WHIN went on the air officially on August 2, 1948 at 6:00am. The first words spoken were those of Bill Allen, later known as the "Jivin' Hoss Man, Bill Allen." The Hoss Man had come back to Gallatin after a brief stint in New York on Broadway. He spent the summer with relatives and decided it might be fun to stay a while. It's said that local historian, Walter Durham often covered the Hoss Man's bar bill, but Bill always paid him back.
Programs were presented in various time frames. For example, that first morning Hester Gregory and his band performed for 30 minutes and then an announcer named Gallivan had a 30 minute Alarm Clock Club program. Then WHIN's first General Manager, Eldon Britt announced with Gallivan until the station signed off at 7:45 pm. WHIN had a variety of programs including "The Song for the Day,"" Morning Melodies,"" Mystery Tune,"and "Who Am I." The Sumner County Quartet of local Gospel singers performed at 7:45 along with the Gospelaires and other local Gospel groups, including The Denning Sisters, The Volunteer Quarter from Lafayette, The Modernettes, and Lefty Terry and Friends. Also, Ernest Tubb would join his son Justin on Justin's DJ Show on WHIN. One day Ernest Tubb and Wesley Rose were flying to Gallatin and the McCormack Brothers were doing a live show. Mr. Tubb remarked to Wesley Rose that he should hire those boys and put out some records. Mr. Rose landed the plane, came to WHIN, and signed the McCormack Brothers to a contract with Hickory Records. They made many hit records with the biggest record being Red Hen Boogie. But the brothers refused to travel and push their hits. This supposedly caused a split between the artists and the record company, but the McCormack Brothers were big for years. WHIN had the Eddie Arnold Show on daily and weekends saw hundreds of people come by WHIN Studios on Highway 109 South to view their favorite entertainers.
Sundays were well blessed with ministers and Gospel music. One minister from Tullahoma, TN drove up every Sunday to preach on the radio. The Church of Christ churches were very active daily on WHIN with "Know Your Bible" and "Daily Devotion," but on Sunday almost all denominations presented their beliefs. Brother Fount Ray and Brother Calvin Gregory were early well-known ministers that preached on 1010 Radio.
Sponsors on the first day included commercials by Baker Motor Company, Randy's Record Shop, Perkins Drugs, Western Auto, Dugger's Department Store, Kerley and Son in Portland, Tompkins & Son Insurance, Brown Milling Company, The Roxy Theater, Wade Motor Company, Liberty Cafe, Z.P. Taxi Company, and other businesses that no longer exist. WHIN now reaches over 70 counties in Middle Tennessee and Southern Kentucky with Country Music, Local News, and Sports including NASCAR races.
The morning radio show, featuring Grammy nominee and Grand Ole Opry member, Jesse McReynolds and Harv Mason is broadcast live, Monday thru Friday from 8:00AM to 9:00 AM at the Pick Inn in Castalian Springs.