WELE-AM 1380  
Ormond Beach

Original Call Letters: WQXQ 

Originally Licensed: Aug 1, 1957  

Original City of License: South Daytona 

Original Frequency: 1380

Origin of Call Letters: 

Original Power: 1,000 watts

Original Location: 

Original Format: Country 


Network Affiliation(s):

Mutual Broadcasting Service
Westwood One
  NBC
  CBS Radio
ESPN
CNN
WOR Radio Network
ABC Entertainment

Yahoo Sports Radio

Owner(s):

1957
-Volusia County Broadcasting Corp.
1963-Volusia County Broadcasting Corp. (New Ownership)
1969-Morris Broadcasting Co.

1972-WELE Radio, Inc.
1977-Hunter Industries
1980-Hunter-Knight Daytona, Inc.
1981-Barnett Bank of Ormond Beach, N.A. (repossession from Hunter-Knight Daytona, Inc.)
1983-Hale Communications
1990-Wings Communications, Inc ($175,000)  
2009-Goliath Radio, LLC. (LMA)
2011-F. Douglas Wilhite (Debtor In Possession)
2011-Lori Patton, Trustee

History Of Call Letters and Formats:

WQXQ-1957-Classical
WDAT-1969-Top 40
WDAT-1981-Big Bands/Swing
WDAT-1982-Adult Contemporary/Country Crossover Mix
WDAT-1983-Country  "1380 WDAT" 
WELE-1985-Country 
WELE-1990-Religioous 
WELE-1992-Talk
WELE-2010-Talk  "Goliath Radio"   "Big 1380"


WELE History
From K.P. Manning; WELE began as WQXQ and then changed to WDAT to stand for 'Daytona' to go against WMFJ the rival Top 40 which was 1,000 day and 250 watts at night. The station broadcast from the Riviera Golf Course on Calle Grande in Ormond Beach which was also the location of their one tower. The call letters were changed to WDAT while at the Riviera and was still an omni-directional day-timer.  WDAT went directional at night only when, in 1973, they went 24 hours, 1,000 watts days omni and 1000 nights directional using four towers at their present location on Nova Road. They remained in that location when they went to 5Kw later. Those towers are still used today with one change. Tower 4 was a self supporter which blew over in half during Hurricane Francis in 2004. WELE kept the tower at the half height and put a light on it. 


From Brian Douglas; "...For some reason, although the station was a day timer, they signed at 4:00 AM.  Original power was 1,000 watts (they were not directional, but went directional with the move to 5kW). The station flipped to Top 40 just before "Bad Moon Rising" hit (1968?).  They had a progressive rock show on in late afternoons by late 1968 and were still a day timer.  The 24 hour thing happened in 1969/70(?)"

2009-Wings Communications (Doug Wilhite) filed paperwork to sell WELE-AM to Goliath Radio, LLC, (Big John) with no specific cash price tied to the sale. Big John will forgive a $35K loan to the station and its owner, and will pick up existing obligations. Kristen Cobb, will be retained as a consultant to the buyer for a period of 60 months at $1,200 per month.

2010 (Aug 1)-Big John owner of Goliath Radio, LLC took over management of WELE-AM 1380. Big also announced local broadcast legend John E. Evans has joined the staff of WELE-AM. John will be doing editorials for Goliath Radio. Also, Doug Wilhite's Wings Communications' travel show is no longer affiliated with WELE. When the final approval of the license transfer comes from the FCC, WELE will change call letters.


WELE Personalities

Robert Allyn-1969-Program Director-Morris Broadcasting Co.
William Printz-1969-News Director-Morris Broadcasting Co.
Rick Glasby-1977-Program Director-Hunter-Knight Daytona, Inc.
Bill Wise-1977-Music Director-Hunter-Knight Daytona, Inc.
Emmett Rozier-1977-News Director-Hunter-Knight Daytona, Inc.
Bob King-1978-Program Director-WELE Radio, Inc

Doug Wilhite-1990
-President/Host of Premier Travel Show/2004-General Manager/Sales Manager/Advertising Vice President /Program Director/News Director/Public Affairs Director-Wings Communications

