Celebrating 50 Years: 1958 -
2008
WLSC 1240 AM History
WLSC has been
serving the community of Loris for nearly 50 years. WLSC signed on in the summer of
1958. The station was originally located at 1570 kHz. In the 80s, the station
moved to 1240 and for a time was on the air under the call letters, WVSL (April1, 1984-
January 1, 1986). There have been several owners in the station's 50 year
history. Jerry Jenrette, may have been the most well known as he and and JARC
Broadcasting owned the station through the late 80s until 2007. Banana Jack Murphy
Productions purchased the station in the fall of 2007.
Celebrating 25 Years of Broadcasting
Banana Jack Murphy's History
Banana Jack Murphy arrived on the Grand Strand in 1989 to handle
morning show duties on Rock 101.7 WKZQ. In 1992, he was voted best radio-television
personality in the Myrtle Beach area.
In 1994, Banana Jack was the talk of the town when his wacky
television show, “Myrtle Beach Daze” hit the air. A year later,
“Myrtle Beach Daze” would also be seen in New York and Chicago.
Also in the mid - 1990s, Banana Jack could be found on Fox
Sports South and The Sunshine Network working as a pit reporter for Thundersports
Television covering the NASCAR Dash Series.
In 1997, Banana Jack was named the new host of the daily
television show, “River Talk with Jack Murphy.” Jack still hosts
the community-oriented talk show airs daily at 8 AM on WWMB TV 21 and four times daily on
HTC Cable.
In 2000 he launched an internet radio station,
TigerRadioOnline.com which spotlights independent and unsigned artists across
America. In 2004, TigerRadio.com was launched which simulcasts TigerRadioOnline.com.
After 12 + years of waking up the beaches on WKZQ, Banana Jack
decided it was time for a change. So, in the fall of 2001, he replaced Howard Stern
on WYAV, Wave 104.1, The Classic Rock Station.
In 2003, Banana Jack's radio program on Wave 104 was most
voted "Best Morning Show"- Best of the Beach by the readers of the Sun
News. He also won a similar award in a survey conducted by The Horry
Independent. He's won that award three years running.
In 2004 and 2005, Banana Jack was selected as “Radio
DJ of the Year” by readers of The Myrtle Beach Herald.
Banana Jack was also honored in 2004 by the South Carolina
Broadcasters Association for his outstanding achievements in broadcast commercial
production and was presented with a coveted Star Award.
Banana Jack also owns and operates his own marketing and
production company, which he has owned since 1989.
In 2005, Jack assumed a leadership role with a Florida based
direct sales company that provides Fortune 500 group buying power for small businesses and
families. Since his departure from morning radio, he now devotes his full-time
efforts to marketing this unique concept to the Myrtle Beach area.
Just this year, Jack launched Mayberry Gazette.com. Fans
of the Andy Griffith Show may remember that The Mayberry Gazette was the hometown
newspaper. Visitors to the site can get a personalized copy of the paper. It's
really cool to get one of these as a gift.
 Of all the things that Jack has
accomplished over the years, he still says his greatest achievement was convincing Barb
Krumm to be his wife in 1997. Barb is the Director of Marketing and Public Relations
for Ocean Lakes Family Campground in Myrtle Beach. She is also a freelance artist and
graphic designer. They met on Jack’s radio show in August, 1995. Barb and Jack
are the proud parents of one son, James Tristan, who was born on December 22, 2004.
In July 2007, Jack and wife Barbara formed a new company, Banana
Jack Murphy Productions, LLC. The company's mission to own and operate broadcast
properties, create original broadcast programming, develop syndicated radio programming
and to develop a specialized new media advertising agency.
In October 2007, Banana Jack Murphy Productions, LLC purchased
WLSC 1240 AM in Loris, SC.
Community Service
Throughout his years in Myrtle Beach, Jack has been a member of
several service organizations such as the Myrtle Beach Jaycees and Coastal Carolina
Sertoma Club. He is a graduate of Leadership Grand Strand sponsored by the Myrtle Beach
Area Chamber of Commerce and is an Alumni of LGS Class XX.
Jack served on the Advisory Board for Bethany Christian
Services, a Pro-Adoption organization from 1999-2005. He served as President of the
Advisory Board in 2003 and 2004. Jack also served as Secretary on the State Advisory
Board for Bethany Christian Services in Columbia in 2003 and 2004.
Jack currently serves on the board of PowerHouse Ministries, an
organization that promotes pro-family activities and goodwill missions aimed at the
elderly and the poor in our community. Jack has served on the board since it's
inception in 2000. He is a member of Ocean View Baptist Church in Myrtle Beach, SC.
He's been involved in fundraisers of every sort through the
years for organizations like the American Heart Association, March of Dimes, American
Cancer Society, the Horry Cultural Arts Council and more.
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