UPDATE: Due to ongoing interference and construction at the transmitter site, WETS-FM has decided to move its spring fund drive dates to May 20-25.
WETS-FM is celebrating 50 years of broadcasting excellence, community service and listener loyalty during its annual spring fund drive from May 20-25.
WETS-FM 89.5, a local public radio station and National Public Radio affiliate, will
begin taking donations for the drive from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, May 20 through that Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Donations are also accepted anytime online. They aim to reach a donation goal of
$75,000.
“Fifty years is an incredible accomplishment for the station and for the community,”
said Chad Barrett, WETS-FM station director. “We’re excited to celebrate half a century
of high-quality programming, but we don’t just want to make this about us. We want
to celebrate our listeners, because we got this far thanks to them.”
It all started in 1973 when local radio legend Richard “Little Richard” Ellis was
hired to manage a proposed FM station on the East Tennessee State University campus.
WETS-FM officially began broadcasting as an NPR affiliate on Feb. 26, 1974. In the
beginning, the station was on air for just 12 hours a day, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.,
switching to the familiar 24-hour broadcasting model in 1989.
WETS-FM Studio in April 1994.
One of WETS-FM’s most notable achievements was “Down Home Music,” a series produced by former Program Director Phil Leonard that was once carried by almost 100 stations nationwide.
WETS-FM has also held special NPR Talent visits for listeners, including former “All Things Considered” host Linda Wertheimer and former “Morning Edition” host Bob Edwards. The station plans to bring more familiar voices to campus in the near future.
Today, WETS-FM operates at 89.5 MHz in the Tri-Cities Tennessee/Virginia/North Carolina region and online, covering everything from local news and music to iconic NPR programs. This summer, the station will install a brand-new radio tower on top of Holston Mountain, maintaining quality broadcast coverage for listeners.
“In celebration of our 50th, we want to honor not only our rich history but also our deep commitment to serving our community,” said Barrett. “From financial contributions to years of tuning in, our listeners have supported us through it all, and we will continue to give back. We’re excited to introduce some special gifts to our listeners this year.”
WETS-FM asks for volunteers to answer phones and take donations, especially in the mornings and evenings. Listeners interested in helping the station or giving a listener testimonial may email barrettcw@etsu.edu or leave a voicemail at (888) 895-9387 expressing interest and available hours.
Find more ways to celebrate WETS-FM's 50th anniversary at wets.org.
WETS-FM Timeline
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1973
February 1973
Local radio host Richard Ellis is hired to manage a proposed FM station for ETSU in February 1973.
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1974
February 26, 1974
WETS-FM begins broadcasting from a converted two-story house on the ETSU campus.
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1980
The Satellite Age
WETS-FM enters the satellite age as NPR becomes the first all-satellite network.
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1984
January 1984
“Down Home Music,” produced by WETS Program Director Phil Leonard, begins national distribution in January. The series was carried by nearly 100 stations nationwide.
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1988
November 1988
The new WETS-FM studio is completed in November.
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1993
Richard F. Ellis Hall
The station building is dedicated as “Richard F. Ellis Hall” in January in honor of the longtime station manager, who passed away two weeks later.
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1993
August 1993
Wayne Winkler is named the new manager in August.
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1995
July 1995
In July, a new translator brings the WETS signal to Lenoir, North Carolina.
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1999
Presidential Distinguished Lecture Series
WETS-FM and the Presidential Distinguished Lecture Series host Linda Wertheimer from National Public Radio.
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2001
January 9, 2001
WETS-FM's new website boosts station presence, online streaming, and the ability to accept online donations.
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2001
Early 2001
WETS-FM documentaries on Melungeons win Communicator Awards.
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2004
30 Years
WETS-FM celebrates its 30th anniversary in spring by bringing to campus Bob Edwards, host of NPR’s “Morning Edition.”
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2014
40 Years
WETS-FM celebrates its 40th anniversary, reflecting on its storied history and thanking listeners for their support through hardship.
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2020
New Transmission Tower
Loyal listeners of WETS-FM help raise funds toward the replacement of the station’s original transmission tower.
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2022
Signing Off
Wayne Winkler retires as the longtime WETS Station Manager but continues to help out with various projects.
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2022
New Management
Chad Barrett is named the new station manager.
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2023
June 30, 2023
Fred Sauceman steps down after a decade as news director on June 30. He continues to work on the “Vital Voices” program as well as record underwriting credits and public service announcements.
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2024
50 Years and Beyond
WETS-FM celebrates 50 years of broadcasting excellence all year long.
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