Anyone associated with WMIK, The Daily News, any business or civic organization in Middlesboro between 1950 into the 1970’s, is very familiar with this "media giant." Maurice K. Henry positively influenced the Tri-State area in many ways, but perhaps most significantly by using the local radio and newspaper as an agent of change in a city known for wanting to preserve the status quo.

As a teacher, a naval officer during World War II, a salesman, a radio station manager, a broker, a newspaper editor Mr. Henry endeavored to succeed where others had failed.

Mr. Henry, a native Virginian, came to Kentucky after meeting his future wife Pat, daughter of Dr. Robert L. Kincaid. Dr. Kincaid, a renowned author and historian, Lincoln Memorial University official and a stockholder in The Middlesboro Daily News encouraged Mr. Henry to return to Middlesboro after a short stay in Morristown, Tennessee.

Mr. Henry relates the story of WMIK in an article he wrote several years ago for friend, and former employee, John Cawood. Along with this account, I have taken the liberty to include other information concerning the history of the Cumberland Gap Broadcasting Company that Mr. Henry related in his autobiographical work entitled, "My Life and Times as a Twentieth Century Traveler."

WMIK

MIDDLESBORO, KENTUCKY

The first and second management teams from 1948-1950 never had a single profitable operating month. In 1949 another station was started in Middlesboro and the money loss increased.

We came back to Middlesboro in September 1949. The first month at the radio station we lost a little money, the second month we broke even, and the third month, after changing some personnel, we made a little money. That was November 1949, and we never again had an unprofitable month as long as we owned the station.

The economic turnaround was accomplished by canceling the Mutual Network, changing programming to involve more local events, local news, and better announcers for the local market with more country and western music.

In the years we ran WMIK until 1976, the station was recognized and was awarded over two hundred certificates and plaques for programming, public service and related events.

Religious programs have been a very major operating factor during WMIK’s operating history. The largest single client program-paid sponsor was an independent religious person by the name of W.W. Nails who had a daily program six days a week and one hour on Sunday. For years each Sunday was completely sold out with the Binghamtown Church having the Sunday 11 A.M. services. This continues today.

Some of the faithful employees during the time period from 1950-1976 were Tal England, Bill Baker, John Cawood, and Webster Taylor. There were many other individuals that rendered outstanding programming and business services.

Bill Baker, Mr. Henry, John Cawood and Jack McPherson with the secret treasure map

Here is the photograph of the silver coin promotion winner (name unknown) with Bill Baker, Mr. Henry, and John Cawood. The old Binghamtown Church is in the background.

Here's Bill Baker, unidentified promotion winner, and Mr. Henry.

Mr. Henry's daughter, Kay Henry at WMIK during the 1950's