This is the eighth station history post and this next post is for 102.1 which was home to a great AC station known as “U-102”.
102.1 History
102.1 signed on the air on February 3, 1961 as WSEV-FM and was licensed to Sevierville. They aired a variety format with lots of programming including some music programs they aired. In the final years of WSEV-FM, they aired block music programming. For instance, they aired a top 40 program, a country music program, and a rock program.
In early 1981, WSEV-FM 102.1 changed calls to WMYU-FM and became “U-102”, a soft AC/country hybrid that was successful in the first years of the station. The station would evolve to an AC station and on April 1, 1996, WMYU would air oldies programming with “My 102” as their new name. On October 1, 1997, the new name for 102.1 was “Oldies 102”.
On March 9, 2001, WMYU switched formats with WWST. The 93.1 signal became WMYU with an oldies format known as “Oldies 93.1” while 102.1 became “Star 102.1” with new calls, WWST. The name “Star 102.1” is still around today and is playing today’s best hits.
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3 comments:
one of the best stations ever. when it went on the air, it had a strong dj lineup and a very aggressive news department.
the station had its ups and downs, but right up till the end (when jacor started cutting staff in preparation for a sale) it was strong.
Thanks for the kind & accurate comments Derrick!
Toddzilla
WWST/Star 102.1
I had the good fortune to be the chief engineer at the Journal Bdcst stations from 1996 till 1999. In that time I had the distinct pleasure to know and work with Toddzilla. Although he usually allowed no one, employees or visitors, in the room with him while doing the night show on Star, he welcomed me, and had respect for what I did, as I had a great amount of respect for what he did. In 50+ years of being in radio stations in one capacity or another, I have never met a more dedicated radio announcer (to use the old term) than Todd. He knew at 7PM what he would be doing at 9PM every day. He polished, prepared and executed with precision. I was deeply saddened when I learned he has passed away. A bright talent and a person who sincerely loved the radio business.
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