History of WSB Radio. The Listener Has No Radio Receiver? No Problem!

Lambdin Kay, first director of WSB Radio [photo: Library of Congress/Wikimedia/Public Domain]

The early 20th century brought the development of radio waves to the world. Various "amateur inventors" tried to build receivers to capture these strange waves. Often, they used wires of varying thicknesses and metal oatmeal containers. On Christmas Eve 1906, when the inventions of Heinrich Hertz, Guglielmo Marconi, and Lee De Forest combined into “a single creation,” voice and music transmission as we know it today began. A race ensued to build transmitters and radio stations. Not just nations, but also individual cities and companies, wanted their own radio stations. In the U.S., even newspapers joined this “race for primacy.” In 1922, in Atlanta, Georgia, two commercial newspapers competed: Atlanta Journal and Atlanta Constitution.

The idea to broadcast news via radio came from Walter Tison, who had worked on a ship and often heard radio broadcasts. Hoping for a job at the Journal, he presented his idea to the editor-in-chief, John Paschall.

The editor loved the idea. He applied for a broadcasting license, ordered a transmitter, and hired Tison as an assistant to George Iler, the chief engineer. The license arrived on time, authorizing the station to immediately broadcast “news, entertainment, and other similar content” on a frequency of 360 meters (833 kHz) and weather forecasts on a frequency of 485 meters (619 kHz).

Unfortunately, the professional transmitter didn’t arrive, and the competition was also building a station. The principle was clear: the first to broadcast would win. Paschall quickly bought an amateur transmitter from Gordon Hight, one of Georgia’s radio pioneers. Tison and Iler installed it on the roof of the editorial office at 7 Forsyth Street. A makeshift studio was set up on the building’s fifth floor.

Pioneers with Ice Blocks: Welcome South, Brother!

Although the transmitter had only 100 watts of power and ice was used to cool the batteries, Georgia’s first radio station officially began broadcasting on March 15, 1922. It was the second U.S. station owned by a newspaper.

The station was assigned the call letters WSB, which the founders turned into the motto: Welcome South, Brother! The director was Lambdin Kay. The first listeners were greeted in the evening with the overture to the operetta “Light Cavalry” by Franz von Suppé.


Two days later, on March 17, the Constitution (WGM) station began broadcasting, initiating a battle between the two newspapers over the airwaves. The intense competition lasted until July 1923, when WGM ceased broadcasting. By the end of 1922, five other stations had emerged in Atlanta, but WSB led the way. Much of its success was due to Kay, who, despite his short stature, was considered “a giant in radio broadcasting.”

Kay had been a journalist for the Journal for several years. He had also worked in the film industry, running a magazine called Right off the Reel, and owned a small theater. Radio was another challenge, and he rose to it spectacularly. He not only served as the director but also as an announcer, commentator, manager, and creator of “interludes.” Before introducing the next program, he played the opening notes of “Over There” on a small xylophone. In 1927, NBC adopted this idea when it took WSB under its wing and created its signature sound.

Broadcasting from a Truck

During the first months, WSB broadcast 8 hours of programming, including news and music. In September 1922, the station received a second broadcasting frequency—400 meters (750 kHz). This allowed the program to be extended and divided into segments. For enthusiastic night listeners, Kay created a special club called WSB Radiowls, complete with membership cards.

However, broadcasting required an audience, and radio receivers weren’t widely available or affordable. Kay solved this problem creatively. He bought a truck with megaphones, put Harry Daugherty behind the wheel, and tasked him with driving around the city encouraging people to listen to the radio. In popular city spots (parks, squares), broadcasts from the studio were played over the megaphones.

All programs were broadcast live. One of the early stars of the station was Art Gillham, a pianist and songwriter. With his soft voice, Kay nicknamed him “The Whispering Pianist,” a moniker that quickly became his signature.

In the evenings, the studio hosted “live audiences” who participated in various non-musical programs. One of the first interactive programs involved listening to sounds and conversations intercepted from ships at sea. These effects were later formalized into a show titled “Ship on the Ocean.”

Voice of the South Gains Power

WSB quickly captured the hearts of Georgia residents. It introduced new shows featuring entertainment stars of the time, thematic programs, and advertisements for radios produced by local factories. The Journal heavily promoted the station, which soon became known as the “Voice of the South.” The studio on the fifth floor of the editorial office quickly became too small. In 1925, the station moved to the spacious top floor of the Biltmore Hotel, where it remained for 30 years. By June 13, 1922, the station had increased its power to 500 watts.

