Tuscaloosa Christian Radio Station Breaks Through And Makes Big Impact

2025 started off with quite a bang on the local radio and audio scene.

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The station located at 101.7 FM on the radio dial has been through several different music formats through the years in Tuscaloosa.

They were pop as B-101.7, and alternative as ALT 101.7 before January 1, 2025.

Townsquare Media of Tuscaloosa, the owners of 101.7 FM, had multiple meetings searching for an answer that would move the needle for the brand.

That's when Townsquare Media Tuscaloosa Director of Content, D.C. Chymes, suggested they flip the format to Contemporary Christian and play the hits of today mixed with all-time favorites from the 1980s to now.

It wasn't received well, at first, by everyone up the management chain at Townsquare.

"Once I showed corporate the growth of Christian music over the last several years, they started to get excited about the opportunity in Tuscaloosa," according to D.C.

The explosion of Contemporary Christian music continues to be a big story, with another profile this past week appearing on several national news sites.

EVERYTHING CHANGES!

The decision to change directions was made, and now it was time to plan the big switch from ALT 101.7 to the New 101.7 The River.

D.C. said, "We had a silly idea for the last day of ALT 101.7 that involved what sounded like Russians that were very upset because we didn't play enough Taylor Swift music, and they love 'em some Taylor Swift". 

The crew never thought anyone would take it seriously, but they misjudged that by a mile. D.C. knew that after he got a phone call at home that Friday night from the Tuscaloosa Police Department asking if everyone was safe at the radio studios.

Police officials said they had been "swamped with calls" from Tuscaloosa and Northport residents concerned that a Russian group had overtaken the building on Skyland Boulevard.

D.C. talked with police and told us,  "It blew up on TikTok with hundreds of videos from Tuscaloosa about 101.7 FM, and then it got picked up by multiple national publications, and I was getting requests for interviews from Fox News, CNN, People Magazine, and others. It was insane!". 

THE RIVER IS ALIVE IN TUSCALOOSA

It's hard to believe that a Christian music station has never been brought to Tuscaloosa and based right here in Tuscaloosa. Make no mistake, WQRR-FM 101.7 THE RIVER is locally run and locally produced.

Mornings are hosted by Brant Hansen, a radio host who has won multiple industry awards, followed by John Tesh and Intelligence For Your Life.

Local radio legend Steve Shannon hosts from 12 noon to 3 PM, and D.C. is your afternoon host from 3-7 pm.

Nights are hosted by the witty Andy On The Radio from 7 until Midnight. All night long, you will hear one of the most respected radio hosts in Christian music, Doug Hannah, as he keeps listeners company until the morning show arrives for another day.

Northport Church of God pastor Greg Strickland was one of the first local church leaders to tell his followers about 101.7 The River.

The comments below tell the story of how quickly West Alabama listeners have come to enjoy what 101.7 The River is doing with their encouraging programming.

Social media is full of people sharing the news about 101.7 The River. Townsquare Media Tuscaloosa management believes this is a key reason why the new station has developed such a strong fan base in the first six months.

"Word of mouth is huge in West Alabama or any community. 101.7 The River being talked about all over social media has helped us tremendously when it comes to building a large audience", according to D.C.