Today marks the 25th anniversary of WUSY/US-101.
During the last 25 years, US101 has been the number one radio station in the Chattanooga area for 18 years or 72 Arbitron rating “books”, officials said.
Additionally, US101 has been the recipient of multiple awards from the Country Music Association, The Academy of Country Music, The National Association of Broadcasters, Billboard magazine, Radio and Records, the Southern Gospel Association and many other awards that recognized many years of service US-101 has given to the community.
“My predecessor, Sammy George, was the architect of this powerhouse of a radio station and set the standards high for anyone following him,” said current VP/Market Manger Mark Bass. “It’s a real honor to be only the third manager of this legendary property.”
David Coppock, who now manages a group of radio stations in the Mobile, Ala., area, was the original manager in 1983, followed by Sammy George in 1990.
To mark the event the station "will throw its normal structured format out to do nothing but relive memories from the past 25 years with Ken and Bearman, Kim Carson, Dex and Big Al and a special program at 7 p.m. with more memories and surprises, recapping the first 25 years of the station."
“We expect a lot of laughs and tears as they walk down memory lane this Friday,” remarked Jay Cruze, newly appointed operations manager, “I would encourage anyone with a US-101 story to call the station this Friday and share.”
In addition to on air activities, us101country.com will be featuring historical photos, articles, videos and more for listeners to enjoy.
The station also broadcasts on the Internet so anyone in the world can listen.
Greg Browning, the station's webmaster and online content director, remarked, “We are working hard to document and archive the thousands of photos and memories the station has amassed during the years. You’ll be able to see a lot of one of a kind picture with artists like Kenny Chesney in the control room long before he was a big star US101Country .com is going to be the place to visit for memories and to listen.”