WSOC-FM
Encyclopedia
WSOC-FM 103.7 is a country
radio station in Charlotte, North Carolina
. The station is owned by New York City
-based CBS Radio
. Its primary competitor in the country format is 96.9 The Kat
. Broadcast personalities include Tanner in the Morning, Catherine Lane, Charlie and Debbie, and Big Sexy.
Although WSOC shares its call sign with the city's ABC
affiliate WSOC-TV
(Channel 9), the TV station is owned by Atlanta
-based Cox Enterprises
.
In September 2011, WSOC-FM re-branded its image from "103.7 WSOC - Charlotte's #1 Country" to "The New 103.7 - Country's Hottest Hits".
Don Bell worked at WSOC-FM from 1975 to 1987, hiring many of the station's most popular announcers, and working on the air as well. He played a major role in making WSOC one of Charlotte's top radio stations. Before moving to Charlotte, Bell worked at KFRE
and KMJ
in Fresno, California
and WIOD
in Miami, Florida
.
In 1977, despite a consultant's view that Country would never be a viable FM format, Bell moved forward with his plans to take WSOC off an automated system and go live from morning to night. Longtime veteran John Harper was replaced with morning show host Bob Call. Call, who thought he was auditioning for a spot on WSOC's AM station, decided to take the job even though he had no knowledge, and at that time, appreciation for country music. Ironically, Bob would eventually move to Denver where he would flip the switch on country station KYGO. Bill Ellis, who started at WSOC as a copywriter in 1975 was given helicopter traffic duties and served as the station's mid-day announcer.
Country music was evolving, and its popularity grew as the result of the movie Urban Cowboy
. WSOC-FM was getting ready for big changes.
Edd Robinson moved to afternoons on WSOC-FM in 1979 after 11 years at WAME
, which had changed formats. He remained at WSOC until late 1987. Bob Brandon, who also had worked on WAME was hired by Bell in 1981 to do the evening shift. He remained with the station until 1986. He also briefly did a stint under Paul Johnson in 1995-1996.
as its morning host. Dollar had worked for WGST in Atlanta, Georgia
and was familiar with WSOC-FM owner Cox Enterprises. He wanted to start his own station in Boone, North Carolina
and had no plans to stay long. Bell said he liked Dollar's voice and warmth, and the fact that he wasn't funny, unlike so many morning hosts. Bell wanted WSOC-FM to be full service radio like WBT
, combining information and entertainment.
In 1982, Dollar succeeded Robert Murphy of WAYS
/WROQ
, and unlike Murphy, he did it without attacking PTL
, often called "Pass the Loot" by its critics. Dollar did not even take advantage of the situation when PTL experienced scandal in 1987.
On June 29, 1987, Bill Ellis did his midday show for the last time before leaving to do the morning show for WSSL-FM
in Greenville, South Carolina
after 11 years at WSOC-FM. Program director Paul Johnson said Ellis would likely not have replaced Dollar anytime soon, so if he wanted to be a morning host, he had to go elsewhere. Ellis went on to host WSSL (Whistle 100's) Ellis and James Show, garnering 5 CMA Broadcast nominations. Ellis is currently host of the Ellis and Bradley Show. Bill Ellis was hired on at WSSL by former WSOC general sales manager John Cullen who had become WSSL's general manager.
For seven years, Dollar was Charlotte's top DJ, and in October 1989 after three nominations, he received the Broadcast Personality of the Year award (medium markets) from the Country Music Association
.
In Fall 1989, Dollar returned to the no. 1 position after John Boy and Billy
replaced him in the summer, a ratings period during which the market's top station lost to WPEG
.
In 1992, Cox sold WSOC-AM and WSOC-FM but kept the TV station. The FM station went to EZ Communications (owner of WMXC
), and the AM to Bible Broadcasting Network
.
In August 1994, Dollar had been WSOC's morning host for 14 years, the longest of anyone in Charlotte. But Dollar's ratings with 25-54 listeners were way down, and he returned from vacation, on his 44th birthday, to find he had been moved to middays, replaced in the morning by Paul Schadt and Cindy O'Day. Program director Paul Johnson said the change would attract more younger listeners with " a more contemporary face" and "energy, entertainment and fun." The station tried to claim Dollar asked for the change, but he would not confirm that.
