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By Elisabeth Altamirano-Smith/ Community Columnist

One historical radio family of Chilton County is returning to the radio waves. Piper Dennis Little, daughter of the late Jack and Peggy Dennis of Clanton, grew up at the WKLF radio station. The Dennis family purchased the radio station in 1961 and provided a local news and entertainment source to Chilton listeners for 43 years.

“My precious mama would always jokingly say that I was born in the back room of our family radio station,” Piper said. “I’m sure this expression came from if given the choice of where I wanted to be, the radio station was always my first choice.”

Learning about radio technology and meeting people was a formative part of Piper’s childhood and youth.

“Daddy would take me with him to all of the local businesses to talk about the station and air time. That is where I met all of my good life-long friends,” Piper said. “It was always a place of wonder and enjoyment to me. Anything and everything I could learn, help with, or work on was a daily desire.”

After college, radio was not only a career, it was Piper’s passion. WKLF rose to be the premier station of Central Alabama. WKLF was the community’s top source for music, information and events.

At the same time, Piper married her husband Aaron Little, who also devoted much of his time to the radio’s success. However, Piper and Aaron began to focus on raising their children, Baiden and Blair. For the next 20 years, the Littles dedicated their time to their children, and Piper continued her education working in special needs education. Fewer hours were afforded to the station, and, in 2004, the station was sold to Great South Wireless.

“It felt as if I had signed my dream over to someone else to culminate,” said Piper. “The love of the radio world tugged at my heartstrings.”

“After 18 months of research, specialists and the dedication of my family we are excited to bring a new radio station to Clanton with ‘Piper Peach Radio,’” said Aaron.

Piper Peach Radio is an internet Clanton-based radio station that is accessible through a free mobile app on androids, iPhones,or through the website.

“You can connect it through Bluetooth in your car stereo system and listen to it anywhere in the world,” said Aaron. “If you are in Canada and want to listen to the local ball game, you can!”

The Little family hopes to serves the community in every way possible. Piper Peach Radio plans to showcase updates in weather, community events, news and naturally, great music.

“We are playing a mix of Classic Rock and Classic Country music and will be airing community favorites, like all of the school sports and Paul Harvey’s ‘The Rest of the Story,’” said Piper and Aaron.

 

For more information and a list of daily and monthly special airings and activities visit www.piperpeachradio.com