Live on Sundays from 7:00 AM – 9:20 AM
Every week, we hear from our listeners—calling in songs, sending messages about their day, or asking for prayer. And it’s not just folks down the road… it’s people from all over. Some are family by blood, and some just became family somewhere along the way. You’ll hear listeners requesting songs for each other, checking in, lifting one another up—it’s a beautiful thing to be part of.
The power of prayer runs deep in this community. If someone hasn’t called or written in for a while, people notice. Folks start asking about them. That’s when you realize—this isn’t just a radio show. This is a family.
Now yes, Southern gospel is at the heart of it—but don’t be surprised if you hear an anniversary song, a birthday shoutout, or something that just plain makes you smile. If it means something to someone, it belongs here.
Between the stories, the laughter, and the easy back-and-forth between Rick Smith and Bill Hecke, Sunday Gathering has grown into something we’re truly proud of. Like Bill says, “To the world you may be just one person, but to one person you may be the world.” And around here, we try to live that out every single Sunday.
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Song requests are always welcome at (254) 658-0880. Feel free to call or text.
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mEET rICK SMITH & bILL hECKE
Rick Smith
Rick Smith is about as Central Texas as it gets. A Bell County native, he attended the University of Texas before coming back home to teach in Temple and eventually start his business, Marine Outlet, in 1969—a place that’s been part of the community ever since.
His radio journey started when a local station manager asked him to help with a Sunday morning Southern gospel show. One station turned into another, and before long, it became something much bigger than just a program. Today, Sunday Gathering continues that tradition on KNCT 91.3 FM, where Rick helps lead a show shaped by music, memories, and the voices of the listeners themselves.
For Rick, this has never just been about broadcasting. It’s about people. As he puts it, many listeners aren’t able to attend church—but through the program, they can still hear the message of hope, feel connected, and know they’re not alone.
Outside the studio, Rick is a devoted family man, business owner, and longtime member of the Lions Club, with more than 30 years of service to the community.
Also, the host of On the Dock.
Bill Hecke
If you’ve spent any time in Central Texas, chances are you already know Bill Hecke—or at least his voice.
With a career in meteorology spanning more than five decades, Bill has been a steady, trusted presence in the region for years. But on Sunday Gathering, you get to hear a different side of him—one that’s just as warm, thoughtful, and full of stories.
As co-host, Bill brings humor, perspective, and that easy back-and-forth with Rick that listeners have come to love. Whether he’s sharing a memory, chiming in on a song, or simply keeping things moving, he helps create the kind of atmosphere that feels more like a conversation than a broadcast.
Together, Rick and Bill have built something special—something that feels less like radio and more like sitting in on a Sunday morning with people who genuinely care.
Check out Bill Hecke’s Weather.
Playlist Archive
Browse recent playlists from Sunday Gathering with Rick & Bill. New playlists are added here weekly.
