WUSW Launches US Country Format in Buffalo

RADIO ONLINE | Monday, October 26, 2026 | 12:21pm CT

WUSW (US Country) Buffalo

Buddy Shula's Radio One Buffalo has launched US Country on WUSW in Buffalo, NY, introducing a Classic Country format featuring hits from the 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s. The station targets listeners throughout Western New York and Southern Ontario.

Branded as "US Country - Buffalo's Country Favorites," the station features a "Retro Hot Country" playlist highlighting artists including Garth Brooks, George Strait, Alan Jackson, Kenny Chesney, Shania Twain, Brooks & Dunn, Reba McEntire and Dolly Parton.

The station's on-air lineup includes veteran Buffalo Country personalities Buddy Shula, Wendy Lynn, Greg Ireland and Aaron James. Liz Mantel is scheduled to join the morning lineup in December.

"US Country is built around a clear promise: great country music and a station that feels connected to the people who listen," said Radio One Buffalo owner Buddy Shula. "We're bringing Buffalo country artists and songs that they have been craving, and that you can't find anywhere else on the radio, locally."

Shula, who previously worked at Buffalo's heritage Country station WYRK, said the new format is designed to fill a gap in the market by featuring familiar artists and songs that receive limited exposure on contemporary Country radio. "In Buffalo, WYRK is the heritage country station. I was on the air at WYRK earlier in my career, and it's where I found my love for country music," Shula said. "However, the artists and songs we were playing back then cannot be heard anymore... until now."

Veteran Country programmer Ken Johnson has also joined US Country as a special advisor. Johnson served as WYRK's first Program Director from 1982 to 1997 before moving to Country WXTU in Philadelphia. He subsequently worked as a Program Director and consultant for multiple Country music channels at XM Satellite Radio from 2001 to 2009.

The launch positions WUSW as an alternative to Buffalo's existing Country offerings, emphasizing established hits and familiar personalities from the format's earlier decades.