Wouldn’t it be interesting to explore the story of a radio station that became a Charleston legend? This is the story of WOKE. WOKE was more than just a radio station. It was a unique piece of Charleston’s history.
Let’s rewind to a time when radio was king. WOKE made its debut in 1958. Before that, it was known as WHAN. The man behind the change was Harry C. Weaver. Weaver was not just an owner. He was also an on-air personality.
WOKE’s format was a mix of good music, sports, religious programs, news and weather. Charleston radio expert J. Douglas Donehue noted something interesting. Harry Weaver, Buck Clayton, and Tennessee Weaver were all actually Harry C. Weaver himself. He created different personas. He wanted listeners to think there were multiple announcers.
Imagine tuning in to WOKE. You would hear Harry Weaver’s editorials. They had a style similar to Les Nessman from WKRP In Cincinnati. Saturdays meant sports or The Metropolitan Opera. Sundays were filled with religious broadcasts. Each night, the station signed off with Mr. Weaver’s poetry readings.
John “Cousin Johnny” Busbee, at just fifteen years old, co-hosted the morning show. It was called “Carolina in the Morning”. He worked alongside Weaver’s “Buck Clayton”. This was in 1979.
The late morning show “Talk of the Town” targeted housewives. It was first hosted by Weaver’s wife Ruth. Later, his daughter Kathy took over. Wally Momeier, the operations manager, ran the afternoon program. It was called “Hits and Gold Records of Yesterday and Today”. He did this for over twenty years.
In 1994, Gil Kirkman, a former WOKE employee, bought the station. He changed the call sign to WQSC. The format shifted to sports radio. The old WOKE studios became an insurance agency in 1999. Harry C. Weaver passed away in 2001.
WQSC eventually moved to classic country music in 2020. It became known as “98.5 WQSC”.
Despite the changes, WOKE is fondly remembered. It was a station unlike any other. It had an unusual mix of music, sports, and religion. Generous doses of dead air were common. Listening to WOKE was like stepping back in time. Even in the early 1990s, it sounded like the 1960s. Corny jingles and stilted announcers added to its charm.
Bob Gillchrest, a former employee, recalled selling air time. It wasn’t easy. The Arbitron ratings were not great. But he cherished his time there.
John Busbee expressed his gratitude to Mr. Weaver. He said Weaver gave him opportunities that opened doors later in life. Listeners also remember WOKE fondly. They recall the unique programming and Mr. Weaver’s personal touch.
WOKE may be gone but it is not forgotten. It remains a cherished memory for many in Charleston. It reminds us of a simpler time in radio. It shows us the power of local broadcasting. It highlights the unique personalities that make radio special. WOKE was truly one of a kind. It left an unforgettable mark on Charleston’s airwaves.