Radio-Radio
WLRY FM is for sale.
RUSHVILLE – Local Christian radio station WLRY 88.9 FM is for sale.
In addition, General Manager Mike Lamneck and his wife, Kelli, are retiring at the end of the year. Lamneck appears on the radio as Mike O’Riley and his wife handles the station’s books.
“I’m going to do other ministry,” he said. “The Lord has put it on my heart to do other ministry. And I had 20 years (at WLRY) ahead of me, and it’s almost 20 years.”
Lamneck, 62, has been in radio for 38 years, starting at WLRY in 2005. After retirement, he plans to perform as a singer and producer of church music. Lamneck is also a founding member of the local Christian rock band SlawDog. He also DJs for events and plans to continue doing both.
As for the radio station, Lamneck said there are a few potential buyers. However, because the station is a nonprofit, it can only be sold to another nonprofit. Lamneck said that means the station will most likely remain a Christian station.
But could it be that the radio station ceases to exist?
“We have several interested parties,” Lamneck said. “So I wouldn’t foresee that. Primarily, I see someone wanting to use the tower to extend their signal in that area. But we’re looking at all potential buyers who are interested there.”
Lamneck began his radio career at WLOH AM in Lancaster. He also worked at WNKO, WBBY and WBNS before returning to WLOH. Lamneck studied broadcasting at Ohio State.
He said he was sure he would miss the radio industry.
“I’m not retiring from life,” Lamneck said. “I’m retiring from the station right now. So I’m going to be doing a lot of things. Some of it might involve radio or streaming and things like that.”
740-681-4340
Twitter/X: @JeffDBarron
