New Digs, Same Format

Coming in from the outskirts to be closer to its listeners, radio station WTMP has settled into a new office across from the Fort Homer Hesterly Armory on Howard Avenue.

"We looked at a number of places on Lois Avenue near International Plaza and Kennedy Boulevard, but we wanted to be close to the community," general manager Jim Kozlowski said. "Plus, when you say we're by the armory, people know exactly where you're at."

The station's eight-member staff moved from its 5207 E. Washington St. headquarters in East Tampa a month ago to set up shop on the second floor of an office building at 407 N. Howard Ave.

WTMP plays urban contemporary music to a mature black audience, Kozlowski said, and has done so since 1954, first with the 1150 AM station and then simulcasting on 96.1 FM beginning in 2001.

Ced Jennings, also known as "Big Money Ced," grew up listening to the 1150 AM station. His parents listened to it; his children listen now. An 11-year employee, he has a hand in most aspects of the station, most recently as program director.

"It's a staple," Jennings said. "I still listen to Luther Vandross. It's hereditary. It's hard to change those habits."

Kozlowski said WTMP's grass-roots nature sets it apart. The station sponsors health fairs, offers free public service announcements for community groups and broadcasts local news on Saturday mornings.

About 95 percent of WTMP's listeners are black, Kozlowski said, with many living in the 33606 and 33614 ZIP codes, which incorporate neighborhoods in Courier City/Oscawana, Hyde Park, West Tampa, Egypt Lake and Plaza Terrace near Raymond James Stadium.

"We're very community-driven," he said.

In its early years, the station provided information about civil rights marches and news specific to the black community. It has survived several sales, an explosion blamed on arson and bankruptcy protection. In the early 1990s, a group of former Tampa Bay Buccaneers bought the station but soon had their license rescinded when the Federal Communications Commission learned one faced federal charges.

Now owned by Tampa-based Tama Broadcasting, WTMP is trying to boost its audience of 65,000 and become the heart of the community again.

"There is a lot of potential for growth at WTMP," Kozlowski said.

CONNECTING COMMUNITY

WTMP provides free tutorials on creating public service announcements for community groups from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays by appointment. Call Robert Leonard at (813) 259-9867, ext. 303.