WRVS-FM celebrates 29th anniversary

Kesha Williams
March 16, 2015

WRVS-FM 89.9 celebrates its 29th anniversary this month. The university’s radio station began broadcasting in 1986 with a general manager and four staff– a public affairs director, a news/sports director, a traffic director/gospel announcer. As was commonly the case among Historically Black Colleges/Universities, the staff previously earned experience at another HBCU-Shaw University. Student volunteers also assisted the staff with duties that ranged from administrative tasks to on-air talent. They began broadcasting on March 18, 1986 with the popular 1979 selection, &quotAin’t No Stoppin’ Us Now,&quot which topped the R&ampB singles chart and the Billboard Top 100. Today, the station employs five staff and is overseen by Radio and TV Services director, Melba Brown Smith. WRVs staff say the station has taken great pride in providing listeners in northeastern North Carolina and lower Virginia with chart topping music and information relevant to the Albemarle. That’s a critical service given the station’s location between Norfolk, Virginia, #43 and Greenville, N.C., # 85, on Nielsen’s Top 100 media markets list. Randy Jones, program director, host of the afternoon, weekday show, &quotNeo-Soul Cafe&quot and the &quotViking Sports Network,&quot said the age-old challenge of capturing and keeping an audience is still a radio station’s top priority. &quotRadio is viable here in northeast North Carolina. Our diverse programming and affiliation with National Public Radio (NPR) has increased our audience. With the support of our listeners, we will continue providing quality programming that stations in the nearest cities don’t provide,&quot Jones said. Smith said she is proud of the station’s evolving role in the community. &quotWRVS continues to support the mission and vision of Elizabeth City State University as well as meet the needs of area residents,&quot Smith said. &quotWhether its NPR news, music shows, Chamber Chat, or high school basketball broadcasts, you will find something here you value.&quot &quotWRVS also makes it a priority to engage the community with events such as the annual Back-to-School Bash &amp Food Drive. During that event in August, area businesses and area civic organizations help us provide approximately 350 youths with school supplies and free haircuts for the boys.&quot Tune in from 6 a.m., to 7 p.m., Wednesday, March 18th for your chance to win prizes in recognition of WRVS’s 29th anniversary!