Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
As if by Magic
Oldies radio station 102.7 returns online.
The old Magic is back. The former oldies radio station Magic — WMXJ (FM 102.7) — is making a comeback in the form of a new web-based outlet, MagicMiamiRadio.com.
“This was a station that was a staple in South Florida for 30 years,” said program director Tom Caminiti. “We were such a big part of people’s lives, and yet they were such a big part of ours.”
Listeners who tune in won’t just hear hits from the 1950s, ’60s and ’70s. They will also get a blast from the past from personalities including Mindy Lang, Rick Shaw, Joe Johnson, Ron St. John, Vance Phillips and Eric Brandon, who have contributed their voices for this online version. Although there are currently no live shows, listeners will hear Shaw announce between songs: “Hey, this is Rick Shaw, and you are on Magic.”
The new outlet is part of the South Florida Radio Network, which is made up of 16 online stations based in Lauderhill and run by veteran broadcaster Alan Michaels. The group pays tribute to former South Florida stations such as classic rock station WSHE (FM 103.5).
Caminiti has been working with Michaels to compile playlists of 700-plus songs that were heard on Magic.
“It can be anything from Elvis to Motown to The Beatles, Elton John or The Eagles,” said Caminiti, a Pembroke Pines resident. “It was really a nice blend of music. These are songs that everyone pretty much knows by heart.”
In July 2015, Magic was acquired by Entercom Communications Corp. from Lincoln Financial Media. The deal included South Florida stations Lite WLYF (FM 101.5), The Shark WSFS (FM 104.3) and The Ticket WAXY (AM 790).
In 2016, Magic became The Beach, playing music from the 1970s and ’80s. The station’s weekday lineup features longtime South Florida radio personalities Kenny Walker, who hosts the 5 to 10 a.m. block, and Jade Alexander, who is on from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Caminiti is looking to add live shows to his web station. In his radio past, he hosted a live request program.
“It’s one of those feelgood radio stations that people have missed,” he said. “It was really a family-oriented radio station that the kids could listen to it, the adults could listen to it. And it was fun, good times and great oldies.”