WMJZ-FM

Beginnings

For many years, WMJZ operated at the class A frequency of 95.3 FM, and a power output of only 3,000 watts. The station first went on the air on February 20, 1984, as WZXM-FM with a CHR format, as the FM sister station of AM 900 WZXM, which had been on the air since 1950, first as WATC, which was originally part of Lester Biederman's Paul Bunyan Network. As WZXM was a daytime-only station at this time, the presence of WZXM allowed Otsego County to enjoy local radio service after FCC rules mandated shutdown of the AM station after sunset.

WZXM was sold in June 1986 to a Detroit broadcaster, then later a local group headed by Bill Rolinski. The call letters were changed to WMJZ as part of an AM and FM simulcast of adult contemporary and oldies music, provided by ABC Radio/SMN's Starstation satellite-delivered format along with a local community involvement.

Simulcast abandoned: WMJZ comes into its own

Classic Radio decided to end the simulcast between the two stations in 1990, as WMJZ-AM had been granted limited nighttime power by the FCC and had the ability to have its own identity. WMJZ then adopted a satellite-delivered adult contemporary format, while the AM adopted the call letters WSNQ and broadcast a syndicated news/talk format from the Sun Radio Network.

In June 1996, Classic Radio, Inc. decided to sell the station to Morning Dove, Inc., a company owned by David and Jo'Anne Essmaker.

Morning Dove made upgrades to the equipment and ended the satellite format relationship over the FM and began a new format of Hot Adult Contemporary music, all programmed locally on-site The station dropped its "Majic" branding and became known as "Z95." WSNQ retained its news/talk format but rebranded as "Q-900". In February 1998, David Essmaker received an offer to sell the stations to Sandusky, Ohio-based broadcaster Kent Smith that year.

Darby Advertising

Kent Smith of Darby Advertising applied for a construction permit to move WMJZ from 95.3 to 101.5. The FCC approved the application in October 1998. Smith brought an oldies format and added emphasis to local programming and information to WMJZ in February of the following year. WMJZ moved to 101.5 and was rebilled as "Oldies 101.5", with programming from Jones Radio Networks' Good Time Oldies format and its power now doubled to 6,000 watts.

The FCC granted a request in February 2004 for WMJZ to move its antenna to a taller tower and increase its power to 50,000 watts, covering much of Michigan's northern lower peninsula and Mackinac Straits area. In early 2006, WMJZ ended its oldies format in favor of a very broad-based variety hits format blending music from the rock, pop, oldies and country genres under the name "Eagle 101.5...We Play Everything". Then in approximately 2009 the station began leaning more toward classic rock and classic hits and changed its slogan to "Classic Hits at Random."

45 North Media Inc

On January 1, 2018 WMJZ-FM was sold to veteran broadcaster Bryan Hollenbaugh. The station was re-positioned to "Northern Michigan's Home for Classic Hits" and continues to feature long-time morning man Mike Reling from 6-10a, Bryan from 10a-3p, and Rob Weaver from 3p-8p. The Eagle features an interactive website () and mobile app.

Eagle 101.5 remains committed to community happenings and additionally offers a number of local features and shows throughout the week. "Eagle on Tap" weekday afternoons highlights the bar and restaurant scene and "Live @ Five" features regional musicians performing in-studio each Wednesday, between 5-6 pm. Weekends include an outdoor show, Saturday mornings at 9 am, called "Big Boys Radio" with local outdoor aficionados Kevin & Jada Johnson; and two specialty music shows -- "Sunday Over Easy", from 6-9am, with music from the mid-60's through mid-70's (British Invasion, Soul, Pop and Motown) and "Resurrection Sunday", from 6-9pm, highlighting classic and progressive rock from the 60's and 70's. The station is also an affiliate of the Spartan Sports Radio Network, airing Mighigan State University Football and Men's Basketball, in addition to hosting various high school football, basketball and hockey games throughout respective seasons for Gaylord High School, St Mary's Cathedral School, and Johannesburg-Lewiston High School.