History
Early Years
WESC-FM sign-on, signed on the air in March 1948 as the FM sister station to WESC (AM), WESC 660, simulcasting its country music format. In the late 1960s, WESC-FM switched to beautiful music while WESC 660 remained a country outlet. WESC-AM-FM returned to a country music simulcast in the 1980s, although there were times the AM station aired separate programming, leaning toward classic country. WESC-AM-FM were acquired in 1998 by San Antonio-based Clear Channel Communications. In 2014, Clear Channel changed its name to iHeartMedia. In 2000, the simulcast was split apart. WESC-FM retained its country format, while WESC 660 was leased to the Radio Training Network, which programmed a Christian talk and teaching format in conjunction with 89.3 WLFJ-FM. The local marketing agreement (LMA) ended in August 2019, after which the two stations returned to their prior simulcast.Move Toward Classic Country
In 2001, WESC-FM adjusted its format to Classic country, classic-leaning country, in a move to separate itself from co-owned 100.5 WSSL-FM, which has a more youthful country sound. Although there is overlap with WSSL-FM, WESC distinguished itself by playing more 'genuine/raw' current selections along with hits from the early 1990s and before, sometimes going back to the 1970s. In the late 2010s, the station abandoned all current or recurrent hits and now strictly plays country music from the 1980s through the 2000s, with an occasional 1970s or earlier and song from the early 2010s played. It is also the area's network affiliate for NASCAR, often calling itself "Your Racin' Station." WESC-FM has a half-century heritage as a country music station. In the 1980s and 90s, it was sometimes #1 in the Greenville-Spartanburg Arbitron ratings.Country Heartlines
WESC-FM was the home station for the radio syndication, syndicated radio show "Country Heartlines," hosted by John Crenshaw. A nationalized version of Crenshaw’s Cryin’ Lovin’ Laugin’ or Leavin’ show, the program was popular in the 1990s and at one time was carried on over 80 FM stations across the country. The show consisted of a format of country songs played in between callers calling in with a mix of relationship and love related problems, of which Crenshaw and other listeners would give advice and a lending ear. The syndicated show fully ended in 2011.Transmitter
WESC-FM has an effective radiated power (ERP) of 100,000 watts, the highest power permitted for most FM stations.References
External links