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WKTE celebrates 50 years [The Stokes News, Walnut Cove, N.C. :: ](Stokes News, The (Walnut Cove, NC) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Aug. 06--Over the past 50 years WKTE has offered everything from gospel to country to its current line up of beach music but has always been a cornerstone of the King community. "It is really all about the community," said sales manager Pat Furr. "We have been embedded here for over 50 years and that is what we focus on." The station started in December 1963 with an oldies rock 'n roll format. In the 1970s it changed to a country format and then changed again in 1985 to a gospel format. "Last year we decided we would do something different and started doing beach and oldies," said station manager Rodney Booth. "We are now the number one beach and oldies station in the Triad." "We have found something people love," said Furr. "The bluegrass and country all had its place in the past 50 years. This station has progressed as the change and demand for the music has changed. You play what the people want to hear." Booth, who started working at the station when he was 15-years-old said a lot more than the music has changed over the years. "Everything has gone to computer now," he said. "It used to be all turn tables an reel to reel machines. Then it went to cart machines and CDs. That was real radio. Now the computer does everything. It even runs the transmitter and takes your readings for you." But unlike larger corporate radio stations WKTE has capitalized on the new technology by using the time computers save to focus on programming. "We still take requests here," he said. "It is more personalized. We cater to what they want to hear. "All of the shows are live," said Booth. "We program everything here. Each DJ gets to pick out their own music. We do not have a log like other stations where you have to play a certain song." Randy Thomas, who hosts the Under the Boardwalk show, said that flexibility really pleases the listeners. "People are not listening to us for the entertainment value of the DJs," he said, "they are listening to us because we play beach music. Because we play music people can dance to." "We can come in here and play music people like and the response we are getting is great," agreed DJ Brad Wiggins who hosts the Wigout Show. DJ Benny Huff, know regionally as Uncle Benny, said the loose programming also allows the station to do fun events like partnering with local car shows and cruise-ins. "Rodney was so nice to give me a chance to take a different type of program where we are sharing information about classic car events and and beach music and put it together," he said. "We are taking the best of two worlds and putting it together. It is a good fit." Thomas said working for a family owned business also allows all of the staff to work better as a team. "You become a part of the family," he said. "In a large corporation it is hard to keep that family atmosphere. We all know that if you get in trouble or have a problem all you have to do is pick up the phone." "We work hard at what we do and take what we do very seriously," agreed Furr. "But we have a lot fun too. We know that we have each other's backs. "I am on the ground floor of something that is changing and one day it will be great to look back and say I just a small part of that," she added. "It gives you a great feeling. We may be a small station but it is big in heart, big in service and big in keeping our ear to the ground for what people really want to hear." Booth said that just as the station's new format is growing in popularity, the station itself is expanding its reach, both on the internet and through the airwaves. "The online streaming has really picked up and has been a big advantage for us," he said, noting that they frequently get calls from all over the united states and overseas from listeners who have discovered them on the internet. "We are also working on increasing our wattage. We are going to an above ground radial system so locally we will be stronger and you will be able to pick us up at least 25 miles further away than you can now. "We are off to a great start," he added. "People are enjoying it and we are on the right track for another 50 years." WKTE "The Wave" can be found on the AM dial at 1090 and online at www.wkte1090.com. It is owned by P.W. and Peggy Both and Tommy and Elizabeth Newsom. Nicholas Elmes may be reached at 336-591-8191 or on Twitter @NicholasElmes. ___ (c)2014 The Stoke News (Walnut Cove, N.C.) Visit The Stoke News (Walnut Cove, N.C.) at www.thestokesnews.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |