Directors In 1997, longtime program director Fred Horton left the station to program WYNY in New York City was replaced by former MTV executive, Ronald E. "Buzz" Brindle, who programmed Country 107.7 until April 2007. Brindle had previously programmed WGY 810 AM and had launched WYJB "B95.5" in the Albany market. Under Brindle's leadership, WGNA broadened its listener base by replacing its country-focused morning show with the more mass appeal "Sean & Richie Show" in order to attract non-country fans from WFLY, WPYX, and WYJB and then convert them into country listeners. During Brindle's 10-year tenure at WGNA, the station strengthened its reputation within the country music industry and garnered several CMA awards and nominations. New Ownership After AMFM merged with Clear Channel Communications in 2000, WGNA-AM-FM was sold with WPYX, WABT, WTRY (AM) & WTRY-FM to Clear Channel Communications which, in turn, sold WGNA AM/FM, WABT, WQBK-FM, WTMM and WQBJ to Regent Communications (now Townsquare Media) due to market concentration concerns. The Federal Communications Commission does not want one company to dominate too large a portion of a radio market. In February 2002, the simulcast with 1460 AM ended when Regent sold that station to ABC Radio. ABC used it to bring its Radio Disney format to the Capital Region under the call letters WDDY. It now broadcasts Catholic religious programming as WOPG. Personalities WGNA has enjoyed a fairly stable air staff, as most of WGNA's on-air talent have been a part of the Country 107.7 team for more than 10 years, including: Sean McMaster and Richie Phillips of the "Sean & Richie" morning show "Brother" Lou Roberts of the nightly show "Cryin', Lovin', or Leavin'" John Stanley on Saturday middays. John also holds the distinction of being with WGNA continuously since 1974 Notable departures from the on-air staff include: Former midday host and music director Bill Earley in April 2007 after having been with the station for 19 years Former midday host Kevin Richards in July 2014 after having also been with the station for 19 years Recent additions to the on-air staff include: Bethany to the "Sean & Richie" morning show in September 2013, after a successful 5-year stint co-hosting the morning show on WPIG in Olean, New York Heather Davis in October 2014 to fill the midday position Recognition and influence At the time of its launch, WGNA was one of the first FM country music