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WGWG Radio announces new format.... The RANGE 88.3
Jeff Powell is positioned in the main studio with the “show and tell” equipment that stores over 130,000 musical choices.
Watch Gardner Webb Grow!
The inception of Gardner-Webb’s radio station started as a radio club in the early 1960’s. Then, local radio stations would utilize the club members in their programming. The group came up with the call letters W-G-W-G “Watch Gardner Webb Grow”. The call letters seems to be very prophetic of what the years were to bring. In 1974 the college launched their own 50,000 watt FM radio station and went on the air.
The station now exists in the former home of GWU’s legendary President, Philip Lovin Elliott (1943 to 1961), at 106 Emily Lane in Boiling Springs and is the headquarters for the University’s public relations and communications offices.
Last year, the administration requested a re-evaluation of the radio station. They wanted to broaden WGWG’s appeal, both in public service for our communities and promoting the university. To achieve these goals and expand the listener base, over six months of planning, in-depth research, and listener input were noted by Noel T. Manning, II, General Manager;  Jeff Powell, Operations Manager/Program Director and Paul Foster, Sales and Marketing Manager. Long hours in music programming research and competitive factors finally resulted in the new (The RANGE) format. The RANGE presents a fresh and diverse “on air” presentation.
They chose the name “The RANGE” because the new programming explores a “wide range” of 60 years of  music. It is a reflection and merger of classic rock, motown, country crossover, today’s hits and deep album cuts. Thus far, the station has programmed over 130,000 music selections. Noel Manning said “We’re insistent upon getting the listeners involved in the new format” and are constantly asking for listener input. The 50,000 watt station is quite unique amongst other university radio stations, as there are only a few that exist in the country with that amount of power.
The new WGWG went on the air with “The RANGE” format on December 26, 2010. Although no radio audit survey is yet available, the resulting reaction, phone calls, emails and letters are indicating that the listeners and sponsors like the changes. The station is nonprofit and non commercial, but does offer supporters “business card” airtime. It also can be heard world-wide at WGWG.org.
On the day that I was there, Noel asked me to make a request. I asked for the Rolling Stones song “Satisfaction”. In less than a minute my request was “on the air”. Without a doubt, 88.3 FM has become one of my favorites and is now the number one preset on my radio.

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