WRFX
Encyclopedia
WRFX is a classic rock
music station in Charlotte, North Carolina
.
It is the flagship for the John Boy and Billy
Big Show, the well-known morning show that is syndicated around the country.
. The station was owned by former WGTL-870 Chief Engineer and Radio/TV Repair Shop owner Foy T. Hinson, who also served as General Manager and Chief Engineer.
Initially licensed with 3,000 watts on a 150 feet (45.7 m) tower, the station covered most of Cabarrus County, NC and Rowan County, NC, but little beyond. The station was the companion station to WRKB
-1460 AM, and duplicated the AM station's daytime-only operation, only separating from the AM station to carry high school sports in the evenings.
The station's first studios were located at 101 West First Street in Kannapolis, on the second floor of a Jewelry Shop in a building owned by Cannon Mills. In 1967, the station built a 320 feet (97.5 m) tower and increased the FM power to 10,000 watts. The early format was Easy Listening
/Block Programming and was programmed by Bob Lee. With the additional power and tower height, the station could be heard from Charlotte in the south to Lexington in the north.
Weekday afternoons from 3:00 to 5:00pm the station played Top 40, on a program called Tunes For Teens. Early in 1969, Foy T. Hinson died from lung cancer, and his wife, Gertrude Hinson began to manage the station. Her management tenure was short-lived, and in 1971 the WRKB stations were sold to former gospel singer Bill Hefner
and partner Cabarrus County judge Robert L. Warren. Upon taking control of the stations, the operating hours of WRKB-FM were extended to 1:00am nightly and the stations launched a full-time Country Music
format. Popular disc jockeys during this time were Randy Whitley, Kip Yates, Tracey Hudson, David Roberts, George Berry and Randy Turner, the latter of whom would return to the station 15 years later as Animal R. O'Boogie.
In 1972, the night-time programming of WRKB-FM was changed to Southern Gospel
music. Popular disc jockeys in this format included John Stiles
, Jeannette Kenley and Sammy Oxendine.
On July 12, 1976 the stations commenced broadcasting from its studio/transmitter complex at 910 Fairview Street in Kannapolis, and WRKB-FM began operating in stereo
. Less than a month later, the programming of the AM station was separated from that of the FM station. About a year later, the PTL Club brokered the overnight hours on WRKB-FM, to make it a 24-hour operation.
On May 15, 1982 the station began an Adult Contemporary format aimed at gaining new listeners in Charlotte. One month later, the station changed the call letters to WJZR. Downs Radio, Incorporated bought WJZR-FM in June 1983. New owner/General Manager Paul Downs extensively improved the station technically, and built out the station's existing construction permit
for a power increase to 50,000 watts, significantly improving its coverage in Charlotte. Simultaneous with the August, 1983 power increase, the format flipped from Adult Contemporary to Top 40. The station was then known as Z-100 on the air.
In late 1985, the WJZR transmitter moved to a 1000 feet (304.8 m) tower near Enochville in Rowan County, and the power increased to the legal maximum 100,000 watts. The station made the change to WRFX "99.7 The Fox" and album-oriented rock
in 1986. Later that year John Boy and Billy
were hired as morning hosts. The show began airing nationally in 1993 out of WRFX's studios.
Over the years, the station's music has moved more in a classic rock
direction. In 1996 the WRFX transmitter site moved again, this time to co-locate with WTVI
's facilities in Charlotte.
In the early 2000s, WRFX was the flagship station of the NFL's Carolina Panthers
. It picked up sports programming again in 2008, when it began simulcasting North Carolina Tar Heels
basketball with formerly co-owned WFNZ
to compensate for the latter's poor nighttime signal.
In 2011, WRFX joined the Performance Racing Network
, with plans to carry 13 NASCAR
Sprint Cup Series races.
Classic rock
Classic rock is a radio format which developed from the album-oriented rock format in the early 1980s. In the United States, the classic rock format features music ranging generally from the late 1960s to the late 1980s, primarily focusing on the hard rock genre that peaked in popularity in the...
music station in Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009...
.
It is the flagship for the John Boy and Billy
John Boy and Billy
John Isley and Billy James, known as John Boy & Billy, named after "John-Boy Harris and brother Bross Harris", are American radio hosts based in Charlotte, North Carolina. Their comedic morning program The John Boy & Billy Big Show broadcasts from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m...
Big Show, the well-known morning show that is syndicated around the country.
History
The 99.7 spot on the FM dial began operations in September 1964 as WRKB-FM, licensed to Kannapolis, North CarolinaKannapolis, North Carolina
Kannapolis is a city in Cabarrus and Rowan counties in the U.S. state of North Carolina, northwest of Concord and northeast of Charlotte. The population was 42,625 at the 2010 census, which makes Kannapolis the 20th largest city in North Carolina...
. The station was owned by former WGTL-870 Chief Engineer and Radio/TV Repair Shop owner Foy T. Hinson, who also served as General Manager and Chief Engineer.
Initially licensed with 3,000 watts on a 150 feet (45.7 m) tower, the station covered most of Cabarrus County, NC and Rowan County, NC, but little beyond. The station was the companion station to WRKB
WRKB
WRKB is a radio station broadcasting a Southern Gospel format. Licensed to Kannapolis, North Carolina, USA, it serves the Rowan and Cabarrus county areas. The station is currently owned by Ford Broadcasting.-History:...
-1460 AM, and duplicated the AM station's daytime-only operation, only separating from the AM station to carry high school sports in the evenings.
The station's first studios were located at 101 West First Street in Kannapolis, on the second floor of a Jewelry Shop in a building owned by Cannon Mills. In 1967, the station built a 320 feet (97.5 m) tower and increased the FM power to 10,000 watts. The early format was Easy Listening
Easy listening
Easy listening is a broad style of popular music and radio format that emerged in the 1950s, evolving out of big band music, and related to MOR music as played on many AM radio stations. It encompasses the exotica, beautiful music, light music, lounge music, ambient music, and space age pop genres...