Claire B. Lang replaced O'Day as Schadt's co-host in October 1996. She had previously been a newsreader on John Boy and Billy's show. Johnson called her "outrageous." She would continue as "Inside NASCAR" host on The Nashville Network
as well as covering NASCAR for Sports Illustrated
.
Dollar was killed in a head-on collision near Gastonia, North Carolina
in November 1996, and WSOC declared a day of mourning. Music director Rick McCracken, who also worked overnights, took Dollar's slot temporarily and later returned to late night. Mike Terry, who had hosted middays before, moved back to that slot to replace Dollar, and Jason Dean took over afternoons from Terry. Dean had hosted "The Nite Shift" from Los Angeles
on the Blair Garner
"After Midnight Entertainment" network, and he had also worked in San Francisco and Detroit. John Crenshaw's "Country Heartlines" continued in the evenings.
In December 1997, Schadt moved to WKKT after 16 years at WSOC, and in February 1998, WSOC fired Schadt's partner Lang. WSOC was still number two in Charlotte, and hoping to stay that way, when the station added Big Paul and Aunt Eloise of WTQR
in Winston-Salem, North Carolina
. The two morning hosts intended to go back and forth between the two stations, and syndication to more stations was considered. "Big Paul" Franklin was from Gastonia, while the identity of Aunt Eloise remained a mystery. In October 2008, "Aunt Eloise" was revealed to be Toby Young after he was fired from WTQR. The pairing lasted eight months. Dave Temple and Terry Blake took over.
personality Jeff Roper as morning host (with Blake as sidekick).
The strategy worked. In Summer 2001, WSOC was Charlotte's top station for the first time in about 10 years.
Roper's Morning Show was named 2003 Country Music Association Broadcast Personality of the Year (large markets) in 2003.
Roper made it to number two among morning hosts in the ratings "Radio Ratings Changes," The Charlotte Observer, January 23, 2005 and left the station as Program Director at #2 in the ratings, behind Christmas a/c WLYT.
Roper returned to Columbia to sign on on a new station, WWNU
<.
On February 24, 2009 the Academy of Country Music announced that WSOC had won the major market radio station of the year.
In September 2011, 103.7 WSOC re-branded to The New 103.7, changing from "Charlotte's #1 Country" to "Country's Hottest Hits". Their official colors went from yellow, blue and black to blue, black and white.
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...
radio 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...
. The station is owned by New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
-based CBS Radio
CBS Radio
CBS Radio, Inc., formerly known as Infinity Broadcasting Corporation, is one of the largest owners and operators of radio stations in the United States, third behind main rival Clear Channel Communications and Cumulus Media. CBS Radio owns around 130 radio stations across the country...
. Its primary competitor in the country format is 96.9 The Kat
WKKT
-History:The station on 96.9 FM in Statesville, North Carolina began in 1967 as WDBM-FM, and was largely the simulcast partner to co-owned daytime station WDBM-AM . The station's original owner was Walter B. Duke, and the call letters supposedly stood for "Walter Duke's Beautiful Music" station...
. Broadcast personalities include Tanner in the Morning, Catherine Lane, Charlie and Debbie, and Big Sexy.
Although WSOC shares its call sign with the city's ABC
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
affiliate WSOC-TV
WSOC-TV
WSOC-TV is the ABC-affiliated television station in Charlotte, North Carolina. It is owned by Cox Enterprises. The station's studio is located at North Tryon and 23rd Streets, just north of Uptown Charlotte, and is shared with sister station WAXN-TV . The transmitter is located just outside...
(Channel 9), the TV station is owned by Atlanta
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
-based Cox Enterprises
Cox Enterprises
Cox Enterprises is the successor to the publishing company founded in Dayton, Ohio, United States, by James Middleton Cox, who began with the Dayton Daily News. He was the Democratic candidate for the President of the United States in the election of 1920...
.
