WZZA History

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 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 the family of three brothers 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 opti on 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. If you look carefully you can still see a few around today.