WRKE
(910 Khz 1kw daytimer)

WRKE was the first station to make claim to the 910 frequency in the Roanoke Valley and the sixth to go on the air. WRKE signed on April 22, 1957. The studios were on the fourth floor of the American Theater building on Jefferson Street. In a news release it said the station played popular music during the week and Baltimore Orioles baseball games will be aired on the weekend. WRKE was owned and operated by Elmore D. Heins. The transmitter is located on Clay Street in Southeast Roanoke. Heins also owned a group of theaters in Roanoke including the Jefferson, the American, the Grandin and Lee. WRKE duplicated programming styles of existing stations and did not attract enough listeners.

WRKE was sold to Tarlow and Associates of Boston. The call letters were changed to WHYE. The WRKE call letters are now being used on Roanoke College's low power FM student radio station.

Johnny Mills - Back in Virginia after a successful afternoon show in El Paso, Texas. Served three years in the Air Force, has sung with named bands. On WRKE at 11:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.

 

Ron Lindamood - Heard twice daily, Mondays thru Fridays. The former Pulaski native and WDBJ deejay, just returned from the service, fills the 910 spot at 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

 

Tom Wade - Station and commercial manager. Virginia native with varied career as announcer, newscaster, and program director. Most recently Sales Manager with a group of stations in Kentucky.

 

Sid Tear - Assistant Manager, Program Director and popular wakeup man with a vast Roanoke following. Heard weekday mornings 6:30 a.m. until 9:00 a.m.

 

Charlie Grant - Georgia hillbilly with refreshing new approach to music "country style" - Mornings at 5:30 a.m. and evenings at 6:00 p.m.

 

Ray Mills - Chief Engineer. Heading engineering of the station he designed and built after gaining know-how with a Washington area station. Roanoke Native.

 

Glen McClellan - Personal young salesman served in Roanoke and Washington area with Reuben H. Donnelly Advertising.