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'{{Infobox radio station | name = WGNC | image = | city = [[Gastonia, North Carolina]] | area = | branding = | slogan = "News, Talk and Sports!" | airdate = | frequency = 1450 [[kHz]] | format = News, [[Talk radio|Talk]], and Sports | power = 1000 [[watt]]s | erp = | haat = | class = C | facility_id = | coordinates = {{coord|35|16|32|N|81|12|04|W}} | callsign_meaning = '''W G'''astonia, '''NC''' | former_callsigns = | owner = [[Scott Neisler]] | licensee = | sister_stations = | webcast = | website = http://www.wgnc.net/ | affiliations = }} '''WGNC''' (1450 [[AM broadcasting|AM]]) is a [[radio station]] broadcasting a News, Talk, and Sports format. Licensed to [[Gastonia, North Carolina]], USA, it serves the Gastonia area. The station is an affiliate of the [[Atlanta Braves]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/schedule/index.jsp?c_id=atl&m=4&y=2010|title=2010 Atlanta Braves Baseball Schedule|work=The Official Site of the Atlanta Braves}}</ref> radio network, the largest radio affiliate network in [[Major League Baseball]] and is also an affiliate of the [[Washington Redskins]] <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.redskins.com/gen/games/schedule.jsp|title=2009 Washington Redskins Football Schedule|work=The Official Site of the Washington Redskins}}</ref> radio network. ==History== Doug McSwain's father Pat McSwain started the AM station in 1939 and the [[WBAV-FM|FM]] station in 1947. The younger McSwain was vice president and general manager of WGNC when the family sold both stations to [[Beasley Broadcast Group]] in 1986.<ref>Jeff Borden, "WZXI and WGNC Radio Signed on to New Owners", ''The Charlotte Observer'', October 3, 1986.</ref> Six years after buying [[WCSL]] in [[Cherryville, North Carolina|Cherryville]], Calvin Hastings bought WGNC and started KTC Broadcasting. In 1992 he bought [[WZGV|WOHS]] in [[Shelby, North Carolina|Shelby]] and began calling the three stations Piedmont Superstations.<ref>"Radio Station WCSL Celebrates 25 Years", ''The Charlotte Observer'', September 27, 1992.</ref> WCSL, WGNC and WOHS began airing Atlanta Braves baseball in 1993.<ref>John Glennon, "Radio Stations to Broadcast Braves Baseball Next Season", ''The Charlotte Observer'', December 19, 1992.</ref> WGNC had served as the radio home of the Gastonia Rangers minor league team from 1990 to 1992. On April 1, 1993, KTC took over [[WLON]] in [[Lincolnton, North Carolina|Lincolnton]] in a lease agreement. WLON's Tim Biggerstaff would remain as morning DJ, and his show would be heard on all four KTC stations. News for the entire area would be expanded. The four stations aired [[University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill|UNC]] football and basketball, [[Dallas Cowboys]] and [[Washington Redskins]] [[National Football League|NFL]] football, and [[CBS]] coverage of such events as The [[World Series]] and The [[Super Bowl]].<ref>Joe Marusak, "New Owner Will Cut Positions at WLON", ''The Charlotte Observer'', March 24, 1993.</ref> The four stations added the NFL [[Carolina Panthers]] when the team began playing in 1995. They also aired games of the [[National Basketball Association|NBA]] [[Charlotte Hornets]]<ref>David Poole, "Sports Finds Many Homes on Dial", ''The Charlotte Observer'', October 4, 1995.</ref> In 2000, the stations began airing the Redskins again instead of the Panthers (WGNC aired the Panthers if there was no conflict).<ref>David Scott, "Sports Business", ''The Charlotte Observer'', November 20, 2000.</ref> Late in 1999, the four stations changed from [[country music]] to "super oldies." Biggerstaff, the program director, said country had moved away from its traditional sound. Lillie White remained as midday host, and Andy Foster was afternoon host. Local and sports remained important, and the stations aired the [[One-on-One]] sports radio network at night.<ref>Sharon E. White, "Up-Tempo Oldies Push Country Aside at 4 Stations in Regional AM Network", ''The Charlotte Observer'', December 5, 1999.</ref> In 2004, Biggerstaff was still hosting his show on WCSL and WLON despite [[diabetes]]-related health problems.<ref>Joe DePriest, "New Friend Offers Gift for Ailing DJ", ''The Charlotte Observer'', April 14, 2004.</ref> Later he moved to Lincolnton-based Hometown Radio's Shelby operation. On [[WOHS|WADA]] he played [[classic country]] music, and he hosted a "[[Tradio|Swap Shop]]" show on WGNC and WOHS. By this time he had experienced a [[kidney transplantation|kidney transplant]] and two [[pancreas transplantation|pancreas transplants]]. On [[Memorial Day]] 2007, while on the air, Biggerstaff had a [[non-epileptic seizure|seizure]] and asked for help on the air, and a listener called [[9-1-1|911]]. He ended up being interviewed by [[BBC London]], ''[[Today (NBC Program)|Today]]'' and ''[[People Magazine]]''.<ref>Joe DePriest, "DJ's Listeners Friends in Need and in Deed", ''The Charlotte Observer'', June 7, 2007.</ref> On Saturday November 22, 2014, Sports on Tap w/ Kuveikis and The Dude debuted on WGNC. On Saturday August 20th 2016, [http://carolinasportsnetwork.com/the-sports-brunch/ The Sports Brunch w/ Mojo and Kuveikis] debuted on WGNC. On Friday February 3rd 2017, WGNC became an affiliate for [http://www.nbcsportsradio.com/ NBC Sports Radio]. ==References== {{reflist}} ==External links== * {{AM station data|WGNC}} {{clear}} [[Category:Radio stations in North Carolina|GNC]] [[Category:News and talk radio stations in the United States]] [[Category:Gastonia, North Carolina|GNC]] [[Category:Radio stations established in 1947]] [[Category:1947 establishments in North Carolina]]'