WI Radio: LaCrosse Media Sells Off Stations

Mississippi Valley Broadcasters, LLC, d/b/a La Crosse Media Group, has filed an application with the Federal Communications Commission to sell WQCC-FM, KQEG-FM, and WLFN-AM to Magnum Communications, Inc., d/b/a Magnum.Media.

Dave Magnum

Dave Magnum stated, “A dedicated bunch of folks really stuck together over 14 months to put this puzzle of transactions together. I’ve known Pat Smith for a long time; he’s a multi-talented broadcaster who forged and sustained a very impressive Radio career. Pat and his business partner, Kelly Ramsey, achieved many successes.”

Reid Magnum added, “My late Mom, Lynn, and my Dad started from scratch with a Tomah licensed Construction Permit in the La Crosse market in 1991. My Brother, Ty, and I were both born in La Crosse. My wife, Chelsey, graduated from UW-La Crosse. The region known as ‘God’s Country’ is special to our family in several ways.” 

Pat Smith

Pat Smith, Managing Member of La Crosse Media Group, has been in La Crosse his entire career. He began in 1974 as a part-time deejay while earning his Mass Communications degree at UW-La Crosse. He went on to work as a Program Director, Farm Director, News Reporter/Anchor, Operations Manager, Salesperson, Sales Manager, General Manager, and now minority ownership as Managing Member.

Smith said, “La Crosse has been a great place to raise a family. My wife, Joanie, also works at the stations. Together we learned from Joe Rohrer and Wisconsin Broadcasting Hall of Famer Jean Gitz Bassett how broadcasters can serve their community."  Smith says he will retire after assisting with the transition, focus on his health, and try to keep up with his grandkids.

La Crosse Media Group reported is spinning off Classic Rock WKBH 100.1 FM West Salem/La Crosse WI goes to Educational Media Foundation. And HotAC WLXR 104.9 FM will go to The Salvation Poem Foundation, which operates the regional Christian “Prayz Network” based at 89.3 WEQS Sparta WI.