Presents
Mike Shannon's
DALLAS-FORT WORTH
FM STATION HISTORY
(Some fringe and rimshot stations are shown depending upon signal strength and location)
UPDATED FEBRUARY, 2006

NEW!  Deaths are now identified with a  icon; clicking it will take you to the "Death Roll" page for more information
NEW! The term "Notables" has replaced "Notable Personalities" so that any station employee, regardless of duties, can be included.

The undisputed king of FM radio in the 1970s and 1980s was KVIL, who took the marketing expertise of
KLIF owner Gordon McLendon and applied it to an adult contemporary format.  Many former KLIF listeners
who had outgrown that station and migrated to the growing FM band found that KVIL served their tastes
well, and a continuous flow of contests kept listeners tuning in.  Pictured above from an August, 1976
edition of "Staff Meeting" are (L-R) Andy McCollum, Ben Laurie, Michael Selden, Bill Mercer and Theatre Three
owner Jac Adler.  Suzie Humphries is seated on the floor, and Ron Chapman is in the right foreground.
Photo credit:  Dallas Morning News

A BRIEF HISTORY OF FM RADIO IN DALLAS-FORT WORTH...

The first FM station in the state of Texas belonged to the Belo Corporation, who officially signed on "KERA" during the 1946 State Fair of Texas in Dallas.  (The KERA call letters were later used by the local PBS affiliate.)  Before 1946, FM radio was off to an austere start.  Developed in 1935, frequency modulation (FM) was in experimental stages throughout the late 1930s and early 1940s.  Sponsored by RCA, the idea was soon looked upon as a possible detriment to AM and forthcoming television...and RCA dropped its backing by 1938.  General Electric, not part of RCA at the time, purchased a license from FM's inventor, Edwin Armstrong, and began manufacturing and selling FM units the same year.  On January 1, 1941, the FCC set standards for FM broadcasting, placing the FM dial between 42-50 mc (mHz.)  By the end of 1941, the US entered World War II and the manufacturing of radios for the public stopped.  350,000 FM units are already in consumers' hands at this point.  At the end of the war, FM radio production resumed, but pressure was put on the FCC by future TV broadcasters to rethink its FM dial placement (as the 42-50 mc range was reserved for Channel 1...which was never used anyway) and the FCC gave in by assigning 88-108 mc to FM instead on 8/14/1947.  All old FM units are obsolete at that point!

After a slow start and little interest in the band during the 1940s and 50s, the FCC approved stereophonic broadcasting for FM stations in 1961 (although experiments were often conducted by AM-FM combos who would broadcast one channel on AM and the other channel on FM...listeners at home could tune an AM and an FM radio to the appropriate frequencies and hear stereo!  In 1955, WBAP was the first station to attempt this, and later, some GM-Delco car radios were outfitted with the ability to hear AM in one speaker and FM in the other for such occasions.)  Stereo broadcasting opened up the dial for a new purpose:  to offer static-free, stereophonic music comparable in quality to what one could get from phonograph records...and a far cry from the substandard quality that AM offered.  Many do-it-yourselfers built their own hi-fi systems at home, or spent exorbitant amounts of money purchasing stereo equipment from hi-fi retailers.  Car manufacturers responded as well by adding FM radios as an option beginning in 1963.  Local FM stations such as WBAP, KIXL, KCPA, KBOX and WFAA broadcasted "beautiful music" in stereo with little announcer or commercial interruption, and catered mainly to the older listener.

By the end of the 1960s, underground radio found a home on FM...bringing together both ends of the age spectrum on one dial.  Underground featured what AM couldn't or wouldn't play...long album cuts, songs that didn't make the Top 40, music with drug or counter-culture themes, etc.  KFAD, featuring a young Jon Dillon, signed on in 1969 with an underground format, followed by KNUS.  Soon, Top 40 found its way to FM, with KAFM, KFWD, KVIL, and a reformatted KNUS paving the way.  By 1978, FM was firmly entrenched as the band of choice, leaving a host of AM stations to fend for limited listenership.  FM's sleepy elevator music gave way to country, album rock, progressive country/rock, Spanish and adult contemporary formats.

The 1980s featured even more splicing of formats, with contemporary hits (CHR) dominating the band in one form or another.  The 1990s brought the Telecommunications Act, which put most of the local FM stations in the hands of Infinity (CBS/Viacom,) Clear Channel (Chancellor/AMFM,) ABC and Susquehanna corporations, and each have since honed their stations' formats to not conflict with their other co-owned stations (to not compete within their own group for ratings.)  Looming in the distance today are HD/digital radio and satellite radio, both of which are still in their early stages, and time will tell whether either will challenge the future of the FM band.
Thanks to the Schenectady (NY) Radio Club for some of the early FM background information!

