WROX History

WROX-AM is the oldest radio station in Northwest Mississippi. WROX began operation on June 2, 1944, broadcasting from 321 Delta Avenue in downtown Clarksdale. In 1946, the station moved to 257 Delta Avenue, where it remained until 1953. That location now houses the WROX Museum,* owned by Clarksdale native Bubba O'Keefe.

Below is a recreation of the WROX Control Room in the WROX Museum.

Technical Notes

WROX originally operated with 250-watts day and night. Below (left) is the original 250-watt RCA transmitter used by WROX from 1944 to 1964. In 1964, WROX's power was increased to 1000 watts and a new RCA BTA-1R transmitter was installed (below right). It was in service until 2003, when it was replaced with a solid-state transmitter.

in 2006, a Broadcast Electronics AM-1A transmitter was installed.

WROX Director of Engineering Kirk Harnack points to the new BE transmitter. (Compared to the old ones, it's tiny.)

Below is a collection of WROX microphones and a receiver, dating back to thirties and forties, courtesy of Bubba O'Keefe's WROX Museum.*

Studios

WROX had many homes over the years, including the Alcazar Hotel, which served as WROX's studio from 1955 through until the station was moved to 317 Delta Avenue (right) in the early 90's. That building is now a recording studio. 

In 2005, the station settled into new facilities on DeSoto Avenue near the world-famous Blues Crossroads.

Music & Personalities

Early Wright (left), also known as "The Soul Man," was the first black radio announcer in Mississippi when he joined WROX in 1947.

For 52 years, Wright hosted a nightly R&B show on WROX, interviewing musical personalities such as B. B. King, Charlie Pride, Muddy Waters, Tina Turner, Bobby Rush, Sonny Boy Williamson, Sam Cooke, Robert Nighthawk, Rufus Thomas, Elvis Presley, Little Milton and Pinetop Perkins.

Early is also credited with fostering the musical career of Ike Turner, who worked at WROX as a janitor while attending Clarksdale High School. During his tenure at WROX, Early was featured in many national publications, including The New York Times.

WROX Today

Today, WROX plays "The Greatest Hits of All Time" - rock, pop and soul oldies - and we still play the blues on Saturday nights. 

WROX operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and is the only radio station in Clarksdale with live and local programming. Originally an affiliate of the now-defunct Mutual Broadcasting System and later affiliated with the CBS Radio Network, WROX now airs hourly newscasts from the ABC Radio Network and the Mississippi Network.

*The WROX Museum, located at 257 Delta Avenue, is open on festival weekends and by appointment. Admission is $5 for adults; children 13 and under admitted free. Special group/tour rates available. Contact Bubba O'Keefe at 662-645-8874. The WROX Museum is independently owned and is not affiliated with WROX Radio.