Nicknamed “The Little Colonel,” Kay introduced numerous innovations that placed WSB among the top state and national stations.

• He began broadcasting church services (April 2, 1922).
• He launched the nation’s first nighttime program (starting at 10:45 PM).
• He turned radio into an educational medium by installing receivers in schools and airing programs for children.
• He established WSB’s University of the Air, offering lectures for students.
• He introduced trends like hillbilly music (early country) and its artists (e.g., John Carson).
• He popularized gospel music on air.
• He created The Unorganized Cheerful Givers, a charity fundraiser where listeners called in to pledge money in exchange for Kay performing tasks, from singing carols to telling jokes.

Until 1927, except for the director, engineers, and secretary Alwida Lindsey (who worked for the station for four decades), there were no full-time employees. Although many artists, composers, and bands regularly performed, no contracts were signed with them.

Kay wasn’t alone in running the station. He was supported by Journal journalists. One was Ernie Rogers, the Atlanta Journal’s entertainment editor. He became “the voice of WSB,” assisting Kay on air and introducing music from records.

As director, Kay often acted as a commentator, covering live events like a massive clothing store fire visible from the studio window. Holding a microphone, he vividly described the firefighters’ battle with the flames. His gripping live report was picked up by other stations and national newspapers.

WSB Heard Across the Nation and Even Beyond the Ocean

Significant changes came to the station in 1927. On January 9, WSB partnered with The National Broadcasting Company. This marked the beginning of advertising and salaried positions. One of the first full-time employees was announcer Roy McMillan. Two years later, in 1929, WSB built its own tower and transmission building in the East Lake district, increasing its power to 5,000 watts.

In the early 1930s, there was a boom in radio stations, which sprang up like mushrooms. In Georgia alone, 19 stations were established. Stronger receivers were also being produced, allowing some stations to be heard beyond their state borders by simply tuning to the correct frequency. WSB and Kay capitalized on this opportunity. Studios were expanded, technical equipment improved, and by 1933, the broadcasting power was increased to 50,000 watts. This made the station audible nationwide and even across the Atlantic Ocean. Its popularity grew mainly due to its music, innovative ideas, and nighttime programming.

In 1931, WSB applied for Georgia’s first television license. However, due to the lack of television sets (the few that existed were primitive), the idea didn’t catch on, and the first TV program would have to wait until 1948.


Lambdin Kay, supported by Ernie Rogers, poured his heart into the station and envisioned it as “something huge,” which turned out to be true. With the backing of the newspaper, he expanded the announcer team, which was anchored by five key members:

• Lou Zoller, also the director of the “Sunset Club” radio program
• Fritz Hirsch, who sold the station’s first ad in 1930
• James Davenport, who stuttered in everyday speech but was fluent on-air
• Marcus Bartlett, a pianist and bedtime story narrator
• Frank Crowther, nicknamed “Red Cross,” who mainly covered sports events

In the 1930s, sports became a cornerstone of American life. WSB and Kay used this interest to expand the station. A sports department was created, led by Morgan Blake, a sports journalist for the Journal, and his colleague OB Keeler, who coined the tennis term grand slam.

Milking a Cow On-Air and the Peabody Awards

The station also brought in reporters to cover live “off-studio” attractions, forming a news section. This team included Hugh Ivey, Walter Paschall (a nephew of the Journal’s editor-in-chief), Douglas Edwards, and Dana Waters.

In addition to news, sports, and music, thematic programs gained popularity. One of the first and most successful over many years was a cultural program, WSB Symphony of Life, authored by writer Edna Lee and starring Mary Nell Ivey Santicoroce.

Education for young people was taken on by the couple Louis T. Rigdon and Edith Miller, who created and hosted the Atlanta Journal School of the Air. All current events were wrapped into a morning show, Morning Merry-Go-Round, hosted by Charles Smithgall and his cow Daisy, which he milked live on-air (with sound effects).

Smithgall wasn’t confined to the studio. When necessary, he hit the road. One of his most notable broadcasts was his live report on April 6, 1936, when a tornado struck Gainesville.

