WPAD is the fifth oldest radio broadcasting station in Kentucky, founded in 1930 by Pierce Lackey, with its inaugural broadcast taking place on August 23,[1]: 19  billed as "The Voice of Western Kentucky.

"[1]: 35  The opening of this station marked the return of radio in Paducah after the shutdown of the short-lived WIAR, which operated from 1922 until 1924.

In 1967, Lackey died and the station was purchased by Union City, Tennessee, businessman Ed Fritts and his wife, Ruth, for a price of $158,000.

[1]: 74  In 1996, the stations were purchased by Bristol Broadcasting, owner of WKYX and WKYQ.

WPAD exchanged frequencies with WDXR, and continued to operate on 1560 kHz with an "oldies" format.