Benny Smith shares what led to his retirement plan: A timeline of changes at WUTK

Longtime WUTK General Manager Benny Smith says changes coming to the college radio station prompted his end-of-year retirement plans, which the University of Tennessee at Knoxville announced July 15 .

"I want to thank the students, volunteers, and community members that showed me so much support during this process," Smith said in a July 16 statement shared with Knox News. "My only request is that they continue to show the same level of support for WUTK now and in the future."

Among those changes for WUTK is The Media Center , a new initiative by the College of Communication and Information that will move the radio station, student newspaper The Daily Beacon and other student media outlets under one roof this month.

WUOT , a public radio station licensed to the university, also will move to The Media Center.

Jody Hamblett took over as general manager at WUOT in August 2023 and is the person to whom WUTK's interim leader, Matt Keaton, will report.

In his statement, Smith said he will remain an employee through the end of the year and called it "a dream" to have been able to nurture students and the local music scene for nearly 20 years at WUTK.

"First and foremost, I am a Vol For Life. I love the University of Tennessee, and I will continue to be a joyful part of its alumni community," Smith said. "I am leaving knowing that I gave my all for Tennessee. I am looking forward to what comes next. Stay tuned."

A timeline of changes at WUTK and with GM Benny Smith

Aug. 14, 2023: Jody Hamblett begins her role as general manager of WUOT.

April 1, 2024 : WUTK and WUOT begin collaborating on campus and sharing resources with plans to maintain separate identities.

July 11: Knox News reports on Smith's absence from the station and visits his home. Smith declines to comment but says he is "laying low."

An email from WUTK Underwriting and Marketing Manager Matt Keaton tells non-student volunteer DJs they are no longer needed .

That evening, host Wayne Bledsoe of WUTK's "Six O'Clock Swerve" is informed 35 minutes before going live that his show will not air. He shares with a live audience at Barley's Taproom & Pizzeria a text message from Smith, who confirms his leave and that "no job has been terminated."

July 12: WUTK program "The Funhouse," hosted by volunteer DJs Rob Levering and Derek Senter, moves to public access TV amid the restriction on non-student programs. Tennessee state Rep. Gloria Johnson and legendary Knoxville rock band Superdrag join to discuss the changes happening at WUTK.

July 13: Superdrag performs at Lost & Found Records. Smith is not in attendance as previously announced and does not share a statement with the volunteer DJs as they anticipated.

July 15 : In an email to College of Communication and Information faculty and staff, Dean Joe Mazer announces Smith's retirement plans . The email says volunteers could be used in the future but not in the same capacity.

July 16 : Smith shares a statement about his retirement plans.

Questions about WUTK unanswered by University of Tennessee

Knox News is awaiting answers from university spokesperson Kerry Gardner about the evolving situation, including who made the decision to pull specialty programs and sever ties with volunteer DJs.

Other questions posed to Gardner include:

• Why did the university decide to embark on these changes to the structures that had been in place for so long?
• Why did Smith's plan for retirement require him being on leave from the station?
• What sort of data was incorporated into the decisions about programming, such as audience analytics?
• Are there enough students to produce the same amount of programming? If not, what will fill the airwaves in the slots typically filled by locally produced programing?

The full text of Benny Smith's statement on WUTK retirement

" After a great deal of consideration and discussion with my family, I made the decision to retire as general manager of WUTK. I will remain an employee through the end of the year and will work with university leadership to ensure a smooth transition.

" I have served the Knoxville community for nearly 20 years at WUTK, and that service has been a blessing. It has been a dream come true to mentor a generation of eager student broadcasters and to nurture a local music scene full of kind, creative people that help make our city a vibrant and special place.

" With the changes coming to WUTK, for me it was the right time personally to make this move. I want to thank the students, volunteers, and community members that showed me so much support during this process. My only request is that they continue to show the same level of support for WUTK now and in the future.

" First and foremost, I am a Vol For Life. I love the University of Tennessee, and I will continue to be a joyful part of its alumni community. I am leaving knowing that I gave my all for Tennessee. I am looking forward to what comes next. Stay t uned. "

After previous stints as a specialty show host, music director and program director, Smith returned to WUTK full time in 2004. He got his start with the station as a student DJ in the 1980s.

Knox News growth and development editor Ryan Wilusz contributed to this report.

Contact Keenan Thomas by email at keenan.thomas@knoxnews.com; Ryan Wilusz by email at ryan.wilusz@knoxnews.com.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Benny Smith shares what led to his retirement plan: A timeline of changes at WUTK