Dale Franklin, KWEM Radio Revivalist, Passes Away - By Mark Randall - news@theeveningtimes.com

By Mark Randall

Dale Franklin, the man who helped resurrect KWEM, the radio station that gave Johnny Cash, B.B. King, Howlin’ Wolf, Elvis Presley and other music giants a chance to be heard on the air in the 1950s, has passed away.

Franklin had been in deteriorating health in recent months and died over the weekend following, according to friend Dr. Glen Fenter.

 

“Dale was a very talented individual,” Fenter said.

KWEM Relaunch at MSCC Brings Musical History Alive

Mid-South Community College, through divine intervention and hard work, brought historic KWEM Radio back to the airwaves on Thursday, May 29, during a much-anticipated “Flip the Switch” ceremony.

“We’re taking a very major step in what we believe is an important journey, an effort that has been years in the making and has involved an entire army of people from time to time,” said MSCC President Dr. Glen Fenter.

Relaunch of Historic KWEM Radio Making International News

History is being revived at Mid-South Community College as KWEM Radio, which influenced the course of modern music, returns to the airwaves and draws the attention of media from coast to coast and beyond.

With the help of an Associated Press story by reporter Christina Huynh, the news of KWEM’s resurrection has reached media outlets in New York, New Jersey, Missouri, Washington, Washington D.C., Louisiana, Texas, Wyoming, California, and even Ontario, Canada.

MSCC to Operate Historic KWEM Radio Station; Students, Community to Benefit

KWEM Radio, which forever changed the musical landscape by allowing unknown or little-known Memphis-area artists the opportunity to perform on air, will soon have a new home at Mid-South Community College.

MSCC’s Foundation has purchased the Web-based station and numerous artifacts related to its rich musical history and will establish an on-campus “studio” that will serve as a laboratory for students, a source of pride for the community, and a tourism draw, all at the same time.