Frequency 1450 kHz | First air date June 5, 1944 | |
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City Clarksdale, Mississippi Broadcast area Coahoma County, Mississippi Slogan Classic Soul Rhythm and Blues Translator(s) 97.5 W248CL (Clarksdale) | ||
WROX is a rhythmic oldies radio station in Clarksdale, Mississippi. It is a class C station operating at 1000 watts on 1450 kHz. Translator W248CL operates on 97.5 MHz. The WROX business office is located at 628 DeSoto Avenue.
WROX is noted for having had the first black radio announcer in Mississippi, Early Wright, also known as "The Soul Man". Musicians Wright hosted on WROX included Sam Cooke, B.B. King, Little Milton, Pinetop Perkins, Elvis Presley, Charley Pride, Bobby Rush, Rufus Thomas, and Muddy Waters. Others performers on WROX included Jackie Brenston, Raymond Hill, Robert Nighthawk, Doctor Ross, and Sonny Boy Williamson II. Musician Ike Turner worked as a janitor at WROX, while attending Clarksdale High School.
History
WROX started transmitting on June 5, 1944, operating from 321 Delta Avenue with 250 watts. It moved to 257 Delta Avenue in July 1945, presently the location of the WROX museum. Station power was increased to 1000 watts in 1964, using a RCA BTA-1R transmitter. The 257 Delta Avenue location was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2002, and a Mississippi Blues Trail marker was placed there. The AM transmitter was updated with a Broadcast Electronics AM-1A transmitter in 2006. The FM simulcast on 105.7 FM was set up in 2010.