Tuscaloosa Businessman Stan Pate Buys Trio of Local Radio Stations

Tuscaloosa businessman and real estate magnate Stan Pate has entered a new arena after acquiring three West Alabama radio stations this week.

As first reported by Lance Venta of Radio Insight, Pate picked up Jim Lawson's Mix 107.3 in Tuscaloosa and 104.3 WWPG in Eutaw, as well as Mildred Porter's 107.3 WQZZ in Boligee for a total sales price of $200,000.

In a Monday interview with the Tuscaloosa Thread, Pate said he bought the stations because they were a low-cost investment that would allow him to preserve stations that have historically been by and for an African American audience.

"I'm made for radio," Pate joked in a phone call. "I've tried everything else, so why not radio too?"

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The developer then stated that he has known Jim Lawson and Mildred Porter for years and does not want to see these stations go silent or be sold off to corporate owners with no regard for their legacies.

"There are always a number of target demographics, but Jim Lawson was predominantly focused on the African American community, and my goal is to see it serve as it has in the past," Pate said. "These stations have served a great purpose, and I don't want to see Black radio go away. They have been a voice for the African American community, and a voice is deserved."

Pate said he doesn't know much at all about radio ownership, but considered the $200,000 purchase price to be small enough to swallow, even if only to keep the stations alive.

Still, anyone who knows the real estate developer knows Pate thinks bigger than that, and he said he aims to see the stations thrive. He said he's looking at potentially building at least one new studio to house programming on his new stations, which he wants to keep locally focused. He's also considering broadcasting high school athletic events and more.

Pate will keep the stations running, make improvements where possible, and ideally position them for acquisition from a new owner with the same goals.

"At the end of the day, the goal is local ownership and I might even sell it for what I paid, but I want to see the stations survive," Pate said. "I want them to continue to be a voice of the African American community, and that can happen."

For more coverage of news in West Alabama, stay connected to the Tuscaloosa Thread.