Roland Via-1990
-Program Director/2000-"Talk Back Today"-7AM-10AM/2004-Promotions Director-Wings Communications/2011-M-F- 2PM - 3PM/ Sat-7AM-10AM/2012-3PM-4PM/Sat-7AM-10AM-Goliath Radio, LLC/F. Douglas Wilhite
(Debtor In Possession)/Lori Patton, Trustee

Rick Brady-1991-1994
-Program Director/Operations Director/Morning talk show host/weekly political talk show/sports play-by-play-Wings Communications Biography

Greg Lake
(Gregg Whatley)
-1996-2008-Program Director/Production Director/Traffic/Host of "Radio Free Volusia"-Wings Communications  Biography
Big John-1992-"Big Talk with Big John"-Big's show began as a Saturday show from 8AM-9AM. Big can be heard Mon-Fri from 4:15PM-6:15PM-Wings Communications
2009-Big John (Goliath Radio, LLC) applies to FCC for transfer of ownership WELE from  (Doug Wilhite) Wings Communications/Goliath Radio, LLC./F. Douglas Wilhite
(Debtor In Possession)/Lori Patton, Trustee  Biography
Big John Prayer  1-8-10

Bobbie Thomas-2000
-"Bobbie Thomas Total Talk'' 7AM-9AM/2001-"The Bobbie Thomas Show"-3PM - 4PM(Mon & Wed)-Wings Communications/ 2010-"Movies And More"- Fridays 1PM-Goliath Radio, LLC./F. Douglas Wilhite
(Debtor In Possession)/Lori Patton, Trustee


Leesa Marie Benz (Mrs. Daytona Beach 1998)-2001-"Alive and Kickin" "Taste of the Town" "Glamour and Style"-Wings Communications
Natalie Emerson-2003-Host of "Nat Chat" the Talk Show For Kids-Wings Communications
  Natalie is interviewed in 2003 by NPR's Renee Montagne

Michael J. Johnson-Program Director/Sports Director/2004-Operations Director/Operations Manager/Programming Manager-Wings Communications/-Goliath Radio, LLC./F. Douglas Wilhite (Debtor In Possession)/Lori Patton, Trustee
Gary Colombo-2008-2008-"Good Morning Coffee Club"-Wings Communications


Doug Kosarek-2008-2009-"Wake up Daytona"-6AM-10AM-Wings Communications

Paul Carpenella-2009
-Co-host with Wally Maroon of "Midday Volusia", M-F Noon-1PM-Wings Communications
2010-"Mid-day Volusia" moves to 3PM/2011-M-F Noon-1PM-Goliath Radio, LLC/F. Douglas Wilhite
(Debtor In Possession)/Lori Patton, Trustee


Wally Maroon ("The Condo King")
-2009-Co-host with Paul Carpenella of "Midday Volusia", M-F Noon-1PM-Goliath Radio, LLC/F. Douglas Wilhite (Debtor In Possession)/Lori Patton, Trustee


Mark Williams-2009-Producer of "Midday Volusia", M-F Noon-1PM-Goliath Radio, LLC  Biography



Pj Pantaleo-2009-2010-Host of "PJ and Friends"-Tues and Thurs 1PM-2:30PM-Wings Communications/Goliath Radio, LLC.


Matt Gervia-2009-2010-Co-Host of "PJ and Friends"-Tues and Thurs 1PM-2:30PM-Wings Communications/Goliath Radio, LLC. 


John Wilhite-2008-Co-host "News Radio One Travel Show" -Wings Communications/2010-"Angie's Travel and Shopping Show"-Goliath Radio, LLC.



Angie Smith-2008
-Co-host "News Radio One Travel Show"-Wings Communications/2010-"Angie's Travel and Shop Show"-Goliath Radio



John E. Evans-2010
-Editorials/Essays-Goliath Radio, LLC/F. Douglas Wilhite (Debtor In Possession)/Lori Patton, Trustee
Jan Gage-2010-"Ormond Magazine Radio Show"-Goliath Radio, LLC


Mark Reed "Mark of the Beach"-2011
-Co-host/Regular guest-"Big Talk with Big John"-Goliath Radio, LLC


David Holland-2011-"Retirement Radio"-Friday 2PM-3PM/"Real Money with David Holland" -9AM-10AM weekdays--Goliath Radio, LLC/F. Douglas Wilhite (Debtor In Possession)/Lori Patton, Trustee 


