Editor’s note: In this series, local author David Aaron Moore answers reader-submitted questions about unusual, noteworthy or historic people, places and things in Charlotte. Submit inquires to davidaaronmoore@post.com.
I’m back in Charlotte, my hometown, after being gone for almost 20 years. When I was a little kid you never caught me without a transistor pocket radio, and later, as a teen, I had one of those oversized boom boxes we all used to carry around. Portable radios kept changing sizes, but one thing that was a constant for me was my favorite radio station: WGIV. It was an AM station broadcasting from 1600, and I loved the soul, R&B and the old disco they used to play. I can’t find it on the air anymore. What happened to it? – Gerald Pratt
AM radio has mostly gone the way of analog TV broadcasting, overshadowed by clearer sounding FM counterparts. At one time, Charlotte boasted a bevy of AM radio stations catering to various audiences: WAYS (also known as Big WAYS) was the place for pop; WIST changed formats frequently but was the city’s best known pioneer in progressive rock of the day; and WRPL switched from adult contemporary to pop/rock, R&B to disco, and then country. (It was confused.)
That’s just a sampling of some of the stations I can recall, but like you, WGIV was always my favorite.
While most of my contemporaries in school were listening to Air Supply, Judas Priest, Boston, Kansas, REO Speed Wagon and Lynard Skynard, my musical taste went in a different direction: The Commodores, Gladys Knight, Aretha Franklin, Natalie Cole, Stevie Wonder, The Spinners, Cameo, Parliament-Funkadelic, James Brown and LTD, among others. Needless to say, that led me straight to WGIV.
It began in 1947, broadcasting out of a two-car garage, and was one of the first radio stations to obtain a license after World War II (its call letters stood for We’re G.I. Vets). It found its true calling in 1948 when a newly discovered radio personality known as DJ Genial Gene started to host live soul and R&B performances from The Excelsior Club on Beatties Ford Road.
Over the years, the station was home to a number of noteworthy radio personalities, among them (and probably the best known) were “Rockin’ Ray” Gooding and “Chatty Hattie.”
With the popularity of FM radio on the rise in the 1970s, listenership began to trickle off and ad-revenue decline eventually led to foreclosure and auction in 1982. With competition from similarly-formatted FM stations, WGIV made a final stab at a gospel-oriented format, which never fully captured the following the station had championed from the early ’50s to the late ’70s.
In short, the WGIV you once knew is no longer. After multiple format changes over the decades, the station broadcasting from 1600 megahertz on your AM dial signed off the air Dec. 3, 2003 at 11:59 p.m., ending more than 55 years of service aimed at Charlotte’s African-American community.
The building that housed the station at Toomey Avenue and Remount Road still stands – its touches of mid-century modern design still intact, along with the terra cotta façade that once bore the oversized call letters and frequency number. Today, however, it is barely recognizable, surrounded by a parking lot crammed full of trucks in all different shapes and sizes. Gone are the call letters, replaced by the name of the trucking company. A peek through the windows revealed little to no hint that the building, which once housed “The Soul of the City,” pumped out some of the best jams ever.
But everything that was WGIV has not scattered to the airwaves.
A radio station broadcasting at 1370 AM and 103.3 FM, owned and operated by former WPEG employee Frank Neely, acquired the call letters WGIV in 2005. After attempting various formats, the new WGIV has settled on a conglomeration of retro R&B and hip hop, blended with a mix of current gospel. Fans of the old station are likely to find something they’ll enjoy.
- David Aaron Moore
- WGIV’s former studio is now a trucking company.
Moore is the author of Charlotte: Murder, Mystery and Mayhem. His writings have appeared in numerous publications throughout the U.S. and Canada.
This article appears in Feb 6-12, 2013.
There’s a new WGIV…no longer at 1600…at 1370 AM and 103.3 FM…and still crankin out some amazing retro jamz!
