Today in Wheeling History: November 8—New program director Arlen Sanders made WWVA a "full-time country radio station" (1965).
On November 8, 1965, newly appointed program director Arlen Sanders transformed WWVA into a full-time country music station, marking a pivotal moment in Wheeling's broadcasting history. Sanders, a former top disc jockey at 50,000-watt KRLA in Los Angeles and music director at KEZY in Anaheim, brought modern radio techniques to the historic station. His appointment by general manager George Faulder coincided with a critical period for WWVA and its flagship program, the Wheeling Jamboree, which faced possible cancellation after the 1962 demolition of the Virginia Theatre.
Sanders initiated "The Big Country Sound," combining contemporary country hits with sharp modern programming. Under his leadership, WWVA added 27 new acts within 15 months, including David Houston, Esco Hankins, and the Stanley Brothers. Sanders left in 1967, succeeded by Bob Finnegan as program director. Finnegan continued the station's modernization while retaining its rustic charm. The transformation proved remarkably successful. By 1968, WWVA had expanded its audience tremendously and attracted top country stars regularly. In 1969, the Jamboree moved to the renovated Capitol Music Hall. Glenn Reeves served as Executive Director from 1970-1982, launching the annual Jamboree in the Hills festival in 1977, which became one of America's largest outdoor country concerts. Sanders later worked at KIEV, KCNW in Tulsa, and during the 1980s became a stage actor while consulting for WWVA. He died of a stroke in 1994 at age 64.
To learn more: Wheeling Jamboree - Wikipedia (https://tinyurl.com/4maaw93c), WWVA Jamboree History - LiquiSearch (https://tinyurl.com/3bpayy6a), Wheeling Jamboree Official History (https://tinyurl.com/yb48c8c6), WWVA 1170AM History - Facebook (https://tinyurl.com/4vs7a5fw), WWVA Radio Station – Ohio County Public Library (https://tinyurl.com/5c8c5mwz), WWVA 1170AM History – Facebook (https://tinyurl.com/4vs7a5fw), e-WV Encyclopedia – Wheeling Jamboree (https://tinyurl.com/2tvwkzft), Wheeling's 50000 watt WWVA 1170 AM "Big Country" DJ - History of the Ohio Valley - Facebook (https://tinyurl.com/2x3se32t), Los Angeles radio People, Where are they Now? - LARadio.com (https://tinyurl.com/2c634yt2), Arlen Sanders Music By the Pacifics - Hopped-Up-Mustang KEZY DJ - YouTube (https://tinyurl.com/58kr6pww), Arlen Sanders - Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum - Digital Archive (https://tinyurl.com/5cpdvu7v), World Radio History (https://tinyurl.com/ntupmspb), Internet Archive (https://tinyurl.com/muvudxy6)
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV; LARadio.com, YouTube
On November 8, 1965, newly appointed program director Arlen Sanders transformed WWVA into a full-time country music station, marking a pivotal moment in Wheeling's broadcasting history. Sanders, a former top disc jockey at 50,000-watt KRLA in Los Angeles and music director at KEZY in Anaheim, brought modern radio techniques to the historic station. His appointment by general manager George Faulder coincided with a critical period for WWVA and its flagship program, the Wheeling Jamboree, which faced possible cancellation after the 1962 demolition of the Virginia Theatre.
Sanders initiated "The Big Country Sound," combining contemporary country hits with sharp modern programming. Under his leadership, WWVA added 27 new acts within 15 months, including David Houston, Esco Hankins, and the Stanley Brothers. Sanders left in 1967, succeeded by Bob Finnegan as program director. Finnegan continued the station's modernization while retaining its rustic charm. The transformation proved remarkably successful. By 1968, WWVA had expanded its audience tremendously and attracted top country stars regularly. In 1969, the Jamboree moved to the renovated Capitol Music Hall. Glenn Reeves served as Executive Director from 1970-1982, launching the annual Jamboree in the Hills festival in 1977, which became one of America's largest outdoor country concerts. Sanders later worked at KIEV, KCNW in Tulsa, and during the 1980s became a stage actor while consulting for WWVA. He died of a stroke in 1994 at age 64.
To learn more: Wheeling Jamboree - Wikipedia (https://tinyurl.com/4maaw93c), WWVA Jamboree History - LiquiSearch (https://tinyurl.com/3bpayy6a), Wheeling Jamboree Official History (https://tinyurl.com/yb48c8c6), WWVA 1170AM History - Facebook (https://tinyurl.com/4vs7a5fw), WWVA Radio Station – Ohio County Public Library (https://tinyurl.com/5c8c5mwz), WWVA 1170AM History – Facebook (https://tinyurl.com/4vs7a5fw), e-WV Encyclopedia – Wheeling Jamboree (https://tinyurl.com/2tvwkzft), Wheeling's 50000 watt WWVA 1170 AM "Big Country" DJ - History of the Ohio Valley - Facebook (https://tinyurl.com/2x3se32t), Los Angeles radio People, Where are they Now? - LARadio.com (https://tinyurl.com/2c634yt2), Arlen Sanders Music By the Pacifics - Hopped-Up-Mustang KEZY DJ - YouTube (https://tinyurl.com/58kr6pww), Arlen Sanders - Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum - Digital Archive (https://tinyurl.com/5cpdvu7v), World Radio History (https://tinyurl.com/ntupmspb), Internet Archive (https://tinyurl.com/muvudxy6)
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV; LARadio.com, YouTube
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