WAGE Radio Collection 1958-2003

Access and use

Location of collection:
Thomas Balch Library
Thomas Balch Library
208 West Market Street
Leesburg, Virginia 20176
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Alexandra S. Gressitt
Phone: (703) 737-7195
Fax: (703) 737-7195

Summary

Creator:
WAGE Radio
Abstract:
This collection consists of documents, photographs, and WAGE Radio broadcast recordings, including reporting on local news and events, local sports, politics, and international affairs. Many of the recordings on international affairs were hosted by news director William Chewning III. The radio broadcast recordings were recorded on 1/4" analog reel to reel tapes and include end of the year actuality compilations (edited sound bites of broadcast journalists), broadcast highlights, news reports, and reports on events of local significance. The majority of the recordings are from the 1970s and 1980s with some recordings from the late 1950s, 1960s, and early 1990s. There are a total of 482 reel to reel tape recordings in the collection. The WAGE radio recordings are only accessible in digital format (.wav and mp3 format), which will be transferred to a CD on request for in-library use. Included in the collection are several pieces of equipment used by WAGE Radio to produce and present programs. There are also various photographs and other visual materials of WAGE Radio sponsored and related events, including photos of home and trade shows and a 16" by 20" framed collage. There are also documents and records of WAGE material and WAGE media in the manuscript and oversized materials including correspondence, Crystal Radio Award documents, newspaper articles, advertisements, and event posters.
Language:
English

Background

Scope and content:

This collection consists of documents, photographs, and WAGE Radio broadcast recordings, including reporting on local news and events, local sports, politics, and international affairs. Many of the recordings on international affairs were hosted by news director William Chewning III. The radio broadcast recordings were recorded on 1/4" analog reel to reel tapes and include end of the year actuality compilations (edited sound bites of broadcast journalists), broadcast highlights, news reports, and reports on events of local significance. The majority of the recordings are from the 1970s and 1980s with some recordings from the late 1950s, 1960s, and early 1990s. There are a total of 482 reel to reel tape recordings in the collection. The date of each broadcast (if available) is included in the container list. Included in the collection are several pieces of equipment used by WAGE Radio to produce and present programs. There are also various photographs and other visual materials of WAGE Radio sponsored and related events, including photos of home and trade shows and a 16" by 20" framed collage. There are also documents and records of WAGE material and WAGE media in the manuscript and oversized materials including correspondence, Crystal Radio Award documents, newspaper articles, advertisements, and event posters.

The WAGE radio recordings are only accessible in digital format (.wav and mp3 format), which will be transferred to a CD on request for in-library use. Prior arrangements are necessary to use the collection. Please contact the library ahead of time.

Biographical / historical:

On 6 March 1958, WAGE Radio went on the air as Loudoun County's first and only radio station. The station, located in Leesburg, was originally available on 1290 kHz AM frequency. Many notable personalities influenced and developed WAGE Radio over the years, including William H. Spencer, Jr. (28 February 1917-23 October 2007), John R. Gill (21 September 1917-30 November 2002), William J. Chewning III (14 May 1931-13 May 2008), and Paul Draisey (26 April 1956-16 April 2012).

William H. Spencer Jr. was general manager of WAGE from 1964-1988. John Gill was chief promotion director and an engineer at WAGE when the station first began broadcasting. William Chewning III was a news director and journalist at WAGE during the 1970s. He hosted international specials on current events, cultures, and political issues of countries and regions, including China, Cuba, Russia, Kenya, Vietnam, United Kingdom, Africa, and the Middle East. Paul Draisey began working at WAGE Radio in 1971 and was 14 when he aired his first show. Often called the "Voice of Loudoun," he worked for WAGE from 1971-2007 as a reporter and general manager. During his time at WAGE, Draisey hosted a popular afternoon show called "The Drive Home with Paul Draisey."

WAGE Radio was a daytime radio station with an emphasis on local news. In 1995, WAGE moved to 1200 kHz AM frequency which allowed the station access to a stronger, full-time signal. With the change in frequencies came a change in format, and WAGE became a twenty-four hour news and talk radio station and included nationally syndicated programs. WAGE continued its commitment to local news and events, however, and covered local events, births, weddings, deaths, weather, traffic reports, agriculture, sports, and even birthdays

New World Radio (WUST), a broadcast facility that focuses on foreign language programs for Washington D.C.'s international communities, acquired the station in 2005. In 2007 much of the staff was fired and many of the local news programs were eliminated. New World Radio cited economic pressure as a primary reason for the firings. In 2008, WAGE received a permit to move to 1190 kHz frequency and increase its power to 50,000 watts, amking it a much more powerful station with a regional broadcast area. Before it was able to implement these changes, however, WAGE was forced to go off the air as a result of economic conditions, specifically decreased local ad revenue. WAGE was off air from 2 August 2009 until 2011. On 11 April 2011, a re-branded WAGE went back on air as WCRW, "China Radio International," with programs and entertainment from the Pacific Rim. WCRW made significant changes to the station's programming and places little focus on providing local news and events, looking instead to the emerging Asian market in Northern Virginia.

Acquisition information:
William Chewning III, Fredericksburg, VA; Claire Kincannon, Paeonian Springs, VA; New World Radio, Falls Church, VA
Arrangement:

Box: folder