AM History Profile: WBNM

History:

Came on around 1948, probably with a top 40 format. An FM followed on 106.1 MHz with about 4600 watts. For years the AM and FM simulcast. When the FM finally went to full power (as WSTH-FM), it went to country, leaving the AM as top 40. It stayed that way for several years then began simulcasting the country on the FM station, as well as then WSTH-AM, 540 in Columbus. Later, when WSTH-FM moved its facilities to Columbus, the AM reverted to nostalgia as an independent station. The station flipped back to country as "Dixie 1050" before again settling on a standards/nostalgia format. Charles and James Whatley of Alexander City owned the station to one degree or another, along with WETU in Wetumpka and WNUZ in Talladega.

In August of 1990 the calls were WXTH; In June 1992 they became WTLM; In April 1994 they became WRFS (Radio's Friendliest Station, or supposedly, Russell Family Sweatshirts!)

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In the summer of 2005 the station changed to southern gospel music after being bought by Joy Christian Communications.

In September of 2007 this station was reported to be off the air.  Trade publications have listed the station as sold to William And Margaret Neeck, for cancellation of the mortgage.

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As of July 2008 the station may have still been silent, but the calls  changed from WRFS to WBNM.

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As of August 2008 it has been reported that the format is now sports talk with the ESPN Radio network.  Perhaps the calls stand for "Bill-N-Margaret"?  It is also reported that the station still operates off the same 40's era tower.