Jennifer Daniels
Chattanooga State’s radio station, the WAWL 91.5 FM, will kick-off the year-long celebration of it silver anniversary on Aug. 29 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Amphitheater on the main campus on Amnicola Highway.
The WAWL’s 25th Anniversary Party coincides with the first day of class for the fall semester. Students, faculty, staff and the public are invited to enjoy the food, live entertainment and a tour of the radio station.
Artists from the WAWL’s play list will be highlighted at the silver anniversary celebration. Live music from Jennifer Daniels, Brad Passons, and Critical Darlings will be featured. WAWL personality DJ Gruv will also be on hand to play the latest in techno
and rave for the crowd. River Street Deli, Buffalo Wild Wings, and the Coca-Cola Bottling Company have donated free food and drinks.
A wide-range of other activities will also be available. Students can have their bodies transformed with Body Art by Margaret. Mike da Roving Guy will perform magic tricks and make balloon animals while walking on stilts. Music trivia is planned for music buffs who want to win some great prizes. Numerous Chattanooga State clubs and organizations will be available to recruit new members. In addition, anyone present can register to win a Nomad 40 GB mp3 player donated by Best Buy.
The WAWL reaches a potential weekly audience of 250,000 in five counties with its 11,000 watts of broadcasting power. The area’s only alternative, non-commercial radio station, the WAWL is know for its innovative programming and open venue for introducing new songs and local artists.
The celebration is also an opportunity to salute a man who has been with the station since day one – station manager, Daryl “Bob” Riley. The station began broadcasting in September, 1980 as WCSO with an effective radiated power of only 200 watts. Dr. Charles McCloy was the station manager. Riley, a veteran with 17 years of broadcasting experience at the time, joined the station as the operations manager. In 1986, the call letters changed to WAWL and the format changed to one that was more youth oriented to reflect the taste of the students and the target audience. Currently, The WAWL’s listeners encompass all ages, but most are in the 16 to 35-year-old age range.
In addition to Bob Riley, program director, Don Hixon, who has been with the station for approximately 15 years, is the only other full-time staff member at the WAWL. Mr. Hixon, better known as Uncle Don, is the host of the WAWL’s popular morning show. He plays a blend of new alternative and classic rock favorites
Over the years, Mr. Riley has mentored such local on-air personalities as “Captain” Bobby Byrd and “Big Al” McClure. Other area personalities such as, Suzie Luther and Kelly McCoy, are Chattanooga State/WAWL alumni who got their start in radio at the station. Former WCSO disc jockey Steve Little was the first graduate from the broadcasting program to receive an associate’s degree. Little’s son, Matthew, is a graduate of Chattanooga State and also worked as a deejay at the WAWL.
Other sponsors of the event include Engima, Hamilton Car Wash, McKay Used Books & CD’s, Fast Food and Fuel, the Olympic Diner, and Chattanooga State’s Student Life.
To learn about the WAWL’s format and on-air personalities, go to www.wawl.org. For more information about the 25th anniversary celebration call Heidi Cawood at 697-2451 or e-mail her at heidi.cawood@chattanoogastate.edu.
Brad Passons