Recognizing the contributions of his colleagues, Lambdin Kay, together with the dean of the School of Journalism at the University of Georgia, John Drewry, created an award for outstanding radio broadcasts. Named after the university`s founder and benefactor, it was called the Peabody Award.

Although the idea was born in 1938, the first ceremony took place in 1941, honoring programs from the previous year. CBS was the first recipient, while WSB received recognition for its outstanding public service. By 1948, television stations were included in the award, followed by cable networks in 1989, “new media” in 2003, and blogs in 2012. Today, the award is presented in 18 categories.

New Leadership at WSB Radio

In December 1939, The Atlanta Journal and WSB Radio were purchased by Ohio governor James Cox. Already the owner of several newspapers and the WHIO radio station, Cox established the conglomerate Cox Enterprises, Inc. This ushered in a new era for the Atlanta station and brought a new director. Cox appointed James Leonard Reinsch as director and Marcus Bartlett as his deputy.

Lambdin Kay remained with the station for another year. However, by the end of 1940, he decided to step away from radio entirely. He passed away on August 15, 1965.

The new director, who had worked at WLS in Chicago while studying advertising at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, had earned the DF Keller Award for his master’s thesis on radio. Between 1934 and 1939, he was responsible for developing WHIO.

Upon taking over at WSB, he focused on dynamic growth, starting with agriculture, which helped popularize new farming methods across the state. He also placed a strong emphasis on advertising, creating a public relations department and appointing Elmo Ellis as its head. Ellis later became the author and producer of the popular We The People program. Between 1952 and 1964, Ellis served as head of management and production before becoming the station’s general manager and a vice president of the conglomerate.

The year 1940 brought new programs that captivated listeners for years. In October, a series honoring each of Georgia’s 159 counties aired, and on November 16, the first broadcast of WSB Barn Dance, featuring hillbilly music stars, was aired.

Men to the Frontlines, Women Behind the Microphones

The following year introduced several new voices to WSB’s airwaves, albeit briefly. When the United States entered World War II in 1941, most of the station’s male staff enlisted. Women then stepped in to fill the void.

The first female voice on WSB belonged to Annie Lee Stagg, who also served as the assistant production manager. She announced the death of President Roosevelt in 1945. In 1944, the second female announcer, Jane Sparks Willingham, joined, hosting the morning show “Morning Merry-Go-Round.”

In 1943, Helen Cox Pogue, a local college student, began working part-time as a sports announcer. She continued with the station until 1947 before joining the Continuity Department in 1976, where she worked for a decade.


Between 1941 and 1945, American radio focused on “programs for soldiers and about soldiers.” Weather reports and any content that could aid enemy intelligence were prohibited. Stations were instead tasked with aiding civil defense efforts and creating programs for soldiers.

In 1942, WSB launched 19 war-related informational programs, along with a series of special broadcasts. The most popular included:

• Camp Crossroads, interviews with soldiers from the Atlanta Serviceman’s Center
• Atlanta Army Reports, answering questions about the war
• The War Mailbag, offering updates on product availability, food rationing, and other wartime challenges in Georgia
• Concert in Miniature, daily live music sessions under conductor and music director Albert Coleman

For its efforts, WSB received the Variety Award in 1942 for outstanding wartime service. The government introduced war bonds, and radio stations helped sell them. In 1943 alone, WSB sold $10 million worth of bonds.

When the Allies prepared for the invasion of Europe in 1944, WSB broadcast 24 hours a day. On June 6, during the famous D-Day landings in Normandy, WSB became the first station in the nation to cover the event, with commentary by Wright Bryan, editor-in-chief of the Atlanta Journal.

First FM Tests and Television

Five months later, on November 16, WSB became the first station in Georgia to experiment with FM broadcasting. However, the first programs on the new WSB-FM station began airing on September 28, 1948, and consisted exclusively of educational content.

After the war, former staff returned to WSB, including Jimmy Bridges. His voice first appeared on the air in spring 1940, but by 1942, he was training pilots. After returning, he quickly found his place behind the microphone, gaining fame in 1946 for his live coverage of the Winecoff Hotel fire.

He created the first television news program (1948) but focused solely on radio from 1953 onward as a news editor. After retiring, he worked as a business reporter, recording his programs from a home studio. His last broadcast aired on December 27, 1982.

Other post-war additions included Lee Jordan, Chuck McClure, Bob Van Camp, and Bob Watson. The latter, despite being a high school student, hosted the program Platter Party.

