Text of final message to be broadcast on WNIB, Feburary 11, 2001
Written by Bruce Duffie
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Since July of 1955, when WNIB first began broadcasting, we've seen many changes on FM, including many stations that have changed from classical music to other program formats. Until just a few weeks ago, it would never have seemed possible that WNIB would actually become part of that list.
Over these 45 years, we've tried to present our music - classical music - in the very best way we could. Apparently, we've succeeded, because for several years now, listeners have ranked us the #1 classical station in this market.
You, the public, have enjoyed our programming for many reasons. There are probably as many reasons as there are listeners. But to have reached you and touched you and made an impact on your lives is what we've been trying to do, and the fact that so many of you have tuned to Classical 97 so often is proof that it has worked, and worked well.
There are not many of us here at WNIB, which is one of the reasons we've been able to stay on the air as long as we have. Besides the owners, Bill and Sonia Florian, who created the station, there are just a few who have done the announcing and engineering, the sales department, the legal and technical advisors, the office staff... even the dogs and cats whom you have occasionally heard and often sent greeting to! All of us have worked long and hard to bring you the greatest selection of music in our own unique form of presentation.
It's been a privilege and a pleasure to be invited into your homes and offices and automobiles, and now, with the internet, to the farthest corners of the globe. As you have gone about your daily lives, we've been there as a companion and a friend, just as you've been their for us. We have always felt your presence while broadcasting, and that is what it's all about. Without you, our efforts would have been for naught.
Now that WNIB is going to sign off for the last time, we want to thank everyone who has listened to us. No matter whether you've been with us for many years or just a few weeks, we value your support and friendship. We thank you for listening, and hope you'll remember us kindly.
On behalf of everyone here at the station, this is Bruce Duffie saying thank you for selecting Classical 97, WNIB in Chicago, WNIZ in Zion, and anywhere in the world on the world-wide web, at WNIB-dot-com.
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Broadcast on WNIB, Sunday, February 11, 2001, at 11:50 PM.
This was followed by "Lyric for Strings" by George Walker, which
was unannounced.
Classical Music Programming ceased at 12 Midnight, and the transmitter
was shut off.
License to use those frequencies was transferred at that time to
new owners, and they resumed broadcast operations at approximately 12:25
AM with a different format.