Roland L. Bushland, of Bushland Radio Specialties/WCFW, has filed an application with the Federal Communications Commission to sell 105.7 WCFW-FM and 99.1 W256AE-FM, both licensed to Chippewa Falls – Eau Claire, to Magnum Radio, Inc., Magnum Media.
Magnum operates 24 Wisconsin radio stations — 8 in the La Crosse market, 1 in the Green Bay market, 11 in the Madison market and 4 in the Milwaukee market.
“It had been my dream as a young boy to own a radio station. I was able to accomplish it by building WCFW from the ground up putting it on the air on my wife Pat’s birthday, October 20th, 1968,” Rollie Bushland said. “Pat and I have worked together for 54 years to make WCFW successful and a great part of the Chippewa Valley. Now is the right time to turn the station over to Magnum Media, the owner of 24 other Wisconsin radio stations.”
Pat Bushland said, “Rol got the station allocated to our area, built the towers and installed all the equipment. We have been fortunate to have Jon Zecherle, an Eau Claire native and very talented engineer, help keep us on the air. We have been primarily a music station along with local high school sports with Hayes Callaghan who does play-by-play and Dave Hanson who does color. Rol and I want to thank all of our faithful listeners and advertisers as we look forward to handing the reins over to Magnum Media and wish them all the best.”
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According to Dave Magnum, “Rollie has played a role in our stations since my late wife, Lynn, and I started from scratch in 1991. Many of the parts we have needed over the years to keep our transmitters on the air have been purchased from Rollie’s store; Bushland Radio Specialties. My daughter-in-law, Chelsey, marvels at the invoices we receive from Rollie because he meticulously writes out in cursive each part name and corresponding number. Rollie and I have probably done over a hundred small transactions with each other spanning three decades. Our perfect record with each other is making this big transaction a breeze.”
Reid Magnum said, “When inspecting the 105.7 tower, that Mr. Bushland built by hand, and the transmitter building, which he keeps as neat as a pin, and learning about all of the history, he had a tear in his eye and was justifiably brimming with pride. My Dad has taught me to really respect a person’s life’s work. I’ll never forget that inspection day with Rollie and Pat.”
Dave Magnum added, “Rollie and Pat, 61 years of marriage, all of those sparks flying back and forth between the two of them. Just imagine if they had done a husband and wife show together on their radio station, infused with all of that banter. Now that would’ve been a smash hit.”
Magnum’s sons, Reid and Ty, plus Reid’s wife Chelsey, along with Co-workers who began with Magnum in the early 90’s, and those who’ve joined since, operate the Wisconsin radio stations.
IN PHOTOS: Blues Festival at Riverfront Park in Chippewa Falls
Chris Beard - Prince of the Blues

American electric blues singer, guitarist, and songwriter, Chris Beard is dubbed 'Prince of the Blues'. He performed Friday, June 17 at the Northwood Blues Festival in Chippewa Falls.
Steve Bell

Steve Bell plays the harmonica with John Primer at the Northwood Blues Festival in Chippewa Falls. Bell is the brother of bluesman Lurrie Bell, and son of the late and legendary blues harpist Carey Bell.
John Primer

John Primer performed at the Northwood Blues Festival at Riverfront Park in Chippewa Falls on Friday. He is the former bandleader and lead guitarist for Muddy Waters, Willie Dixon, Magic Slim & The Teardrops.
Dave Forte - Bassist For John Primer

Bassist Dave Forte performed with John Primer at the Northwood Blues Festival at Riverfront Park in Chippewa Falls on Friday.
Chris Beard and Band

Dancing to the music

Attendees at the Northwood Blues Festival in Chippewa Falls boogey down to the blues on Friday evening.
Couple dancing

A couple dances hand-in-hand at the Northwood Blues Festival in Chippewa Falls on Friday.
Dan Rheaume

Dan Rheaume with a friend on stage.
Cheers to the band

A couple enjoys cold beer and live music at the Northwood Blues Festival at Riverfront Park In Chippewa Falls.
Saxophone Cutout

A saxophone cutout in the beer tent was easy to mistake for a real person in the evening light at the Northwood Blues Festival at Riverfront Park in Chippewa Falls.
Group of friends dancing

A group of friends danced in front of the stage at the Northwood Blues Festival in Chippewa Falls on Friday
Jay Stulo Band Bass

The bass player for the Jay Stulo Band performed with Jay Stulo between main acts on the side stage at the Northwood Blues Festival at Riverfront Park in Chippewa Falls on Friday.
Jay Stulo

Jay Stulo performed at the Northwood Blues Festival at Riverfront Park in Chippewa Falls on Friday.
Blues of the Chippewa Blues Mobile

John Primer guitar players

Drumsticks and friend

Attendees of the the Northwood Blues Festival at Riverfront Park in Chippewa Falls on Friday.
Steady Rollin Bob Margolin

American electric blues guitarist, Bob Margolin, otherwise known as "Steady Rollin” performed with The Bob‘s of the Blues at the Northwood Blues Festival in Chippewa Falls on Friday.
Two Bob’s

Bob Corritore and Bob Margolin performed with The Bob’s of the Blues at the Northwood Blues Festival in Chippewa Falls on Friday.
Bob Stroger serenades

Bob Stroger sang with The Bob‘s of the Blues at the Northwood Blues Festival in Chippewa Falls on Friday.
Bob Stroger at the microphone

91-year-old Bob Stroger performed with The Bob‘s of the Blues at the Northwood Blues Festival in Chippewa Falls on Friday.