WWIL (AM)

Infobox Radio station
name = WWIL


city = Wilmington, North Carolina
area =
branding =
slogan = The Light Gospel Joy 1490
airdate =
frequency = 1490 kHz
format = Gospel
power =
erp =
haat =
class = C
facility_id = 20662
coordinates = coord|34|13|52.00|N|77|57|18.00|W|region:GB_type:city
callsign_meaning =
former_callsigns =
owner = Carolina Christian Radio Inc
licensee =
sister_stations =
webcast =
website = [http://www.life905.com life905.com]
affiliations =

WWIL (1490 AM) is a radio station broadcasting a Gospel format. Licensed to Wilmington, North Carolina, USA. The station is currently owned by Carolina Christian Radio Inc.

History

At one time, this station was called WHSL.

R. Darryl Davis was host of "Fat Man's Blues Shop" on WWIL; he later played "Blues in the Night" on WHQR [Richard Myers, "Radio Personality: Fat Man Spins Blues As Darryl Davis Works to Help His Community; Part-Time Disc Jockey Has Consulting Firm," "Star-News" November 27, 1994.] .

Family Radio Network Inc. purchased WWIL in 1992 from a Jacksonville church. Before that, the station was R&B. WWIL began calling itself "Family Radio" in 1993Ben Steelman, "Praise Radio; It's the Gospel Truth: Christian Radio Is Gaining Popularity," "Star-News", December 14, 1999.] . Jim Stephens worked for a Raleigh Christian station but vacationed in Wilmington. When he turned on the radio, he found no Christian stations. So he took over WWIL and struggled financially after moving to Wilmington but he got numerous cards and letters from people who enjoyed the Contemporary Christian music and nationally syndicated ministers. Stephens needed for these listeners to prove their support with cash, and they did [Frank Maley, "Christian Radio; He's Sending a Message," "Star-News", February 19, 1995.] . WWIL added a 20,000 watt FM signal in 1995. As of 1999, the AM station aired "God's Country" during the day, including Ricky Skaggs, The Gatlin Brothers and traditional Southern gospel. At night and early in the morning, the station played urban gospel such as Andrae Crouch and Shirley Caesar.

The station's owners (the company also owned WLSG at the time) purchased The Dove FM 89.7 and WMYT for $1.2 million, according to volunteer manager D. Chuck Langley, who had run the stations since the beginning but wanted to focus on his realty and marketing businesses ["Christian Radio Stations Are Sold," "Star-News", December 18, 2000.] .

References

External links

*AMQ|WWIL
*AML|WWIL
*AMARB|WWIL