Dr. Bizness and WGIV Radio have been brought to the attention of North Carolina Consumer News by concerned small business owners in the Charlotte, NC area who want to expose the deceptive and unethical business practices of Dr. Bizness and WGIV radio, for deceiving local Charlotte, NC business owners and job seekers with their deceptive programs that they advertise on their websites and Internet radio ads, which has no doubt left some small business owners in the Charlotte, NC frustrated and disenfranchised by the unethical business practices of Dr. Bizness and WGIV radio.
Dr. Bizness and WGIV radio are not even registered with the Better Business Bureau in Charlotte, NC and they still have an outstanding Better Business Bureau complaint that they have yet to respond that was filed 6/16/2014.
Dr. Bizness and WGIV radio claim to reach a worldwide listening audience of over 40 million through his websites in his Linked In profile, (www.WGIVcharlotte.com, http://www.WDRBmedia.com, http://www.drbizness.com) but we have been informed by complaining business owners, that in reality this is very deceptive and very boastful speaking, when his online radio station probably has less than a 1,000 actual listeners at best on any given day, which is closer to WGIV’s actual listenership, so what Dr. Bizness is doing is taking the statistics from the worldwide web Internet audience as a whole to lure unsuspecting business owners and job hunters that believe a 60 year old washed up Charlotte, NC radio station really has over 40 million listeners as an Internet only radio station, which is only on the Internet.
We would like to know how Dr. Bizness feels that over 40 million people are listening to WGIV when they don’t even have a consistent music format, and unless you’re Howard Stern, Tom Joyner, or Rush Limbaugh, nobody is really listening to you on Talk Radio, but just incase you doubt our word, here is a link to the Top 25 Radio Hosts for 2015 (click link: http://www.talkers.com/heavy-hundred/)
Do you see Dr. Bizness or WGIV radio in these rankings???
No you don’t, and we didn’t either, so you may want to contact Dr. Bizness on Linked In (https://www.linkedin.com/pub/dr-bizness/32/939/989) to ask him to provide proof of his 40 million Internet listeners.
Dr. Bizness and WGIV radio seem to be using a lot of inflated advertising that does not hold air to recruit hardworking unsuspecting Charlotte small business owners and people that are desperately seeking employment for his bartering contract program and deceptive $5,000 monthly salary No Experience Job Ad.
Now lets do the math, if Dr. Bizness and WGIV radio have 40 million listeners, why is it that Dr. Bizness and WGIV radio only have 48 followers on Google Plus see link below: (https://plus.google.com/108258677727629127108/posts)
We at North Carolina Consumer News feel that Dr. Bizness and WGIV radio are using very deceptive and fraudulent advertising and we have been asked by some concerned Charlotte, NC Business owners to issue a scam alert to bring Dr. Bizness and the unethical business practices of WGIV radio to the attention of North Carolina business owners and people worldwide that may have been deceived by the advertising of WGIV radio and Dr. Bizness.
Here is the actual online complaint below from a person that wants to warn future investors of the deceptive business practices of Dr. Bizness and WGIV radio.
Profit and Growth Unlimited WGIV, Dr. Bizness, Ernest Smith WGIV Internet Radio Scam Alert!!! Charlotte North Carolina
Are you giving or considering giving Ernest Smith AKA Dr. Bizness, BD money for internet radio? If so, you better ask yourself why? Profit and Growth Unlimited has no affiliation with any of the established broadcasting networks they claim, such as “ABC.” They aren’t even recognized by the Better Business Bureau. Sometimes they claim to have 2.4 million listeners, sometimes they claim to have 40 million listeners. This is a farce! As you can see, even the Face book page barely has 100 likes, and the “tune in radio app” had 70 “followers” (people who have tuned in on at least one occasion) last time I checked.
Did you think WGIV was affiliated with 103.3 FM? Another lie. Why they haven’t sued him yet is beyond me. Before you give these people your hard earned money, look at the facts.
