Black Talk Radio Alive, Thriving in Columbia
Black Talk Radio Alive, Thriving in Columbia
Warren Bolton
The State (Columbia, South Carolina)
May 11--WHEN WOIC-AM was sold and transformed to a nearly all-sports format several years ago, many listeners lamented the loss of a key radio voice for black people in Columbia.
For nearly four decades, the station had provided a forum that helped African-Americans make sense of things going on around them. It had helped its audience establish a sense of community. Its on-air personalities weren't just company employees, they were of the community.
Those who've been in Columbia for a while remember Bill Terrell, Beverly Spearman, Ben Scott, Jesse Bowers, Listervelt Middleton, Gwen Fushee and Ben Scott. They were among those who helped develop black talk radio in Columbia.
"WOIC really pioneered that in the late '60s, early '70s," said Don Frierson, who hosts "The Urban Scene," which began on WOIC and now airs on WGCV 620 AM from noon to 1 p.m. on weekdays.
Today, there is a plethora of options for black radio listeners. No doubt the reason is Columbia's sizable black population. Consider the options: On Sundays at 6 p.m.: "OnPoint" with Cynthia Pryor Hardy, WWDM 101.3 FM; "N-Touch" with Craig Melvin, WLXC 98.5 FM; and "I-95" with Dawn Mills Campbell, 95.3 FM. Daily shows include "The Urban Scene" and the "P.A. Bennett Show" from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., both on WGCV. The "Power Hour" with Lopez Martinez airs on WOIC 1230 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
These talk shows go far beyond trivial issues and dramatic political banter you find on some shows. While sometimes light and joyful, many of their topics are hard-hitting and delve deep into the African-American psyche, and for good reason. Black people deal with a lot of challenging issues; it's time to seek solutions, not play around. They tackle local, state and national issues.
There are also several national shows pumped in as well, including "Keeping it Real" with the Rev. Al Sharpton, the "Michael Eric Dyson Show" and "The Right Side" with Armstrong Williams.
In addition to "The Urban Scene," WOIC birthed "Monday Night Switchboard." The thought-provoking, informative shows challenged listeners to raise their social consciences.
As new stations began competing with WOIC, such as FM stations KISS, WWDM and WFMV, it lost some of its appeal. It finally was sold, and the talk shows' futures became uncertain. Eventually, "Monday Night Switchboard" died, while "The Urban Scene" bounced around before landing a new home.
Today, Mr. Frierson, who has been around for 19 years, is the dean of the talk show hosts. He began in 1988, doing mostly production work. It wouldn't be long, however, before he got an opportunity to host not only "The Urban Scene," but also "Monday Night Switchboard."
Mr. Frierson said "The Urban Scene" broke new ground when it went on the air. "At the time we got started there were no black radio stations that I'm aware of who would give up their midday for a talk radio program," he said.
Glory Communications, which owns WGCV and WFMV, has been a leader in this area. Mr. Frierson said Alex Snipe Jr., owner of Glory Communications, has a passion for community service and empowering people. WGCV's tagline is "Where Knowledge is Power."
"To his credit, he's doing what I feel African-American radio stations should be doing," Mr. Frierson said.
He said radio stations must go beyond the minimum public service requirements meted out by the Federal Communications Commission. Stations should seek to have meaningful impact in the lives of listeners, he said.
Mr. Frierson credits Bill Terrell, who joined WOIC in the 1960s, with helping shape his philosophy about black talk radio and the mission of black stations. Mr. Terrell, formerly radio announcer and program director at WOIC and WWDM, is perhaps best known for hosting Job Man Caravan on ETV.
Mr. Terrell's morning show was unlike most others, Mr. Frierson said. He said Mr. Terrell always had positive, uplifting messages for listeners. He encouraged people to be confident and believe in themselves and their abilities. "After hearing Bill, I began to look at radio not just as a means for entertainment, but also as a means for social change, a means of feeding much-needed positive information to our communities," Mr. Frierson once wrote in an essay.
Mr. Frierson prides himself on being open to the entire community. He said he tries not to deny anyone an opportunity to join him on "The Urban Scene" to share their views or information, regardless the issue. "I try not to make it a barrier for people to get on," he said.
If you tune in to "The Urban Scene," the guest could be a poet or pastor or a local sheriff or city council member. You might hear excerpts from a Malcolm X speech. Or perhaps you'll hear a discussion on spirituality or African history. The show might focus on political issues or neighborhood news.
Mr. Frierson said he doesn't view the many other talk radio shows as competition. Black people need as much information as they can get, he said.
"I think our primary mission should be to entertain, but also to inform. There's so much out there that we're facing as a people."
Reach Mr. Bolton at (803) 771-8631 or wbolton@thestate.com
