WWIL (AM)

WWIL (1490 AM "Praise 104.9") is a radio station broadcasting a Gospel format, licensed to Wilmington, North Carolina, United States. The station is currently owned by CLI INC.

WWIL
CityWilmington, North Carolina
SloganPraise 104.9
Frequency1490 kHz
Translator(s)W285FQ (104.9 MHz, Wilmington)
First air date1964
FormatGospel
Power1,000 watts fulltime
ClassC
Facility ID20662
Transmitter coordinates34°13′52.00″N 77°57′18.00″W
Call sign meaningWILmington
Former call signsWHSL (1964–1977)[1]
OwnerCLI INC.
Sister stationsWLTT
Websitewww.gospeljoy1490.com

History

From 1964 to 1977, the station had the call sign WHSL.[1]

R. Darryl Davis was host of "Fat Man's Blues Shop" on WWIL; he later played "Blues in the Night" on WHQR.[2]

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 1993.[3] 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. Stephens 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.[4] 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.[3]

References
  1. History Cards for WWIL, fcc.gov. Retrieved March 18, 2018.
  2. 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.
  3. Ben Steelman, "Praise Radio; It's the Gospel Truth: Christian Radio Is Gaining Popularity," Star-News, December 14, 1999.
  4. Frank Maley, "Christian Radio; He's Sending a Message," Star-News, February 19, 1995.


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