Reprinted from The Times and Democrat

Tuesday, July 25, 2006

ELLOREE — An Elloree radio station owner says he's committed to

reviving the popularity of "pure country" music among local listeners.

Chuck Smith operates WLRE Radio 105.5 & 96.3 FM, which is located

between Elloree and Santee off Tee Vee Road.

"I was a member of a group called Charter which played country and

gospel," Smith said. "In our travels to Nashville, we noticed that

stations in other parts of the Southeast like Georgia and North

Carolina were diversifying and playing more than just the Top 40

country hits."

WLRE is classified as LPFM (Low Power FM) by the FCC and is non-profit

and non-commercial.

"We broadcast ball games with local teams like the Lake Marion

All-Stars and public service announcements to let folks know what's

going on in the area," Smith said.

Most importantly, Smith says he is dedicated to reviving "pure

country" in this area.

"We play country from the late '50s to today," said Smith, who studied

electronics and engineering at Florida State University. "Lots of

folks believe that real country music is beginning to disappear around

here."

WLRE also has plans to broadcast Sunday church services from the

Jerusalem United Methodist Church, he said.

"I am proud to be a hometown country station," Smith said, "and my

main objective is to play better sounding country music and to serve

the community."