WFIV-FM: changes at hand with Bryan
Darrell Bryan — hired in July — began a new 6 to 9 a.m. weekday morning radio show and oversaw updating the station’s slogan from “Good Times, Great Oldies” to “Good Times, Great Music” to reflect already noticeable format changes.
“We are serving West Knox, Loudon County and Tellico Village, and are changing some things to better reflect that demographic,” Bryan said last week from the studios along Watt Road. “We will still do a mix, but we are offering more music from the ‘70s and ’80s. More up-tempo music, and what I would call, ‘good music.’”
He should know, having been interested in the radio industry since he was a student at Knoxville Central High School, where he graduated in 1968.
Bryan said he always liked music, but what also drew him to radio was sports.
“My first radio job was with 97.5, in 1970, before FM was even promoted,” he recalled. “I loaded tapes and a few other things.”
After high school, Bryan attended the University of Tennessee and broadcast school, and had several radio jobs before marrying his wife, Naomi. The couple headed to Greeneville, where Bryan worked in sales and sports broadcasting.
Bryan’s experience more than paid off, as he was able to take on more and more responsibilities.
“I tried to learn how to do everything at the radio station,” he said.
Bryan also worked in Morristown and Jefferson City as he switched to owning and managing radio stations for two decades. His career path kept him in Upper East Tennessee, where he also served as mayor of Greeneville for a time, and was director of Greeneville’s regionally-renowned Performing Arts Theater for nine years.
The couple, who have three sons and six grandchildren, moved to Lenoir City several years ago to be closer to family. Bryan was working for a Loudon County station before being approached by WFIV owner Doug Horne (whose company, Republic Newspapers, Inc., also owns farragutpress) about working for the radio station. “We talked and had a lot of the same ideas about the station, so I was excited to start here,” Bryan said. “This station has a lot of potential.”
“We’re extremely happy to have a veteran radio person like Darrell at West 105. He has experience in all areas of the radio business and will be great asset to our listeners and advertisers,” said Tony Cox, chief manager of Horne Radio, LLC, parent company of WFIV.
“I really like his excitement about WFIV being a community radio station,” Cox added. “His passion about getting community information on the air and to the listeners really shines.”
Bryan is working with Town of Farragut officials, Shop Farragut, Farragut West Knox Chamber of Commerce and Loudon County Chamber on events, promotions and news. “If the Scouts need help selling cookies, or churches or schools need help with upcoming events, we want to help with promotion,” he said.
To share upcoming events, e-mail info@wfiv.com.