When the television studio opened in 1948, James Leonard Reinsch became the general manager of the entire company, overseeing newspapers, television, and three radio stations: WIOD Miami, WSB Atlanta, and WHIG Dayton. Although he was ambitious and hardworking, reality set in. In 1951, he officially handed over management of WSB Radio to Elmo Ellis, who immediately began revitalizing the station.

He announced a project titled Removing the Rust from Radio, providing 100 suggestions for improvement, which he distributed to radio managers nationwide. Simultaneously, he published his ideas in industry journals, and WSB branded itself as America’s Radio Active Station. This initiative allowed radio to compete with television, earning Ellis numerous industry awards.

New Formats and Relocation

New, innovative, and original programs began appearing on WSB. One of the first was The Kitchen Klub, where hosts George Crumbley, Bett Johnson, and Lee Morris discussed new music releases over coffee with invited guests. Another program, a quiz show, invited studio audiences to guess the tunes being played. Hosted by Bob Van Camp on the organ, the show It Pays To Listen offered financial rewards to participants.

In 1955, a nationwide interview-based program titled Nightbeat gained immense popularity. Hosted by Jerry Vandevanter, it featured reporters Jim Wesley and Charlie Welsh. This program was the last to be broadcast from the Biltmore Hotel studio, airing its final episode on December 28, 1955. The next day, WSB Radio relocated to a new facility, White Columns, on Peachtree Street. The first broadcast from the new studio was hosted by Mike McDougald. The official inauguration took place on April 8, 1956, with the television studios also moving to the new location.

In the new headquarters, major decisions were made. News and information were previously sourced from newspapers, but Elmo Ellis wanted an independent news department. In 1957, journalist Aubrey Morris from the Atlanta Journal was tasked with creating WSB’s news division.

The task was completed with great success. Morris brought newspapers to radio and became Atlanta’s first radio journalist. He worked at WSB until 1987 and was the inaugural recipient of the Elmo Ellis Spirit Award, presented by the Georgia Radio Hall of Fame in 2008.


Another innovation of the 1950s was the organization of radio conferences for high school students. The first was held in 1959, during which students toured the studios and wrote about their experiences. The best reports received awards, and the most promising students earned scholarships at a local university.

Broadcasts from a Helicopter

While Elmo Ellis’s initiatives helped the station hold its ground, aggressive television competition prompted many changes in radio. Stations began focusing more on regional issues and gradually moved away from live music. DJs and recorded tracks became more common, as this was a much cheaper form of content. Some studios were even converted into record storage facilities.

While some formats faded, others thrived. WSB’s expanding news department began achieving remarkable success. A significant factor in its development was the acquisition of a helicopter in May 1960, leading to the creation of a dedicated traffic section, WSB Skycopter.

By the late 1950s, street reporting gained prominence. Popular street reporters included Jim Axel, Jimmy Dunaway, and Ted Hightower, who once covered a fire at his own home without realizing it. Collaborations between reporters and the helicopter made broadcasts more engaging and credible.

Radio journalists’ work earned praise even from notable figures. During the Cuban Missile Crisis, WSB was among the stations selected by the U.S. government to broadcast a Spanish-language version of “Voice of America.” Later, President John F. Kennedy issued special thanks to the station for its contributions.

Numerous awards followed, with the 1960s bringing a wealth of accolades:

• Outstanding News Operation of the Year,
• The Alfred P. Sloan Radio Award,
• The Edison Foundation National Mass Media Award,

These are just a few examples. Beyond receiving awards, WSB also organized its own contests to attract listeners. Some of the most popular competitions included:

• The Worth Safety Boosters,
• Outstanding Young Americans,
• WSBeavers,
• Great Georgians,
• Great Americans,
• The 750 Award,
• The Sports Scroll.

A Rain of Awards for a Forty-Year-Old

WSB and Elmo Ellis earned a golden reputation in radio broadcasting, not only in Georgia but across the entire country. This was evidenced by congratulations pouring in during 1962 when the station celebrated its 40th anniversary. To mark the occasion, a special program by Jerry Vandevanter was produced.

Listeners received a gift as well. WSB FM began broadcasting in multiplex stereo, and the station launched its own programming. On April 3, 1962, editorial articles aired for the first time in the South. The most prolific contributor, with 120 articles, was Dick Mendenhall, addressing pressing state and national issues such as:

• racial relations
• government and politics
• economy
• crime
• education
• healthcare

For his "articles on air," Mendenhall received awards such as the National Headliners Club Award and the Georgia Associated Press Broadcasters Award.

