Roy Burnette | rburnette@wrgc.com
Roy Burnette started his broadcasting career at WBHN Radio on January 1st, 1969 in his hometown of Bryson City, NC. Roy Burnette explained it this way, “On my first day the morning guy came in, put on a album and went to sleep. When the album ran out he turned it over and played the other side. I asked him if I could give it a try and said ok because he wanted to sleep on the couch anyway.” The experience was beneficial because a few months later Burnette joined the US Marine Corp and asked for Viet Nam service. Luckily the American Forces Vietnam Network in DaNang needed some experienced announcers and staff. “It was a great experience,” said Burnette. After completing his military service, Burnette returned to WBHN for a few months before Jimmy Childress offered a job in Sylva. “I learned plenty of Uncle Jimmy and got to do lots of exciting things including broadcasting sports events, news conferences, and meeting many of the state’s leaders. In 1986 Burnette completed his first degree from WCU and started teaching Broadcasting at Southwestern Community College. After nine years Burnette made a career change to work with students with disabilities in the Exceptional Children’s Program at Cherokee Central Schools until returning to radio at the Franklin NC radio stations. In 2004 Burnette accepted an offer to work as an advocate for families and people with disabilities and continued in that work until a large number of citizens persuaded Burnette to reopen WRGC Radio Station. Using funds from the Jackson County Revolving Loan Fund Burnette got the station reopened in April 2012. “The only thing the same here is Tammie and Margaret and the call letters,” said Burnette. “that includes all the equipment from the microphone to the tower except for the Optimod Equalizer. ” We have all new technology for broadcasting the high school sports, and Scotts Creek Church service. Also WRGC changed to the NBC News and CNBC Financial News, NCNN News and sports, and returned to all local origination program except for the features on Saturday and Sunday. “It has been a challenge, but the listeners have responded very well, not to mention I’ve had to learn the social media skills pretty quick too, but thanks to Jessica Ray and Andy Rogers the station stays on top of things. There are no other radio stations around here doing as much as we are with that right now,” Burnette conclude
Loading ...