"I bid you good afternoon, and take care."

Until I read the feature article in the Dickson Herald this week, I didn't know what Chuck's final on-air words were. This fantastic article cleared that up for me. When I read it, I was sitting in the car in the station parking lot, under the huge Dickson County mural on the side of the building.

"I bid you good afternoon, and take care."

That was the first time I cried over the demise of WDKN radio, so I think it's safe to say the shock has worn off. What is left in its place is a lot of anger, so much confusion - and now, finally, a building hope that maybe WDKN will find new ownership and come back to the airwaves with a stronger presence than ever before.

Last week, it was hard to imagine the ripple effect that would spread through the community. Now, it's very apparent just how much the station meant to those who listened, and even to those who didn't - someone called it a piece of "Americana" and I thought that was one of the most fitting descriptions I've heard. I've heard from one person who never listened to the station, but was furious at the fact that "another piece of America's heritage" is gone.

On the air for over fifty years, the station was the go-to place for everything from the obituaries to the high school football games. It was the home of Swap and Shop - where even if you didn't have something to sell, it was always fun to listen to what others were offering. It was the long-time home of the Cancer Auction, which meant so much to so many people. Old Timer's Day was always a huge deal at WDKN. The Christmas Parade always went right by the front doors of the station, and was always broadcast for those who didn't want to brave the cold and see it for themselves. The airwaves were filled with an eclectic mix of country music, from the newest chart-toppers to the old, obscure recordings that true country music lovers would appreciate. Artists loved the homey feeling of the studio and often stopped by to talk to listeners or just chat with the staff.

Though I'm not a native of Dickson County - and in fact, live one county over - the station has always held special meaning for me, too. I remember the first time I heard a certain DJ dedicate a certain song to his "special someone" - that someone was me, and that DJ would become my husband a year later. Our daughter's voice was often on the Roxy movie commercials, and our son made his share of appearances, too. Listeners and staff alike came out to our wedding and witnessed our vows. That radio station was a part of my husband, and by extension, it became a part of our family.

There are snapshots of this past week that will stay with me forever. Like the lovely elderly couple, both loyal listeners for years, as they cried over the fact that an important part of their day was gone. The thought of Warren Medley - one of the finest gentlemen a person could ever hope to meet - losing a job that had been a part of his life for over 50 years. The avalanche of emails from well-wishers and supporters that filled my husband's inbox every day. The phone calls, the cards, and the outpouring of concern that surrounded every one of the fine people who worked for the station over the years.

Most of all, very simply - the people. The community.

The big, beautiful, extended family that was WDKN.

The abrupt closing of the station has done a disservice to so many. What adds insult to injury is that these last few years, the station had more sponsors interested than ever before - I clearly remember the days when Chuck would come home, pleased as punch because he had broken the previous year's record of sponsorships for the ballgames, Old Timer's Day, and the like. The sponsors were there! The community stepped up and lent their support...and now they dial up static where the station used to be. It happened without the slightest warning. If that's not unfairness, I don't know what is.

At this point there is hope that a buyer will step up to the plate and return WDKN to its rightful place in the community. There are many people waiting for someone to bring it back...Dickson County deserves the unique voice that WDKN provided.