From the Desk of Co-Founder, Odessa Bailey
“On July 4, 1972 AT 5:00am, a new phenomena in radio began… The WZZA Saga… With much thought, prayer and what resources we had available, and with the help of a four local business owners including a family of three brothers, we stepped out on faith on a journey that led us into another century. As there was no Black media outlet in this North Alabama area, we felt the time was right to start this venture to be able to offer this much needed service to the area. With Mr. Bailey’s vision and the help of four local businessmen who invested in this venture (with the stipulation that we retain the majority ownership with the option to buy them out when it was expedient for us to do so), the birth of Muscle Shoals Broadcasting, Inc. became a reality. We were able to exercise that option after only a couple of years, thus becoming a family-owned operation. In a few short years, our children, Tori and Jurado were brought on board, who were taught all phases of the business.
Entertainer James Brown suggested to Mr. Bailey that he should start a radio operation for this area, and although this urging from Mr. Brown helped to spur the idea along, the wheels were already in motion to do so. The rest is history!” Mrs. Odessa Bailey, Co-Founder, WZZA Muscle Shoals Broadcasting.
The WZZA bumper Sticker was first spotted on cars in the Shoals area in 1973. Although they’ve changed in style, you can still see them around today.”
WZZA Radio Station is owned and operated by Muscle Shoals Broadcasting, and serves the Shoals area, which includes Lauderdale and Colbert counties. WZZA’s coverage also includes a large portion of Franklin County to the south, Lawrence County to the east, and west to Tishomingo County, Mississippi. WZZA’s format includes gospel, blues, hip-hop, jazz, and R&B, all of which is day-parted to most effectively serve the market with unduplicated musical programming. Other programming includes a daily public affairs program during which a wide variety of guests, including attorneys, judges, mayors, councilmen, commissioners, teachers, businessmen, doctors, health care providers, city workers, bankers, financial advisors, congressmen and other office holders, religious leaders, non-profit agencies, civic and social organizations, and other citizens appear to discuss topics ranging from education, recreation, health, welfare, religion, relationships, law, politics, finance, economics, and more to hot topics in today’s news.
WZZA is the only locally owned Black formatted station in Northwest Alabama. The station’s broadcast signal reaches a loyal audience of approximately 45,000 persons daily (total day) with a median income of approximately $43,000, many of whom have supported this station since its first broadcast on July 4, 1972. Although the station’s target demographic is persons between the ages of 25-54, WZZA’s listeners range in age from 18-80, many of whom consistently tune in for the most timely information presented as community events, interviews, music, and entertainment primarily by local air personalities. Much of the information to be heard on WZZA cannot be found elsewhere.
Leonard Skipworth
On December 3, 2023, Mr. Leonard Skipworth, the well-loved voice of the Soul of the Shoals, worked his regular 6a-10a shift as host of his very popular Sunday morning radio program for the last time. He was sharply dressed as usual, and heading to church after leaving WZZA. That was Mr. Skip’s Sunday morning schedule going back for as far back as I can remember. He woke us up on Sunday mornings, blessed us by playing his favorite gospel songs, made shout outs to his faithful Sunday morning listeners who called each week without fail, and gave us inspirational vitamins with his “Thought for the Week” to keep us on the path.
Brother Skip sold the most advertising of anyone in all of WZZA’s history, many times just by picking up the phone. That’s how well known he was, and how well liked he was. All he had to do was tell his advertising clients that he was writing up a contract and would be by to pick up a payment. He was just that good at selling advertising.
But he did so much more for WZZA Radio. Skip went over and above. He would even sometimes deliver prize packs for our contest winners. So it bothered him when anyone was less than loyal to WZZA, especially those who didn’t advertise but who would call asking to have something aired on the station – for free. He understood that free doesn’t pay the staff or the light bill. One Sunday he surprised (and worried) me when he turned the station off for a full minute. WZZA had dead air until he turned the music back on and said to our listeners, “That’s what it would be like without WZZA. Think about that.”
Skip knew we were about my plans for the FM long before anyone else and was probably more excited than I was about it. We had just talked, the day before we lost him, about how – just as he was first heard on the AM, he would be the first voice heard on the FM. We were able to make that come true by airing a commercial with his voice on it. I only wish we had recorded more of him on the air so we could continue to hear his voice encouraging and entertaining us. One of the first things you’ll see when you come into the reception area at WZZA is a banner with his pictures on it. He was proud to have it here, and we will always be proud to show him off.
Leonard Skipworth was dependable, supportive, and loyal to my family, to me, and to WZZA Radio. He was one of those “rocks” that God gives us to lean on in life, there when you needed him, steadfast, unmovable, and unshakeable. WZZA is not the same without Leonard Skipworth. Absolutely no one will ever be to us what he has been. Skipjack was full of light and life and he left a void here on earth. I like to think of him now up in Heaven with the Most High God (and probably acting up some with my father Bob Carl Bailey). In the meantime, we’ve been left to continue on without his guidance, encouragement, and his ability to make us laugh out loud. All of us who are Leonard Skipworth’s family, friends, and fans were fortunate to have had him in our lives.
