Photos by: LISA CRATES PHOTOGRAPHY
Celebrating 75 years is a joyous milestone for Mooresville’s 1350 WHIP Radio – much the same way their repertoire of super hits from the 60s, 70s and 80s has commemorated countless special moments in their listeners’ lives!
Station Manager Chris Montgomery feels this amazing landmark is all based on knowing good music.
“I remember my grandparents dialing into the station,” he shares. “I think it was beach music then – oldies – maybe even the same oldies in rotation today! Our owner, Harrill Hamrick, confirms WHIP Radio once aired bluegrass and country – still good music. I mean Johnny Cash and Willie are kind of rock and roll, right?”
A genre that can’t help but bring folks together, those glorious “oldies” can transport you immediately back to your happy place – no matter what decade you relate to! Thrilled to be part of all those memories, the WHIP family loves and supports the community that’s been so much a part of their success.
Chris joined the WHIP team on a part-time basis in 2020, which translated to a full-time gig a year later. Family owned and operated, Owners Harrill and William Hamrick and Deanna Belk couldn’t be more proud that WHIP has been voted Best Local Radio Station in 2022, 2023 and 2024. What is it that sets the radio station apart from others while also strengthening community ties?
“I always tell people we play great music, as in ‘You might out-school me, but you won’t out-cool me’ – and in between the Stones, Beatles and Bee Gees are messages from your friends and neighbors,” he shares. “We work really hard at getting the word out for our advertisers! Some of them are small businesses, others are churches and maybe an occasional Moose Lodge announcement. It’s hyper-local, unlike other places where you can get music these days.”
Beyond the Music
While the last few years have seen this beloved format maintain its unique popularity – how people find their favorite songs has definitely changed.
“With so many streaming services – YouTube, Spotify, along with podcasts – it’s a trip where you can hear us anywhere in the whole wide world! Since you can listen online, we get streamers e-mailing us from Australia, Germany and Finland – I mean, really?” adds Chris. “Someone, somewhere, is always listening!”
Incorporating podcasts into the WHIP Radio family was a natural progression and includes The Chamber Connection, which highlights businesses that partner with the Mooresville-South Iredell Chamber of Commerce – something Chris says was merely brainstorming at work, in hopes of getting a sponsor. “But, then a crazy thing happened! Many of the businesses who showed up for the podcast became advertisers! Next, my buddy Stuart Madow with Visiting Angels Lake Norman suggested doing Senior Care Connections to keep up with constant changes in senior health care.”
Staying true to their poignant tagline “We Help Iredell People” – the station’s philosophy of supporting local businesses, churches, schools and nonprofits is simply a way of life.
“It’s what we do!” says Chris. “Our sales account executive, Mike Bulvin, and I are old newspaper guys – I think that’s why we get it. We had readers and advertisers – and both were our customers. This time around, it’s listeners and advertisers.”
Working with local ministries has also been a blessing for the WHIP Radio family, with a long list of preachers and evangelists who go live every Sunday. Many have done so for decades – another part of the legacy Glenn and Martha Hamrick left for their children and the town of Mooresville!
WHIP’s Social Media Coordinator, Libby Montgomery, who happens to be Chris’ daughter, is the expert on all things community related, including the many local events WHIP Radio participates in: Mooresville Day, MSI Health Fair, Merlefest, Cornelius Earth Jam, YCP Vendor Fairs, the Race City Festival, Cornelius Jazz Festival, the Troutman Independence Parade, the Mooresville 4th of July Parade, Southern Christmas Show, WHIP Radio After Hours & Block Party, the Cornelius Laketober Fest and the Mooresville Christmas Parade!
During the season, you can catch all the action with the Mooresville Senior High School Blue Devils as well as Davidson College Athletics – both football and basketball.
Make a Day of It!
Monday through Friday from 6:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m., ease into your day with Chris during “Good Morning, Mooresville” where you’ll hear excellent music, catch up with local personalities and enjoy what he calls good ‘ole fashioned radio! Afternoon Drive with Program Director Lanny Ford starts at 3:00 p.m. on weekdays, smoothing your commute home with favorite tunes, while you’ll discover plenty of American Top 40 and Carolina Beach Music sprinkled in as well.
The Morning Glory Gospel broadcast has also been a tradition in Iredell County since 1976. Rise and shine with the Best of Vivian Brandon Sunday mornings from 6:30 a.m. until 8:00 a.m., then Tommy Mitchell follows, bringing area church services, local ministries and outreach initiatives to the airwaves. You can also watch Dianne Miller’s messages simultaneously on Facebook.
Check out everything there is to know about WHIP Radio at 1350 AM, 99.3 FM and 1350whip.com, or call 704.664.WHIP. The downtown studio is located at 151 East Iredell Avenue in Mooresville, NC. Plus, follow them on Facebook and Instagram to stay current with community updates and events!
