| City of license | Hazard, Kentucky |
|---|---|
| Branding | East Kentucky's Power 101 |
| Frequency | 101.1 MHz |
| Format | Country music |
| ERP | 100,000 watts |
| HAAT | 446.0 meters |
| Class | C |
| Facility ID | 43964 |
| Affiliations | ABC Radio |
| Owner | Mountain Broadcasting Service, Inc. |
| Sister stations | WZQQ, WKIC, WJMD |
| Webcast | Listen Live |
| Website | wsgs.com |
WSGS (101.1 FM) is a radio station based in Hazard, Kentucky. The station first began broadcasting in the 1950s as the first FM station in the East Kentucky Coal Fields[1] During the 1960s WSGS held the distinction of being the most powerful FM in the state. Today - WSGS broadcasts a 100,000 watt signal and has a greater coverage area than any FM station in Kentucky based on FM Atlas, a national publication. The station was the first in Kentucky to broadcast a Country music format on the FM dial. In the 1960s the "easy listening" format dominated most FM stations in the United States. The station began playing Country Music on a full-time basis in 1968. Licensed to serve Hazard, Kentucky, the station is currently owned by Mountain Broadcasting Service, Inc., which also owns and operates WKIC on 97.9 mHz (the spot formerly occupied by WZQQ); WZQQ on 1390 kHz (the spot originally occupied by WKIC); and WJMD-FM on 104.7 mHz.
Originally an affiliate of the now-defunct Mutual Broadcasting System, WSGS joined ABC Radio in 1967, and continues to use its programming today. It also uses programming from Clear Channel's Kentucky News Network. Throughout its history, WSGS has been the home of several well-known and respected broadcasters, such as Ernest Sparkman, Jay Lasslo, Quentin Combs, George (The Singing Miner) Davis, Glen Sims, newscasters Rod Williams,[2] Bill Buckner, Jim Brown, and Virgil Walton Napier; Pete Pickins, Wayne Combs, Hugh Dunbar, Jerry Leighton, talk-show host Charlie Wilson, John McIntyre, Faron Sparkman, Stuart Shane, Bob Hale, and Randy Lunquist. Ernest Sparkman was with the station for nearly 60 years, and Jay Lasslo for 41 years.[3] To many listeners in Eastern Kentucky (and beyond the region who could pick up the booming signal of WSGS), Ernest & Jay were the voices of mountain high school sports for five decades, doing regular games along with district and regional tournament action, and every game of the Kentucky State High School Boys' "Sweet 16" Tourney during their time at the mikes. Mr. Lasslo, the son of immigrant parents from Hungary, came to the United States via Ellis Island and settled in Hazard, where his mother ran a jewelry store. He served in World War II and was a Prisoner Of War in Europe during the conflict, before he was eventually released.[4] Mr. Lasslo died on October 26, 2009 at the Eastern Kentucky Veterans Center in Hazard after a long illness.[4] Ernest Sparkman died on January 15, 2010 at his home in Hazard.[5]