WPIR

Infobox Radio station
name = WPIR


city = Hickory, North Carolina
area =
branding =
slogan = Joy FM
airdate =
frequency = 88.1 MHz
format = Southern Gospel
power =
erp = 26,500 watts
haat = 77.0 meters
class = C2
facility_id = 53091
coordinates = coord|35|43|34.00|N| 81|8|52.00|W|region:GB_type:city
callsign_meaning =
former_callsigns =
owner = Positive Alternative Radio, Inc.
licensee =
sister_stations =
webcast =
website = [http://www.joyfm.org joyfm.org]
affiliations =

WPIR (88.1 FM) is a radio station broadcasting a Southern Gospel format. Licensed to Hickory, North Carolina, USA. The station is currently owned by Positive Alternative Radio, Inc.

The station uses the identifier of "Joy FM". It has a number of repeater frequencies located as far north as Kentucky.

History

This station signed on in Claremont, North Carolina in the 1980s as WPAR, with a Contemporary Christian music format.

In 1989, Don Lee was general manager of WPAR and WCXN, which played Southern gospel music [Joseph Galarneau, "Religion Via Airwaves: More Listeners Tune in Christian Radio Stations," "The Charlotte Observer", November 15, 1989.] .

In August 1993, DJ and area minister Robert Barnette was one of the top five DJs at medium-market Southern gospel stations, according to "The Singing News Magazine", and he was up for top DJ nationwide. At the time, WPAR sponsored gospel singing evenings which sold out [Monte Mitchell, "Gospel Radio DJ Touches Fans' Hearts and Souls," "The Charlotte Observer", August 8, 1993.] .

In 1999 and 2000, JoyFM of Winston-Salem, also heard on WXRI and WTJY, was named National Southern Gospel Station of the Year by the Southern Gospel Music Association ["Business Milestones," "Winston-Salem Journal", June 7, 1999.] ["Business Milestones," "Winston-Salem Journal", June 5, 2000.] .

References

External links

* [http://www.joyfm.org Joy FM's Official Website]
*FMQ|WPIR
*FML|WPIR
*FMARB|WPIR