Memories of WPUV

09/04/2025

As we approach the 79th Anniversary of WPUV on May 30th, we celebrate the person who played the most important part in the success of this historic radio station by starting it all as the Founder. We will continue to honor more key people in the WPUV family as we move into the next year!

-Howard Robert Imboden, WPUV Founder-

As a former Pulaski mayor, businessman and supporter of many civic organizations, Harold, a Bristol native, came to Pulaski in 1927 to join the Southwest Times Staff as Advertising and General Manager. He acquired controlling interests in the paper in 1935 and published it until purchased by Worrell Newspapers in 1954. In 1946, he founded WPUV, which would go onto to enjoy tremendous success throughout its broadcasting life that lasted into the mid-1990’s. He was mayor of Pulaski from 1950 to 1953 and an active member of the First United Methodist Church. He was also past president of the Pulaski Rotary Club, member and past exalted ruler of Elks Lodge #1067 and a member and past president of the Thorn Spring Golf Club. What a legacy this man has left, including the creation of WPUV, “A Jewel of the Community!” Born on February 18, 1902, Harold passed away on January 18, 1982 in Naples, FL at the age of 79.

Photo provided by John Howard.

27/09/2024

We recently connected with Bob Teachout, the final owner of WPUV, who shared this great-looking “WPUV 1580” jacket that he held onto after all these years. Bob recently donated the jacket to the Raymond Ratcliffe Museum in Pulaski where they displayed it as shown in the photo. Thanks for sharing Bob! Looking forward to learning more about your time at this amazing station!

16/08/2024

We continue to celebrate WPUV’s 78th Anniversary this year with our second feature of key people who played an important part in the station’s history and its success. Thanks to Joey Draper for the input on this post that features his Father’s amazing contributions to music and radio. Enjoy!

-June Draper-

June Draper was a key part of WPUV and the Pulaski community as a successful DJ and Musician! Born on September 24, 1934, he began his country singing and radio career in 1947 on WPUV at just 13 after he was given the opportunity to go on air to demonstrate his yodeling skills. In addition to his music, June would enjoy a successful radio broadcasting career spanning 29 years.

As a musician, June was very accomplished having recorded his music on six labels. After his retirement, he was delighted to learn that his own brand of old time country music was being played all around the world. He often received emails from far away places such as Belgium, Denmark, Australia, The Netherlands, and Canada letting him know his music was being played on the radio stations there. Also, June was listed at 261 out of 1,000 musicians on the Worldwide Mainstream "Most Played Artists" Chart and had the opportunity to perform his songs four different times on "The Ernest Tubb Midnight Jamboree" show broadcasted on Nashville's legendary WSM. Family and music were driving forces in June’s life and during his last year, his recorded music was heard locally on Sunday mornings on "Bubba Radio," 101.7 FM. "He was a good person," a fan said upon hearing of his death. "He'll be missed by a whole lot of people."

For his radio career, in addition to being a popular Announcer/DJ, June also worked as a Salesperson, Copywriter, and Manager. He recalled in an interview that at one time he worked for three stations at the same time, which included WSLS in Roanoke, Clifton Forge and Rocky Mount. He also worked at WPAO in Mount Airy, WKBK in Winston-Salem and WKWS and WYTI in Rocky Mount. All this was in addition to his 18-year association and work with WPUV.

Finally, June was more than an entertainer or radio personality. He was a person who loved Pulaski, Virginia and showed it with his efforts of ensuring town water rates were equitable for his neighbors. He also was quick to lend a hand to a friend in time of need and was always interested in people and their joys and sorrows. He often took his music to patients in area nursing and retirement homes, providing an afternoon of live entertainment and fellowship. Once a caller to his radio show was threatening su***de. He talked her into living and enjoyed telling how she came to the radio station a few days later with her thanks and a cake she had baked for him. June Draper passed away on April 5, 2004. His legacy will live on forever in the hearts of his family and friends.

Photo provided by Joey Draper.

04/07/2024

06/06/2024

04/06/2024

To continue celebrating WPUV’s 78th Anniversary this year, we will be featuring key people who played an important part in the station’s history and its success. Here’s the first feature:

-John Columbus-

While the station ended in 1996, its legacy of amazing service to the community will continue to live on forever! The establishment of that is due largely to the unforgettable accomplishments of John Columbus, the longest-tenured owner of the station, who is pictured below and literally made WPUV his life for over three decades before his passing in 1983.

The station was founded on May 30, 1946 with its first broadcast in a small building on Dora Highway in Pulaski, Virginia, but the measurable growth of the station would not really begin until John purchased and started building with his team in the 1950’s. It would soon evolve into a very successful radio station that would quickly become the jewel of the community while “Serving the Heart of Southwest Virginia - 1230 on Your Dial!”

John’s Daughter, Jill Alter, remembers her father as being the first station owner to have a “teletype” machine that would allow the Associated Press to transmit national news to the station, which would be broadcasted on the air and shared with the Southwest Times for publication. She also remembers him overcoming obstacles during the historic floods to make his way to the station to ensure flash flood warning and school closure announcements were provided over the radio because he knew the rural community depended on them. In addition to the radio, John just simply gave and gave to the community all the time. He was a huge philanthropist during his lifetime helping whomever needed his support. Jill shared that they never knew who would be coming to their home for Sunday dinner after church and that he would always help those in need by driving them to Wytheville or Roanoke as well as buying their bus or plane ticket to help them travel to where they needed to be with their family.

Finally, Jill also shared that her Father was also the one who applied for the FM license, which later brought WPSK into existence. John Columbus made a difference in the community he and his family lived in and the legacy of community service he created for not only WPUV, but also for himself will continue to endure forever!

Photo provided by Jill Alter.

31/05/2024

Today marks the 78th Anniversary of the beginning of WPUV Radio!

On May 30, 1946, in a small building on Dora Highway at Cool Springs in Pulaski, Virginia, WPUV Radio conducted it's very first broadcast to the local community and all surrounding Southwest Virginia areas as an official Mutual Broadcasting Systems (MBS) affiliate. WPUV listeners enjoyed numerous local and national news, sports, and entertainment programs for many years until it’s closing in 1996. While the station was founded and originally owned by then Southwest Times Publisher Howard Imboden, long-time owner John Columbus and his team would grow WPUV over the next three decades into the successful radio station most will remember! The station quickly become the jewel of the community while “Serving the Heart of Southwest Virginia - 1230 on Your Dial!” That number would later change to 1580. What a legacy of service to the community!

30/05/2024

Great-sounding Bluegrass!

The Kody Norris Show are a youthful voice in bluegrass music and winners of multiple IBMA & SPBGMA Nominations and wins. The band’s album, "All Suited Up," c...

27/05/2024

Today, we remember and honor the brave men and women who gave their lives for our freedom.

20/08/2023

Farmer Dale and the Farm Hands! Another great photo in the WPUV Studio! Thanks Pat Odell for sharing!
From left to right: Cousin Elmer, June Draper, young Harless Draper, in the back is Claude Warden ( also the fiddle player for James Covey), and on the far right is Farmer Dale Gallimore.

17/08/2023

Checkout this remarkably clear photo of James Covey and His Virginia Partners, which was featured on the vintage concert poster when the band performed at Newbern School way back in 1948! Thanks Don Edmonds for sharing the photo!