KNTU, Denton/McKinney. Station established 11/3/1969 in Denton (city of license change to McKinney on 7/1/2000 allowed other rimshot stations to move into DFW market and to not leave McKinney without a station of its own.)  Format: Top 40/Big Band/Rock/Classical (block programming, 1969-?,) Rock (1970s-1981,) Classical Jazz (1981,) Jazz (1981-present; also Spanish, Classical and Variety as part of its weekend lineup of block programming.)  Calls originally issued to a decommissioned Coast Guard cutter.  Originally located at 88.5.  Program:  "La Onda Tejana."  Notables: Russ Campbell, Mark Lambert, Dave Garland, Sam Sauls, Dr. Ted Colson (faculty administrator who spearheaded KNTU radio project in 1969,) Ray Whitworth aka Ray Kennedy (longtime DFW traffic reporter and producer; currently broadcasting in Malakoff, TX,) Andy Waldrop (currently with Traffic.com in Houston,) Bill Waldrop, Dave Barnett (currently with ESPN,) Tom Kassada aka Thomas Hayden-Church (currently an actor,) Bret Menassa aka Bret Michael, Iris Bekker, Carla Marion, Ellie Hogue, Rod Stasick (his program "Transitions" later moved to KCHU,) Bill Mercer (station manager in 1969; left KNTU in 1972 to announce Texas Rangers baseball games,) Lewis Abernathy (currently an actor and director; worked on "Titanic,") George Gimarc (Gimarc and Waldrop hosted "Jukebox Saturday Night", which later moved to KDNT-FM; in March, 1977, Gimarc hosted the show, "Rock and Roll Alternative,") Mike Shannon (II), Mark Followill, Simon "The Diamond" Garza (host of "La Onda Tejana,") J. W. Hutson, Terry Hunt, Annette Gonzales, Mike Bain, Debbie Hillman, George Dunham.  Campus radio station for The University of North Texas (formerly North Texas State University, 1961-1988.  No, there was never a question of renaming the station "KUNT"...but it made for a good joke on campus!)  Faculty station administrators Campbell and Sauls attended NTSU as students in the 1970s and worked in DFW radio previously.  Faculty members Bud Buschardt and Bill Mercer are also Dallas radio icons.  Station roots go back to "KOED," a mock station set up in the early 1960s as part of a campus radio club; a typical radio station staff was installed, but the club only produced feature-type shorts for play on terrestrial stations at other campuses.  Station's original equipment and frequency was bought from KNER (see below.)  Station on-air 6AM-midnight daily.

KEOM, Mesquite. Station established 9/4/1984.  Owner:  Mesquite Independent School District.  Moved to 88.5 on 12/21/1991 (see entry there.)

KYKX, Mesquite.  Initial call letters requested for 88.3 when application was submitted in 1980 by the Mesquite Independent School District.

And separately, serving the Fort Worth market:

KSUC, Keene.  Station established 6/13/1974.  Format:  Religious.  Owner: Southwestern Union College (later renamed Southwestern Adventist University in 1977.)  Notable:  Bob Mendenhall (GM,) Ed Fry (PD.)  88.3 frequency chosen because it rhymed with call letters (if life were only that easy these days!)  Radio station idea proposed in c. 1968; a gift to the college by Arkansas radio pioneer Raymond Beem financed the station's start-up costs; station planning began in 1973.  Studios were located in the school's Heritage Hall in the former dorm room of Beem's wife, who had previously attended SUC.  Initial power was 1,850 watts, and broadcasted from 12 noon to 12 midnight daily (Saturdays were 6AM-midnight.)  Applied for a signal increase in late 1980 after noting the Mesquite Independent School District's application to start a radio station at 88.3.  Station sponsored "I Love KSUC" week in February, 1980, to raise $5,000 to expand the programming schedule to include 18 hours a day on Sundays.  A second fundraiser in early 1981 was held to equip the production studio and begin an 18-hour-a-day weekly broadcast schedule; the money was raised, and the station's first 18-hour day was 4/1/1981.  By 1984, station management decided to abandon the KSUC call letters, and applied for replacement calls KJCR (see above.)

