Written by Charles Noyes
Photos by Kelly Z Photography

Sponsored by Valley Home Improvement

Published in Northampton Living (March 2022)

Coming through the airwaves of the Valley, the unmistakably smooth sounds of WEIB-106.3 Smooth FM provide a daily dose of cool for all who tune in. But for many residents of the Valley, the station provides so much more than just music. WEIB-106.3 Smooth FM is not just the only locally-owned and independent commercial FM radio station in the Springfield area, and not just the only woman-owned commercial FM radio station in Massachusetts; it is also the only African-American-owned radio station in New England. And all of this is possible only because of the effort and dedication from the one and only Carol Moore Cutting.

“The whole genesis of the radio station began when my husband, Gerald, and I moved to the area after graduating from what is now Tuskegee University in Alabama,” she said. The year was 1969 and Gerald had studied to be a veterinarian and decided to return to New England. They settled on greater Springfield to begin their new life together. When they arrived at the region that was to be their new home, Carol realized something important was missing.

“As African-Americans, it was a shock to us that it was so difficult to connect to the local community and even just to know what was available,” she remembered. “We didn’t know which churches to visit, where the barbershops or the beauty shops were, or how to connect with the social life in the area. Back in Alabama, it was as simple as turning on the radio. It was a major disappointment when we realized how underrepresented the African-American community was here in New England.”

This realization was one of the many sparks that ignited Carol’s determination, a part of her that would become integral to her future. What resulted from this initial spark was the idea that she should fill in that missing piece of the community herself. This led her to eventually apply to the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) for the construction permit needed to begin work on a radio station. One can either purchase an existing frequency or build a new one and it was the latter route that seemed more feasible to Carol at the time as there were no existing frequencies available at the time.

“It was not an easy process,” she said, “because there was another group who wanted the frequency as well. At that point, the applicant essentially offered to pay me to get out of the way or to financially litigate me out of the FCC Hearing process. There were limited options for local and community-focused programming at the time, so I was particularly determined to make my vision happen in the way I had imagined it.”

By turning down the offer, this other applicant would end up complicating things considerably. At every level of the FCC Comparative Hearing process, they tried to stonewall Carol and put up roadblocks, only for her to prevail at every level. “I didn’t have the financial resources that they had. I was young with a growing family and without supported dollars backing me financially. All I had was a vision, a prayer, and a dream. I continued to prevail, but the appeals process slowed everything down, and eventually, my case made it all the way to the Washington, DC Court of Appeals. That’s as high as these things can go.”

But no price was steep enough to stop Carol and ultimately she won the FCC Construction Permit (CP) giving her the right to build the radio station she had always dreamed of for the community. This story illustrates Carol’s resolve and determination to do whatever needed to be done and how she has always used these traits for the benefit of her community. She summed up what finally achieving her goal after 15 years meant to her in one sentence. “My children were youngsters when I first began the process,” she said, “and by the time we opened the station, they had both graduated from college.”

Fast-forward to today and WEIB-106.3 Smooth FM terrestrial radio has been an established part of the community for over 20 years, with its broadcast range stretching from up in Vermont all the way down to the Hartford, CT area. In addition, it is heard locally, regionally, and globally at www. weibfm.com. The programming honors the underrepresented African-Americans, independent artists, women, and the diverse contributions to music by everyone. The radio station highlights opportunities for community engagement and a variety of opportunities for advertisers. What Carol looked for when she first arrived in the Valley is alive and well thanks to her efforts. “As the only locally-owned radio station in the Springfield, MA area, and the only female-owned FM radio station in Massachusetts, I want to make sure our local perspective is enhanced and that we reflect the community.”

Her perspective on local causes has been formed by a lifetime of community engagement in addition to her radio career. “My Master’s Degree is in Community Leadership and Development from Springfield College,” she said. “I’ve been involved with programs to help with tutoring youth, and in my volunteer work, I’m always focused on uplifting people. The way I was raised by my family in Alabama meant lending a helping hand whenever possible to provide a positive perspective to make things better.” For Carol, this perspective has brought her everywhere from the YWCA, Breast Cancer Awareness, Prostate Cancer Awareness, Red Cross, American Heart Association, to promoting the Arts, encouraging good health, helping with family food insecurities and supporting educational opportunities, finding ways to help others at every stop. “I’ve also been involved in many projects through decades of service at St. John’s Congregational Church,” she said, “establishing the local chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorp and youth scholarships by the Springfield Chapter of Girl Friends.” Over the decades, Carol has been recognized and received recognition for her leadership and commitment to the community.

It has been this focus on community and locally-driven causes that Carol believes makes independent WEIB-106.3 Smooth FM stand out amongst the Valley’s other large corporate radio stations. “I think it’s important that individuals and local business owners get the advertising they need to prosper and that positions them to reach people who care about contributing to local causes and supporting local businesses,” she stated. “And I feel that WEIB-106.3 Smooth FM is uniquely positioned to provide them with exactly the kind of audience they need.”

It’s exactly for that reason that the future at WEIB-106.3 is looking brighter than ever even after the economic challenges of the Covid pandemic. With Carol’s expressed interest of extending her reach into even more communities, including the internet, that trend will hopefully continue. Carol wrapped up our conversation with a summary of her thoughts on the Valley, saying, “I love this area. I am so vested in this community and think it’s a great area to raise a family. My children went away to college and then they came back. For young people, I would hope they can really see the value in being a part of and helping to improve our community and make changes for the betterment of everyone.”

“All I can say is we came here without knowing anyone and this area has been very good to us and our family. I would encourage people to look at that example. I believe in the long run many people will realize what this community has to offer and continue to build on it.”