 As WIST, the station was initially a network affiliate of the Mutual Broadcasting System, but by the late 1950s, it had dropped the network to become Charlotte's first independent radio station and later Charlotte's first Top-40 station.Popular DJ's at that time included Jimmy Kilgo, Bob Chessen and Jim Martin.In 1960, in a rare move for broadcasters of the day, WIST traded frequencies with WSOC at 1240 on the dial (now WHVN).