Music lovers, it’s time to make your voice heard with 98.1 The River’s For The Record contest, presented by Tempo Music! We’re starting with 32 iconic albums and narrowing them down in each round until one is crowned the essential River album.
When you sign up to vote, you’re automatically entered to win the grand prize – the For the Record vinyl collection (courtesy of Fearless Records) and Elite HiFi turntable with speakers (courtesy of ATO Records).
When voting opens April 20th, you can register by scrolling to the form below, then return to vote in each round! The For the Record Essential album will be announced on May 19th at 11:50am on 98.1 The River, along with the Grand Prize Winner of the vinyl collection + turntable!
For The Record is presented by Tempo Music.
For the Record Rounds + Announcements
Round 1: Monday, April 20 @ 8:00am - Sunday, April 26 @ Noon
Sweet 16: Monday, April 27 @ 8am - Sunday, May 3 11:59pm
Elite 8: Monday, May 4 @ 8am – Sunday, May 10 @ 11:59pm
Final 4: Monday, May 11 @ 8am - Wednesday, May 13 @ 11:59pm
Championship: Thursday, May 14 @ 8am - Monday, May 18 @ 11:59pm
Grand Prize Announcement: Tuesday, May 19 @ 11:50am on 98.1 The River!
Register to vote and participate in For the Record!
Contest Rules
Starting 4/20/26 and ending 5/18/26, 98.1 The River WOXL HD2 will conduct the “For the Record” contest to give entrants the opportunity to vote for the most essential record in rotation on 98.1 The River.
Upon completion of a For the Record registration form at 981TheRiver.com, all eligible participants will automatically be eligible to vote during the contest and will automatically be entered to win a vinyl copy of the 32 Essential Records in the running ‘For the Record’ as selected by 98.1 The River staff (valued at $900) and a Fluance RT81Elite HiFi Vinyl Turntable and Ai41 Powered Bookshelf Speakers Bundle (valued at $630). 1 winner will be chosen at random from all eligible entrants on 5/19/26 and will be notified by phone.00
Entrants will vote in a series of match ups between albums selected by the 98.1 The River programming team, in a total of 5 rounds, to determine one essential 98.1 The River album. The rounds will be open as follows:
Round 1: Monday, April 20 @ 8:00am – Sunday, April 26 @ Noon
Round 2: Monday, April 27 @ 8am – Sunday, May 3 11:59pm
Round 3: Monday, May 4 @ 8am – Sunday, May 10 @ 11:59pm
Round 4: Monday, May 11 @ 8am – Wednesday, May 13 @ 11:59pm
Round 5: Thursday, May 14 @ 8am – Monday, May 18 @ 11:59pm
Entrants can register and participate in the contest by completing a registration form on 981TheRiver.com. Registration form includes name, address, birthdate and email. One entry per person. Submitting more than one entry per person will invalidate all entries by that contestant. Any entry submitted on behalf of another individual or using another person’s email address or name will be disqualified and ineligible to claim any prize. Any attempt by any participant to obtain more than the stated number of entries allowed by using same, multiple/different email addresses, identities, or any other methods void that participant’s entries and that participant may be disqualified. In the event of a dispute as to any on-line registration, the authorized account holder of the e-mail address used to register will be deemed to be the registrant and they must be eligible according to these Official Rules. No mechanically reproduced or automated entries permitted. Use of any automated system to participate is prohibited and will result in disqualification and all such entries will be deemed void.
On 5/19/26, one winner will be selected from all eligible entries to win a vinyl copy of the 32 Essential Records in the running ‘For the Record’ as selected by 98.1 The River staff (valued at $900) and a Fluance RT81Elite HiFi Vinyl Turntable and Ai41 Powered Bookshelf Speakers Bundle (valued at $630). The winner will be announced at 11:50am on the Gibson Show on 98.1 The River. Winner will also be posted on the contest page at 981TheRiver.com and notified via email with further instructions.
The winner will claim their prize at Asheville Media Group (1190 Patton Avenue, Asheville, NC 28806), during prize pick up hours (M-F, Noon – 4pm). The winner will be required to fill out all paperwork prior claiming their prize, including the station’s prize release form.
98.1 The River contests are open to all eligible (location/state) listeners 21 or older who have not won anything on 98.1 The River in the past 30 days or any prize valued at $600 or more in the past 6 months. Only one winner per household is permitted within 30 days after a household has a winner. Any prize awarded to an ineligible listener will be deemed null and void, and an alternate eligible winner may be named. 98.1 The River reserves the right to disqualify any entrant in its sole discretion.
No mechanically reproduced or automated entries permitted. Use of any automated system to participate is prohibited and will result in the disqualification and all such entries will be deemed void. No purchase necessary. Employees of 98.1 The River, Asheville Media Group, and its ultimate parent company, Saga Communications, Inc., their advertising agencies, affiliates, contest sponsors, employees and immediate families of each, and employees of all media of mass communication within a one-hundred-mile radius of the 98.1 The River’s main studio are not eligible to win any contest. Immediate family includes the spouse, great-grandparents, grandparents, parents, brothers, sisters, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren of the employee and his/her spouse. This also includes individuals for whom the employee is current legal guardian.
No purchase necessary. 98.1 The River’s sole responsibility will be to award the prize. 98.1 The River will have no further responsibility in connection with the prize if the prize winner, for any reason, cannot or decides not to use any of the prizes. Winners will be responsible for all federal and state taxes, and any fees and incidentals. Prizes are not transferrable or redeemable for cash.
Full contest rules available at 98.1 The River studios located at 1190 Patton Avenue, Asheville, NC 28806 between the hours of 9am and 5pm; or by logging onto 981TheRiver.com.