WETS-FM 50 and Beyond

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.

exterior photo of the WETS-FM entrance

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

1973

February 1973

Local radio host Richard Ellis is hired to manage a proposed FM station for ETSU in February 1973.
1974

February 26, 1974

WETS-FM begins broadcasting from a converted two-story house on the ETSU campus.
1980

The Satellite Age

WETS-FM enters the satellite age as NPR becomes the first all-satellite network.
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.
1988

November 1988

The new WETS-FM studio is completed in November.
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.
1993

August 1993

Wayne Winkler is named the new manager in August.
1995

July 1995

In July, a new translator brings the WETS signal to Lenoir, North Carolina.
1999

Presidential Distinguished Lecture Series

WETS-FM and the Presidential Distinguished Lecture Series host Linda Wertheimer from National Public Radio.
2001

January 9, 2001

WETS-FM's new website boosts station presence, online streaming, and the ability to accept online donations.
2001

Early 2001

WETS-FM documentaries on Melungeons win Communicator Awards.
2004

30 Years

WETS-FM celebrates its 30th anniversary in spring by bringing to campus Bob Edwards, host of NPR’s “Morning Edition.”
2014

40 Years

WETS-FM celebrates its 40th anniversary, reflecting on its storied history and thanking listeners for their support through hardship.
2020

New Transmission Tower

Loyal listeners of WETS-FM help raise funds toward the replacement of the station’s original transmission tower.
2022

Signing Off

Wayne Winkler retires as the longtime WETS Station Manager but continues to help out with various projects.
2022

New Management

Chad Barrett is named the new station manager.
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.
2024

50 Years and Beyond

WETS-FM celebrates 50 years of broadcasting excellence all year long.