WADK's History

1948 - 1949

Owners: Irene (Reeny) and John Malloy from Pawtucket/Central Falls area.
Call Letters: WRJM (for Reeny & John Malloy)
Location: 204 Thames St., Newport (over Conrad's Shoe Store)

The morning show featured Flo Suarez ("Wake Up With Flo"). Among the first sponsors was Nunes Motor Company.

Sports: Broadcast the Rogers/De La Salle Thanksgiving game at Freebody Park. Jerry Nevins announced. De La Salle won 7-0 on a Chick Murphy touchdown.

In January-February of '49, the station would wire-record Rogers and De La Salle basketball games and play them back the next day.

"Voice of the Azores" Portuguese program with Luis Raposo began in March of 1948. (Remained over 30 years)

1949 - 1953

Owners: Columbus O'Donnell (brother of Mrs. Claiborne Pell) Purchased from the Malloys.

Location: Moved to Reservoir Road in Middletown July,1951. Built by O'Donnell and Warren Clement.

1953 - 1960

Owners: Milton Mitler purchases station in 1953.
Call Letters: Changed to WADK ("ADK" For "Aquidneck") Nov. 1953

First Talk Show - March 1, 1954 From the Villa Rosa on Thames St. with "Sully" (Francis John Pershing Sullivan). Other locations for Sully's show included the Embassy Restaurant on Thames St. and Cliff Walk Manor. At Cliff Walk, Sully switched to Sundays only. News director, Jack Stewart, took over the weekday show. Locations included the Surf Hotel, Paul and Eddie's and Ann's Kitchen.

Jerry Nevins succeeded Stewart in 1958. The show became the "Open Forum". Stayed at Ann's Kitchen until about 1964 or 1965. Nevins then did his noon news and show from 172 Thames St., upstairs. In the summer of 1958, WADK did its first-ever America's Cup Race, anchored by Nevins.

1960 - 1977

Owner: Arnold Lerner. Purchased July, 1960.
Call Letters: WADK
Location: Moved to 140 Thames Street in November, 1973

Key Personnel: The morning man, Charles K. 'Buddy' Bentz became sales manager and eventually manager.

Gary Crowder started in 1962 as chief engineer and part-time, on-air personality. He became one of the most popular morning men in station history. He established and hosted the mid-morning talk show "Public Opinion" and was instrumental in establishing "two-way" talk capability (1968).

1977 - 1983

Owner: Purchased by Peter Kuyper (N.J.)

1983 - 1985

Owners: Purchased by Spectrum Corp. based in Boulder, Colorado.

Under this absentee owner, the station was managed by Gary Lash, who had come from the Newport County Chamber of Commerce during the Kuyper years.

1986 - 1996

Owner: Purchased by Bernard and Jane Perry of Connecticut and Florida.

1996 - 1999

Owner: Purchased in 1996 by Bear Broadcasting, Owned by the Urso family of Westerly, R.I.

1999 - Present

Owner: Purchased in 1999 by Astro Tele-Communications of Rhode Island