Pavlina Osta-2012-"Pavlina's Kidz Place"-6:20PM-7PM Mondays/2012-Sat-Goliath Radio, LLC/F. Douglas Wilhite (Debtor In Possession)/Lori Patton, Trustee
Ray Sanchez-2012-"Volusia Watchdog"-Wed-9:30AM-10AM-Goliath Radio, LLC
Phillip D. Coffers-2012-"Volusia Watchdog"-Wed-9:30AM-10AM-Goliath Radio, LLC


Ray Joy-"Ray Joy Show"-Thur-9:30AM-10AM--Goliath Radio, LLC/F. Douglas Wilhite (Debtor In Possession)/Lori Patton, Trustee
Dave Bethune
Al Risen  In Memory

Trisha Weatherford
- Premier Travel Show Co-Host-Wings Communications


Gwen Azama-Edwards-Host of "Truth"-Thursdays-6:15PM-Wings Communications/Goliath Radio, LLC.


James McClendon
-Host-"Computer World Computer Show"-Wings Communications/-Goliath Radio, LLC.
Atticus Black and Friends-Sat 11AM-Noon-Wings Communications/Goliath Radio, LLC
Jim LeGerry-"Citizen Soapbox"-Wings Communications/Goliath Radio, LLC


John Barrett
-Music Director-Wings Communications  Biography
Christian Bruey

Other Names In WELE History 
William Morris-1969-President-Morris Broadcasting Co.
William Hunter-1969-Vice President/General Manager-Morris Broadcasting Co.
Don Skylar-1969-Commercial Manager-Morris Broadcasting Co.
Sidney Fraser-1972-Co-Owner-WELE Radio, Inc.
Sheldon Katz-1972-Co-Owner-WELE Radio, Inc.
Trish Anderson-1976-Program Director-WELE Radio, Inc.   In Memory
Hick Lewis-1977-Commercial Manager-Hunter-Knight Daytona, Inc.
Philip Knight-1977-General Manager-Hunter-Knight Daytona, Inc.
Tim Tillis-1978-Chief Engineer-WELE Radio, Inc
Tom Hale-1983-President/General Manager-Hale Communications
Sherry Wilhite-1990-Assistant to President/2004-Developmental Vice President-Wings Communications


Kristen Wilhite-Cobb-1990-Operations Manager/2004-Marketing Vice President-Wings Communications 
Douglas Wilhite III-1990-Chief Engineer-Wings Communications

Cassie Wilhite Simon-1990-Reservations Manager-Wings Communications

Becky Wilhite-1990
-Administrative Assistant-Wings Communications
John Williams in the WELE studio.jpg (220874 bytes)
John Williams-2004
-Wings Communications/Goliath Radio, LLC/F. Douglas Wilhite
(Debtor In Possession)/Lori Patton, Trustee

"Through out the years I have been lucky enough to work with many fine people. I would like to publicly thank. Tim Steward, who was instrumental in my getting hired.  And thanks to Greg Lake.  He is an incredibly patient person and taught me so much."


Mark Tillery-2009-2009-General Manager-Wings Communications 
Biography


KP Manning
-2009-2009
-Progam Director/Systems Manager-Wings Communications 
Biography
Bill Butler-Station Manager-Wings Communications  
Phyllis Brady-Wings Communications In Memory
Bob Barry-Wings Communications

Adele Garvey-Wings Communications
Alex Simon-Wings Communications

Dan Reid-Wings Communications

Kevin Tomaka-Wings Communications
Steven Andersen-Wings Communications
Tim Steward-Wings Communications

Christopher "Igor" Baker-Wings Communications
Bob Edwards-Wings Communications



William A. Stipsits
-General Manager
In Memory
Debbie Berner-Public Affairs Director-Wings Communications

Other Programs In WELE History
Imus In The Morning-2010-Don Imus-Syndicated-Goliath Radio, LLC.
Randi Rhodes-2010-Syndicated-Goliath Radio, LLC.
Dave Ramsey-2010-Syndicated-Goliath Radio, LLC.
Bethune Cookman University Football-2010-Goliath Radio, LLC.
USF Football-2010-Goliath Radio, LLC.
Orlando Magic Basketball-2010-Goliath Radio, LLC.
Tampa Bay Lightning Hockey-2010-Goliath Radio, LLC.
Clark Howard-2011-3PM-4PM-Goliath Radio, LLC.


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