Two years ago, Mark Ballard, CEO of 89.1 Power FM in Lorain, took home the station’s first Stellar Award for Mid-Market of the Year.
This year, the station received a similar honor, but on a much larger stage.
The station was named top market of the year at the 39th annual Stellar Awards, Ballard said.
On August 18, the station will host a celebratory Summer Slam event at Faith Ministries Christian Church, 1306 Euclid Ave. in Lorain.
“We are the top gospel music station in the country this year at the Stellar Awards,” said Ballard. “The Stellar Awards, or Gospel Music Awards, are the equivalent of the Grammys for gospel music for us.”
“They are interested in the radio and in the artists. We have emerged as the number one station in the country.”
The event will be rounded off by a concert where listeners can admire the station’s latest trophy.
Special guests will include the Jackson Southernaries, Eartha Edwards and David Gulley, as well as the Cleveland Chorale, who will perform throughout the night, Ballard said.
“We have some national acts coming,” he said. “We’re coming home to celebrate and taking the time to share with the community the award we received.”
“We will have both awards there.”
According to Ballard, the event will feature a red carpet where fans can take photos with the performing acts.
It was a tough fight for the broadcaster to receive the award, he said.
After its 2022 win, the station rose from a mid-market to a top market, Ballard said.
In the new top market segment, the station had to compete with much larger cities, including Los Angeles.
“I compare it to Cleveland’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame win over New York,” Ballard said. “They always expect us to be the underdogs and make the ‘lake mistake’ and barely make it.”
“When we can step in the ring and show our punching power, we are successful. That is just a testament to the people in our community.”
Ballard encouraged the community to come out and celebrate with the station.
He said he looks forward to the next chapter in WNZN’s history and is grateful to the community for its continued listenership.
“We’re proud of Northeast Ohio and we’re going to be there,” Ballard said. “It really makes me very proud. I’m very proud.”
The concert begins on August 18th at 6:00 p.m.
Everyone is welcome.
