WKEW (1400 AM) is a commercial radio station broadcasting a Gospel music radio format. Licensed to Greensboro, North Carolina, US, the station is owned by Truth Broadcasting Corporation. In Greensboro and nearby communities, WKEW can also be heard on an FM translator at 96.3 MHz, for listeners who prefer FM radio. It is also simulcast on sister station 1340 kHz WPOL in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
| Simulcast of WPOL Winston-Salem | |
|---|---|
| Broadcast area | Piedmont Triad |
| Frequency | 1400 kHz |
| Branding | The Light |
| Programming | |
| Format | Gospel music |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Truth Broadcasting Corporation |
| History | |
First air date | February 6, 1942 |
| Technical information[1] | |
Licensing authority | FCC |
| Facility ID | 73156 |
| Class | C |
| Power | 760 watts |
Transmitter coordinates | 36°3′42″N 79°47′35″W / 36.06167°N 79.79306°W |
| Translator(s) | 96.3 MHz W242CD (Greensboro) |
| Links | |
Public license information | |
| Webcast | Listen Live |
| Website | lightthetriad.com |
It runs the Erica Campbell nationally syndicated morning show as well as other syndicated and local gospel and religious shows aimed at the African-American community.
History
editWGBG ("We're Going to Beat Germany") signed on 10 months before the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, playing such artists as Glenn Miller and Artie Shaw.[2]
John Cirt Gill, Jr., known as "Jam-A-Ditty", became the state's first African American disc jockey in 1949.[3]
Disc jockey Rick Dees began his career at WGBG, which was called "Top Gun Radio". Another student at Grimsley High School dared him to audition, and he succeeded.[4][5][6]
Dusty Dunn began his 44-year career at WGBG "when The Beatles were the next big thing." In the early 1980s, he returned to the station (which was WKEW by that time) to do a four-hour morning talk show. Open Line, Greensboro's first talk show hosted by Ken Karns moved to WKEW in November 1986 when WBIG 1470 signed off.[7]
In 1980, Bill Mitchell bought WGBG and changed its callsign to WKEW. The station also became the first full-time news/talk station in Greensboro.[8]
On September 3, 1998, WKEW changed to Radio Disney, a radio format designed for children.[2]
Truth Broadcasting bought WKEW in 2000.[9] In November 2000, Radio Disney moved to 1320 WCOG and WKEW began simulcasting the same programming as WPOL in Winston-Salem.[10][11]
Translators
editIn addition to the AM signal, WKEW is relayed by an FM translator.[12]
| Call sign | Frequency | City of license | FID | ERP (W) | Class | FCC info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| W242CD | 96.3 FM | Greensboro, North Carolina | 142274 | 250 | D | LMS |
References
edit- ^ "Facility Technical Data for WKEW". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
- ^ a b Rowe, Jeri (September 3, 1998). "A Mouse in the House - WKEW, Greensboro's Longtime News-Talk Station, Will Become a Radio Disney Affiliate Today". Greensboro News & Record. Retrieved September 5, 2022.
- ^ Fernandez, Jennifer (February 7, 2021). "Guilford County Black history, from A to Z". Greensboro News & Record. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
- ^ "From the Mouth of the South to the Hall of Fame" (PDF). sd.pikes.org. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 27, 2011. Retrieved March 24, 2009.
- ^ "Disco Profiles - Rick Dees". www.comicgenius.com. Archived from the original on January 6, 2009. Retrieved March 24, 2009.
- ^ "NAB Award Winner--Rick Dees" (PDF). Radio Journal. No. Special NAB Convention Issue. April 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 March 2009. Retrieved 24 March 2009.
- ^ Rowe, Jeri (May 28, 2008). "Greensboro's voice is signing off". Greensboro News & Record. Retrieved September 5, 2022.
- ^ Rowe, Jeri (December 5, 2000). ""King" of Local Radio Dies at Age 78 - Radio Pioneer Bill Mitchell Helped Introduce Rock 'n' Roll to the City". Greensboro News & Record. Retrieved September 5, 2022.
- ^ "Lorillard Starts Governmental Section". Greensboro News & Record. August 9, 2000. Retrieved September 5, 2022.
- ^ "Dillon Fence Reunites for N.C. Performances". Greensboro News & Record. December 20, 2000. Retrieved September 5, 2022.
- ^ "Gospel Music AM Station Is Catching On". Greensboro News & Record. August 1, 2001. Retrieved September 5, 2022.
- ^ "W242CD Radio Station Information".
External links
edit- FCC History Cards for WKEW
- Facility details for Facility ID 73156 (WKEW) in the FCC Licensing and Management System
- WKEW in Nielsen Audio's AM station database
- Facility details for Facility ID 142274 (W242CD) in the FCC Licensing and Management System
- W242CD in Nielsen Audio's FM station database