WSGS
Encyclopedia
WSGS is a radio station
based in Hazard, Kentucky. The station first began broadcasting in the 1950s as the first FM station in the East Kentucky Coal Fields
During the 1960s WSGS held the distinction of being the most powerful FM in the state. Today - WSGS broadcasts a 100,000 watt signal and has a greater coverage area than any FM station in Kentucky based on FM Atlas, a national publication. The station was the first in Kentucky to broadcast a Country music
format on the FM dial. In the 1960s the "easy listening" format dominated most FM stations in the United States. The station began playing Country Music on a full-time basis in 1968. Licensed to serve Hazard, Kentucky
, the station is currently owned by Mountain Broadcasting Service, Inc., which also owns and operates WKIC
on 97.9 mHz (the spot formerly occupied by WZQQ); WZQQ
on 1390 kHz (the spot originally occupied by WKIC); and WJMD-FM on 104.7 mHz.
Originally an affiliate of the now-defunct Mutual Broadcasting System
, WSGS joined ABC Radio in 1967, and continues to use its programming today. It also uses programming from Clear Channel's
Kentucky News Network. Throughout its history, WSGS has been the home of several well-known and respected broadcasters, such as Ernest Sparkman, Jay Lasslo, Quentin Combs, George (The Singing Miner) Davis, Glen Sims, newscasters Rod Williams, Bill Buckner, Jim Brown, and Virgil Walton Napier; Pete Pickins, Wayne Combs, Hugh Dunbar, Jerry Leighton, talk-show host Charlie Wilson, John McIntyre, Faron Sparkman, Stuart Shane, Bob Hale, and Randy Lunquist. Ernest Sparkman was with the station for nearly 60 years, and Jay Lasslo for 41 years. To many listeners in Eastern Kentucky (and beyond the region who could pick up the booming signal of WSGS), Ernest & Jay were the voices of mountain high school sports for five decades, doing regular games along with district and regional tournament action, and every game of the Kentucky State High School Boys' "Sweet 16" Tourney during their time at the mikes. Mr. Lasslo, the son of immigrant parents from Hungary, came to the United States via Ellis Island and settled in Hazard, where his mother ran a jewelry store. He served in World War II and was a Prisoner Of War in Europe during the conflict, before he was eventually released. Mr. Lasslo died on October 26, 2009 at the Eastern Kentucky Veterans Center in Hazard after a long illness. Ernest Sparkman died on January 15, 2010 at his home in Hazard.
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...
based in Hazard, Kentucky. The station first began broadcasting in the 1950s as the first FM station in the East Kentucky Coal Fields
Eastern Mountain Coal Fields
The Eastern Mountain Coal Fields is part of the Central Appalachian bituminous coal field, covering all or parts of 30 Kentucky counties and adjoining areas in Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia and Tennessee. It covers an area from the Allegheny Mountains in the east across the Cumberland Plateau and...
During the 1960s WSGS held the distinction of being the most powerful FM in the state. Today - WSGS broadcasts a 100,000 watt signal and has a greater coverage area than any FM station in Kentucky based on FM Atlas, a national publication. The station was the first in Kentucky to broadcast 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 on the FM dial. In the 1960s the "easy listening" format dominated most FM stations in the United States. The station began playing Country Music on a full-time basis in 1968. Licensed to serve Hazard, Kentucky
Hazard, Kentucky
As of the census of 2000, there were 4,806 people, 1,946 households, and 1,266 families residing in the city. The population density was 684.6 people per square mile . There were 2,291 housing units at an average density of 326.4 per square mile...
, the station is currently owned by Mountain Broadcasting Service, Inc., which also owns and operates WKIC
WKIC
WZQQ is a radio station in Hazard, Kentucky. The station was known as WKIC for over sixty years. The WKIC call sign was moved to the FM dial at 97.9. The station is currently owned by Mountain Broadcasting Service, Inc...
on 97.9 mHz (the spot formerly occupied by WZQQ); WZQQ
WZQQ
WKIC is a radio station operated by Mountain Broadcasting Service that broadcasts from studios on Main Street in Hazard, Kentucky. It airs a Hot AC music format. The legendary call sign of WKIC has been heard on the AM dial for over 60 years. WKIC-FM began broadcasting at 96.5 in the 1950s. ...
on 1390 kHz (the spot originally occupied by WKIC); and WJMD-FM on 104.7 mHz.
Originally an affiliate of the now-defunct Mutual Broadcasting System
Mutual Broadcasting System
The Mutual Broadcasting System was an American radio network, in operation from 1934 to 1999. In the golden age of U.S. radio drama, MBS was best known as the original network home of The Lone Ranger and The Adventures of Superman and as the long-time radio residence of The Shadow...
, WSGS joined ABC Radio in 1967, and continues to use its programming today. It also uses programming from Clear Channel's
Clear Channel Communications
Clear Channel Communications, Inc. is an American media conglomerate company headquartered in San Antonio, Texas. It was founded in 1972 by Lowry Mays and Red McCombs, and was taken private by Bain Capital LLC and Thomas H. Lee Partners LP in a leveraged buyout in 2008...
Kentucky News Network. Throughout its history, WSGS has been the home of several well-known and respected broadcasters, such as Ernest Sparkman, Jay Lasslo, Quentin Combs, George (The Singing Miner) Davis, Glen Sims, newscasters Rod Williams, Bill Buckner, Jim Brown, and Virgil Walton Napier; Pete Pickins, Wayne Combs, Hugh Dunbar, Jerry Leighton, talk-show host Charlie Wilson, John McIntyre, Faron Sparkman, Stuart Shane, Bob Hale, and Randy Lunquist. Ernest Sparkman was with the station for nearly 60 years, and Jay Lasslo for 41 years. To many listeners in Eastern Kentucky (and beyond the region who could pick up the booming signal of WSGS), Ernest & Jay were the voices of mountain high school sports for five decades, doing regular games along with district and regional tournament action, and every game of the Kentucky State High School Boys' "Sweet 16" Tourney during their time at the mikes. Mr. Lasslo, the son of immigrant parents from Hungary, came to the United States via Ellis Island and settled in Hazard, where his mother ran a jewelry store. He served in World War II and was a Prisoner Of War in Europe during the conflict, before he was eventually released. Mr. Lasslo died on October 26, 2009 at the Eastern Kentucky Veterans Center in Hazard after a long illness. Ernest Sparkman died on January 15, 2010 at his home in Hazard.