Numerous WSB journalists were recognized and awarded. However, without the station`s "female contingent," there might have been fewer accolades. Women like Sherrie Johnson, Lynne Hoffman, and Pat Anderson Branning supported their colleagues, with Branning standing out for her coverage of Martin Luther King Jr.`s funeral (she was the only white woman among reporters). Additionally, Jane Bracewell Greneker from the recordings section and Leslie Watson from HR and business, who worked for 40 years, contributed significantly.

In 1969, Elmo Ellis received a personal commendation from President Richard Nixon for his and WSB`s campaign to provide school lunches for needy children. This was just one of many similar initiatives in WSB`s history.

Pioneers of Sports Broadcasting and Opponents of Racial Discrimination

Sports always played a significant role in American life, but the 1960s elevated it to new heights. Basketball, hockey, football, tennis, and golf filled newspaper sports sections and inspired dedicated magazines. WSB embraced this trend as well.

A wave of broadcasts, commentary, and analyses aired daily, sometimes multiple times a day. A dedicated team emerged, including Frank Stiteler (Sports Director), Milo Hamilton (baseball), and the legendary Larry Munson, whose football broadcasts for the Bulldogs prompted viewers to mute their TVs and turn up their radios.

WSB excelled not only in covering professional teams but also in promoting high school sports. During the 1960s and 70s, the program Metro Atlanta High School Football Game of the Week highlighted a different Atlanta school weekly.

While listeners only knew commentators by their voices, issues of racial diversity in journalism became increasingly prominent. In 1967, WSB-TV introduced its first Black presenter, Lorenzo "Lo" Jelks, who had earlier worked with various radio stations. Despite viewer protests, Jelks remained a pioneer in studio television.

In radio, one of the first Black journalists was Collie Burnet, hired in 1969 as a "quiet FM DJ." After completing his education, Burnet joined the news division and eventually became president and CEO of AIB-TV.


In 1973, WSB-TV welcomed Black news anchor and reporter Jocelyn Dorsey, while Roz Abrams joined WSB radio. Earlier, in March 1970, WSB aired its own production, Hidden History, a documentary about the achievements of Black journalists.

Can Radio Compete with Television? Absolutely

Despite television`s growing popularity, WSB Radio held its own. It remained Georgia`s largest station and one of the country`s most prominent.

Lee Morris, who became the station`s head in 1964 (as Elmo Ellis assumed the role of general manager), continued innovating, creating engaging programs and focusing on younger audiences. During the 1970s, WSB:

• organized a talent contest with a record contract as the grand prize
• introduced four-channel sound, Quadrasonic, to Atlanta in 1972
• supported and provided information during a January 1973 ice storm
• held competitions to connect directly with listeners (Snapper Derby, Holiday on Ice)
• arranged "lunch meetings" with Atlanta community representatives to learn about their needs and concerns
• launched an afternoon news block, News 75
• supported Atlanta`s Clark College in operating the Mass Communication Center
• assisted law enforcement efforts (thanks to WSB Skycopter, a dangerous criminal was captured)

As in previous decades, the number of awards received was impressive. Besides honors for information and reliable work, WSB won recognition for music programming (Lone Ranger), educational initiatives (School Bell from the Georgia Education Association), and social contributions (Distinguished Service Award from The Freedom Foundation). In 1972, WSB celebrated its golden jubilee with widespread accolades. The station released a commemorative LP, Birthday Party, featuring its history and iconic sounds, hosted by Jim Howell, a notable 1970s announcer.

In 1982, after 35 years of service and WSB`s 60th anniversary, Elmo Ellis retired. Mike Faherty became general manager, and Walt Williams was appointed program director. Both continued Ellis`s work, leveraging the latest technologies.

By the 1980s, the division between WSB AM stereo and WSB FM became more pronounced. AM stereo aired fewer music programs, focusing primarily on morning shows where Russ Spooner and Dick Hemby played middle of the road music. WSB FM, by the late 1980s, operated independently as B98.5FM.

