WIDU
Encyclopedia
WIDU is a radio station
broadcasting a Gospel Music
format. Licensed to Fayetteville, North Carolina
, USA, it serves the Fayetteville area. The station is currently owned by WIDU Broadcasting, Inc.
In 1998, Cookman bought WAGR
in Lumberton
and WEWO
in Laurinburg
.
Later, Cookman added WFMO
in Fairmont
to what was called "WE-DO" network, whose black gospel and news and information programming originated from the WIDU studios.
Terry Jordan of WFNC
became the WE-DO network's only white host in 2001 but ended up moving the show to WAZZ
after two weeks; he remained an engineer for WE-DO network.
Radio station
Radio broadcasting is a one-way wireless transmission over radio waves intended to reach a wide audience. Stations can be linked in radio networks to broadcast a common radio format, either in broadcast syndication or simulcast or both...
broadcasting a Gospel Music
Gospel music
Gospel music is music that is written to express either personal, spiritual or a communal belief regarding Christian life, as well as to give a Christian alternative to mainstream secular music....
format. Licensed to Fayetteville, North Carolina
Fayetteville, North Carolina
Fayetteville is a city located in Cumberland County, North Carolina, United States. It is the county seat of Cumberland County, and is best known as the home of Fort Bragg, a U.S. Army post located northwest of the city....
, USA, it serves the Fayetteville area. The station is currently owned by WIDU Broadcasting, Inc.
History
WIDU was Fayetteville's fourth radio station when it signed on in December 1958 with 1000 watts of power and a Top 40 format. Six years later, WIDU became the city's first black radio station. In 1987, Wes Cookman, who was white and married a black woman, became majority owner and changed its format to black gospel.In 1998, Cookman bought WAGR
WAGR (AM)
WAGR is a radio station broadcasting a Gospel music format to the Lumberton, North Carolina, USA area. The station is currently owned by WAGR Broadcasting, Inc.-History:...
in Lumberton
Lumberton, North Carolina
Lumberton is a city in Robeson County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 20,795 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Robeson County. Lumberton, located in southern North Carolina's Inner Banks region, is located on the Lumber River...
and WEWO
WEWO
WEWO is a radio station broadcasting a Gospel format. Licensed to Laurinburg, North Carolina, USA. The station is currently owned by Service Media, Inc...
in Laurinburg
Laurinburg, North Carolina
Laurinburg is a mid-sized city in Scotland County, North Carolina, United States. It is the county seat of Scotland County. Located in southern North Carolina near the South Carolina state border, Laurinburg is southwest of Fayetteville and is home to St. Andrews Presbyterian College...
.
Later, Cookman added WFMO
WFMO
WFMO is a radio station broadcasting a Regional Mexican format. Licensed to Fairmont, North Carolina, USA, the station is currently owned by Davidson Media Station Wfmo Licensee, LLC.-History:Jim Clark's Pro-Media Inc...
in Fairmont
Fairmont, North Carolina
Fairmont is a town in Robeson County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 2,604 at the 2000 census.-History:Fairmont was originally founded on the site of the Ashpole Institute, a small private academy, and was chartered in 1899 as Ashpole, then Union City and lastly as Fairmont...
to what was called "WE-DO" network, whose black gospel and news and information programming originated from the WIDU studios.
Terry Jordan of WFNC
WFNC (AM)
WFNC is an AM radio station in Fayetteville, North Carolina broadcasting on frequency 640. The station has a conservative talk format and is under ownership of Cumulus Media.-History:...
became the WE-DO network's only white host in 2001 but ended up moving the show to WAZZ
WAZZ
WAZZ is an adult standards radio station in Fayetteville, North Carolina, owned by Beasley Broadcast Group, playing "Radio the way it WAZZ".-Programming:...
after two weeks; he remained an engineer for WE-DO network.