ERWIN, TENN — WEMB radio station in Erwin, Tennessee, was named the Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame's Legendary Radio Station of the Year for its community service during Hurricane Helene. The station’s studios, shared with Live Wire 103.9, were washed away by flooding from the hurricane, but both stations have since returned to the air.
"To go from devastation to winning this award was just more than I ever anticipated in my life," said Maria True, General Manager of JET Broadcasting in Erwin. She cried when Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame President Bob Kesling called to inform her of the honor.
"She burst out in tears, that's what made this award to her so special," Kesling said. "That's kind of the backbone of Tennessee radio is these small stations that help their community. And WEMB is one of those great examples of what a small town radio station can do."
The Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame awarded the Legendary Station of the Year honor to the Grand Ole Opry the year before WEMB received the distinction.