The station was sold to Gordon-Thomas Communications, Inc.—headed by Gordon Steinbeck and Thom Mandel—for $4.6 million in March 1988, the deal closed that June 2nd. Steinbeck and Mandel were local broadcasting veterans; Steinbeck previously served as general manager for WLTF (106.5 FM) and WRMR (850 AM), and Mandel was formerly a part time DJ at WGAR-FM. After taking over WDBN on August 15, 1988, the call letters were changed to WQMX and the format was changed to adult contemporary as "Mix 94.9"; radio personality Bill Miller was heard during this time. It switched to a country format on April 5, 1993.
