Our History
In April 1974, there came to the city of Asheville a radio station located at 91.3 on the FM dial with the call letters WBMU-FM, with the music of a People, Black people. The city, the people, and the broadcast personalities had no idea then as to the impact those call letters would make in their lives and these United States.
This Black-owned and Black-operated radio station’s sole purpose was to address the informational and musical needs of the Black community in this Western North Carolina city with pride and unity. The call letters, WBMU, said it all – Where Black Means Unity.
Our Beginnings
The founder, Jim Robinson, shared with all of the station personalities his vision of making WBMU totally different from other stations. The concept of having personalities with flavors, instead of disc jockeys, that was as unique as the individuals themselves, gained the attention of the entire region. From the time WBMU-FM signed on at 6:00 a.m. and shut down at Midnight, very few people listened to any other station anywhere within the listening areas.
WBMU-FM was the Urban Sound. The station engaged and excited a region with a sound, a style, and a staff that was second to none.
Our Team
WBMU taught all of its Announcers and Staff in the Art and Skills of Broadcasting and provided training for On-Air Personalities to all of the various stations throughout the region. With the new WBMU, we retrace that era with music and programming that not only entertains but also informs our listeners. While we cannot go back to those times, we can remember them all ….
Yesterday, Today, and Forever!
Our On-Air Personalities
The following are only a few of the many broadcast personalities we have had through the years. They provided WBMU-FM and thousands of listeners their best, day in and day out. No matter the day or the weather, they were always there.
Some great announcers and advisors (*) are no longer holding down an earthly air shift at the new WBMU but are spinning a more melodic platter at a much higher station. Still, we fondly and gratefully remember them all.
- Judith “Judy” Stribbling* (Asheville, North Carolina’s First Female Radio Announcer)
- Aaron “Doctor A” Logan*
- David K. “Dave Kingsley” Hall, Jr. DDS*
- Harry “Hippie” McLaughlin
- Wanda Henry-Coleman
- Terry Fisher*
- Cleo “The Mooseman” Shivers*
- Tom Robertson
- Carl Shell
- Brenda Wilson
- Terry “The Magician” Ballard (Our Youngest Announcer at 14 Years of Age)
- Darryl Griffin
- Myron Avery
- Charles “Jay Alexander” McKesson
- “Mark Anthony” Burts
- Ann Hallum*
- Charles “Smitty” Smith
- Wardell “Mr. C” Cunningham
- Elder Johnny Hayes*
- Rev. Otis Ware*
- Jerry “Jay Boogie” Mason
- Theodore “T.R. Stone” Swinton
- Jennifer “Jenny” Moss
- James “Omar” Brown
- Steve “Tall Sam” Livingston (Station Computer Programmer and Chief Engineer)
- James “The Master Blaster” Smith
- Bobby White
- Robert “Rock and Roll Rob” Morrow*
- Fred Soler
- Glendale “Shirah Paige” Harrison
- Antonette Arbello
- Mike McKeel
- Jeff McKeel
- “Little Jimmy” Mills*
- Virginia “Lee” McClure
- Sandra “Cortney Love” Bolden
- Carol “Tizzy” Mapp
- Mary Linney
- Terest Sims
- Frank “Tony Medero” Woody*
- Anthony “The Professor” Jackson
- Curt Burton*
- Carter “General Matt” Mitchell
- Anna “Dawn” Creaseman
- Levon “The Breeze” Boyd
- George Young
- Charles Young*
- James “The Fix-It-Man” Finley*
- Richard “Rick Hampton” Morrow
- Hanon Shabazz
- Bobby “The Boss Man” Powers
- Roman Delaney
- Jerry Fulp
- Richard “Super See” Marvels
- Edwin “Stokes” Stout*
- Pamela “Tina Marie” Lanihan
- John “Jay Michael” Mosby
- Judith “Kelly” Pallai
- Ronald “Ron R.’ King
- Thomas “Tom” Grandy
- Anthony “The Watchapolly” Sweat
- Joe Scarborough
- Brian “Sanchez” Carter
- Terry Metcalf
- Michael Fichera
- Deloris “Dee” Fleming
- Norman E. Jorgensen, Esq*
- N. Eric “Rick” Jorgensen, Advisor
We also recognize the numerous others giving their all to provide the very best broadcasting Asheville has ever had. They were often imitated but never duplicated. They were and are still WBMU – B91. For your years of dedication and service, we salute you one and all!
Front Row: Cleo “The Mooseman” Shivers*, Harry “Hippie” McLaughlin, Tom Robertson
Back Row: David K. “Dave Kingsley” Hall, Jr. DDS*, Aaron “Doctor A” Logan*, Jim Robinson, Terry Fisher*
Photos by Henry Robinson*
Meet the Team
Jim Robinson
Founder/CEO
jimrobinson@wbmu.net
Shirley B. Robinson
President & General Manager
sydney@wbmu.net
Kookie Springs
Vice President, Station Relations
kookiesprings@wbmu.net
RonR The Morning Show with RonR Monday to Friday, 6a.m. to 10 a.m. ronr@wbmu.net
Shonda Jaye
Midday with Shonda Jaye
Monday to Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
shondajaye@wbmu.net
Reese LeNodd
The Ryde Tyme Vybe
Monday to Friday, 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
reeselenodd@wbmu.net
DJ Supaman
Saturday, 6:00 a.m. to 12 Noon
djsupaman@wbmu.net
Omar
Smooth Jazz, Smooth Vocals
Monday to Thursday, 9:00 p.m. to Midnight
omar@wbmu.net
Dell Knight
All Nite with Dell
Monday to Friday, Midnight to 6:00 a.m.
dellknight@wbmu.net
Prince Namor’
The Prince Namor’ Reggae Experience
Saturday, Noon to 2:00 p.m.
princenamor@wbmu.net
J Boogie
The Blues Buffet
Saturday, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. to Midnight
jboogie@wbmu.net
Jenny Moss
Executive Secretary
jennymoss@wbmu.net