WKEW
title: "WKEW" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["gospel-radio-stations-in-the-united-states", "christian-radio-stations-in-north-carolina"] topic_path: "geography/united-states" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WKEW" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::data[format=table title="Infobox radio station"]
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| name | WKEW |
| above | Simulcast of WPOL Winston-Salem |
| city | Greensboro, North Carolina |
| area | Piedmont Triad |
| branding | The Light |
| airdate | |
| frequency | |
| translator | |
| format | Gospel music |
| power | |
| class | C |
| facility_id | 73156 |
| coordinates | |
| owner | Truth Broadcasting Corporation |
| sister_stations | |
| webcast | Listen Live |
| website | lightthetriad.com |
| licensing_authority | FCC |
| :: |
| name = WKEW | logo = | above = Simulcast of WPOL Winston-Salem | city = Greensboro, North Carolina | area = Piedmont Triad | branding = The Light | airdate = | frequency = | repeater = | translator = | format = Gospel music | power = | erp = | haat = | class = C | facility_id = 73156 | coordinates = | callsign_meaning = | former_callsigns = | owner = Truth Broadcasting Corporation | licensee = | sister_stations = | webcast = Listen Live | website = lightthetriad.com | affiliations = | licensing_authority= FCC
WKEW (1400 AM) is a commercial radio station broadcasting a Gospel music radio format. Licensed to Greensboro, North Carolina, US, the station is owned by Truth Broadcasting Corporation. In Greensboro and nearby communities, WKEW can also be heard on an FM translator at 96.3 MHz, for listeners who prefer FM radio. It is also simulcast on sister station 1340 kHz WPOL in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
It runs the Erica Campbell nationally syndicated morning show as well as other syndicated and local gospel and religious shows aimed at the African-American community.
History
WGBG ("We're Going to Beat Germany") signed on 10 months before the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, playing such artists as Glenn Miller and Artie Shaw.
John Cirt Gill, Jr., known as "Jam-A-Ditty", became the state's first African American disc jockey in 1949.
Disc jockey Rick Dees began his career at WGBG, which was called "Top Gun Radio". Another student at Grimsley High School dared him to audition, and he succeeded.
Dusty Dunn began his 44-year career at WGBG "when The Beatles were the next big thing." In the early 1980s, he returned to the station (which was WKEW by that time) to do a four-hour morning talk show. Open Line, Greensboro's first talk show hosted by Ken Karns moved to WKEW in November 1986 when WBIG 1470 signed off.
In 1980, Bill Mitchell bought WGBG and changed its callsign to WKEW. The station also became the first full-time news/talk station in Greensboro.
On September 3, 1998, WKEW changed to Radio Disney, a radio format designed for children.
Truth Broadcasting bought WKEW in 2000. In November 2000, Radio Disney moved to 1320 WCOG and WKEW began simulcasting the same programming as WPOL in Winston-Salem. Submitted by Ken Karns--
Translators
In addition to the AM signal, WKEW is relayed by an FM translator.
| call1 = W242CD | watts1 = 250 | class1 = D | freq1 = 96.3 | city1 = Greensboro, North Carolina | fid1 = 142274
References
References
- Rowe, Jeri. (September 3, 1998). "A Mouse in the House - WKEW, Greensboro's Longtime News-Talk Station, Will Become a Radio Disney Affiliate Today". Greensboro News & Record.
- Fernandez, Jennifer. (February 7, 2021). "Guilford County Black history, from A to Z". Greensboro News & Record.
- "From the Mouth of the South to the Hall of Fame".
- "Disco Profiles - Rick Dees".
- (April 2007). "NAB Award Winner--Rick Dees". Radio Journal.
- Rowe, Jeri. (May 28, 2008). "Greensboro’s voice is signing off". Greensboro News & Record.
- Rowe, Jeri. (December 5, 2000). ""King" of Local Radio Dies at Age 78 - Radio Pioneer Bill Mitchell Helped Introduce Rock 'n' Roll to the City.". Greensboro News & Record.
- (August 9, 2000). "Lorillard Starts Governmental Section". Greensboro News & Record.
- (December 20, 2000). "Dillon Fence Reunites for N.C. Performances". Greensboro News & Record.
- (August 1, 2001). "Gospel Music AM Station Is Catching On". Greensboro News & Record.
- "W242CD Radio Station Information".
::callout[type=info title="Wikipedia Source"] This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page. ::