WGMD celebrates 40-year anniversary

Radio station 92.7 WGMD celebrated its 40-year anniversary with an on-air birthday stream July 24, led by morning talk show host Mike Bradley.

Friends of WGMD called in to express their gratitude for the station and to share memories they’ve made with WGMD over the past 40 years. A fun segment the station did was having talk show hosts say where they were in 1980 when WGMD was first on-air; whether that was working with another radio station, in high school or only a month old. 

Delaware and Maryland delegates also came into the studio to celebrate 40 years. Delaware delegates included Sen. Brian Pettyjohn, R-Georgetown; Rep. Richard Collins, R-Millsboro; and Rep. Steve Smyk. R-Milton; Maryland delegates Rep. Carl Anderton Jr. and Sen. Mary Beth Carozza stopped by as well. During the stream, Bradley was gifted a governor’s citation from Gov. Larry Hogan, who expressed his respect and admiration for WGMD.

In 1975, WGMD first came on-air as WLRB. Five years later, the station was sold to Resort Broadcasting Co. and has been on-air as WGMD ever since. 

WGMD started out as a music station called Sunny 92. Now, the station focuses on national, regional and local news and talk. It is also broadcast live Monday through Friday for 20 hours a day. 

Walt Palmer, director of broadcast operations, engineering and programming at WGMD, said he has been able to serve the community in several episodes during his time with the station. During big storms, blizzards, hurricanes etc., he had the authority to say they were going to stay local instead of covering areas in Maryland or Pennsylvania. 

“If someone is afraid, they know they can tune in and hear a local, friendly voice,” Palmer said. 

The station had a similar on-air birthday stream for its 35-year anniversary.

For its 40th, WGMD had been planning a big party with a picnic and rides, said Palmer.

However, with COVID-19 concerns, the station had to rearrange its plans.

Local broadcasters for WGMD include Bradley, Jake Smith, Duke Brooks and Max Power. During the stream, Bradley said WGMD is a real family.

“Happy 40th and here’s to another 40,” he said.