Thanks to former KSUC/KJCR GM Bob Mendenhall and former employee Melissa Rasmussen for providing the history of these two stations!
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KEOM, Mesquite. Station established 9/4/1984 at 88.3 mHz. Format: 1970s Top 40/Community Radio/Sports (1995-present,) Adult Contemporary (1984-1995.) Owner: Mesquite ISD. Nicknames: "Mesquite's Memory Lane," "Your Community Leader." Network affiliation:  Texas State Network.  Call letters stand for "Education of Mesquite."  Programs:  "Lifetimes:  The Texas Experience," "Earth and Sky," "The American Music Magazine," "The Recipe File."  Notables: Dr. James Griffin (station manager, faculty administrator and broadcaster,) Brenda Wagner, Robert Bass (1986-present; Music Manager beginning 11/2003; last jock to broadcast on 88.3 frequency in 1/1992,) Mike Wolfe , Bill Sherrard, "Trish," Ed Johnson and Steve Glenn (sportscasters,) Jim Gibbs, Andrea Galendo, and students Charles Stoudt, Jennifer Lee, Gordon Griffin and Rebecca Mills.  First and only Metroplex station to regularly broadcast 1970s pop oldies.  Student radio station for Mesquite Independent School District. Station moved from 88.3 on 12/21/1991.

KNTU, Denton.  Station established 11/2/1969.  Moved to 88.1 (unknown year.)  See entry at 88.1 for information and personalities.

KVTT, Dallas.  Station established 1/26/1950.  Moved to 91.7 (unknown year; somewhere between 1965-1975.)  Owner:  Texas Trade Schools aka Elkins Institute/Bill Elkins.  See entry at 91.7.
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88.7
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KTCU, Fort Worth. Station (legally) established 10/5/1964 as campus station for Texas Christian University, but broadcasted only across the TCU campus and dormitories on 1025 kc (AM) from 1957-1964, then to 89.1 FM. Format: Alternative (present,) Talk/ Documentary/Drama (1950s-1960s.)  Owner: TCU. Nickname: "The Choice." Broadcasted from 3PM-9PM from 1957-1960; 5PM-10PM weekdays in 1964; maintained regular broadcast schedule thereafter.  Notables:  Russ Bloxom (later with WBAP/KXAS-TV,) Bill Hawes (station manager and faculty adviser,) Russell Scott (station manager, 7/2006-present,) Chip Adams, Roger Cooper, Andrew Haskett, Chuck LaMendola, Mercedes Olivera, Rosemary Solomons, Gerald "Jerry" Park (later with WFAA-TV,) Paul Adkins, Ray John, Bill Miller, Jim Dye, Dale Hughes, Dr. R. C. Norris, Kent Apple, Morris Johnson, Bob Delk, Larry Kuehn, Mary Dewald, Don Lacy, Jane Eller, Craig Libby, Leonard Herring, Sanda McQueery (later with KTVT; married Russ Bloxom,) Linda Hubbard, Bonnie Malcolm, John Moncrief , David Therrin, Kenneth Nations, William Thompson, Robert Watson, Kay Robertson, Merlin Littlefield, Janet Johns, Carolyn Hand, Jerry White, Gretchen Short, Jim Wright, Chuck Sibley, James Young, Jim Stovall, Jim Zetshe, Clem Candelaria (later with KTVT,) Bob Lamey, Bebe Edmonson, Phil Crow, Linda Hubbard, Linda Craugh, Lee Roy Quick, Mike Marshall, Jack Pippen, June Pierce, Teresa Hale, David Fisher, Sara Freeman, Jay Cruz.

88.9
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KMQX, Springtown.  Call letters established 1/18/1999.

KTPW, Springtown.  Call letters established 12/11/1998.

KMQX, Springtown.  Station established 5/7/1985.

KNON, Dallas. Call letters established 7/30/1983 at 90.9 FM (signed on 8/6/1983;) began at 89.3 FM on 5/1/1988. See entry at 90.9.  Format:  Block programming, including Alternative, Ecletic, Tejano, you name it!  Grassroots/community station. Owners: Agape Broadcasting, ACORN. Call letters stand for "non-commercial."  Nickname:  "The Voice of the People."  Initially 10kW; upgraded to 50kW in 3/1990.  Programs:  "Law for the People," "Pajama Party," "Talk Back."  Notables:  Robert Spray  (host of "The Grey Zone,") Jeff Kovarsky aka Jeff K, George Gimarc (as host of "The Rock-n-Roll Alternative,") Reverend Ivan Stang (as host of "Hour of Slack,") Craig Taylor, James Stapleton, Robert Heath, Linwood Henderson aka "Cuzzin' Linnie," John Wiley Price, Dave Chaos, Christian Lee, Charlie Rawls, Dan Pacyna, Leo Perron, Tom Davis, Norm Ward (as host of "Thank Goodness it's Friday,") Arnold Joe Poovey  aka "Texas Joe Poovey" aka "Groovey Joe Poovey," "Jojo," Omari Miller, Ceodies Miller , H. T. Hardeman , Jerry Rocha, Robert Wisdom  (1983-1989,) "Shaggy" (1980s; host of "Pajama Party.")  Station long located at 4415 San Jacinto Street in Dallas until 2004, then to 5353 Maple Avenue.

