Did you know that Oconee County has had a radio station broadcast since 1949? WSNW, now known as 94.1 The Lake, signed on as the first radio station in Oconee County in 1949. Initially broadcasting in Walhalla, Seneca, and Westminster, the radio station picked up the 103.3FM translator in 2008, to expand the coverage area. In 2014, they moved to a much larger signal, 94.1FM, and took on the name “The Lake.” Located in downtown Seneca on Ram Cat Alley, the station’s motto is one that many agree with—life is always better on the lake. Focused on local news, sports, people, and events, 94.1 The Lake covers Anderson, Oconee, and Pickens counties and they are looking to expand to cover more of what’s happening in Anderson.
With a playlist that is a mix of contemporary music and songs that bring on a wave of nostalgia for the seventies, eighties, and nineties, chances are high that no matter what song is playing on 94.1, you are going to know most of the lyrics and the artist belting them out. Since they play music from such a wide range of decades as well as various genres such as light rock, alt rock, new wave, pop, and rock, you won’t hear the same song repeatedly. 94.1 keeps you guessing as to what they will play next, and you can listen all day long without hearing the same song twice. The music is family and office friendly so you can listen to 94.1 in the car while driving your kids to school and keep listening when you get to work at the office. During the Christmas season, you can listen to Christmas music all day long beginning the week of Thanksgiving. The station broadcasts 24 hours per day, 7 days per week so you can listen all the time.
What sets 94.1 apart from other local stations is its heavy focus on local news, weather, sports, people, and events. An hourly Community Calendar feature updates listeners on local events. Throughout the day, local news updates are given as well as bulletins when breaking local news occurs. One of the more popular, well-known segments is Coffee Time with Kevin Hollis, airing weekdays at 9am. It is a community affairs program where listeners can learn about important issues, events, and causes in the community from the people who are directly involved with them. For our local residents who are USC fans, WSNW is the upstate source for University of South Carolina athletics.
The on-air personalities at 94.1 have expansive careers in radio broadcast and they never fail to deliver up to the minute news. Nonna Carlson is the morning show host and her career spans five decades. She announces local and celebrity birthdays, gives traffic and weather updates, and does promotions for local businesses and services. Kevin Hollis is the News Director and has nearly three decades in the industry. He keeps listeners updated with the most current news and he was one of the first reporters on the scene of the tornado in Seneca in April 2020.
94.1 The Lake loves to host, sponsor, and support local community events. On May 16 they will host the Senior Living Expo from 9am-1pm at the Shaver Complex in Seneca. This event is an opportunity for the public to talk with over 50 industry leaders in healthcare, finance, insurance, home remodeling and more. Admission is free and this is the 16th year the station has hosted the Senior Expo. 94.1 also supports and promotes the annual Oconee County job fair, an event that offers residents the opportunity to put their resume in the hands of the premier employers in Oconee, Anderson, and Pickens counties. Additionally, they were a 2023 sponsor of the Anderson/Oconee/Pickens annual meeting of the Society for Human Resource Managers.
If you would like to know how you can collaborate with 94.1 to promote or support your business or an event, or if you would like to advertise your business on 94.1, contact Brandon Kessler, Vice-President and General Manager, at [email protected]. Says Kessler,
“Business owners are always looking for effective ways to promote their business and radio has stood the test of time. It also helps that we’re an affordable avenue that’s earned the trust of our listeners over the years.”
When you are in that mid-winter, mid-day slump, turn your radio dial over to 94.1 The Lake to pull you out of it. Because like their motto says, life is always better on the lake.
Learn more about 94.1 and listen live at https://wsnwradio.com and find them on Facebook at @94.1thelake.