“Change is good” declared WSDP-FM, and with that, a new era began. This is the story of 88.1 The Park, a student-operated radio station with deep roots in the Plymouth-Canton Educational Park.
WSDP-FM broadcasts from Salem High School. It has been a local voice since February 14, 1972. For years, the station played alternative rock as 88.1 The Escape. It championed independent artists. These artists were often overlooked by mainstream commercial stations.
Then came December 31, 2011. The station spent days teasing a change. Songs containing the word “change” filled the airwaves. Sheryl Crow’s “A Change Would Do You Good” played. The Georgia Satellites’ “Keep Your Hands to Yourself” also played. Announcers hinted that something new was coming.
At noon, the switch flipped. 88.1 The Escape transformed into “The New 88.1, Plymouth and Canton’s Hit Music.” The station adopted an adult contemporary format. Pop and rock hits from the 1970s to today became its bread and butter. Listeners were invited to name the new station. The prize was a $100 gas card. “88.1 The Park” emerged as the winner. The first song played was The Black Eyed Peas’ “I Gotta Feeling.”
But WSDP-FM’s history stretches back further. Plymouth High School English teacher Bonny Dore and principal Bill Brown dreamed of a station in 1969. Their vision took shape as Salem High School replaced Plymouth. WSDP originally broadcast at 89.3 FM in 1972. A frequency swap in October 1977 changed things. Eastern Michigan University’s WEMU moved to 89.1 FM. WSDP took over 88.1 FM, its current spot. Stereo broadcasts began in 1985.
WSDP-FM has only had six station managers in its long history. Four were Plymouth-Canton school system graduates. The last three came through the WSDP program itself. Bonny Dore was the first manager in 1972. Bill Keith has been at the helm since 1991.
WSDP-FM is more than just a radio station. It is a training ground. Students gain valuable skills. They learn about broadcasting, journalism, and teamwork. The station provides local news and information. It broadcasts high school sports.
88.1 The Park has received accolades. The Michigan Association of Broadcasters Foundation has honored it multiple times. It was named High School Station of the Year several times. WSDP-FM has also been nominated for a Marconi award for Non-Commercial Station of the Year by the NAB.
WSDP-FM remains a vital part of the Plymouth-Canton community. It connects people through music, news, and sports. It provides a platform for student voices. The station continues to evolve. It embraces new technologies and formats. Yet its core mission remains the same. It serves the community. It trains the next generation of broadcasters. So tune in to 88.1 The Park. Experience the energy and passion of student radio. Hear the future of broadcasting today.