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The 'Art' of Radio: 40 Years at WLOK

Forty years ago, when Aretha Franklin, Lou Rawls and Johnnie Taylor were at the top of the R&B charts, Art Gilliam decided to buy an R&B radio station in his hometown. WLOK 1340 AM became the first black-owned station in Memphis. Soon after, Gilliam changed the format to gospel music. He talks with us about what it means to keep a "local" voice on the increasingly corporate airwaves.   

The station is celebrating its 40th Anniversary on Saturday, June 4 with a concert featuring Al Green. Click here for more information

Reporting from the gates of Graceland to the balcony of the Lorraine Motel, Christopher has covered Memphis news, arts, culture and politics for more than 20 years in print and on the radio. He is currently WKNO's News Director and Senior Producer at the University of Memphis' Institute for Public Service Reporting. Join his conversations about the Memphis arts scene on the WKNO Culture Desk Facebook page.