City Hinesville, Georgia Slogan Am99 First air date November 1958 | Broadcast area Savannah area Frequency 990 kHz Format Gospel | |
WGML (990 AM) is a radio station broadcasting a Gospel format. Licensed to Hinesville, Georgia, USA, the station serves the Savannah area. The station is currently owned by Powerhouse of Deliverance Church, Inc.
History
WGML has been on the air under the WGML call letters as a daytime radio broadcaster since November 1958. It was originally owned by the Liberty Broadcasting Company. During that time, it was the only station that could be heard with a strong signal at Fort Stewart. (several Savannah stations and a Jacksonville station could be picked up during the daytime with somewhat weaker signals.) At that time (1960s), the station offered a mix of middle-of-the-road music and local interest programming. The station has undergone numerous format changes during its history, from its original middle of the road programming, to pop/rock, country, talk, and its current gospel format.
WGML ownership has changed several times since its inception by Liberty Broadcasting Company (established by local businessmen Paul Sikes and Roscoe Denmark). Jim Watson, who had become the general manager of the station, bought it in 1959. It was subsequently owned by Harris Slotin, a Savannah businessman, who sold it to Dave Steele in the 1970s. It was ultimately purchased by the Powerhouse of Deliverance Church.
The first announcer/manager of WGML was Don Kordecki. In addition to Jim Watson, many local announcers were hired, particularly in its early years. Some of the local personalities were Donald Browning, David (Butch) Fulton, Gary Smiley, Bill Meacham, Dennis Eversoll, Bob Groover, and Brian Steele. Many other local persons have served in various capacities and still do so, giving the station a strong local area appeal.