Station 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.  (Photo above is a re-creation of the WROX Control Room in the WROX Museum).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WROX originally operated with 250-watts day and night.  The photo above at left is the original 250-watt RCA transmitter utilized 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 (above right).  It was utilized until 2003, when it was replaced with a solid-state transmitter.  A Broadcast Electronics AM-1A transmitter was installed in 2006.

WROX Director of Engineering Kirk Harnack, with the new Broadcast Electronics transmitter.  Compared to the old ones, it's tiny.

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 (shown above) 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.

Early Wright, 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.  (Photo: Early Wright).

Today, WROX plays "The Greatest Hits of All Time" - rock, pop and soul oldies, plus 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 FOX News Radio and the Mississippi Network.  (Photo: an original WROX microphone from the 1940s, part of the WROX collection at The Delta Blues Museum in Clarksdale).

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.