KBJV, Sanger.  Station established 11/13/1998.  Unknown format (likely just parked call letters while awaiting construction.)

K213EB-LP, Greenville.  See entry at 100.5.
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KERA, Dallas. Station established 7/11/1974. Format: Public Radio/Talk (9/6/1999-present,) Public Radio/Talk/Classical/Eclectic (7/11/1974-9/6/1999.) Nickname: "90.1, One of a Kind," "Radio for Big Thinkers."  Network affiliation:  NPR.  Owner: North Texas Public Broadcasting.  Sister to TV stations KERA-Channel 13 in Dallas and KDTN-Channel 2 in Denton. Call letters stand for a new "era" in broadcasting.  Programs:  "World Cafe," "Flight Time," "All-Night Jazz," "BMT Jazz," "The Record Collector," "Sports Spectacular," "Morning Magazine," "Morning Edition."  Notables:  Norm Hitzges, Dan Seibold, Rick Vanderslice, Hugh Lampman , Ray Whitworth aka Ray Kennedy, J. T. Aquila, Mark Lambert, Ed Budanauro (host of "All-Night Jazz,") Karen Denard, Glenn Mitchell  (host of "Morning Magazine," 1976-79; held reporter and commentator duties for most of the station's history,) John Nelson, Steve Shapiro, Mark Elfenbein, Norm Hitzges (host of "Sports Spectacular," 8/1975-3/1990,) Gabrielle West, Craig Shropshire, Mike Ritchey, John Ardoin (as host of "The Record Collector,") Liza Richardson, Bill Porterfield, Tom Grimes, Ed Pfister, Lee Clark, Jyl Hershman, Chris Douridas, Katie Sherrod, Marla Crockett, Kevin Allen, Yolette Garcia, Jeff Luchsinger (began 1991; fired 3/2006,) Susan Harmon, Bill Ryan, Tom Olson  (1983-1991,) Dennis Gonzales, Dr. Richard Meyer (began 4/1982,) Ira Bernstein, Duane Martin, Bruce Tater (Bernstein, Martin and Tater were co-hosts of "BMT Jazz,") Jean Fugett (host of "Flight Time" and a former Dallas Cowboys player,) Tony Garrett/John Anders/Dick Hitt  (hosts of "Morning Magazine,") Sam Baker (host of "Morning Edition.")  Not related to KERA-94.3 (1946.)

KZAG, Dallas.  Initial call letters requested for 90.1 when application was submitted in 1973 by North Texas Public Broadcasting.
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K213BP-LP, Dallas.  Station established 9/9/1993.  Format:  Religious ("Oasis Network.")  Owner:  CSN International.  LPFM; simulcasted from KDKR 91.3-Decatur.

KCHU, Dallas. Station established 8/28/1975.  Format: Community Radio.  Owner:  Agape Broadcasting.  Feature:  "Live Day" (a 24-hour presentation of live bands performing on rotation inside the station.)  Programs:  "Community Review," "Dr. Capacitor's Laboratory," "Voices of the Masters," "Just Before Dawn" (early gay community show,) "Dallas Arcade," "Transitions," "Jazz Street," "Cosmic Corner," "Handicapped in Action," "Xanadu," "Follow Spot," "Hungry Ear."  Notables:  Vernon Ahtone, Mark Amott, Madelyn Anderson (as host of "Community Review,") J. D. Arnold, Roberto Arrendondo, Frances Atkinson, Khalil Ayoub, Suyarkant Bhatt, Clarke Blacker, Larry Bolef (host of "Dr. Capacitor's Laboratory" and station engineer,) Ernie Brandt, Barry Brenesal (host of "Voices of the Masters,") Walter Brock (morning show host,) Charles Brooks, Mike Butts, Lisa Caldwell, Neal Caldwell, Dale Carnegie, Daniel Carapetyan, Al Christians, Terry Clotioux, Lewis Cody, J. R. Compton, Kevin Costa, James Cowan, Nikki Craft, Jayne Crom, Cryspian, Ed Cullum, Perfecto Delgado, Pam Deutsch, Dave Dunnigan, Manny Esquivel, Olga Evanoff, Brad Ficke, Cecilia Flores (morning show co-host,) Art Fogg, James Lawrence Fly, Akin Tunde Funso, Norma Garcia, Mike Gingrich (host of "Just Before Dawn,") Charles George, Sut Grant, Sara Gray, Penny Greaves, Dennis Gross, Bill Gruben and Roger Gruben (co-hosts of "Dallas Arcade" comedy show,) Yolanda Guerra, Irma Hall, Pete Hansell, Zoo Harris, Richard Hoffman, Jerry Hunt , John Johnson, Richard Johnson, Debbie Kalina, Gary Ketler, The Knights, Mike Kriss, Terry Lance, Albert Lemke, Regina Lester, Mike Levin, Gabriel Liebermann, Dave Liggions, Susan Lorentina, David Luxem, Shirley Luxem, Jim Mann, Pat Martini, Kim Marton, Tommy Mason, Ken Massman, Earl McDonald, Herschell McDonald.

