WKBA

According to the 1960 Broadcasting Yearbook, the original construction permit for WKBA was held WYTI Inc. and the call letters were to be WODI. Roanoke Vinton Radio (owned by Stuart W. Epperson) purchased the CP from Les Williams on October 10, 1960 and on October 9, 1961 went on the air with 1,000 watts with a Country - Gospel & Religious format. The staff included Mike Hanes, commercial manager; Bill Franklin, program director; Betty Bevins, promotion manager; Eddy Hale, news director; and Jack Mullens, chief engineer. Over the years Cliff Davis, Cousin Zeke, Frankie Lois, Buddy Mark (Ben Peyton), Don McGraw, Marvin Parsons, Bo Wiley, Jerry Walker, and Sonny Wright (Sonny Wagoner) were added to the staff.

In 1966 the power was increased to 10,000 watts, Because 1550 is a clear channel frequiency a two-tower directional antenna system had to be used to protect CBC in Windsor, Canada.

Pictured above was the top 15 songs played on WKBA - Ben Peyton, program director was able to get a jingle company out of Dallas to record the "KB Cowboy" jingles. Click here to listen.

Over the years, WKBA worked with local promoters to bring the top country stars to the valley. Most of the shows were held in the American theater. Pictured below is George Jones, with his backup band the "Jones Boys", singing "The Race is On".

In 1982 David Moran, a longtime fixture in broadcasting, purchased WKBA. Dave's Tinker Creek Broadcasters also operates WKPA in Lynchburg.

WKBA is one of America's oldest continuous ministry broadcasters. The Ministry Station is actually three powerful stations in one, with simultaneous broadcasting from Roanoke, Virginia at 1550 AM,  Lynchburg, Virginia at 1390 AM, and on the world wide web at wkbaradio.com. The Broadcast equipment is top of the line which includes a solid state Nautel 10 KW transmitter and Google Radio Automation. (pictured below)