WVRK signed on in 1949 as WRBL-FM simulcasting the programming of WRBL-AM 1420 (now WRCG) which had a conventional programming format of CBS Radio shows, pop and country music, personality, sports and local news. In 1977, the TV and radio stations went their separate ways after the death of longtime station owner Jim Woodruff, Jr.
The AM became WRCG while the FM became WVOC. WVOC, known as V-103, would feature adult contemporary music from 1978 to around 1982 when the station would switch to country music. The station, along with KFMI in Great Falls, Montana and WCMB in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, became the first radio stations to pick up Drake-Chenault's Lite Country. The format, incorporating a few pop tunes to tap country fans of the post-World War II generation, would become part of WVOC's country programming.
Then at the end of 1984, WVOC would become WNKS and adopt the CHR format known as 102.9 Kiss FM. WNKS would become WVRK in 1989.
