hit in Europe. Both helped to push his reputation further still in the United States. He appeared on Punk'd, 106 & Park, Sean Paul Respect, Making the Video ("Get Busy", "Gimme the Light", and "Like Glue") and his music videos have been broadcast on MTV and BET. Paul's biggest hits included "Get Busy", "Like Glue", "Gimme the Light", "Baby Boy", and "I'm Still in Love with You".

[edit] 2003–05: The Trinity

Sean Paul in September 2005.

Sean Paul's third album The Trinity was released in on September 27, 2005. The album produced five big hits, "We Be Burnin'", "Ever Blazin'", "Give It Up to Me", "Never Gonna Be The Same" and the U.S. chart-topping smash hit "Temperature". The video of "Give It Up to Me" (featuring Keyshia Cole) was also featured in the movie Step Up in 2006. He was nominated for four awards at the 2006 Billboard Music Awards, including male artist of the year, rap artist of the year, hot 100 single of the year, and pop single of the year for his hit "Temperature".^[8] He also won an American Music Award for "(When You Gonna) Give It Up To Me" beating Kanye West and Nick Lachey who were also nominated for the award. His song "Send It On" from "The Trinity" featured on the 2005 Vauxhall Corsa advert. Sean Paul often contributes his songs to various Riddim Driven albums (by VP Records). In March 2007, he returned to his native Jamaica to perform at the Cricket World Cup 2007 opening ceremony. Sean Paul appears on the game Def Jam: Fight for NY as part of Snoop Dogg's crew and again in the game's sequel, Def Jam Icon.

[edit] 2006–10: Imperial Blaze

The newest Sean Paul album entitled "Imperial Blaze" was released on August 18, 2009. The lead single, “So Fine”, which was produced by Stephen “Di Genius” McGregor, premiered on Sean Paul's official website on April 26, 2009.^{[9][dead link][10]} Speaking to Pete Lewis of 'Blues & Soul' magazine in August 2009, Sean Paul stated that 'Imperial Blaze' "Actually signifies 'The King's Fire'. It's that thing inside of you that gives you the desire to do whatever you do, and be the best in the world at it."^[11] The new album consists of 20 tracks including "So Fine", "Press it Up", "She Want Me", "Private Party" which are party tracks and also love songs such as "Hold My Hand" (feat Keri Hilson), "Lately", "Now That I've Got Your Love" among others. Producers on the album include Don Corleone, Jeremy Harding, and Sean's brother Jason 'Jigzagula' Henriques.^[11] All the full songs of the album have been added to Sean Paul's Myspace page^[12] on the day of release of the album.

Up until now there have been eight music videos: "Always On My Mind (with Da'Ville)", "Give It To You (with Eve)", "Watch Them Roll", "Back It Up" (with Left Side/Mr. Evil), "(I Wanna See You) Push It Baby" (with Pretty Ricky), "Hit 'Em" (with Fahrenheit and his brother Jason "Jigzagula" Henriques), "Come Over" with Estelle,^[13] and also the video of his first single, "So Fine" from the new album. He has recently been featured in Shaggy's video, "Save A Life", which also includes appearances from Elephant Man and Da'Ville, among others. In an effort to raise money for a children's hospital, Shaggy, Sean Paul and others will be having a benefit concert. All proceeds will go towards getting new equipment and technology 'For Aid to the Bustamante Hospital for Children'. In an interview in 2009 he says he is planning to release a new album in 2011. During the premiere for MNET's Big Brother Africa 5: All-Stars on July 18, 2010, he performed his songs "Temperature", "Hold My Hand", and "So Fine".

[edit] 2011–present: Tomahawk Technique

The first single Got 2 Luv U features vocals from American singer Alexis Jordan. It was released on the July 19, 2011 by Atlantic Records. The song was written by Sean Paul, Ryan Tedder and Stargate, and it was produced by Stargate.^[14][15][16]

She Doesn't Mind is the second single from the album. It was written by Sean Paul, Shellback and Benny Blanco and was produced by Shellback and Benny Blanco. It was released on the September 29, 2011 on NRJ & Skyrock (French radios), and to iTunes on October 31.^[17] Like its proceeder, "Got 2 Luv U", featuring Alexis Jordan, it topped the charts in Switzerland, but it debuted at that spot. Sean appeared on the Never Mind the Buzzcocks episode which aired on November 21, 2011.

Sean Paul is featured in the music video for the Simple Plan song Summer Paradise.

