Charles and Lacy Ennis made news when they purchased NEWS/TALK 101.5 FM from the Wireless Group in July.
With the addition of NEWS/TALK 101.5 FM, the Ennis brothers have grown their broadcast holdings to six radio stations in West Tennessee – each under the Grace Media Group umbrella.
NEWS/TALK 101.5 FM & WNWS.COM caught up with Charles Ennis for a question and answer session.
Question: First, a little background information. Where are you originally from – family and education.
Answer: I was born in Dyer County. I was 10 when we moved to Henning and went to school in Lauderdale County through Ripley High School. My wife and I were in the first graduating class at Dyersburg State Community College in 1971.
I have two sons, Seaton and Adam. I have one grandson, Bentley who is eight years old. I have been a banker for 48 years and was one of the organizers of Patriot Bank in 2001.
(NOTO: Patriot Bank has eight locations in Shelby and Tipton Counties)
Question: Were there other careers before radio, and are there still other careers today?
Answer: I worked at a factory in Ripley while attending DSCC (Dyersburg State Community College). Lacy and I have some rental properties, and I am involved with my two sons in rental properties and also involved in some other investment properties.
Question: Your portfolio of radio stations includes NEWS/TALK 101.5 FM, 93.1 FM, 105.3 FM FOX SPORTS – Jackson, 1190 AM – WJPJ, Humboldt, 93.5 FM – WKBQ & 1250 AM – WKBL, Covington. What is the role you are playing in the ownership of the stations?
Answer: Lacy oversees the radio stations, and he and I communicate on a regular basis.
Question: Before your organization purchased NEWS/TALK 101.5 FM, you already had a presence in Jackson with 93.1 FM. which broadcasts from the Dixie Cafe at the Old Country Store. What made NEWS/TALK 101.5 FM attractive?
Answer: NEWS/TALK 101.5 FM has a great reputation, and the personnel makes our staff even stronger.
Question: Would you discuss any plans you have to grow NEWS/TALK 101.5 FM, and are there thoughts that NEWS/TALK & 93.1 FM could cannibilize one another considering the format – talk – is the same?
Answer: Both are talk formats, but 93.1 FM has a larger coverage area with a larger potential customer base with expanded topics/discussions.
Question: The first station you and Lacy purchased was 93.1 FM, WWGM in Jackson. What year did you buy the station, and would you tell us about the format and any changes since?
Answer: I purchased controlling interest in 93.1 FM in 1996 after I was transferred to Jackson due to my bank being purchased by BancorpSouth (originally Volunteer Bank).
The format was Southern Gospel which I enjoyed listening to when I was introduced to the station while living in Covington.
The station was purchased from Mr. John Latham by four other individuals and me. Two of these owners were bankers from Camden I knew.
After a year of losing money they wanted to sell and minimize their losses. I purchased the controlling interest from the four other owners and asked Lacy to manage it for me.
Question – Since buying the first station, would you tell us about some of the changes you have seen in the broadcast industry?
Answer: Consolidation. It’s similar to the banking industry I am involved in.
Today, there are only one-third as many commercial banks as when I started in the Henning bank in 1972.
The key to success in both industries is having quality managers and staff as well as controlling expenses.
Technology has definitely allowed the radio industry to operate with less manpower which helps to control overall costs. I think the radio industry will continue to see consolidation as the FCC opens up the ownership rules.
For Q&A with Lacy Ennis CLICK HERE
(PHOTO: Charles Ennis)