In 1987, WSB adopted the formats of news radio and talk radio (750WSB), discontinuing AM stereo broadcasting and officially rebranding as 750/WSB-AM. That year, the station ended its 60-year partnership with NBC, expanding its independent news services (WSB News). Since 1987, WSB has employed a full-time meteorologist, with Kirk Mellish being the first.

Original programming grew increasingly popular. While male hosts still dominated, one standout was Aretta Jenkins, the first African American woman with her own show on WSB. For five years, she entertained listeners on The Aretta Jenkins Show, offering conversations, music, news, and weather forecasts.

Jamie Dupree 2.0: Supporting People in Need

A prominent and unique figure in 1990s radio broadcasting was Jamie Dupree. His journey in radio began in 1983 as a student at the University of Florida. After graduating, he moved to Washington, D.C., and by 1989 became a correspondent for WSB. His professional and engaging Capitol Hill reports quickly gained attention, being picked up by other stations nationwide. Over 25 years, his career flourished across WSB, other stations, and television. He was a frequent guest on Sean Hannity’s conservative The Sean Hannity Show, holding his own and earning a reputation as “brilliant and hardworking.”

In 2016, Dupree’s career faced a critical challenge when he lost his voice due to tongue protrusion dystonia, a condition with no cure. Dupree persevered, continuing to provide written reports and blogs while others read them on air. WSB and Cox Radio were committed to supporting him, partnering with Scottish tech company CereProc to create an advanced text-to-speech program replicating his voice. Dupree returned to the airwaves on June 18, 2018, using Jamie Dupree 2.0. He retired from Cox Media on November 30, 2020, and now continues his work as a Capitol Hill correspondent, publishing the “Regular Order” newsletter on Substack.

Alongside captivating personalities, WSB also developed original and enduring programs. One such program was the Lawn and Garden Show, which aired every Saturday from 6:00 to 9:00 a.m. Hosted by Walter Reeves from 1994 to January 2020, he became known as “Atlanta’s gardening guru.” Reeves provided advice on planting, harvesting, and irrigation while also contributing to Atlanta Journal-Constitution, hosting two TV shows, and authoring three books. The program originated eight years earlier under Kathy Henderson. It also inspired a gardening expo of the same name, held annually in Atlanta.

Another long-running original show was O’Neil Outside, hosted by O’Neill Williams. Airing on Saturdays from 4:00 to 6:00 a.m., it was the only live outdoor talk show, featuring conversations with fishermen, hunters, and campers. Broadcast to 38 states, Williams hosted his final episode on December 16, 2023, retiring to “finally sleep in after 32 years of early mornings.”

Radio’s Hall of Fame

In 1996, Cox Enterprises established Cox Radio as an independent division to produce and distribute mass media. Despite widespread predictions of radio’s decline, stations in Georgia, including WSB, thrived. Smaller stations merged with larger ones, and major players like WSB leveraged their proximity to television and newspapers. While staff turnover was high, long-time stars continued hosting shows on WSB, on TV, and, later, on blogs.

Not all hosts started as journalists. Carol Harman was a teacher and tour guide, Bill Bulger and Neal Boortz were lawyers, Milo Hamilton was a baseball player, and Herman Cain was a businessman and mathematician. In 2005, the final gathering of WSB pioneers took place, featuring legends like:

• Marcus Bartlett, a pianist who read bedtime stories and covered football games
• Elmo Ellis, WSB’s general manager
• Don Heald, creator of the news division
• Mike McDougald, a reporter
• Don Steward, a presenter

To preserve the legacy of radio professionals, the Georgia Radio Hall of Fame was established in 2007 by Sam Hale and John Long. Though not affiliated with WSB, they recognized its influence. The Hall of Fame honors two categories:

• Career Achievement (for living radio professionals)
• Legacy (for deceased radio professionals)

Many WSB figures have been inducted, including Douglas Edwards, Elmo Ellis, Don Kennedy, and Skip Caray. The organization also bestows awards:

• Founders and Directors Award
• Elmo Ellis Spirit Award
• Horizon Award (for young broadcasters)

The Hall of Fame operates a Radio Museum featuring extensive archives, including:

• A country music collection, including Chick Kimball’s
• 600 photographs
• Documents and manuscripts by Elmo Ellis
• Radio logs and sound effects (1922–1985)
• Complete show dates from 1922–1949

WSB’s Centennial: Still #1

In 2008, Cox Enterprises formed Cox Media Group, integrating its radio, television, and newspaper divisions. WSB Radio remained part of Cox Enterprises. On August 16, 2010, WSB expanded to 95.5 FM, replacing the unprofitable 95.5/The Beat. According to programming chief Tony Kidd:

“Younger audiences listen to AM less. To keep WSB-AM viable, we needed this move. With FM, WSB can reach a broader audience.”