/Block Programming and was programmed by Bob Lee. With the additional power and tower height, the station could be heard from Charlotte in the south to Lexington in the north.
Weekday afternoons from 3:00 to 5:00pm the station played Top 40, on a program called Tunes For Teens. Early in 1969, Foy T. Hinson died from lung cancer, and his wife, Gertrude Hinson began to manage the station. Her management tenure was short-lived, and in 1971 the WRKB stations were sold to former gospel singer Bill Hefner
Bill Hefner
Willie Gathrel "Bill" Hefner , was a Democratic U.S. Congressman from North Carolina, serving between 1975 and 1999....
and partner Cabarrus County judge Robert L. Warren. Upon taking control of the stations, the operating hours of WRKB-FM were extended to 1:00am nightly and the stations launched a full-time Country Music
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
format. Popular disc jockeys during this time were Randy Whitley, Kip Yates, Tracey Hudson, David Roberts, George Berry and Randy Turner, the latter of whom would return to the station 15 years later as Animal R. O'Boogie.
In 1972, the night-time programming of WRKB-FM was changed to 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. Popular disc jockeys in this format included John Stiles
John Stiles
John Stiles was born and raised in the Annapolis Valley in Nova Scotia, Canada. He is the author of the poetry collections Scouts are Cancelled and Creamsicle Stick Shivs, as well as the novels The Insolent Boy and Taking the Stairs. Featured on CBC's 'Q', Much Music, and TVO's 'Imprint', John has...
, Jeannette Kenley and Sammy Oxendine.
On July 12, 1976 the stations commenced broadcasting from its studio/transmitter complex at 910 Fairview Street in Kannapolis, and WRKB-FM began operating in stereo
STEREO
STEREO is a solar observation mission. Two nearly identical spacecraft were launched into orbits that cause them to respectively pull farther ahead of and fall gradually behind the Earth...
. Less than a month later, the programming of the AM station was separated from that of the FM station. About a year later, the PTL Club brokered the overnight hours on WRKB-FM, to make it a 24-hour operation.
On May 15, 1982 the station began an Adult Contemporary format aimed at gaining new listeners in Charlotte. One month later, the station changed the call letters to WJZR. Downs Radio, Incorporated bought WJZR-FM in June 1983. New owner/General Manager Paul Downs extensively improved the station technically, and built out the station's existing construction permit
Construction permit
A construction permit or building permit is a permit required in most jurisdictions for new construction, or adding on to pre-existing structures, and in some cases for major renovations. Generally, the new construction must be inspected during construction and after completion to ensure compliance...
for a power increase to 50,000 watts, significantly improving its coverage in Charlotte. Simultaneous with the August, 1983 power increase, the format flipped from Adult Contemporary to Top 40. The station was then known as Z-100 on the air.
In late 1985, the WJZR transmitter moved to a 1000 feet (304.8 m) tower near Enochville in Rowan County, and the power increased to the legal maximum 100,000 watts. The station made the change to WRFX "99.7 The Fox" and album-oriented rock
Album-oriented rock
Album-oriented rock is an American FM radio format focusing on album tracks by rock artists.-Music played:Most radio formats are based on a select, tight rotation of hit singles...
in 1986. Later that year John Boy and Billy
John Boy and Billy
John Isley and Billy James, known as John Boy & Billy, named after "John-Boy Harris and brother Bross Harris", are American radio hosts based in Charlotte, North Carolina. Their comedic morning program The John Boy & Billy Big Show broadcasts from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m...
were hired as morning hosts. The show began airing nationally in 1993 out of WRFX's studios.
Over the years, the station's music has moved more in a classic rock
Classic rock
Classic rock is a radio format which developed from the album-oriented rock format in the early 1980s. In the United States, the classic rock format features music ranging generally from the late 1960s to the late 1980s, primarily focusing on the hard rock genre that peaked in popularity in the...
direction. In 1996 the WRFX transmitter site moved again, this time to co-locate with WTVI
WTVI
WTVI is a Public Broadcasting Service member public television station based in Charlotte, North Carolina. The station broadcasts on digital channel 11 . It is the only public television station in North Carolina that is not operated by UNC-TV, and one of three serving Charlotte...
's facilities in Charlotte.
In the early 2000s, WRFX was the flagship station of the NFL's Carolina Panthers
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers are a professional American football team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They are currently members of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Panthers, along with the Jacksonville Jaguars, joined the NFL as expansion...
. It picked up sports programming again in 2008, when it began simulcasting North Carolina Tar Heels
North Carolina Tar Heels
The North Carolina Tar Heels are the athletic teams for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The name Tar Heel is a nickname used to refer to individuals from the state of North Carolina, the Tar Heel State...
basketball with formerly co-owned WFNZ
WFNZ
WFNZ "610 AM The Fan" is a Sports Talk format radio station in Charlotte, North Carolina.-History:WFNZ signed on in 1941 as WAYS . For much of the 1960s through early 1980s, it was Charlotte's top-rated Top 40 station under the moniker "61 Big Ways." The morning show was aired on both WAYS and...
to compensate for the latter's poor nighttime signal.
In 2011, WRFX joined the Performance Racing Network
Performance Racing Network
The Performance Racing Network is a radio network controlled by Speedway Motorsports, Inc..Performance Racing Network broadcasts all NASCAR-sanctioned Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series events held at Speedway Motorsports-controlled tracks which include Atlanta, Bristol, Infineon, Las Vegas,...
, with plans to carry 13 NASCAR
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
Sprint Cup Series races.