Radio station in Bristol, Virginia
WXBQ-FM is a Country formatted broadcast radio station licensed to Bristol, Virginia, serving the Tri-Cities.[1] WXBQ-FM is owned and operated by Bristol Broadcasting Company, Inc.[2]
History
WOPI-FM, sister to 1490 WOPI, signed on Christmas Day 1946 from atop Whitetop Mountain, a facility described at the time as "the largest frequency modulation station in the South".[3] After 10 days using a temporary antenna, the station went on air with its regular 10 kW power on January 4, 1947.[4] Building on Whitetop, Virginia's second-tallest mountain, meant bringing power lines six miles to the site and constructing a tower in high winds.[4] When winter weather set in, as it did that February, staff were marooned atop the mountain.[5] WOPI-FM simulcast most of WOPI's NBC and local output and had exclusive coverage of many sporting events.[6]
In 1951, WOPI-FM moved off the mountain and to the AM transmitter tower off Old Abingdon Road in Bristol, Virginia.[7][8] The temporary facility was replaced by a new site in 1954 on the edge of town.[7] Along with WOPI AM, WOPI-FM was sold to W. A. Wilson in 1954, the Pioneer Broadcasting Company in 1959, and the Tri-Cities Broadcasting Company in 1965.[7]
The station was sold twice to different radio partners. In 1972, the Highland Development Corporation of Bristol, owners of 1550 WKYE, acquired 96.9 and renamed it WKYE-FM. The station became WFHG-FM in 1975 upon acquisition by the Bristol Broadcasting Company and adopted its present WXBQ-FM call letters in 1978.[7] The call letters were chosen randomly but to avoid confusion with the AM outlet; by this time, WXBQ-FM had already gone country.[9]
Kenny Chesney credits WXBQ and its longtime program director Bill Hagy for helping start his career; Chesney attended nearby East Tennessee State University in Johnson City.[10]
