WCIS "Western Carolina Inspiration Station," is a radio station

Radio station

Radio broadcasting is a one-way wireless transmission over radio waves intended to reach a wide audience. Stations can be linked in radio networks to broadcast a common radio format, either in broadcast syndication or simulcast or both...

 broadcasting a Southern Gospel Music format. Licensed to Morganton, North Carolina

Morganton, North Carolina

Morganton is a city in Burke County, North Carolina, United States. Reader's Digest included Morganton in its list of top ten places to raise a family. The town was recently profiled in The 50 Best Small Southern Towns. The population was 17,310 at the 2000 census...

, USA, it serves the area. The station is currently owned by WFM Incorporated.

History

In December 1985, the Federal Communications Commission

Federal Communications Commission

The Federal Communications Commission is an independent agency of the United States government, created, Congressional statute , and with the majority of its commissioners appointed by the current President. The FCC works towards six goals in the areas of broadband, competition, the spectrum, the...

 (FCC) granted a license to Beacon Broadcasting, majority owned by Ben Pendley, Jr., operations manager of WPTL

WPTL

WPTL is a radio station broadcasting a Country music format, including ABC Radio Networks Real Country, and licensed to Canton, North Carolina, USA. The station is currently owned by Skycountry Broadcasting....

 in Canton, North Carolina

Canton, North Carolina

Canton is the second largest town in Haywood County, North Carolina, United States. It is located about west of Asheville, North Carolina and is part of the Asheville Metropolitan Statistical Area. The town is named after the city of Canton, Ohio.- History :...

. Sherrill Greene of Glen Alpine

Glen Alpine, North Carolina

Glen Alpine is a town in Burke County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 1,090 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Hickory–Lenoir–Morganton Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...

 was the other owner. The plan was to play Contemporary Christian music by such artists as Amy Grant

Amy Grant

Amy Lee Grant is an American singer-songwriter, musician, author, media personality and actress, best known for her Christian music. She has been referred to as "The Queen of Christian Pop"...

 and Sandi Patti

Sandi Patty

Sandra Faye "Sandi" Patty is an American Christian music singer. For many years she was known as Sandi Patti. She has been dubbed "The Voice" by critics, because of her wide range and flexibility.-Early life:...

, with a target audience of 25 to 45.

WCIS did not sign on until March 1988, and the format changed to Southern Gospel in January 1989. Many listeners were over 50.

On February 1, 2008, the station's building was destroyed by fire. John Whisnant, Jr., who had won the Southern Gospel DJ of the Year award three times, said he believed the fire was intentionally set to cover up a burglary

Burglary

Burglary is a crime, the essence of which is illicit entry into a building for the purposes of committing an offense. Usually that offense will be theft, but most jurisdictions specify others which fall within the ambit of burglary...

. WCIS returned to the air on March 1 with automation and a backup transmitter, with plans to begin live broadcasts eventually. A new studio was planned on Highway 126. WMIT sent its chief engineer to get the station running again, and station employees were helping with construction of the new studio.