New Radio Station Debuts in Asheville

The musicians who made Motown, the bands that invaded from Britain, and the guy who lived in Graceland are all back in Asheville.

Western North Carolina’s newest radio station, Asheville’s Pure Oldies 97.3, is on the air.

“We’re playing songs from Elvis, Chuck Berry, the Supremes, the Beatles, Herman’s Hermits, Beach Boys, the Shirelles, Little Richard, and Bill Haley and the Comets,” says Neal Sharpe, Pure Oldies 97.3 Operations Manager. “It’s like having the founders of the Rock Hall of Fame on your radio.”

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The station’s playlist is made entirely of songs from the ’50s and ’60s.

Asheville’s Pure Oldies 97.3 takes the place of WISE Sports Radio, which moves to 102.9 FM, and is also still available at 1310 AM and 970 AM.

“Pure Oldies 97.3 fills a gap in local radio for local listeners who’ve felt forgotten,” says Chris Hoffman, General Manager of Asheville Radio Group. “We heard them, and are glad to have them now listening to us. The new station also gives local businesses a chance to reach a large demographic of listeners who’ll make Pure Oldies 97.3 their go-to station.”

While 50s and 60s hits are popular among baby boomers, Pure Oldies 97.3 is a mass appeal format.

“The music is fun, and you catch yourself singing along because you realize you know all the words,” Sharpe adds. “Even people born long after the death of Elvis know ‘Blue Suede Shoes’ and ‘Hound Dog’”.

Pure Oldies 97.3 is part of Asheville Radio Group, the area’s leading radio advertising company. In addition to Pure Oldies 97.3 and WISE Sports Radio, the group includes Mix 96.5, 105.9 the Mountain, 98.1 the River, Rewind 100.3, 105.5 the Outlaw, and local entertainment website the828.com.