WMSR (AM)
WMSR (1320 AM, "Thunder Radio") is an American broadcast radio station licensed to serve the community of Manchester, Tennessee. The station's broadcast license is held by Coffee County Broadcasting, Inc. WMSR programming is also broadcast on 106.7 FM via broadcast translator W294CV and on 107.9 FM via W300BL.
![]() | |
City | Manchester, Tennessee |
---|---|
Broadcast area | Southern Middle Tennessee |
Frequency | 1320 kHz |
Branding | Thunder Radio |
Slogan | "Your Hometown Station" |
Programming | |
Language(s) | English |
Format | News/Talk |
Ownership | |
Owner | Coffee County Broadcasting, Inc. |
History | |
Call sign meaning | Manchester |
Technical information | |
Facility ID | 12205 |
Class | D |
Power | 5,000 watts (day) 79 watts (night) |
Transmitter coordinates | 35°28′03″N 86°05′42″W |
Translator(s) | W294CV (106.7 MHz, Tullahoma) W300BL (107.9 MHz, Manchester) |
Links | |
Website | www |
WMSR went on the air with 1000 Watts in 1957, owned by the late Murray Chumley. Studios were located on the McMinnville Highway one block away from Highway 41 intersection in a small strip center (now demolished). Programming was a mix of Country and Rock. The transmitter was located on Oakdale St.
In 1962 new studios were constructed adjacent to the transmitter/tower, power was increased to 5000 Watts and WMSR FM at 99.7 went on the air with 20,000 Watts E.R.P. The FM station was converted to stereo in 1966. The format was easy listening, automated in daytime, live at night. WMSR was an affiliate of The Mutual Broadcasting System, and a member of N.A.B. FM Power was increased to 30,000 Watts E.R.P. in 1979, and the automation was upgraded to Harris 9002 microcomputer control. Some of the original air personalities were: Chuck Rigney, Joe Sullivan, Dale Hendrix, Creed Crowder, Roy Wood, Martha Grider, Jim Vernon, Ken Burger, Jim Gilmore, Johnny Hill, Jim Wegner, Murray Chumley, Russ Daniel, Roger Dotson, Libby St John, Don Aaron, Gary Beaty, Fritz Niggeler and Vernon Bogle. Engineers were Bill Spraggins and Norman "Sarge" Reynolds. Football/Basketball Sports Director was Winston Wallace.
The station was known for having the latest and best equipment available, primarily RCA, Collins and Gates. The FM was notable for its pristine audio. In addition to the main studios, WMSR had a fully equipped mobile studio.
Programming
WMSR broadcasts a news/talk format to the southern Middle Tennessee area.[1] Local programming on WMSR includes a daily morning show, a weekday talk show titled "Straight Talk", a tradio program called "Swap and Shop", plus specialty programs which include "Behind the Wheel" and "The Fan Zone" on Mondays, "Unity Health Hour" on Tuesdays, "The Sports Page" on Thursdays, and "Under the Roof" on Fridays. Specialty weekend music programming includes "Bluegrass Crossroads"[2] and "Music Memories" and religious broadcasts of "Faith, Hope, and Praise".
WMSR provides live broadcasts of Coffee County Central High School athletics, including football, men's and women's basketball, baseball, and softball. It is also an affiliate of the Atlanta Braves,[3] Tennessee Titans,[4] Nashville Predators,[5] and Vanderbilt Commodores.[6] National news is provided by CBS Radio. Syndicated programming includes Coast to Coast AM,[7] a delayed broadcast of Rick and Bubba,[8] and a financial advice talk show hosted by Dave Ramsey.[9]
References
- "Station Information Profile". Nielsen Audio. Retrieved September 30, 2015.
- Hurst, Rebekah (August 20, 2015). "Manchester's Becky Buller nominated for seven bluegrass awards". The Manchester Times. Retrieved September 30, 2015.
- "Braves Radio Network". Atlanta Braves. Retrieved September 30, 2015.
- "Stations in Tennessee". Tennessee Titans. Retrieved September 30, 2015.
- "Preds & Cromwell Group Extend Radio Partnership". Nashville Predators. August 25, 2011. Retrieved September 30, 2015.
- "Commodore Radio Affiliates". Vanderbilt Commodores. Retrieved September 30, 2015.
- "Tennessee Stations". Coast to Coast AM. Retrieved September 30, 2015.
- "Affiliates". Rick and Bubba. September 30, 2015.
- "Find A Station". Dave Ramsey. Retrieved September 30, 2015.
External links
- WMSR in the FCC's AM station database
- WMSR on Radio-Locator
- WMSR in Nielsen Audio's AM station database