Earl Freudenberg, a radio fixture at WDOD AM for almost four decades, is making the move to FM. He will be joining WDYN, 89.7, on Aug. 22.

Tom Sneed, WDYN general manager, said Mr. Freudenberg will host a show Monday-Friday from 9 p.m. to midnight called "Nightside With Hey Earl."

For many years, he has hosted a popular morning show Monday-Friday, getting up at 3:30 a.m. to prepare for the show from 6-10 on WDOD. He also has a "Soundoff" show on Sunday mornings.

Mr. Sneed said the new show will continue to feature interviews with interesting people and newsmakers and will intersperse those with Southern gospel music.

Dr. Danny Lovett, president of Tennessee Temple University which holds the license for WDYN, said the new program will help focus on activities at the university. He said it will also serve as an outreach to the community. "We want them to know we are concerned about them and that we are praying for people's needs."

County Commissioner Curtis Adams, a daily caller to the Hey Earl Show, said, "WDYN is very fortunate to get Earl Freudenberg, and it's a big loss for WDOD. He's a real treasure to this city and a Christian gentleman who will fit in well at WDYN."

The move comes after WDOD officials said they were considering changing the station's format from "Music of Our Lives," saying it was difficult to sell ads for that format. One move under consideration was to Air America, a liberal talk show network.

Mr. Freudenberg, 57, said, "I've been friends with Tom Sneed for 25 years and I'm delighted that an opportunity has come along for me to work for him. I have enjoyed my long association with WDOD and worked with a great bunch of people. I am looking forward to this new opportunity."

He added, "I feel like it's a step up for me to go to an FM station that has 100,000 watts and a range of about 95 miles."

Mr. Sneed said, "We're excited about getting Earl. It's an answer to prayer for us. We have been looking for an additional broadcaster, and Earl fits our station to a T."

He said Mr. Freudenberg will help with the station's two annual Share-A-Thons to raise funds for the non-commercial station and will help with corporate sponsorships and underwriting.

Mr. Freudenberg joined WDOD, the city's oldest radio station, the day he graduated from high school in 1965.
He has been with the station ever since except for a stint with Armed Forces Radio and a year as news director at WDEF-TV, Channel 12.

His last show at WDOD will be Friday, Aug. 19.