If you are offered a job with the monthly earning potential $5,000 (commission only, collected by you, based on your ability to scam small businesses and individuals) you will also be required to pay hundreds of dollars out of pocket to Mr. Smith for every month that you are working with them, (even though you will most likely make nothing). If you are solicited to advertise with these people, whether you give them cash, or up to $2,500 in products and services (bartering) don’t buy into the lies, or you will lose. Spread the word, and squash this scam.
Please click on links below to read more Dr. Bizness-WGIV radio scam reports.
WGIV Radio Scam Report Link:
http://www.ripoffreport.com/r/WGIV-1033FM-Charlotte-NC/Charlotte-North-Carolina-28215/WGIV-1033FM-Charlotte-NC-Frank-BJ-MURPHY-WGIV-SCAM-CALL-THE-FBI-AND-ATTORNEY-GENERAL-Cha-989505,
Dr. Bizness Scam Report Link:
http://www.ripoffreport.com/r/WGIV-/internet/WGIVCHARLOTTECOM-Dr-Bizness-is-a-fraud-Charlotte-Internet-and-North-Carolina-1158081,
Dr. Bizness Scam Report Link:
http://www.ripoffreport.com/r/Profit-and-Growth-Unlimited/Charlotte-North-Carolina-28262/Profit-and-Growth-Unlimited-WGIV-Dr-Bizness-Ernest-Smith-WGIV-Internet-Radio-Scam-Aler-1166340
DR. Bizness Google Plus followers 48 and 1781 views Click Link Below:
https://plus.google.com/108258677727629127108/posts
WGIV Radio Better Business Bureau Complaint link:
http://www.bbb.org/charlotte/business-reviews/advertising-radio/wgiv-1033-in-charlotte-nc-362921/complaints
If you feel that you have been deceived by Dr. Bizness or WGIV radio and you want to file a formal complaint with the North Carolina Attorney General, please click on the link below to file a formal complaint against Dr. Bizness and/ or WGIV radio.
NC Attorney General Web Site: http://www.ncdoj.gov/Consumer/2-2-12-File-a-Complaint.aspx
This seems like another sad case in which a so-called minister aka Dr. Bizness is deceiving hardworking people to fill his pockets, is Dr. Bizness really a man of God???
We at North Carolina Consumer News ask that you re-post this article and share it with friends, family, and your social network community to expose Dr. Bizness and WGIV radio.
THIS IS A PUBLIC SCAM AWARENESS MEETING HOSTED BY NORTH CAROLINA CONSUMER NEWS TO EDUCATE SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS AND NC JOB SEEKERS ABOUT BUSINESS SCAMS, INVESTMENT SCAMS, AND EMPLOYMENT SCAMS SUCH AS THE SCAM BELOW THAT WE RECENTLY EXPOSED AND ISSUED A SCAM ALERT ON DR. BIZNESS OF WGIV RADIO, AND HIS PROFIT AND GROWTH UNLIMITED SCAM THAT PREYS ON MANY MINORITY BUSINESS OWNERS AND YOUNG SINGLE MOTHERS.
PLEASE READ SCAM ALERT BELOW ABOUT DR. BIZNESS WGIV RADIO CHARLOTTE, NC AND SHARE THIS INFORMATION WITH YOUR FRIENDS, FAMILY, SOCIAL MEDIA SITES, AND ORGANIZATIONS.
Dr Bizness Profit and Growth Unlimited Scam, Dr. Bizness, Ernest Smith WGIV Internet Radio Scam Alert!!! Charlotte North Carolina
WGIVCharlotte.com. He is telling people that they have thousands of listeners, which is NOT true at all. People are being sucked into contracts with this man, paying money for airtime, when it is all a scam. They have no listeners besides the people who have shows – and “maybe” their family members.
People need to get facts – and not from Dr. Bizness’ staff, but do the leg work themselves, instead of believing what is being said to them.
