WSEV (AM)
Encyclopedia
WSEV operates as Sevierville's first and only local AM radio station
. While other stations are licensed to Sevierville, their studios are based in Knoxville, Tennessee
.
. In 1990 Dolly Parton
purchased WSEV and moved the AM studios onto the campus of Dollywood
in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
. During the Dollywood years, WSEV and its FM sister 105.5 WDLY (now WSEV-FM) simulcast a country music
format. Some years later, the station was sold to East Tennessee Radio Group. Prior to adopting the current sports-talk format, WSEV simulcasted WSEV-FM's "Mix 105.5" adult contemporary format.
Milton Crabapple explains life in Crabapple County—telling the exploits of himself and the other citizens. All of whom seem to have 'Crabapple' as either their last name or part of their name (such as a 'cousin' in show business, P.T. Crabapple).
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...
. While other stations are licensed to Sevierville, their studios are based in Knoxville, Tennessee
Knoxville, Tennessee
Founded in 1786, Knoxville is the third-largest city in the U.S. state of Tennessee, U.S.A., behind Memphis and Nashville, and is the county seat of Knox County. It is the largest city in East Tennessee, and the second-largest city in the Appalachia region...
.
History
WSEV is the heritage station in Sevierville. It is famous for airing the talents of many future country singers, including Dolly PartonDolly Parton
Dolly Rebecca Parton is an American singer-songwriter, author, multi-instrumentalist, actress and philanthropist, best known for her work in country music. Dolly Parton has appeared in movies like 9 to 5, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Steel Magnolias and Straight Talk...
. In 1990 Dolly Parton
Dolly Parton
Dolly Rebecca Parton is an American singer-songwriter, author, multi-instrumentalist, actress and philanthropist, best known for her work in country music. Dolly Parton has appeared in movies like 9 to 5, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Steel Magnolias and Straight Talk...
purchased WSEV and moved the AM studios onto the campus of Dollywood
Dollywood
Dollywood is a theme park owned by entertainer Dolly Parton and the Herschend Family Entertainment Corporation. It is located in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Dollywood has 3,000 people on its payroll, making it the largest employer in that community....
in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
Pigeon Forge is a mountain resort city in Sevier County, Tennessee, located in the southeastern United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 5,875....
. During the Dollywood years, WSEV and its FM sister 105.5 WDLY (now WSEV-FM) simulcast a country music
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
format. Some years later, the station was sold to East Tennessee Radio Group. Prior to adopting the current sports-talk format, WSEV simulcasted WSEV-FM's "Mix 105.5" adult contemporary format.
Recent History (ca. 2010)
WSEV is currently (and has been for at least three years) a 'barker' station—it broadcasts continuous advertisements for the Pigeon Forge area attractions, interspersed with "Tennessee Trivia" questions and comedy routines by "Milton Crabapple," Sheriff of Crabapple County. Billboards on approaching highways tout the station to incoming travelers.Milton Crabapple explains life in Crabapple County—telling the exploits of himself and the other citizens. All of whom seem to have 'Crabapple' as either their last name or part of their name (such as a 'cousin' in show business, P.T. Crabapple).