WTIX (AM)

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From 1953 through 2005, WTIX was a radio station in New Orleans, Louisiana; see WIST (AM) for the history of that station.

WTIX-AM "ESPN 980" is a radio station in Winston-Salem, North Carolina which broadcasts at 980 AM and airs sports talk programming.

[edit] History

On October 28, 1950, white businessman Roger Page signed on WAAA-AM, the second radio station in the state (after WGIV in 1947) specifically targeting an African-American audience.[1][2] WAAA was believed to be the third black radio station in the United States,[3] preceded by WDIA in Memphis and WERD in Atlanta.[4] WAAA was also the first black-owned station in North Carolina.[5]

Oscar "Daddy-Oh" Alexander was the station's best known DJ. He was described as "a jive-talking hipster who radiated cool while spinning hits from Motown and Stax." Jazz pianist Keith Byrd, who once lived near him, described Alexander this way:

He had a voice that was like gravel going through molasses. You know what I'm saying? It was smooth and sweet. He was a good spirit, a great character and he played the hottest songs. He was almost like the black Wolfman Jack in this area.[6]

Alexander left the station in 1962 after five years. But he made quite an impression with lines such as these:

It's Hooty-Tooty your host, the one that loves you the most.

It's 24 O'Roolies past 4 Mac Vouchers.

Here in the atmospheric conditions of our universal solar system - it's clear as a bell and hot as - 98 degrees.

Stick around, don't be no clown. Listen to what I'm puttin' down. This is Hooty-Tooty, the bandit's booty.[7]

Annie Bell Bowman played gospel music on the station.[8] Anita "Boss Lady" Dean was a DJ for six years.[9]

Mutter D. Evans bought WAAA from Media Broadcasting Corp. in 1979 for $1.04 million, making her the first African-American woman to own a radio station in the United States. At the time, the station had 14 employees and was doing well financially considering its size. But in 1988 WAAA filed for Chapter 11. WAAA continued to broadcast but faced increasing competition from larger stations. But WAAA was unique in its service to the community, playing gospel music, jazz and rhythm and blues and broadcasting news, daily obituary reports, and Sunday religious programming.[10]

On July 9, 2001, deputies locked the doors to the WAAA studios on Indiana Avenue because court documents showed rent had not been paid since 1997. Evans and the community worked to bring the station back, and a web site was introduced in January 2002. On July 5, 2002, WAAA returned to the air with new studios and a limited schedule, with Evans claiming to have solved her problems and intending to return to a full schedule as soon as possible.[11]

As recently as 2006, WAAA sponsored Martin Luther King, Jr. Day celebrations.[12]

GHB Broadcasting has purchased the station.[13] For several years WAAA, later called WTIX, aired the programming of WIST-FM, which played adult standards and then classic country. The switch to the current format took place May 5, 2008[14].

[edit] References

  1. ^ Silence: Hope Lingers for the Voice of WAAA," Winston-Salem Journal, January 27, 2002.
  2. ^ Kay McFadden, "Museum Tunes in History of Radio in the Carolinas," The Charlotte Observer, September 21, 1997.
  3. ^ Dawn Ziegenbalg, "Petition Asks Landlord to Let WAAA Back on Air," Winston-Salem Journal, July 17, 2001.
  4. ^ http://list.msu.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind9612a&L=aejmc&P=6096, retrieved on 2008/03/13.
  5. ^ http://booktofilm.irun.com/m_5.asp?n=39, Retrieved on 2008/03/13.
  6. ^ Lisa O'Donnell, "Radio Days - The Carolina Music Ways Festival Will Take Audiences Back to the Golden Age of Radio." Winston-Salem Journal, October 7, 2004.
  7. ^ "1 Voice: Divided City Tuned in to Daddy-Oh," Winston-Salem Journal, February 7, 2002.
  8. ^ Mary Giunca, "A Calling - Pentecostal Preacher Doesn't Use Title of 'Rev.' - Or Draw a Salary 'It's Not about Her': Pastor, 82, Focuses on Bible," Winston-Salem Journal, March 24, 2007.
  9. ^ Titan Barksdale, "Giving the Glory - 'Praise Is What I Do,' Says Anita Dean about Her Radio Show 'Annointed'," Winston-Salem Journal, May 14, 2007.
  10. ^ Dawn Ziegenbalg, "WAAA-AM Is Locked Out of Building: Rental-Property Owner Says Station Owes Back Rent," Winston-Salem Journal, July 12, 2001.
  11. ^ Lona D. Cobb, "Owner Perseveres, Gets WAAA Back on the Air," Winston-Salem Journal, July 11, 2002.
  12. ^ "Several Events Planned for MLK Holiday," Winston-Salem Journal, January 14, 2006.
  13. ^ http://www.marketresearch.com/map/prod/1308437.html, Retrieved on 2008/03/15.
  14. ^ "Radio Station Becomes ESPN 980," News & Record, May 6, 2008.

[edit] External links

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