WLAY (AM) facts for kids

WLAY is a radio station that broadcasts in the Florence and Muscle Shoals area of Alabama. You can hear it on 1450 AM. It used to also be on 92.3 FM. WLAY is owned by Mike Self, through a company called Singing River Media Group, LLC.

WLAY is one of the oldest radio stations in Alabama and the Southern United States. It mostly plays music that was written and recorded right there in Muscle Shoals. The station also broadcasts live concerts and shares news about local charity events.

A Look Back: WLAY's History

The radio station first started broadcasting in 1933. Back then, it was known as WNRA. Over the years, WLAY became very important in American music history. It helped create what people now call "The Muscle Shoals Sound".

When it first began, WLAY played many different kinds of music. It was special because it played both Southern Gospel and Country music. It also played music by African American artists, which was quite unique for the Deep South at that time. Many famous bluegrass and delta blues musicians even played live on the station. These included Bill Monroe, Earl Scruggs, Sonny Boy Williamson, and Son House.

WLAY's Impact on Music

In the 1950s, WLAY played a mix of country music and early Rock and Roll. Sam Phillips, who later started the famous Sun Records studio, worked as a DJ at WLAY when he was younger. He often said that the station's "open playlist" inspired him. This idea of mixing country and blues music helped create Rock and Roll at Sun Records in Memphis, Tennessee.

In the early 1960s, Muscle Shoals started to become a major music center in the United States. WLAY played a big part in this growth. After local singer Arthur Alexander had a hit song called "You Better Move On," many recording studios opened in the area. WLAY became a popular spot for Muscle Shoals musicians and songwriters. They would often bring their new recordings to the station.

For example, the famous song "When A Man Loves A Woman" by Percy Sledge was recorded at Norala Sound Studio. This studio was built by WLAY's Chief Engineer, Paul Kelley, using equipment from WLAY's own studios.

When Rick Hall opened FAME Studios, WLAY would often play the new songs as soon as they were finished. The listeners of WLAY would even help choose which songs by artists like Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett, and Clarence Carter should be released nationwide.

Changes Over the Years

Former logo

WLAY has had several different owners over the years. After WLAY-FM started, the AM station changed its music style many times. It has been a sports station and an Oldies station. It also played country music at different times. When URBan Radio Broadcasting bought the station, they changed the music back to focus on Muscle Shoals music.

In 2019, URBan Radio sold WLAY and five other stations to Singing River Media Group, LLC. Then, in January 2020, WLAY started playing the same country music as its sister station, WLAY-FM 100.1.

Remembering WLAY's Legacy

The original sound board from WLAY is now kept at the Alabama Music Hall of Fame. The radio station is also recognized as a Historic Landmark by the Alabama Historical Society. WLAY was even nominated for Radio Station of the Year by the Alabama Broadcasters Association in 2007, 2010, and 2012.

FM Translator History

In October 2007, WLAY got permission to also broadcast on the FM band at 92.3. This started on October 31, 2007, and helped the station reach more listeners.

To celebrate the 92.3 FM launch, the station broadcast live for two days from famous recording studios. On the first day, they were at FAME Studios. Many legendary artists recorded there, including Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett, and the Allman Brothers Band. The second day's broadcast was from Muscle Shoals Sound Studios. This studio also hosted famous artists like Bob Dylan, Rod Stewart, and The Rolling Stones.

During this launch, many important people from Muscle Shoals music visited the station. They included FAME Studios owner Rick Hall and members of the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section. The station also shared stories with famous songwriters and musicians from the area.

After adding the FM translator, WLAY started calling itself "1450 and 92.3 The Sound." This name referred to the "Muscle Shoals Sound." The station also began playing more new local music. This made it one of the few commercial stations playing music by unsigned, local artists.

In 2010, WLAY and another local station lost their transmitter site. They were off the air for a while. They came back on in 2011 with very low power. In 2012, the licenses for the 92.3 FM translator and another one expired.

However, in 2014, a new permit was given for a new FM station at 92.3. This station, WSHF 92.3 FM, started broadcasting in June 2015. It continued to play Muscle Shoals music and oldies.

In 2015, URBan Radio worked to keep WLAY's license active. They found a buyer for the station. WLAY started broadcasting again with low power, playing country music. The station later moved its transmitter site in 2017.

Images for kids

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  WLAY's previous logo

• WLAY in the FCC's AM station database
• WLAY in Nielsen Audio's AM station database
• FCC History Cards for WLAY