Let's go back, way back, 30 years...and look at WIVK in 1978!
The station was still located on Bearden Hill, and the new addition had not yet been built.
As the year began here was the line up-
6 Claude Tomlinson
10 Jimmy Vineyard
1 Bobby Denton
3 Dave Young
7 Donny Meltabarger
12 Terry Womack
Plus, the AM and FM were split during middays with Ed Brantley and Jean Ash hosting programs on AM 850.
The award winning news department featured anchors Mike Hammond, Mark Thomas, and Dan Bell. Reporters included Rod Townsend and Nancy Stallard.
Weekend DJ's were George Michael, Bob Thomas, Randy Miller, and Jeff Winters.
Big hits in January were Johnny Paycheck's Take This Job...and Larry Gatlin's I Just Wish You Were Someone I Loved!
In late January Suitcase Simpson returned from his brief stay at 15Q.
February 4 welcomed the first shindig of the new year at the civic coloseum. It featured Bobby Borchers, Reba McIntire, Ray Stevens, and Mickey Gilley.
On Sunday April 16, The Joe Show (Joe Grant) returned to WIVK as a weekender replacing Jeff Winters. Joe also began working the 7p to sign off show on the AM.
In May Randy Miller, weekend overnight DJ, began his career ascent by becoming afternoon DJ at WATO Oak Ridge. He continued his weekends at WIVK. May also saw Arch Bishop becoming a weekender.
The week of May 29 saw Knoxville's Con Hunley reach #1 on the Sounds of the 70's survey with his hit 'Weekend Friend'.
In '78 Bobby Denton was the station manager, Mike Hammond news director, Bob Kesling was sports director, and Judy Wheeler was the sales manager.
By summertime, Dandy Don had exited and the popular Joe Show was ruling nights in Ktown! Late summer saw Randy Miller exit his weekend gig...
As the year was winding down, another stellar line up appeared at the November Shindig...Bill Anderson, Jacky Ward, Dave and Sugar, and Johnny Russell were on the card.
BTW...on November 7, Lamar Alexander beat Jake Butcher to become Tennessee's Governor...and 3 weeks later Ed Brantley celebrated his birthday!
1978 ended with Ed Rupp joining the DJ staff to replace Arch Bishop on the weekend overnight show. Hey, ain't Ed still around!!!
And finally, in case you were wondering, WIVK was rated #1 back in 1978 too!!!
Got a great '78 story? Send it our way- KtownRadio@gmail.com
The station was still located on Bearden Hill, and the new addition had not yet been built.
As the year began here was the line up-
6 Claude Tomlinson
10 Jimmy Vineyard
1 Bobby Denton
3 Dave Young
7 Donny Meltabarger
12 Terry Womack
Plus, the AM and FM were split during middays with Ed Brantley and Jean Ash hosting programs on AM 850.
The award winning news department featured anchors Mike Hammond, Mark Thomas, and Dan Bell. Reporters included Rod Townsend and Nancy Stallard.
Weekend DJ's were George Michael, Bob Thomas, Randy Miller, and Jeff Winters.
Big hits in January were Johnny Paycheck's Take This Job...and Larry Gatlin's I Just Wish You Were Someone I Loved!
In late January Suitcase Simpson returned from his brief stay at 15Q.
February 4 welcomed the first shindig of the new year at the civic coloseum. It featured Bobby Borchers, Reba McIntire, Ray Stevens, and Mickey Gilley.
On Sunday April 16, The Joe Show (Joe Grant) returned to WIVK as a weekender replacing Jeff Winters. Joe also began working the 7p to sign off show on the AM.
In May Randy Miller, weekend overnight DJ, began his career ascent by becoming afternoon DJ at WATO Oak Ridge. He continued his weekends at WIVK. May also saw Arch Bishop becoming a weekender.
The week of May 29 saw Knoxville's Con Hunley reach #1 on the Sounds of the 70's survey with his hit 'Weekend Friend'.
In '78 Bobby Denton was the station manager, Mike Hammond news director, Bob Kesling was sports director, and Judy Wheeler was the sales manager.
By summertime, Dandy Don had exited and the popular Joe Show was ruling nights in Ktown! Late summer saw Randy Miller exit his weekend gig...
As the year was winding down, another stellar line up appeared at the November Shindig...Bill Anderson, Jacky Ward, Dave and Sugar, and Johnny Russell were on the card.
BTW...on November 7, Lamar Alexander beat Jake Butcher to become Tennessee's Governor...and 3 weeks later Ed Brantley celebrated his birthday!
1978 ended with Ed Rupp joining the DJ staff to replace Arch Bishop on the weekend overnight show. Hey, ain't Ed still around!!!
And finally, in case you were wondering, WIVK was rated #1 back in 1978 too!!!
Got a great '78 story? Send it our way- KtownRadio@gmail.com