- published: 21 Aug 2015
- views: 852
WFNZ (610 AM), also known as "610 AM The Fan", is a Sports Talk format radio station in Charlotte, North Carolina. Owned by Beasley Broadcast Group, the studios are located on South Boulevard in Charlotte's South End, while its transmitter is located at the site of its former studios on Radio Road in the Oakdale neighborhood of northwest Charlotte.
WFNZ is broadcast in HD on sister stations WPEG-HD3, WBAV-FM-HD3 and WSOC-FM-HD3. WFNZ is licensed by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to broadcast in HD.
WFNZ signed on in 1941 as WAYS (AM), airing a full-service format. By the 1960s, WAYS was Charlotte's lowest-rated station. The station's studios were in such bad shape, cats were needed to control the rodents. Stan and Sis Kaplan of Boston bought WAYS in 1965 for $550,000. Beginning in June of that year, "Big WAYS" aired an energetic Top 40 format which was considered "an alien sound in the Carolinas", knocking conservative WBT out of first place and eventually becoming the highest-rated Top 40 station in the country and the 15th most popular station overall. One reason was the Treasure Hunt, where people had to listen to clues from "Mr. Treasure" (Jack Gale) telling them how to find a $1,000 coupon. News director C. Michael Blackwell would interview winners. Personalities included John Kilgo, Jack Pride, Tom Kinard, Jack Armstrong, Pete Ray of "The Pete Ray-D-O Show", Dick Blanchard, and Long John Silver. WAYS jocks who went on to greater fame included Morton Downey Jr., actor Jay Thomas, and Robert Murphy (who had success in Chicago). Eventually, the morning show was simulcast on both WAYS and sister FM WROQ. Larry Sprinkle, now a WCNC-TV morning weather personality, also worked at the stations. They were known for lampooning The PTL Club with Bill Taker of the Pass the Loot Club.
Don't listen to the radio
Hear something that ya ready know
I got no radio
Don't speak upon the telephone
Hear somethin' that you're never shown
I got no telephone
Get out the way today
(Oh yeah I say)
Get out the way today
(Oh yeah I say)
Don't listen to the TV show
Feel someone that you ready know
I got no T.V.O
Get out the way today
(Oh yeah I say)
Get out the way today