In September 2011, WSOC-FM re-branded its image from "103.7 WSOC - Charlotte's #1 Country" to "The New 103.7 - Country's Hottest Hits".
1970s
WSOC-FM became a country radio station in 1971.Don Bell worked at WSOC-FM from 1975 to 1987, hiring many of the station's most popular announcers, and working on the air as well. He played a major role in making WSOC one of Charlotte's top radio stations. Before moving to Charlotte, Bell worked at KFRE
Radio Vida Abundante
Radio Vida Abundante is a radio network broadcasting Spanish language religious programming.- External links :*...
and KMJ
KMJ (AM)
KMJ is a radio station located in the Fresno, California area. The station is owned by Peak Broadcasting LLC.-Programming:...
in Fresno, California
Fresno, California
Fresno is a city in central California, United States, the county seat of Fresno County. As of the 2010 census, the city's population was 510,365, making it the fifth largest city in California, the largest inland city in California, and the 34th largest in the nation...
and WIOD
WIOD
WIOD is a news/talk formatted radio station in Miami, Florida. For over 80 years, it has been a major information station in South Florida...
in Miami, Florida
Miami, Florida
Miami is a city located on the Atlantic coast in southeastern Florida and the county seat of Miami-Dade County, the most populous county in Florida and the eighth-most populous county in the United States with a population of 2,500,625...
.
In 1977, despite a consultant's view that Country would never be a viable FM format, Bell moved forward with his plans to take WSOC off an automated system and go live from morning to night. Longtime veteran John Harper was replaced with morning show host Bob Call. Call, who thought he was auditioning for a spot on WSOC's AM station, decided to take the job even though he had no knowledge, and at that time, appreciation for country music. Ironically, Bob would eventually move to Denver where he would flip the switch on country station KYGO. Bill Ellis, who started at WSOC as a copywriter in 1975 was given helicopter traffic duties and served as the station's mid-day announcer.
Country music was evolving, and its popularity grew as the result of the movie Urban Cowboy
Urban Cowboy
Released as a 2× vinyl record album, re-released on CD in 1995.Side A:#Hello Texas – Jimmy Buffett #All Night Long – Joe Walsh #Times Like These – Dan Fogelberg #Nine Tonight – Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band...
. WSOC-FM was getting ready for big changes.
Edd Robinson moved to afternoons on WSOC-FM in 1979 after 11 years at WAME
WGFY
WGFY is a Radio Disney station serving the Charlotte, North Carolina, market. The station is owned by ABC. WGFY broadcasts with a power of 4,400 watts daytime .- History :...
, which had changed formats. He remained at WSOC until late 1987. Bob Brandon, who also had worked on WAME was hired by Bell in 1981 to do the evening shift. He remained with the station until 1986. He also briefly did a stint under Paul Johnson in 1995-1996.
1980s
In 1980, Bob Call took the job as Program Director at KYGO Denver and WSOC-FM hired Bill DollarBill Dollar (DJ)
William Everett Dollar was a radio host for 16 years on country music station WSOC-FM in Charlotte, North Carolina, a weather reporter on WSOC-TV, and the host of the syndicated program NASCAR Country, carried by over 300 stations at the time of his death...
as its morning host. Dollar had worked for WGST in Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
and was familiar with WSOC-FM owner Cox Enterprises. He wanted to start his own station in Boone, North Carolina
Boone, North Carolina
Boone is a town located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina, United States. Boone's population was reported as 17,122, as of 2010...
and had no plans to stay long. Bell said he liked Dollar's voice and warmth, and the fact that he wasn't funny, unlike so many morning hosts. Bell wanted WSOC-FM to be full service radio like WBT
WBT (AM)
WBT is a radio station in Charlotte, North Carolina, broadcasting on the AM dial at 1110 kHz. A 50,000-watt clear-channel station, it can be heard across most of the eastern half of North America at night. It simulcasts on WBT-FM, at 99.3 MHz in Chester, South Carolina. It is owned by Greater...
, combining information and entertainment.
In 1982, Dollar succeeded Robert Murphy of WAYS
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...
