WKSC-FM - History - 2000s: Merger With Clear Channel

2000s: Merger With Clear Channel

In 2000, Clear Channel and AMFM Inc. merged, making 103.5 a Clear Channel station. Clear Channel was not interested in keeping the "Jammin Oldies" format in any of their markets and flipped each "Jammin" station one by one in 2001. On January 12, 2001 at 3pm, after "Last Dance" by Donna Summer came to an end, 103.5 took a CHR (Top 40) format and became known as WKSC "Kiss 103.5." At the time of the flip, Big City Radio's WKIE, WKIF, and WDEK had collectively been known as "92 Kiss FM" (Also with a CHR format) since 1998. Clear Channel issued a cease and desist to Big City for the use of the Kiss name because Clear Channel owns the rights to it in most markets. WKSC's playlist was more rhythmic than WKIE and the station was heavily voice tracked and automated. Mornings were handled by KIIS Los Angeles's afternoon host Valentine. Overnights were locally voice-tracked by Craig Carson (aka Matt Wright), who had most recently held the afternoon spot for the previous "Beat" format. Middays were held by Gary Spears of KIIS (later Randi West of Kiss 107 FM in Cincinnati), and afternoons were locally-hosted with Zurek (formerly Rick Party of WGCI-FM). Evenings were also hosted locally by Pyke. Weekends included syndicated Rick Dees (which was dropped from the station at the end of 2004) and American Top 40 first with Casey Kasem and later with Ryan Seacrest.

In the fall of 2001, 103.5 began leaning more rhythmic, though it still reports as mainstream. On November 19, 2001, Java Joel was hired to do evenings as "The Rubber Room". The show featured wacky stunts, parodies, and interviews. In September 2002, the station adjusted its slogan from "KISS 103.5" to "103.5 KISS FM" and later that year, Scott Tyler replaced Rick Party in afternoons and Nikki replaced Randi West's voicetracks in middays. In early 2003, Valentine was replaced by former San Antonio host DreX. In late 2004, Scott Tyler was released for allegedly making a negative comment toward Drex and moved to KDWB Minneapolis for nights. He was replaced by Nikki (the midday host) and middays were handled by alternating Rod Phillips and Jeff Murray (AKA Smash).

On January 11, 2005, Java Joel was fired from the station for a comment that was deemed racist by one vocal black listener. He was replaced by Mack. The midday position was filled later in 2005 by Adam Smasher. After a year, Adam Smasher was replaced by Kiss FM Music Director and former overnight DJ Smash from 10am-Noon and Nikki from Noon-4am. Alexx Dupri was also brought over from sister urban station WGCI-FM to Kiss for overnights.

In the spring of 2006, the station finally beat its main rival, WBBM-FM, B96, in the 12+ Arbitron ratings. Toward the end of July 2006, Kiss FM dropped the "point" from their name and started referring to themselves as 1035 Kiss FM, instead of 103.5 Kiss FM. Nina Chantele from Casa 106.7 KZZA-FM, in Dallas, TX was named mid-day DJ. Overnight host Alexx Dupri who was filling in for Nikki in middays because Nikki was doing afternoons went back to overnights. On October 4, 2006 Global Records vice president Ty Bentli was hired for the afternoon position. That pushed Nikki out. Ty eventually left late 2010 for a job in LA.

In late 2006, Silly Jilly, a long-time sidekick of Java Joel was hired to work the night shift, 7-11PM. After years of working with Java and on her own both in Chicago and on her own nighttime show in Pennsylvania, to replace Mack at night and local club DJ Special K was given Weekend shifts including hosting CLUB KISS.

In April 2008, WBBM-FM released Candi Gomez and KISS hired her for weekend duties.

In the first week of September 2008, midday host Nina Chantele was moved from 11am-3pm to 10am-1pm; afternoon host Ty Bentli's shift was moved from 3-7pm to 4-8pm, and the mid hours are now covered by the syndicated show of Ryan Seacrest, which airs 1-4pm. Silly Jilly's shift was moved over to 8pm-1am. Billy Hammond was released from his late night shift.

The station female voice Angi Taylor was added to the cast of the Morning Show.

In late 2009, Silly Jilly left the evening post and was replaced by weekender Special K (8pm-1am).

Music director position was eliminated and Smash was released in 2008.