Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/346859
20 UCW JULY 16-22, 2014 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM In the Buzz this week we highlight a milestone for a local Christian radio station. The year was 1994. A gallon of milk was 59 cents and a gallon of gas would set you back a whole $1.04. Forrest Gump and The Lion King were in theaters that year and in June of 1994, a very slow chase on a California freeway captured headlines. 20 Years of Local Radio Ministry: Twenty years ago, some of the top songs of the year in Christian music were by David Meece, Randy Stonehill and Bryan Duncan. And in June of 1994, the Wilson family from Clinton saw the realization of a dream as WCLN-107.3FM signed on the air. See a Need, Meet a Need The dream began several years earlier when George and Jackie Wilson saw a need and decided to do something about it. A decade before, as they were raising their children, the Wilsons always had Christian radio playing in their home. When the station they had enjoyed no longer reached into the Clinton area, the need became apparent. With no background or experience in radio but with plenty of passion, George and Jackie purchased WCLN AM. Turning Sorrow into Joy A couple of years later, Jackie Wilson was battling a disease that would soon take her life. In the midst of the physical and emotional pain, she encouraged her husband to pursue an FM signal so more families could receive the ministry of Christian radio as their family had. Not long after her passing, Christian 107.3 came on the air in June of 1998. The Early Days The studios were originally in downtown Clinton, and through the transmitter and tower in Salemburg, a signal was produced that reached into more than fifteen counties. There were some bumps along the way, but with Kathy Klaus as the program director, Van Clough taking care of the engineering, and under the guidance of George Wilson, local Christian music radio on 107.3FM began to flourish. The dream of reaching thousands of families with the hope of Jesus Christ was now a reality. Time to Move With a large portion of the audience residing in Cumberland County, the decision was made to move the studios to Fayetteville. This required the transmitter to be relocated as well. In early 2001, both objectives were accomplished and WCLN FM had a stronger presence and a stronger signal in Fayetteville. The First 20 Years Since the station was birthed twenty years ago many people have come and gone. Though the format is still adult contemporary Christian, the music has changed quite a bit. Some of the programs have been moved and a few have been removed. But one thing has stayed the same, communicating the love of Jesus Christ to families throughout the Cape Fear region is what it is all about. If you tune in to Christian 107.3 you will hear them say often that they are keeping the main thing the main thing. As that continues to drive all that is done through this local radio station, the legacy of George and Jackie Wilson will live on for many more years. CONNECTION Concert Fayetteville's Concert Connection Sponsored by IT'Z ENTERTAINMENT CITY www.itzentertainmentcity.com CROWN CENTER 1960 Coliseum Dr. • 438-4100 www.atthecrown.com July 19 U.S. Army Soldier Show July 20 U.S. Army Soldier Show July 26 Masters of Funk HELLAS RESTAURANT & SPORTS BAR 3041 N. Main Street Hope Mills, NC 28348 (910)426-4040 HUSKE HARDWARE HOUSE 405 Hay Street • 437-9905 www.huskehardware.com DJ Tommy King every Friday and Saturday night MARQUIS MARKET 116 Person St. • 483-1337 marquismarket.com Live Jazz every 4th Friday VILLAGE COFFEE HOUSE 3037 Boone Trail Ext. • 484-4515 1st Saturdays: Scott Johnson 2nd Saturdays: Alexis Howard ITZ ENTERTAINMENT CITY 4118 Legend Ave • 826-2300 July 18 Supersonic July 19 DJ on the Patio July 20 DL Token HILLTOP HOUSE 1240 Fort Bragg Rd. • 484-6699 www.hilltophousenc.com Thursday Live Music STEVE TURLEY, Christian 107.3 COMMENTS? Editor@ upandcomingweekly.com. Celebrating 20 Years of Local Radio Ministry by STEVE TURLEY THE BUZZ