WPIR
Encyclopedia
WPIR is a radio station
broadcasting a Southern Gospel
format. Licensed to Hickory, North Carolina
, USA. The station is currently owned by Positive Alternative Radio, Inc.
The station uses the identifier of "Joy FM". It has a number of repeater frequencies located as far north as Kentucky.
in the 1980s as WPAR, with a Contemporary Christian music
format.
In 1989, Don Lee was general manager of WPAR and WCXN, which played Southern gospel
music.
In August 1993, DJ and area minister Robert Barnette was one of the top five DJs at medium-market Southern gospel stations, according to The Singing News Magazine, and he was up for top DJ nationwide. At the time, WPAR sponsored gospel singing evenings which sold out.
In 1999 and 2000, JoyFM of Winston-Salem, also heard on WXRI
and WTJY
, was named National Southern Gospel Station of the Year by the Southern Gospel Music Association
.
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
Southern Gospel
Southern Gospel music—at one time also known as "quartet music"—is music whose lyrics are written to express either personal or a communal faith regarding biblical teachings and Christian life, as well as to give a Christian alternative to mainstream secular music...
format. Licensed to Hickory, North Carolina
Hickory, North Carolina
Hickory is a city in Catawba County, North Carolina. Hickory has the 162nd largest urban area in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 341,851, making it the 4th largest metropolitan area in North Carolina. The city's population was 37,222...
, USA. The station is currently owned by Positive Alternative Radio, Inc.
The station uses the identifier of "Joy FM". It has a number of repeater frequencies located as far north as Kentucky.
History
This station signed on in Claremont, North CarolinaClaremont, North Carolina
Claremont is a city in Catawba County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 1,355 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Hickory–Lenoir–Morganton Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
in the 1980s as WPAR, with a Contemporary Christian music
Contemporary Christian music
Contemporary Christian music is a genre of modern popular music which is lyrically focused on matters concerned with the Christian faith...
format.
In 1989, Don Lee was general manager of WPAR and WCXN, which played Southern gospel
Southern Gospel
Southern Gospel music—at one time also known as "quartet music"—is music whose lyrics are written to express either personal or a communal faith regarding biblical teachings and Christian life, as well as to give a Christian alternative to mainstream secular music...
music.
In August 1993, DJ and area minister Robert Barnette was one of the top five DJs at medium-market Southern gospel stations, according to The Singing News Magazine, and he was up for top DJ nationwide. At the time, WPAR sponsored gospel singing evenings which sold out.
In 1999 and 2000, JoyFM of Winston-Salem, also heard on WXRI
WXRI
WXRI is a radio station broadcasting a Southern Gospel format. Licensed to Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA, the station serves the Piedmont Triad area. The station is currently owned by Positive Alternative Radio and features programing from Salem Communications...
and WTJY
WTJY
WTJY is a radio station broadcasting a Southern Gospel format. Licensed to Asheboro, North Carolina, USA. The station is currently owned by Positive Alternative Radio, Inc. and features programing from Salem Communications....
, was named National Southern Gospel Station of the Year by the Southern Gospel Music Association
Southern Gospel Music Association
The Southern Gospel Music Association is a non-profit corporation formed as an association of southern gospel music singers, songwriters, fans, and industry workers. Membership is acquired and maintained through payment of annual dues...
.