News

With new FM signal, WHKP going country

By Bill Moss, Published: July 11, 2015

As it nears a projected July 20 sign-on for its new 107.7 FM signal, WHKP is going country and switching its afternoon drivetime host.

Crews have started work to erect specialized antennas on a Morris Broadband tower overlooking a peak just off Highway 191. Work started late last
week and is continuing over the weekend. President and General Manager Art Cooley said the work is making possible a projected go-live on Monday, July 20.

With the imminent sign-on of the new FM signal, News and Program Director Larry Freeman announced programming changes on WHKP.

Current mid-morning host Tyler Sams will move to 3 to 6 in the afternoon while longtime WHKP personality and newsman Tippy Creswell will host live broadcasts from 10 to noon weekdays. The station will also switch to a simulcast of classic and contemporary country music. The station will continue to broadcast local and FOX national news and commentary and the Rush Limbaugh show. In authorizing the FM signal, the FCC required that the same programming be broadcast on the FM station and AM station, Cooley said.

The local station is technically going back to country roots.

Founded in 1946, WHKP developed one of the original FM stations in the Western North Carolina back in the 1950s, which grew into the 102.5 WKIT FM (Kit Kountry) powerhouse in the 1970s and 80s. Though the new translator at 107.7 FM is radically different from FM broadcasting in previous years, Cooley points out it will continue WHKP’s tradition as a “heritage” broadcast leader in the region.

With the start-up of 107.7, an introductory contest will be implemented, with registration boxes featured in more than 50 stores throughout Henderson County. Customers will be invited to register for an all-expense paid trip for two to Nashville including reserved seats at the Grand Ole Opry. The winners will fly direct to Nashville from the Asheville Regional Airport and stay for three nights at the luxurious Gaylord Opryland Hotel, enjoy a historic riverboat dinner cruise and be presented with spending money while in Nashville.