In a time when radio is often overlooked in favor of podcasts and streaming services, WQSB 105.1 (modern country), WKXX 102.9 (classic country), and Power 107.5 (Christian) are proving that local radio still has deep roots and a strong future in Alabama. From decades-long legacies to forward-thinking digital shifts, these stations affiliated with Yellowhammer News Radio Network continue to engage listeners across generations while anchoring themselves in community service.
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Founded in the late 1940s by Pat Courington Sr., the stations have remained a family-run operation for more than 75 years. Under the guidance of owners Pat Courington Jr. and Jenny Courington, as well as Sales Manager Ted McCreless and longtime Program Director Barry Galloway, the stations have expanded their reach across Marshall, DeKalb, and Etowah counties. WQSB, the flagship country station, maintains a wide and loyal listener base—from teenagers to retirees—by blending new country hits with engaging local programming. Galloway, who co-hosts “The Barry and Holli Show” with Holli Mostella, delivers a blend of music, artist news, offbeat headlines, and audience call-ins that are later repackaged into a podcast. The team has leaned into digital innovation, livestreaming the show and maintaining an active social media presence to connect with audiences on their terms.
With multiple Alabama Broadcasters Association awards—including back-to-back wins for Best Morning Show in 2024 and 2025—the station’s commitment to its community remains its core strength and inspiration. Signature events like the annual St. Jude Children’s Hospital Radiothon, which recently raised over $226,000, and Woofstock, a local dog food drive, showcase WQSB 105.1’s charitable heartbeat. The Radiothon, though spearheaded by WQSB, is a team effort across all three stations, with each contributing through broadcast time, in-person donation stops, and musical tributes that anchor the campaign emotionally.
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For fans of classic country, WKXX 102.9 has emerged as a nostalgic powerhouse. Since flipping formats in January 2023, WKXX has committed to a playlist that honors legends like George Strait, Merle Haggard, and Charlie Rich—artists absent from the modern-focused WQSB rotation. Hosted by ABBY Award-winning broadcaster Shane Wilson, the station brings country heritage to life with signature segments like College of Classic Country Knowledge, where listeners get musical history lessons tied to chart-toppers from years past. Wilson also engages audiences with clever features such as The Naked Truth (quirky crime stories with a twist), Throwback Thursday, and Do We Really Need This?, a commentary on pop culture reboots. His deep radio experience, award-winning background, and passion for the genre continue to draw loyal listeners.
Meanwhile, Power 107.5 delivers uplifting contemporary Christian music to a broad audience aged roughly 35–65, offering a positive, family-friendly listening experience. Sand Mountain Broadcasting and its affiliates are blending history, heart, and hustle to keep local radio alive and thriving in North Alabama—and proving that personality, purpose, and local connection still matter in today’s media world.
