About Us
President: Charles L. Fowler
General Manager: Ron Tart
Primary Format: Southern Gospel
Frequency: 780 AM
Power: 7,000 Watts
History
On March 11, 1946, three prominent Dunn businessmen, Lofton A. Tart, Sr., Earl McDonald Westbrook, and Thomas R. Hood, seeing the need for local radio coverage, associated themselves into a corporation under the name of North Carolina Central Broadcasters, Inc.
The first meeting of the Board of Directors was held at 3:00 PM March 15, 1946. At this meeting a set of bylaws was adopted and officers of the corporation were elected as follows: Earl M. Westbrook, President; Leslie H. Campbell, Vice President; and A. Hartwell Campbell, Secretary/Treasurer.
At 11:15 am, December 6th, WCKB began broadcasting on a frequency of 780 kHz and a power of 1,000 watts. The first song played on WCKB was the National Anthem, followed by the song, “Tiger Rag.”
In a meeting of the Board of Directors held February 20, 1958, A. Lincoln Faulk, General Manager, announced that WCKB won the Freedom Foundation Award for the best program, “Editorial Opinion” by John G. Thomas, News Director and commentator of WCKB. “Editorial Opinion” by John G. Thomas became so popular and so widely accepted that over the years it won a total of eleven Freedom Foundation Awards for WCKB.
During the first twenty-five years of operation, WCKB featured a variety of formats which included big band, easy listening, pop, and rock n’ roll. Special emphasis was always placed on news, especially local news and weather, as well as talk programs.
During the 1980’s, WCKB moved to a Gospel Music format which continues today and features today’s hit Southern Gospel music.
In 1989, Charles L. Fowler purchased WCKB from Mrs. Alice T. Baggett and her son, Robie Butler. Since then, General Manager, Ronald C. Tart has become part owner of the company.
WCKB has received national recognition, with award nominations from Singing News Fan Awards, SGN Scoops’ Diamonds Awards, and Christian Voice Gospel Music Fan Awards. WCKB announcer Lottie Squires has received Singing New Fan Awards for Favorite Medium Market DJ and the Paul Heil Award for Broadcasting from the Diamond Awards.
News:
North Carolina News Network at :55 after each hour; local reports as needed.
Weather:
North Carolina News Network Weather Center…local forecasts with regional outlook from AMS meteorologists.
Sports Programming:
“Sports Extra”…Saturday 11:00am – 11:05am; hosted by Al Myatt; features local and national sports
WCKB Staff:
Charlie Fowler, Ron Tart, Neal Wood, Lottie Squires, Graden Blackman, and Al Myatt
Special Programming:
“Good Morning, Charlie”… Monday-Saturday 8:00am – 9:30am; hosted by Charlie Fowler; listener call-in buy-sell-trade program
“Southern Gospel Concert Update” … Monday-Friday, 12:30pm – 12:35pm
“Gospel Vinyl Gold” … Friday, 3:00pm – 4:00pm and Sunday, 7:00am – 8:00am; nationally syndicated program, hosted by Dave Taylor; features the history, stories, and artists from the 1970s and 1980s
“Carolina Gospel Showcase”… Saturday, 10:35am – 11:00am; hosted by Lottie Squires; features local and regional gospel artists
“Hymnal Harmony”… Saturday, 11:30am – 12:00n; hosted by Lottie Squires; features hymns and standards performed by Southern Gospel artists
“Gospel Greats” … Saturday, 12:00n – 2:00pm and Sunday, 10:00pm – 12:00m; nationally syndicated program, founded by SGMA Hall of Fame broadcaster Paul Heil and hosted by award-winning broadcaster Rodney Baucom; features current hits, interviews with Southern Gospel artists, contests, and more
“Gaither Homecoming Hour” … Saturday, 4:00pm – 5:00pm; features recordings from the nationally known Gaither Homecoming series
“Southern Fried Gospel” … Sunday, 12:00n – 1:30pm; hosted by Neal Wood; weekly features include WCKB Top 40 Countdown, All-Request Sunday, New Debut Sunday and 5th Sunday Sings
“Les Butler & Friends” … Sunday, 9:00pm – 10:00pm; hosted by Les Butler; features nationally-recognized Bluegrass Gospel artists
Community Involvement:
WCKB works closely with the Dunn Area Chamber of Commerce; the station also maintains membership in several area Chambers of Commerce.
WCKB is involved in area events, such as the Dunn Cotton Festival, Relay for Life, RSVP Seniors Fair and the Annual State Singing Convention in Benson.
WCKB carries weekly public affairs programming from sources such as the local Health Department and Extension Service; the local and state Employment Security Commission, the regional Social Security Administration office and the US Department of Agriculture.
As a public service, WCKB promotes activities of local churches and civic organizations, as well as other special events.
