In addition to being southeastern Illinois’ first choice for news, WROY/WRUL now has the honor of being able to call itself award winning. The Illinois Broadcasters Association recently held it’s annual Silver Dome Awards recognizing the best in radio/tv throughout the state. The Carmi radio stations had 10 nominations for the first time ever and were named finalists in six categories. WROY/WRUL took home best in state distinctions in two classes. A commercial for Busted Knuckles, a heavy duty truck and ag repair business in southern Illinois, won for Best Humorous Commercial. A news feature titled “University of IL Extension in the Crosshairs of Gallatin County Board Member” was highlighted as a best in class for Hard News Story.
WROY will celebrate it’s 75th anniversary in December. The station first hit the airwaves on December 13th, 1948. A public reception is being planned for Friday, December 15th from 11am – 1pm to commemorate the anniversary. WRUL 97.3 will celebrate it’s 50th year in broadcasting in 2024. Originally WROY-fm, WRUL was renamed after a listener promotion that asked listeners what call letters should be requested from the Federal Communications Commission. WRUL for “We RULe the country” was the winner to coincide with the 50,000 wattage that allows the signal to “boom” across 25 counties in 3 states. WRUL has played country since it’s inception.
Named after the iconic dome on the Illinois State Capitol, the IBA’s Silver Dome Awards recognize top performers in Illinois broadcasting. Entries are judged by out of state professional broadcasters in similar size markets.
