This week marked the end of an era for a Gordon County media staple. After 47 years of ownership, Sam Thomas is selling WJTH Radio.
New owners Chris Goforth, Marshall Bandy, and Evan Stone said they plan to build upon the nearly half-century of foundation laid by Thomas and others at the station over the years. One thing that won’t change, however, is the commitment to local news, sports, and information with a strong community focus.
“Community is what it’s all about,” Stone said.
Thomas officially started WJTH June 16, 1977 at its current location at 329 Richardson Road. With that property — still owned by Thomas — currently for sale, the new owners are in the process of moving the station’s operations to 330 S. Wall St., Suite 6, between the old Carden Wholesale Supply and the Calhoun City Schools Board of Education.
“It’s been a good journey for me all these years,” Thomas said. “It’s been fun at times, and tough at times. There have been good times and bad times, and ugly times … but a lot of good.”
WJTH — both at 900 AM and 101.7 FM — will continue to be Calhoun’s home for the Atlanta Braves, University of Georgia football, and the Gordon Central Warriors, with a plan to expand the local high school coverage by eventually adding basketball and baseball games of the week.
The new owners also own local stations in Walker and Dade counties, and two more in Tennessee, including WFLI in Chattanooga.
“We appreciate the opportunity to turn it over to people I know will do a good job with it,” Thomas said, adding that he’s happy the station’s commitment as a community-oriented business will continue.
Born in 1933 in Colquitt County near Norman Park, Thomas was the 10th of 16 children. After moving to Worth County in 1949, Thomas moved to Bartow County in 10th grade before graduating from Cassville High School.
Drafted into the Army in 1953, Thomas served two years in military intelligence before marrying Annette Hegwood from Calhoun in 1956. He worked for Gulf Life Insurance for a time in Fitzgerald before moving back to Calhoun to start Sam Thomas Accounting Service in 1964 — a business that Thomas says he’ll continue to operate as he has for the last 60 years.
“We were able to do a lot of things for Gordon County during these 47 years,” Thomas said. “Considering I just turned 91, it’s time for me to retire from the radio business.”
Under Thomas’ leadership, WJTH has served the community through parts of six different decades, earning multiple awards and recognitions over the years.
As Thomas officially turned over the microphone Tuesday afternoon at the Richardson Road location, Goforth and Stone thanked him, saying they didn’t plan on losing his phone number any time soon.
Starting this month, and into January, WJTH will play Christmas music as the new ownership works to complete the transition and move.
For more information about the station, visit WJTH.com online, or tune to FM 101.7, or AM 900 on your radio dial.
From Calhoun Times – Blake Silvers