/WROQ
WNKS
WNKS, known on the air as KISS 95.1, is a 100,000 watt radio station in Charlotte, North Carolina. It broadcasts at 95.1 MHz from a tower in Dallas, North Carolina, primarily serving the Charlotte metropolitan area. On air programming consists of mainstream top 40 music...
, and unlike Murphy, he did it without attacking PTL
The PTL Club
The PTL Club , later called The Jim and Tammy Show, and in its last days PTL Today and Heritage Today, was a Christian television program first hosted by evangelists Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker, which ran from 1974 to 1989...
, often called "Pass the Loot" by its critics. Dollar did not even take advantage of the situation when PTL experienced scandal in 1987.
On June 29, 1987, Bill Ellis did his midday show for the last time before leaving to do the morning show for WSSL-FM
WSSL-FM
WSSL-FM is a country music music radio station licensed to Gray Court, South Carolina and serves the Upstate region, including Greenville and Spartanburg. The Clear Channel Communications outlet is licensed by the Federal Communications Commission to broadcast at 100.5 MHz with an effective...
in Greenville, South Carolina
Greenville, South Carolina
-Law and government:The city of Greenville adopted the Council-Manager form of municipal government in 1976.-History:The area was part of the Cherokee Nation's protected grounds after the Treaty of 1763, which ended the French and Indian War. No White man was allowed to enter, though some families...
after 11 years at WSOC-FM. Program director Paul Johnson said Ellis would likely not have replaced Dollar anytime soon, so if he wanted to be a morning host, he had to go elsewhere. Ellis went on to host WSSL (Whistle 100's) Ellis and James Show, garnering 5 CMA Broadcast nominations. Ellis is currently host of the Ellis and Bradley Show. Bill Ellis was hired on at WSSL by former WSOC general sales manager John Cullen who had become WSSL's general manager.
For seven years, Dollar was Charlotte's top DJ, and in October 1989 after three nominations, he received the Broadcast Personality of the Year award (medium markets) from the Country Music Association
Country Music Association
The Country Music Association was founded in 1958 in Nashville, Tennessee. It originally consisted of only 233 members and was the first trade organization formed to promote a music genre...
.
In Fall 1989, Dollar returned to the no. 1 position after 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...
replaced him in the summer, a ratings period during which the market's top station lost to WPEG
WPEG
WPEG is a Mainstream Urban-formatted radio station in the Charlotte, North Carolina area. It broadcasts at 97.9 FM, and is owned by CBS Radio.-History:...
.
1990s
In 1991, WPEG became Charlotte's top station and remained in that position, though WSOC was still one of the top country stations in the United States.In 1992, Cox sold WSOC-AM and WSOC-FM but kept the TV station. The FM station went to EZ Communications (owner of WMXC
WKQC
WKQC is a CBS Radio adult contemporary radio station in Charlotte, North Carolina. The station goes by the name "K 104.7" with the slogan "Cool Songs."The station receives exceptional interference from another 104.7 in Columbia, just 75 miles south...
), and the AM to Bible Broadcasting Network
Bible Broadcasting Network
The Bible Broadcasting Network is a listener-supported global Christian radio network staffed and headquartered in Charlotte, NC. The programming consists of 50% outside ministries, 30% music and 20% BBN produced programs...
.
In August 1994, Dollar had been WSOC's morning host for 14 years, the longest of anyone in Charlotte. But Dollar's ratings with 25-54 listeners were way down, and he returned from vacation, on his 44th birthday, to find he had been moved to middays, replaced in the morning by Paul Schadt and Cindy O'Day. Program director Paul Johnson said the change would attract more younger listeners with " a more contemporary face" and "energy, entertainment and fun." The station tried to claim Dollar asked for the change, but he would not confirm that.
Claire B. Lang replaced O'Day as Schadt's co-host in October 1996. She had previously been a newsreader on John Boy and Billy's show. Johnson called her "outrageous." She would continue as "Inside NASCAR" host on The Nashville Network
The Nashville Network
The Nashville Network, usually referred to as TNN, was an American country music-oriented cable television network. Programming included music videos, taped concerts, movies, syndicated programs, and numerous talk shows...
as well as covering NASCAR for Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated is an American sports media company owned by media conglomerate Time Warner. Its self titled magazine has over 3.5 million subscribers and is read by 23 million adults each week, including over 18 million men. It was the first magazine with circulation over one million to win the...
