A Brief Quicksie History
Bill and Marilyn Evans came to Elizabethtown Kentucky in 1969 “with a car, a couple of pieces of furniture, a baby boy, and piece of paper that said he could build an FM radio station – and a lot of ambition”. This was at a time when many radios only had AM on their dials. Now, 50 years later, WQXE 98.3 “Quicksie” is stronger than ever, as a 25,000 watt Hot AC radio station that dominates the market – ranked by the Arbitron/Nielson ratings as #1 in Hardin County with adults for over 10 years. WQXE has been a part of the community over the past 50 years as the voice of Hardin County, entertaining the community and providing information through good times and bad. Bad times include the coverage of the Carrollton bus crash in 1988 which was considered the worst drunk driving crash in US history. And the ice storm that struck our community in 2009, WQXE provided vital information to our listeners from everything to where to find kerosene, to helping folks on oxygen get transportation to the hospital. WQXE has also been there for our community in the good times with the growth in Hardin County, providing information and entertainment with our local on-air personalities.
WQXE remains a strong community partner through many programs that we provide to our area. Including the Quicksie Toy Factory, which is a partnership with local factories to provide toys for less fortunate children in our area for over 30 years. For over 20 years, our Children’s Fair, a partnership with the Heart of Kentucky Association of Realtors, providing a free event for children ages 1-12 every year at Freeman Lake Park in Elizabethtown. WQXE has also formed a partnership with the leadership at neighboring Ft. Knox, for a weekly “Ft. Knox Report” featuring a live interview with the Garrison Commander for over 6 years along with “Chamber Matters” a segment that on the local Chamber of Commerce, “Furever Friends,” a partnership with the Hardin Country Animal Shelter where we feature animals that are available for adoption, and “Crime Stoppers,” a partnership with the Elizabethtown Police Department where we ask the listening audience for information on unsolved cases.
WQXE began broadcasting November 24th, 1969 at 3,000 watts from a small cinderblock building in Glendale, KY. We moved to Elizabethtown, Kentucky in December 1978. In December 1995 the frequency was changed from 98.5 to 98.3 and increased power from 6,000 watts to 25,000 watts. January 2002 Bill Evans purchased WULF, October 2002, groundbreaking for a new state of the art 5,300 square foot studio. September 2003 was the grand opening of WQXE’s new studios at 233 West Dixie Elizabethtown. Bill Evans retired November 2014 but his retirement ending in February 2016 with the tragic loss of our General Manager Richard Price.
The Quicksie Timeline
November 22, 1968 – FCC approves broadcasting
May 1970 – Began broadcasting 24 hours daily. At the time the only 24-hour station in central Kentucky
April 1972 – Moved frequency to 100.1 MHz
September 1, 1976 – WQXE begin playing “beautiful music,” a breakthrough in format & music. “Somewhere in between. No Bach. No rock. Just lots of beautiful music”
December 1978 – Preparations were made to move to the new 245 West Dixie Ave. studios in Elizabethtown
1991 – First ‘Toy Factory’ a toy drive to collect toys for Helping Hand of Hope
1992 – Matt English hosts the first ‘Quicksie Love Songs’ a weekly live request show focused on dedicating love songs
1992 – Changed frequency from 100.1 MHz to 98.5 MHz
1995 – First Annual Children’s Fair, started by Marilyn Evans. A gift to the community from Quicksie and the Heart of Kentucky Association of Realtors
December 31, 1995 – Changes frequency for 98.5 MHz to 98.3 MHz and increases power from 6,000 watts to 25,000 watts.
2001 – Lee Bramlett introduces Community Forum a weekly program dedicated to local people and issues
October 30, 2002 – Groundbreaking for a new state of the art 5,300-square-foot studio
September 21, 2003 – Grand opening of WQXE new studios at 233 West Dixie Ave. in Elizabethtown
April 2004 – Greg & Hollie begin the morning show, one of the longest local morning programs in the Heartland
December 2005 – WQXE first broadcast of Dickens’ “Christmas Carol” a radio drama in the style of radio programs from the 1930s and ’40s.
January 2009 – During the Ice Storm Quicksie passed the information on where to find candles, batteries, and generators; the effective headquarters of information for emergency personnel.
2009 – Scott Goettel airs the first ‘Praise & Shine’ a weekly show of inspiring music with an inspiring message.
February 2010 – The morning show broadcasts live from Haiti after a devastating earthquake bringing our region live coverage on developments and provides humanitarian assistance.
2010 – Scott Goettel airs the fist “Showtime with Scott’ a weekly segment featuring new release box office, DVD and Blu-ray hits.
November 2014 – Bill Evans retires after over 45 years in radio
February 6, 2016 – Richard Price, General Manager passed away at the age of 49. Richard was more than just a GM, he was a mentor and good friend. He was loved by everyone, and was a huge loss to our community.
October 2017 – Brian Walker and Mike McNutt air the first ‘Furever Friends’
November 30, 2018 – Brian Walker takes over co-hosting duties on the morning show
March 2019 – Matt English returns to host ‘Quicksie Love Songs’ a weekly live request show focused on dedicating love songs
July 18, 2019 – Colonel Patrick N. Kaune Fort Knox Garrison Commander presented an award of appreciation for 50 years of being a good neighbor to Fort Knox and the community
August 2019 – Adam in the Afternoon introduces a new weekly segment, “Crime Stoppers,” a partnership between Quicksie 98.3 and the Elizabethtown Police Department that hopes to solve crimes with listener tips
September 3, 2019 – Trisha Caudill begins co-hosting the morning show with Brian Walker.
September 2019 – Zach Epperson starts a new daily sports segment, “Local Sports Update” which provides local coverage on regional sports, scores and coach interviews
October 14, 2019 – WQXE named Kentucky Broadcasters Association Excellence in Broadcasting Radio Station of the year.
November 1, 2019 – Harry L. Berry Hardin County Judge Executive presented a proclamation naming November 2019 as ‘Quicksie Month” in Hardin County
November 4, 2019 – Mayors of Elizabethtown, Vine Grove and Radcliff jointly proceeded proclamations declaring November 24, 2019 as “Quicksie Day” in their respective cities
August 30, 2020 – Scott Goettle retires after 13 years at WQXE. Adam takes over his roles with “Showtime” and “Praise & Shine”
November 2020 – Brian and Trisha named the “Best Morning Show in Kentucky” by the Kentucky Broadcasters Association
December 20, 2020 – Marilyn Evans, wife of Bill Evans and co-owner of WQXE and WULF passes away after a long battler with Multiple Sclerosis. Marilyn will be remembered for her dedication to the community through events like the Children’s Fair
Quicksie Logos Through The Years
Quicksie Mascots Through The Years
Quicksie Vehicles Through The Years
“We are Quicksie 98.3”
