In 2014 Bill Evans announced that he was retiring from broadcasting. Two years later, he was right back in saddle running his stations. Now, just a month away from turning 82, Bill has decided to give retirement another try.
It was 1961 Evans landed his first radio job in Central City and from there he went to work in Leitchfield and Louisville before venturing out on his own.
Evans and business partner Keith Reising formed WQXE in 1969, choosing the call letters after a successful Atlanta, Georgia-based AM station called “Quicksie in Dixie.” Evans listened to that station while attending the Elkins Radio School of Broadcasting.
Eventually, Evans became sole owner of the station. It wasn’t until 1996 that Quicksie landed on 98.3. Prior to that, its radio frequency changed four times and it has grown from having a signal strength of 3,000 watts to 25,000 watts.
On Jan. 3, 2002, Evans acquired 94.3 The Wolf (WULF). Operating with 50,000 watts of power, the station’s signal strength would grow to cover five counties in central Kentucky and southern Indiana and more than 36 cities.
Evans also co-owns WGGC-FM with his son, Darrin, who runs the day-to-day operations at the Bowling Green station.
While Bill remains the owner of WULF & WQXE, earlier this year he handed the day-to-day management of the stations over to his son-in-law and daughter, Todd and Amy Bush.
After retiring (again), Evans plans to spend some quiet time on the farm tinkering with his collection of classic tractors.
“The greatest job in the world, to me, is being the general manager of a small-market, local radio station,” Evans said. “For 50+ years, I have been given that gift and it’s been great.”
The Kentucky Broadcasters Association congratulates Bill Evans on his forthcoming retirement. Bill's last official day is scheduled to be May 15th.
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