Best Tenn. stations of all time

[Bat Fastard]

There's a great thread on another board asking a question similar to: 

"What are the best Tennessee radio stations of all time".

I vote (some of which are obvious):

WHBQ/Memphis (best when Dees was there)
WMPS/Memphis (only when Dees was there)
WZXR/Memphis (in the years shortly after launch as "Rock 103")
WENK/Union City (pound for pound, still one of the best in a town its size)
WCMT/Martin (Paul gets the award for most improved over the years)
WRJZ/Knoxville (when it was "The New 62" with C.P. & Walker, etc)
WIMZ/Knoxville (when it had balls)
WKDF/Nashville (when it was still rock)
WSIX/Nashville (in the late 80's and early 90's)

I know there are some legendary performers like WSM/Nashville, WIVK/Knoxville and WXBQ/Tri-Cities.  While (some) of these guys have put some monster numbers on the board and have enjoyed long-standing success, they just don't seem to sparkle like some others.

Remember, great radio exists outside the major metros, too.

Your thoughts?

[Watt Hairston]

Depending on the way you look at it, and if you want to add any credence to those that had major impact on the most number people as well as associated industry(even if misguided or delusional); you must include WSM and WLAC at or near the top of your list.

[Meepster]

WZDQ-Q102 (HITRADIO Q-102 Jackson, TN) Early 80's, moved from being WIRJ-FM into the Jackson Market, and blew away everyone except the ONLY Urban FM in the market.
It was pumped, processed, tight, and smooth...and in it's day pound for pound, dollar for dollar, and market for market one of the best stations ever in Tennessee.
And that INCLUDES WENK!

[Bat Fastard]

I was aware of Q102, but never really got to spend any time with them.  I know they were highly regarded.

Jeez, Meep.  Why go busting on WENK? 

Frustrated ex-employee or genuine beef?

[Meepster]

 Neither. Didn't realize including them was busting on them. WENK is a tradition station and certainly a model for small markets.
Q-102 was better IMHO.
That's all. Not trying to bust on 'em.
(As per frustrated employee...no. I refused their offers)

[littlebigradio]

From purely a personal standpoint, it would be hard to beat WKDF-FM in Nashville back in the mid 70's.  A friend of mine and I would take our booze, pipe, and whatever "shake" we could round up and to drive up to some highground in a church cemetery in a little place called Hurricane Hill in Dyer county.  Amazingly, on most nights,we could pick up a fairly listenable signal from there.  As far as "heritage" stations are concerned, WDIA would be very high on the list.

[Meepster]

HA! Littlebig...

We did the EXACT same thing...The best place was to drive to the top of Grove Hill, (where the Tower building was) at Grove Jr. High in Paris.

KDF was the Shiz!!!! (of course...When I was doing this as a junior or senior in high school...you were probably well out of college! HAHAHA!

Have parted with Coyote McCloud a few times after.

[NotSoClearChannel]

WENK is a tradition station and certainly a model for small markets.

A great small market station that continues to be consistent and local (though, I do wish TH would/could be even more local).

NSCC

[firepoint525]

WENK is a tradition station and certainly a model for small markets.

A great small market station that continues to be consistent and local (though, I do wish TH would/could be even more local).
NSCC

Hard for him to balance that Union City/Paris thing, isn't it? 

[NotSoClearChannel]

Hard for him to balance that Union City/Paris thing, isn't it? 

I think it is, but I think he's doing what he can with what he has.  It's a short-staffed radio station and you're covering a large area.  I'd like to see more interaction with the community, but when you and the rest of the staff are wearing several different hats, it can be trying.  Other than that, he has solid stations.

NSCC