WQXI-AM

From a pop music haven to the voice of Korean culture, WQXI-AM has seen quite a transformation. WQXI-AM first crackled to life in 1948, offering Atlantans a refreshing alternative to the network-affiliated stations dominating the airwaves. Back then, WQXI-AM was all about pop standards, a unique flavor in a city dominated by network programming. Imagine tuning into 790 kHz and hearing the smooth sounds of the era, a stark contrast to the news and dramas filling other channels. WQXI-AM was truly an independent voice, carving its own niche in Atlanta’s burgeoning radio scene. By the swinging sixties, WQXI-AM, affectionately known as “Quixie in Dixie,” had fully embraced the Top 40 format. This era brought legendary personalities like Dr. Don Rose to the microphone, whose booming voice captivated audiences before he moved on to achieve even greater fame in San Francisco. WQXI-AM wasn’t just playing hits; it was creating them, shaping the soundscape of a generation. The station even dabbled in country music for a time before solidifying its Top 40 dominance. The seventies saw WQXI-AM transition to an oldies format, a testament to its enduring influence on Atlanta’s musical tastes. The station’s journey continued through simulcasts with its FM sister station and a stint as an adult standards broadcaster in the 1990s. During the 1996 Olympics, WQXI-AM even played a crucial role in keeping international visitors informed by simulcasting the French radio news channel France Info. This global outreach highlighted WQXI-AM’s versatility and its commitment to serving the diverse communities of Atlanta. The station then ventured into sports radio as “790 the Zone,” serving as the flagship station for the Atlanta Falcons and Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. However, controversy struck in 2013 when morning show hosts made insensitive remarks about Steve Gleason’s battle with ALS. The incident led to the hosts’ dismissal and a decline in ratings, ultimately prompting the station to switch to a full ESPN Radio affiliate. But WQXI-AM’s story doesn’t end there. It eventually returned to its musical roots, simulcasting with WSTR, before finding its current home as “Radio Korea” in 2016. Today, WQXI-AM continues to evolve, reflecting the ever-changing landscape of Atlanta and broadcasting the vibrant sounds of Korean culture to a new generation of listeners.