WIDU

WIDU (1600 AM) is a radio station broadcasting a Gospel Music format. Licensed to Fayetteville, North Carolina, USA, it serves the Fayetteville area. The station is currently owned by WIDU Broadcasting, Inc.

History

WIDU was Fayetteville's fourth radio station when it signed on in December 1958 with 1000 watts of power and a Top 40 format. Six years later, WIDU became the city's first black radio station. In 1987, Wes Cookman, who was white and married a black woman, became majority owner and changed its format to black gospel.^[1]

In 1998, Cookman bought WAGR in Lumberton and WEWO in Laurinburg.^[2]

Later, Cookman added WFMO in Fairmont to what was called "WE-DO" network, whose black gospel and news and information programming originated from the WIDU studios.^[3]

Terry Jordan of WFNC became the WE-DO network's only white host in 2001^[4] but ended up moving the show to WAZZ after two weeks; he remained an engineer for WE-DO network.^[5]

References

1. ^ Michael Futch, "Sounds for the Soul," The Fayetteville Observer, October 19, 1997.
2. ^ Michael Futch, "Lumberton's WAGR to Be Sold," The Fayetteville Observer, April 18, 1998.
3. ^ TV Station Replaces Its Weather Man," The Fayetteville Observer, October 18, 1998.
4. ^ Michael Futch, "Radio Host Jordan Resigns," The Fayetteville Observer, June 16, 2001.
5. ^ Michael Futch, "Half-Hour Talk Show Won't Go on After All," The Fayetteville Observer, September 30, 2001.

External links

• official website
• Query the FCC's AM station database for WIDU
• Radio-Locator Information on WIDU