KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Benny Smith is a beloved figure in Knoxville's local radio and music scene. As the general manager of WUTK, the University of Tennessee's student-led radio station, many considered him an authority over local music.
As of Friday, he is on a leave of absence. The university also said only students and staff would manage the radio station. Volunteers are effectively no longer welcome at the radio station, many of whom were alumni with a deep love for WUTK.
"We were shocked, and Benny has been such a huge part of the local music community for the past 30 years," said Wayne Bledsoe, who volunteered with the radio station.
He hosted the "The Six O'Clock Swerve" show, which aired on Thursday evenings and featured local and regional musicians and bands. Bledsoe described Smith as local music's best friend, who helped bands find success.
"Benny championed Super Drag. They eventually got signed to Elector Records and people know him all over the world," said Bledsoe.
WUTK started in the early 1980s as "Album 90," playing a mix of alternative rock and jazz, according to The Torchbearer, UT's student-led magazine. It was integrated into the academic mission of what was then the school's broadcasting department in 1985 — around the time that Benny Smith walked into the studio as a sophomore.
In the early 1990s, the station grew and began covering a 30-mile radius around UT. In 2004, Smith returned to the radio station after stints at other locations and worked to upgrade WUTK's business model, according to The Torchbearer. Over the years, the radio station became a prominent cultural outlet that aimed to entertain the community with new music, while also sharing student voices.
As a result, Smith's absence was noticed by people outside of Knoxville's local music scene.
"It will be a huge disservice to the community to see it go, or to see his leadership go because he has organized it into a real radio station," said Democratic State Rep. Gloria Johnson, from Knoxville. "I don't know what's going on, exactly. But, I know that is a great community resource, especially for young people."
WUTK became a place that gave UT students a chance to kickstart their careers, getting experience in media and broadcast while still in school. It was also a place where students could find tutelage under Smith.
"He's helped me get my job here at B97.5. Like, he's everything. Like, he pretty much gave me all the tools I needed to be successful," said Darius Williams. "It's just crazy that this is even a conversation that we're having right now because, you know, 90.3 (WUTK) just won an award last week."
The radio station's listeners and students who help run it said they are searching for answers, hoping to learn why Smith is no longer running the radio station.
"It's kind of heartbreaking, you know. I've had the show going on eight or nine years now, and it's been just loads of fun and I was booked all the way in next April because artists love playing it," said Bledsoe.
As a volunteer, he does not expect to be able to continue hosting his usual show. WUTK is still broadcasting on 90.3 FM, and people can listen to the radio station online.
WBIR reached out to UT with questions about Smith's employment and WUTK. The university said it does not comment on personnel.
"This feels like a mortal blow to the local music scene," Bledsoe said. "When the one outlet you have to play local music and really promote local music is gone — and that's what it looks like."