That money could go to something else then a crook and a thief. I know this as a FACT and if you have a show on WGIV – its NOT on the radio anymore – not in NC or SC – its all free internet radio, and trust me, nobody is logging on to that station. The YouTube shootouts are all fake – the positive feedbacks are all fake…stop being so easily tricked by scammers.
Does the leg work. You don’t have to believe me, but do the Google Analytics and you will see….there are no listeners. Maybe 20 – 25 people a WEEK. Why are you paying for these shows?
You would be better off paying for your OWN radio station. Not just show.
Don’t Be Tricked,
Are you giving or considering giving Ernest Smith AKA Dr. Bizness, BD money for internet radio? If so, you better ask yourself why? Profit and Growth Unlimited has no affiliation with any of the established broadcasting networks they claim, such as “ABC.”
They aren’t even recognized by the Better Business Bureau. Sometimes they claim to have 2.4 million listeners, sometimes they claim to have 40 million listeners. This is a farce! As you can see, even the Face book page barely has 100 likes, and the “tune in radio app” had 70 “followers” before buying Facebook Likes(people who have tuned in on at least one occasion) last time I checked.
Did you think WGIV was affiliated with 103.3 FM?
Another lie.
Why they haven’t sued him yet is beyond me. Before you give these people your hard earned money, look at the facts.
If you are offered a job with the monthly earning potential $5,000 (commission only, collected by you, based on your ability to scam small businesses and individuals) you will also be required to pay hundreds of dollars out of pocket to Mr. Smith for every month that you are working with them, (even though you will most likely make nothing). If you are solicited to advertise with these people, whether you give them cash, or up to $2,500 in products and services (bartering) don’t buy into the lies, or you will lose. Spread the word, and squash this scam.
Dr. Bizness Scam Reports Please Click Links Below:
http://www.ripoffreport.com/r/Dr-BiznessWGIV-Radio/Charlotte-North-Carolina/Dr-BiznessWGIV-Radio-profit-and-growth-unlimited-Dr-Bizness-Scam-Alert-WGIV-Radio-Cha-1225642
http://www.ripoffreport.com/r/WGIV-/internet/WGIVCHARLOTTECOM-Dr-Bizness-is-a-fraud-Charlotte-Internet-and-North-Carolina-1158081
http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/specific_search/WGIV+
http://biz.prlog.org/ncconsumernews/
http://wgiv.pissedconsumer.com/dr-bizness-scam-alert-wgiv-radio-charlotte-nc-nc-scams-20150429628667.html
http://www.scamorg.com/wgivcharlotte-com-43
http://www.eventbrite.com/e/dr-bizness-wgiv-radio-growth-and-profit-scam-exposed-scam-awareness-meeting-tickets-16825890692?aff=es2
http://charlotte.eventful.com/events/dr-bizness-profit-and-g-/E0-001-083624370-6@2015051513
THIS IS A PUBLIC SCAM AWARENESS NOTICE FROM THE NORTH CAROLINA CONSUMER NEWS TO EDUCATE SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS AND NC JOB SEEKERS ABOUT BUSINESS SCAMS, INVESTMENT SCAMS, AND EMPLOYMENT SCAMS SUCH AS THE SCAM BELOW THAT WE RECENTLY EXPOSED AND ISSUED A SCAM ALERT ON DR. BIZNESS OF WGIV RADIO, AND HIS PROFIT AND GROWTH UNLIMITED SCAM THAT PREYS ON MANY MINORITY BUSINESS OWNERS AND YOUNG SINGLE MOTHERS.
PLEASE READ SCAM ALERT BELOW ABOUT DR. BIZNESS WGIV RADIO CHARLOTTE, NC AND SHARE THIS INFORMATION WITH YOUR FRIENDS, FAMILY, SOCIAL MEDIA SITES, AND LEGAL ORGANIZATIONS.
Scam scam scam 7512 e independence blvd suite 104 is the address. Let’s stop this man from scamming any further.
I listen to hot Scot every night where and what happened to him