WOSM-FM

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WOSM-FM is a gospel music radio station founded in 1971 by Charles and Margaret Cooper. It broadcasts at 103.1FM and serves the Mississippi Gulf Coast and parts of Alabama.

As Ocean Springs' first radio station, WOSM-FM covers local sports and community events in addition to gospel music and ministry. Owner Charles Cooper hopes his gospel-centered station makes a difference in people's lives with its 24/7 Christian message.

The primary format is Southern Gospel Music, such as the The Crabb Family, Issacs and The McKameys. The station also produces local sports programming, such as Ocean Springs Greyhound High School Football and the high school basketball game of the week. Margaret Cooper has a local interview program entitled "Looking Around," which is heard twice a week for the past thirty years.

[edit] Hurricane Katrina

The radio station's coverage immediately after Hurricane Katrina was a bright spot of hope for a crushed Coast. "When the electricity went out, we switched to (propane-powered) auxiliary power and continued to broadcast," said Cooper. He's thankful that the radio tower was still standing. His tower, station and home are built on a 26-foot elevation, just off Mississippi 57, and safe from flood waters.

Most other coast stations lost their studios, but WOSM-FM was better prepared after losing towers in Hurricanes Elena and Frederic. Storm victims were thankful to hear continuing informative and helpful storm reports on their battery-powered radios turned to 103.1 FM.

"We stayed up and we stayed with it before, during and after the storm," said Cooper, who didn't get much sleep.

"We were running out of propane after three days, so we put out a clarion call to listeners," Cooper said. "A Blossman Gas delivery man heard our call and showed up just in time to keep us on the air."

"We needed someone at the Emergency Operations Center to get information out, and Charles Cooper and his team did it," said Civil Defense Director Butch Loper. "They are so dedicated to Jackson County."