WTUP
Encyclopedia
WTUP is a radio station
broadcasting an oldies
format. Licensed to Tupelo, Mississippi
, USA, the station serves the Tupelo area. The station is currently owned by URBan Radio Broadcasting
and features music primarily from the 1950s and 1960s.
). The station signed on as a full-service AM providing music, news and weather for Tupelo. In fact, one of the station’s most historic broadcasts occurred in 1946 when WTUP listeners heard local native Elvis Presley
singing, on the air, for the first time on the popular Mississippi Slim Radio Show. Elvis was only 10 years old. Of course, Elvis would eventually change American culture forever. He would nevertheless make frequent returns to his hometown of Tupelo, MS and make it a point to visit WTUP each time.
At one time, WTUP and WELO were sister stations.
The station participates in Tupelo’s annual Race For The Cure fundraising marathon for the American Cancer Society
.
WTUP changed formats a few times, eventually being purchased by Clear Channel Communications
and 'flipped' to a Sports Radio Format. The station made available to the community professional sports teams like the St. Louis Cardinals and the Memphis Grizzlies in addition to local sports institutions such as Saltillo High School Football, Tupelo High School Basketball & Baseball and Mississippi Mudcats Arena Football. WTUP, at one point, was broadcasting more than 200 live, local sports events annually.
In 2009, following a purchase of the radio station by URBan Radio Broadcasting
, WTUP returned to an Oldies music format and resume the "The Top Dawg" branding.
Radio station
Radio broadcasting is a one-way wireless transmission over radio waves intended to reach a wide audience. Stations can be linked in radio networks to broadcast a common radio format, either in broadcast syndication or simulcast or both...
broadcasting an oldies
Oldies
Oldies is a term commonly used to describe a radio format that concentrates on music from a period of about 15 to 55 years before the present day....
format. Licensed to Tupelo, Mississippi
Tupelo, Mississippi
Tupelo is the largest city in and the county seat of Lee County, Mississippi, United States. It is the seventh largest city in the state of Mississippi, smaller than Meridian, and larger than Greenville. As of the 2000 United States Census, the city's population was 34,211...
, USA, the station serves the Tupelo area. The station is currently owned by URBan Radio Broadcasting
Urban Radio Broadcasting
URBan Radio Broadcasting, LLC, is an American media company that specializes in radio stations. The markets where they own radio stations include Toledo, Ohio, Muscle Shoals, Alabama, Tupelo, Mississippi, Columbus, Mississippi, Meridian, Mississippi, and Alexandria, Louisiana...
and features music primarily from the 1950s and 1960s.
History
WTUP was the second broadcast radio station in Tupelo, MS (the first was WELOWELO
WELO is a radio station broadcasting a Adult Standards format. Licensed to Tupelo, Mississippi, USA, the station serves the Tupelo area. The station is currently owned by Jmd, Inc..-History:...
). The station signed on as a full-service AM providing music, news and weather for Tupelo. In fact, one of the station’s most historic broadcasts occurred in 1946 when WTUP listeners heard local native Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
singing, on the air, for the first time on the popular Mississippi Slim Radio Show. Elvis was only 10 years old. Of course, Elvis would eventually change American culture forever. He would nevertheless make frequent returns to his hometown of Tupelo, MS and make it a point to visit WTUP each time.
At one time, WTUP and WELO were sister stations.
The station participates in Tupelo’s annual Race For The Cure fundraising marathon for the American Cancer Society
American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society is the "nationwide community-based voluntary health organization" dedicated, in their own words, "to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy, and...
.
WTUP changed formats a few times, eventually being purchased by Clear Channel Communications
Clear Channel Communications
Clear Channel Communications, Inc. is an American media conglomerate company headquartered in San Antonio, Texas. It was founded in 1972 by Lowry Mays and Red McCombs, and was taken private by Bain Capital LLC and Thomas H. Lee Partners LP in a leveraged buyout in 2008...
and 'flipped' to a Sports Radio Format. The station made available to the community professional sports teams like the St. Louis Cardinals and the Memphis Grizzlies in addition to local sports institutions such as Saltillo High School Football, Tupelo High School Basketball & Baseball and Mississippi Mudcats Arena Football. WTUP, at one point, was broadcasting more than 200 live, local sports events annually.
In 2009, following a purchase of the radio station by URBan Radio Broadcasting
Urban Radio Broadcasting
URBan Radio Broadcasting, LLC, is an American media company that specializes in radio stations. The markets where they own radio stations include Toledo, Ohio, Muscle Shoals, Alabama, Tupelo, Mississippi, Columbus, Mississippi, Meridian, Mississippi, and Alexandria, Louisiana...
, WTUP returned to an Oldies music format and resume the "The Top Dawg" branding.