WIDU

WIDU
Fayetteville, North Carolina;
Broadcast area	Fayetteville, North Carolina
Frequency	1600 kHz
Branding	WIDU 1600 & 99.7
Programming
Format	Gospel music
Ownership
Owner	WIDU Broadcasting, Inc.
History
First air date	December 1958
Technical information
Licensing authority	FCC
Class	D
Power	5,000 watts day; 147 watts night
Transmitter coordinates	35°05′54″N 78°53′12″W / 35.09833°N 78.88667°W
Translator(s)	99.7 W259CY (Fayetteville)
Links
Public license information	Public file; LMS;
Webcast	Listen live
Website	www.widu1600.com

WIDU (1600 AM) is a radio station broadcasting a gospel music format. Licensed to Fayetteville, North Carolina, United States, it serves the Fayetteville area. The station is owned by WIDU Broadcasting, Inc.

History

WIDU was Fayetteville's fourth radio station when it signed on in December 1958 with 1,000 watts of power and a Top 40 format. Six years later, WIDU became the city's first black radio station. In 1987, Wes Cookman, who is white and later married a black woman he met at WIDU, became majority owner and changed its format to black gospel.^[1] Bill Belche Sr., one of those who started the station, had recently died and the WIDU was having trouble competing with larger stations.^[2]

In 1998, Cookman bought WAGR in Lumberton and WEWO in Laurinburg.^[3]

Later, Cookman added WFMO in Fairmont to what was called "WE-DO" network, whose black gospel and news and information programming originated from the WIDU studios.^[4]

Terry Jordan of WFNC became the WE-DO network's only white host in 2001^[5] but ended up moving the show to WAZZ after two weeks; he remained an engineer for WE-DO network.^[6]

In 2012, Cookman was hosting the "issue-driven and knowledge-based" morning show called "Wake Up", which aired from 9 A.M. to 1 P.M. weekdays. Kirk deViere hosted the program Tuesdays and Thursdays. WIDU also aired church services on Sundays. In 2010, Cookman received the Order of the Long Leaf Pine from North Carolina Governor Beverly Perdue.^[2]

References

^ Michael Futch, "Sounds for the Soul," The Fayetteville Observer, October 19, 1997.
^ ^a ^b Calhoun, Jennifer (April 29, 2012). "Cape Fear Profile: Wes Cookman seeks to empower community through radio". Fayetteville Observer. Retrieved June 5, 2012.
^ Michael Futch, "Lumberton's WAGR to Be Sold," The Fayetteville Observer, April 18, 1998.
^ TV Station Replaces Its Weather Man," The Fayetteville Observer, October 18, 1998.
^ Michael Futch, "Radio Host Jordan Resigns," The Fayetteville Observer, June 16, 2001.
^ Michael Futch, "Half-Hour Talk Show Won't Go on After All," The Fayetteville Observer, September 30, 2001.