Chris Lorton takes over ownership of WJBM

By Editor | August 5, 2024 |

By Steven Spencer

There’s been a change in ownership at WJBM Radio with Chris Lorton recently taking over at the station.

Operating a radio station wasn’t on Lorton’s list of to-dos, but when he got a call from the Farmers Bank of Griggsville he decided he was up for the task. He said he had just finalized the sale of his former restaurant, George’s Pub and Grill, and was enjoying some time off before he received the call from the bank.

Lorton was asked if he’d be interested in making an offer or if he knew a realtor who could help move the property. He said he of course wanted to see the station continue to operate and decided to make an offer.

“If you want to make an offer, make an offer. If you don’t, I want to know the best realtor in town because we’re going to sell it. We got WBBA sold and they backed out on WJBM so now WJBM is available,” Lorton said he was told when asked if he would be interested in the station. “I decided I’d make an offer. I wasn’t really planning on buying it, but they called an hour later and said if you are to keep the station going the board will accept your offer.”

The bank had been under control of the station licenses and ownership for several years before finding someone like Lorton who was willing to take over, and the community was close to losing the local station entirely.

Although the radio business isn’t something Lorton planned on doing, he said it’s been a lot of fun to record with guests, be creative and make a difference in the community.

“It’s fun, you can be creative,” he said. “For 37 years I was always on the other end of advertising. I was buying advertising. Now I’m selling advertising and for me, I want to help you make some money. I want to sell whatever you want to sell. So it’s the same just in reverse, it’s fun but it’s not necessarily about making money. What I think WJBM can do, it’s not just about making money. It’s about making a difference. That’s what I think WJBM can do. Without it, I think there’d be a big hole missing.”

WJBM has been gradually improving their block of advertisers and listener base and have been coming up with some new programming that has been getting some good response.

“We have several other shows that we plan on doing and it’s locally based. It’s all about local,” Lorton said. “The only thing I care about are our listeners and our listening base. That’s what I’m after, to appease them, to entertain them and give them a reason to listen. It’s about local. Local. Local. Local.”

Lorton said WJBM has been fortunate to have employees like Alan Ringhausen and Craig Baalman. They kept the station operating while the company’s future was uncertain and Lorton said he was very lucky to have them around when he stepped in. Having local voices dedicated to serving the community in such a way proved that the station was something worth investing in.

“This is a great community and there’s a lot going on. I think WJBM helps keep everybody connected on what’s going,” Lorton said. “Whether it’s a community event, or there’s a sale, obituaries, it’s immediate. Another thing is, over the last year, all the natural disasters that are wiping out communities. One of the things I think WJBM can do is if we get hit by something, we can get on the air and say to stay home. I think that’s important. If we ever get hit by something we can be on the air and tell people where to go, where not to go, and inform them because it gets scary when you don’t know. We can get out the actual validated truth and immediately be able to transfer it to everybody else.”

To check out the full schedule of programming on WJBM, or to listen live or on-demand visit wjbmradio.com, or tune in to 104.7 FM.