.
Dollar was killed in a head-on collision near Gastonia, North Carolina
Gastonia, North Carolina
Gastonia is the largest city and county seat of Gaston County, North Carolina, United States. It is also the third largest suburb of the Charlotte Area, behind Concord and Rock Hill. The population was 71,226 as of Gastonia is the largest city and county seat of Gaston County, North Carolina,...
in November 1996, and WSOC declared a day of mourning. Music director Rick McCracken, who also worked overnights, took Dollar's slot temporarily and later returned to late night. Mike Terry, who had hosted middays before, moved back to that slot to replace Dollar, and Jason Dean took over afternoons from Terry. Dean had hosted "The Nite Shift" from Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
on the Blair Garner
Blair Garner
Blair Garner is an American radio personality. According to his After MidNite with Blair Garner show website, he purchased his first car at age 12. He is the host of the syndicated radio programs After MidNite with Blair Garner and The Blair Garner Show...
"After Midnight Entertainment" network, and he had also worked in San Francisco and Detroit. John Crenshaw's "Country Heartlines" continued in the evenings.
In December 1997, Schadt moved to WKKT after 16 years at WSOC, and in February 1998, WSOC fired Schadt's partner Lang. WSOC was still number two in Charlotte, and hoping to stay that way, when the station added Big Paul and Aunt Eloise of WTQR
WTQR
WTQR is a country music station licensed to Winston-Salem, North Carolina and serves the Piedmont Triad region, including Greensboro and High Point. The Clear Channel Communications outlet broadcasts at 104.1 MHz with an ERP of 100 kW...
in Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Winston-Salem is a city in the U.S. state of North Carolina, with a 2010 population of 229,617. Winston-Salem is the county seat and largest city of Forsyth County and the fourth-largest city in the state. Winston-Salem is the second largest municipality in the Piedmont Triad region and is home to...
. The two morning hosts intended to go back and forth between the two stations, and syndication to more stations was considered. "Big Paul" Franklin was from Gastonia, while the identity of Aunt Eloise remained a mystery. In October 2008, "Aunt Eloise" was revealed to be Toby Young after he was fired from WTQR. The pairing lasted eight months. Dave Temple and Terry Blake took over.
2000s
In Fall 2000, WSOC was no. 12 in the Charlotte market, while WKKT was no. 5. Infinity Broadcasting, the latest owner, needed to make changes. Kevin O"Neal became program director and WSOC brought back 12 songs in a row, hired top Columbia, South CarolinaColumbia, South Carolina
Columbia is the state capital and largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The population was 129,272 according to the 2010 census. Columbia is the county seat of Richland County, but a portion of the city extends into neighboring Lexington County. The city is the center of a metropolitan...
personality Jeff Roper as morning host (with Blake as sidekick).
The strategy worked. In Summer 2001, WSOC was Charlotte's top station for the first time in about 10 years.
Roper's Morning Show was named 2003 Country Music Association Broadcast Personality of the Year (large markets) in 2003.
Roper made it to number two among morning hosts in the ratings "Radio Ratings Changes," The Charlotte Observer, January 23, 2005 and left the station as Program Director at #2 in the ratings, behind Christmas a/c WLYT.
Roper returned to Columbia to sign on on a new station, WWNU
WWNU
WWNU is a soft adult contemporary radio station licensed to Irmo, South Carolina and serves the Columbia, South Carolina market. The Double O Radio outlet is licensed by the Federal Communications Commission to broadcast at 92.1 MHz with an effective radiated power of 15 kW...
<.
On February 24, 2009 the Academy of Country Music announced that WSOC had won the major market radio station of the year.
2010s
Catherine Lane, midday personality for WSOC-FM, was nominated for On-Air Personality of the Year by ACM's.In September 2011, 103.7 WSOC re-branded to The New 103.7, changing from "Charlotte's #1 Country" to "Country's Hottest Hits". Their official colors went from yellow, blue and black to blue, black and white.