WAAX

Infobox Radio station
name = WAAX


city = Gadsden, Alabama
area =
branding = "Newstalk 570 AM"
slogan =
airdate = 1947
frequency = 570 kHz
format = News/Talk
power = 5,000 watts (day)
500 watts (night)
class = B
facility_id = 22996
coordinates = coord|33|58|45.00|N|86|0|9.00|W|region:GB_type:city
callsign_meaning =
former_callsigns =
owner = Clear Channel Communications (as Capstar TX)
licensee =
sister_stations =
webcast =
website = http://www.waax570.com
affiliations = Premiere Radio Networks, Fox News Radio

WAAX (570 AM, "Newstalk 570 AM") is a radio station broadcasting a News/Talk format. [ cite web|url=http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/fmq?call=WAAX |title=WAAX Facility Record |work=United States Federal Communications Commission, audio division ] Licensed to Gadsden, Alabama, USA. The station is currently owned by Clear Channel Communications (as Capstar TX) and features programing from Premiere Radio Networks and Fox News Radio. [cite web |url=http://www.arbitron.com|title=Station Information Profile |work=Arbitron ]

History

The station began operation in 1947 as WGWD, also at 570 on the dial, but with a power of 1,000 watts, daytime only. WGWD was owned by the Covington family of Montgomery, Alabama. In its early days the station operated from studio's located in the original Pioneer Life Insurance building in downtown Gadsden.

In 1957, the station was bought by Atlanta broadcaster Charles A. Smithgall, who had enjoyed great success on WSB in that city. Smithgall changed the calls to WCAS, and continued to operate the station "status quo" until 1960. By then the radio business in Gadsden had grown to such a level as another full time station was needed. Smithgall installed a three tower directional array on what was a cow pasture on Rainbow Drive, just north of the Gadsden Country Clubs' golf course. In later years this would prove a great location, as the city grew south, traveling down Rainbow Drive. In the process, he also changed the call letters to WAAX and upped the daytime power to a full 5,000 Watts, sufficient to put its signal into Georgia and Tennessee.

The "new" WAAX became a CBS affiliate, and programmed light pop music during the day, and ran a list of CBS programs at night. In 1962 Mike McDougald of Georgia, also a WSB alum, bought into the station, and became its general manager. McDougald continued the light pop sound during the day, but hired a young Mike Morelock to become the night time top 40 jock on "BIG WAAX". In the months to come, the station gained the image as the news leader, as McDougald outfitted the station vehicle with police & fire radios, and installed one of the first "car phones" in the area, actually a two way radio that could call any telephone number from the road.

The station gained popularity and in 1967 programmed modern country while still playing top 40 at night. With a booming signal, the station slogan became, "BIG WAAX, the station you hear, everywhere". When FM became the dominant force for music on the radio, WAAX became and remains a news-talk station.

References

External links

*AMQ|WAAX
*AML|WAAX
*AMARB|WAAX