On October 1, the station rebranded as WSBB-FM, with both stations broadcasting under the tagline 95.5 WSB: Atlanta’s News & Talk. In 2019, Cox Media Group was acquired by Apollo Global Management. Today, 95.5-WSB operates from Midtown Atlanta with a 50,000-watt signal. It is Cox Media’s flagship station, airing Bulldogs games and providing traffic updates via reporters like Dereko Rice and Andrew Cicco. Current voices include Eric Von Haessler, Robyn Walensky, Autumn Fischer, Cheryl Castro, and Shelley Wynter.

In March 2022, WSB celebrated its centennial with a dedicated website, WSB100years.com, and the documentary WSB: 100 Years Strong, hosted by Chris Chandler. As Georgia’s oldest station, WSB remains #1.

WSB Radio Timeline:

• 1922, March 15 - Inaugural launch of WSB Radio
• 1922, June 13 - Increased broadcasting power to 500 watts
• 1922, September - Granted a second broadcasting frequency
• 1925, March 29 - Opened new headquarters at the Biltmore Hotel
• 1927, January 9 - Entered partnership with The National Broadcasting Company (NBC)
• 1929 - Built its own tower and broadcasting building; power increased to 5000 watts
• 1930 - First advertisement aired on WSB
• 1931 - Applied for a television station license
• 1936, April 6 - Historic live coverage from Gainesville after a tornado hit
• 1939, December - Ohio Governor James Cox became the owner of WSB, forming the Cox Enterprises, Inc. conglomerate
• 1940 - Established a public relations department
• 1941 - First edition of the Peabody Award
• 1942 - Launched 19 news programs related to World War II
• 1944, November 16 - First experimental FM broadcast in Georgia
• 1948, September 28 - Official launch of WSB FM
• 1951 - Launched the Removing the Rust from Radio project
• 1956, April 8 - Official opening of the new WSB headquarters at White Columns
• 1957 - Established its own news division
• 1959 - Hosted the first youth radio conference
• 1960 - Acquired a helicopter; established the Skycopter division
• 1962 - Began producing original programs and multiplex stereo broadcasts
• 1962, April 3 - Became the first station in the South to broadcast editorial articles
• 1962, October - Began broadcasting Voice of America programs in Spanish at the U.S. government`s request
• 1970 - Produced the Hidden History documentary about African American journalists
• 1972 - First Atlanta station to broadcast Quadrasonic four-channel sound
• 1972, March - Celebrated its 50th anniversary
• 1987 - Transitioned to news and talk radio format; rebranded as 750/WSB-AM
• 1987 - Hired an in-house meteorologist
• 1996 - Cox Radio was established
• 2005 - Last reunion of WSB pioneers
• 2007 - Georgia Radio Hall of Fame was founded
• 2008 - Formation of Cox Media Group
• 2010, August 16 - Began FM broadcasting as WSBB-FM
• 2019, December 17 - WSB joined Cox Media Group
• 2022, March - Celebrated WSB`s centennial with year-long festivities

Sources:

• https://www.nbcchimes.info/radiochimes.php
• https://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/arts-culture/radio-broadcasting/
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WSB_(AM)
• https://research.library.gsu.edu/c.php?g=115699&p=753616
• https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.b3560880&view=1up&seq=96
• https://exhibits.library.gsu.edu/georgia-radio/1920s-pioneers/
• https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/35143343/lambdin-kay
• https://www.bridgemanimages.com/en/noartistknown/lambdin-kay-wsb-station-manager-from-1922-1940-co-founder-of-the-peabody-awards-c-1925/photograph/asset/1694016
• https://www.trumanlibrary.gov/library/oral-histories/reinsch
• https://www.atlantamagazine.com/news-culture-articles/a-documentary-explores-the-black-pioneers-of-atlantas-broadcast-past/
• https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2017/12/15/jamie-dupree-radio-voice-216107/
• https://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news/2019/12/18/cox-enterprises-completes-sale-of-stations-assets.html
• https://www.thebdr.net/wsb-wins-a-race-in-the-south/