WLOU question

[bruiser]

I had a conversation about Louisville radio with a black friend at work. This was about radio in the sixties. I asked him what he and his friends listened to after WLOU signed off at sundown. He said mostly WAKY with some KLO thrown in. He said it irked him how WLOU was discriminated against by having to shutdown at sundown. I pointed out to him that WTMT operatated under the same rules. It didn't seem to penetrate, as he was convinced that since WLOU was a "black" station, it was being discriminated against. Since that time I've ran across info that says when WLOU first signed on, it was a country station. With all the radio wisdom on this board, does anyone know when the WLOU format change occurred from country to blues/soul? Not to mention that would blow the "discrimination" stuff out of the water.

[bpflederer]

I believe that WLOU in the early 60's had a morning DJ with the name of Charlie Brown. I do not believe he was of the minority group of which your friend spoke of.

[Travis]

I seem to recall that WLOU was at 1350 on the dial. If so, does the station that currently occupies that position sign off at local sunset? Does the station that was formerly WTMT still sign off as well? If so, you may be able to make a point with these stations.

I was just remembering when Johnny Randolph and a partner (rumored to have been Wayne Perkey) owned & operated a small AM station out of Danville during the mid to late '80s. It, too, was a daylight broadcast only, and played country music with the call letters of... WKLO.

If I didn't leave Louisville early enough for my trips to Somerset, the station would be off by sunset and I'd miss checking it out.

[bpflederer]

Travis, Yes, WLOU is still at 1350 KHz. Since they moved from S. 3rd street (close) near a bowling alley near the UOL, to the west side, they are now licensed as a full time, directional at night with 500 watts.