WAYN (AM) explained

WAYN
City:Rockingham, North Carolina
Branding:Pioneer Voice of the Carolina Sandhills
Frequency:900 kHz
Airdate:September 1946
Format:Adult contemporary
Power:1,000 watts (day)
297 watts (night)
Class:B
Facility Id:71152
Coordinates:34.925°N -79.7431°W
Owner:WAYN Incorporated
Licensing Authority:FCC

WAYN (900 AM) is a radio station based in Rockingham, North Carolina. The station plays a variety of adult contemporary and easy listening music.

With a daytime transmission power of 1,000 watts, and a night time transmission power of 297 watts. WAYN broadcasts from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.[1]

History

WAYN was founded in 1946 by Wayne M. Nelson of Mooresville, North Carolina. It is one of North Carolina’s earliest radio stations and was the first FCC licensed radio station between Charlotte and Fayetteville.[2]

The first voice heard on the station was that of Robert D. Raiford, who later became a commentator for John Boy and Billy.

In 2006, morning host Jimmy Smith celebrated 55 years on the station.[3] He was 16 when he started, and still on the air at 76 to celebrate 60 years.[4] Mayor Eugene McLaurin declared Jimmy Smith day in 2001 for his 50th anniversary. Smith retired in 2013 after 62 years.[5]

Notes and References

  1. http://www.richmondcountychamber.com/richmondcountychamber/newcomers.htm Richmond County Chamber of Commerce
  2. Web site: About WAYN . WAYN 900 . 10 November 2024.
  3. Mark Washburn, "55 Years Helping His Town Wake Up - Jimmy Smith Is Voice of the Morning on Rockingham Station," The Charlotte Observer, May 6, 2006.
  4. Mark Washburn, "C-SPAN looks at Charlotte this weekend," The Charlotte Observer, September 24, 2011.
  5. Barry Saunders, "Mornings aren't the same in Rockingham without radio voice of Jimmy Smith," News & Observer, October 9, 2013.