Discography[link]

Studio albums

• Stage One (2000)
• Dutty Rock (2002)
• The Trinity (2005)
• Imperial Blaze (2009)
• Tomahawk Technique (2012)

Mixtapes

• The Odyssey Mixtape (2009)

Filmography[link]

Alexis Jordan
Jordan at the ESKA Music Awards in May 2011
Background information
Birth name	Alexis Jordan
Born	(1992-04-07) April 7, 1992 (age 20)
Origin	Columbia, South Carolina, United States
Genres	R&B, pop, dance
Occupations	Singer, actress
Years active	2006–present (singer) 2008–present (actress)
Labels	StarRoc/Roc Nation
Associated acts	Sean Paul, Jay-Z
Website	alexisjordanofficial.com

Alexis Jordan (born April 7, 1992)^[1] is an American singer and actress from Columbia, South Carolina. Jordan rose to fame as a contestant on the first season of America's Got Talent in 2006. After being eliminated from the show, she began to upload cover songs to YouTube, which received millions of views. The exposure led Jordan to the attention of Norwegian production team Stargate and American rapper Jay-Z, who both went on to sign her to their label, StarRoc/Roc Nation.^[2] Her debut single, "Happiness", was released in September 2010, and reached number one in Norway^[3] and the Netherlands, and also became a top-three hit in Australia^[4] and the United Kingdom.^[5] Jordan's self-titled debut album was released on February 25, 2011.^[6]

Life and career[link]

1992–2008: Early life and career beginnings[link]

Jordan was born in Columbia, South Carolina, to a mother of African American descent and a Puerto Rican father.^[1] Jordan began writing songs while she was in third grade.^[1] At the age of 11, she moved with her parents and three younger siblings Taylor, Malichai and Malcolm to Santa Clarita, California, to pursue a career in the arts.^[1] At the age of 12, Jordan served as an opening act for Smokey Robinson at a Stevie Wonder tribute concert.^[1]

In 2006 Jordan auditioned for the first season of America's Got Talent.^[2] She sang Whitney Houston's "I Have Nothing" at her audition and made it through to next round, only to be eliminated in the semifinals. After being eliminated from the show, Jordan and her family moved to Atlanta to be closer to the music industry.^[2] While there, she began to upload cover songs on YouTube while submitting demos. By 2008, Jordan's YouTube page was racking up millions of views. The exposure led Jordan to the attention of production team Stargate who called her to fly to New York and record a few songs with them.^[7] While in the studio, rapper Jay-Z walked in,^[7] which ultimately resulted in Jordan becoming the first artist signed to the new, Sony Music-affiliated label, StarRoc/Roc Nation – a joint venture between Stargate and Jay-Z's Roc Nation label.^[8]

[edit] 2010–11: Alexis Jordan

Jordan's single "Happiness" was released in September 2010. In the United States, the song reached No. 1 on the Hot Dance Club Songs, becoming Jordan's first No. 1 single on that chart.^[9] It also reached No. 1 in Norway^[3] and the Netherlands,^[10] and peaked at No. 3 in Australia and the United Kingdom.^[4][11] In Australia, "Happiness" was certified triple platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), for shipments of 210,000 copies.^[12] "Good Girl" was released as Jordan's second single in February 2011. The song debuted at No. 6 on the UK Singles Chart, giving Jordan her second top-10 hit in the United Kingdom.^[5] It also reached No. 15 in Ireland^[13] and became her second chart-topper on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs chart in April.^[14] Her self-titled debut album was released on February 25, 2011.^[6] It debuted on the UK Albums Chart at No. 9^[5] and on the Australian Albums Chart at No. 11.^[4]

"Hush Hush" was released as the album's third single on May 8, 2011.^[15] Jordan served as a support act on English group JLS' tour in the United Kingdom, which commenced in June 2011 and ended in July.^[16] She also appeared at T4 on the Beach in the UK and performed "Hush Hush" and "Good Girl".^[17] Jordan featured on Sean Paul's single "Got 2 Luv U", which reached number one in Switzerland and Bulgaria.^[18]

Jordan made a cameo appearance in the film Honey 2.

2011–present: Second album[link]

She confirmed via Twitter that she was working on her second studio album due for release some time in 2012.^[19]

In November 2011 Jordan went to a recording studio in New York where she recorded with Stargate, she stated that the album is nearly completed.^[20] In the same YouTube video uploaded by Jordan, she was asked what she was doing and she replied "Writing about different things 'cause I'm like all messed up cause I'm talking about girl power, then I'm talking about myself and how people don't really know me that well so they gonna get to know me in this song."^[21]

Discography[link]

Albums[link]

Singles[link]

As a featured artist[link]

Guest appearances[link]

Music videos[link]

Filmography[link]

Awards and nominations[link]

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Alexis Jordan

• Official website
• Alexis Jordan on Twitter
• Alexis Jordan at the Internet Movie Database