Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, May 28, 1993 TAG: 9305280263
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: ROBERT RIVENBARK SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES & WORLD-NEWS
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
WKEX-AM 1430 in Blacksburg changed that in September when the former country station switched its format to big-band. According to Station Manager Bob Smith, WKEX is the only station within a 100-mile radius of Blacksburg offering daily doses of the likes of Glen Miller, Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, Les Brown, Gene Krupa, Sammy Kaye, Count Basie and Lionel Hampton.
It's also the only one featuring such singers and groups as Frank Sinatra, Robert Goulet, Nat "King" Cole, Doris Day, Peggy Lee, the Ames Brothers, the Four Lads, the Ink Spots, the McGuire Sisters and Mitch Miller's Gang.
"This isn't easy-listening music - what some people call elevator music," Smith said. "We try to put the emphasis on bright music, the best of the big-band sound."
When Smith came to WKEX in 1985, the station was under contract with a music satellite network to play adult-contemporary music. When the contract ran out, Smith switched the format to country.
The seeds for the change to big-band were planted on trips he made to Eastern Shore when he listened to WTVR-AM, a big-band station in Richmond.
He enjoyed it so much that he began corresponding with WTVR's station manager to get information about available programming. By 1992 he was confident enough to make the switch to the big-band sound at WKEX.
"New River Valley is a good place for a big-band station," Smith said. "It's a very cultured community, and I thought the people around here would like it. I tested the waters before I decided, asking members of the Rotary Club and other organizations how they would respond to the change, and they seemed to like the idea."
After Smith made the switch, letters poured in expressing delight with the music. Many came from World War II-era folks who, like Smith, grew up on big bands. Smith said he hopes to attract younger listeners as well.
"The college students in the area already go for jazz, and we try to work some jazz into our format," he said. "I'd even be willing to have some modern jazz programs, maybe on Saturday."
Big bands can be heard on WKEX Monday through Friday. Smith himself spins discs and offers commentary weekdays from 7 to 9 a.m. Heather Massey takes over from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Carl Castello from 2 to 6 p.m.
WKEX features two syndicated big-band shows. "Big Band Jump," a compendium of the best in big-band selections, runs Mondays and Wednesdays from 12:05 to 1 p.m. "Waxworks," an interview show that also features big-band-era radio programs, airs Monday through Friday from 1:05 to 2 p.m.
Smith decided to keep WKEX's country-gospel format on weekends.
Weekend DJ Dan Leary spins country discs, and the station features the "Nashville Record Review," featuring Nashville personalities Crook and Chase, on Saturday afternoons.
Saturdays and Sundays from 7 to 8:30 a.m. the Rev. Carl Ratcliffe conducts the "Gospel Time" program.
The station features an all-spiritual program on Sunday, and broadcasts live from Glade Baptist Church in Blacksburg at 8:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.
Pat Boone's "Christian Contemporary Music" airs Sundays from 4:05 to 5 p.m.
Memo: ***CORRECTION***