Also Dale McFarland (host of "Jazz Street,") James McGar, Jerry McKinney, Ernist MacMillan, Lorenzo Milam, Leslie Finney Mo, James R. Moore, David Newberger, Mark Newberger, Allen Newton, Lisa Nichols, Carol Parks, John Pate, Donald Payton, Tod Pearson, Leo Perron, Chris Phelps, Colin Pringle, Steve Putman, Trisha Ramsey, Campbell Read, Charles Reed, Jed Riffe, Lois Robinson, Riki Rothchild, Mike Saunders, Steve Schiller, James Searles, Robby Setser, Lisa Sexton, Anthony Shaw, Pat Sheehan, Kat Sherman, Mary Shiroma, James Siddall, Donald D. Smith, Rod Stasick (as host of "Transitions;" program brought from KNTU,) Joe Stanco (as host of "Xanadu,") Cynthia Stewart, Liz Stewart, Mary Stoddard aka Mary Sanders (1975-1976,) Mike Stoddard  (the Stoddards were longtime DFW radio personalities, married, who served on the board of KCHU,) Steve Stokes, Allen Stovall, Tom Sullivan, Keith Terry, Jim Thompson, Bob Trammell, Sybil True, John Tuthill, Burns Vick, Rene Villareal, Suza Welton, John Ward, Glenda Webb, Fred Weiss, Gabrielle West, Jamie West, Barbra Whitlow, Shaw Whitney, Walt Williams (host of "Follow Spot,") Robert Wisdom , Lynn Wyler, Angus Wynn, Shannon Wynn, Jim Yanaway, Laney Yarber, Chris Yates, Charlie Young.  Studios located at 2516 Maple in Dallas.  Station dark after 9/1977 (the antenna fell in 9/1977, and the station couldn't afford to fix it!)

Former audio engineer Colin Pringle has assembled an excellent site dedicated to the history and people of KCHU...click here!
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K216EQ-LP, Daingerfield.  See entry at 100.5.
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KDKR, Decatur.  Call letters established 5/17/1996.  Format:  Religious.  Owner:  CSSI.  Simulcasted to K213BP-Dallas at 90.5 FM and K248BC-Dallas at 97.5 FM.  Notables:  David Ingels, David Warren.

KDTR, Decatur.  Station established 4/26/1996.  Likely just temporary calls for KDKR.

KSKY, Dallas.  Station was to sign on in 1960, but most sources say it never did.  Format:  Religious.  Owner:  Sky Broadcasting. Simulcast of KSKY-AM.  See AM page for station details.  KSKY was offered the 98.7 frequency in 1957 for $75,000, but passed on it.
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KVTT, Dallas. Station established 1/26/1950 at 88.5. Format: Religious (1976-present.) Owner: Covenant Educational Media (2004-date; bought for $16.5 million,) Eldred Thomas  dba Research Educational Foundation (3/1976-2004,) Texas Trade Schools aka Elkins Institute/Bill Elkins (to 3/1976.)  Former sister station to KLTJ-Channel 49, KSQX-FM Springtown and KTPW-FM Sanger.  Call letters stand for "Keep Voicing The Truth" (previously, "Voice of Texas Trade.")  Nickname:  "Praising the Lord and Teaching the People."  Radio student lab during Elkins' ownership.  Program:  "The Cutting Edge."  Notables as Elkins Institute:  students Rusty "Rush" Limbaugh (yes, him!), Dave Mitchell, Doug Saye, "Deacon" Don Evans . Notables as "Religious:"  Brett Hall, Rev. Mike Hayes (host of "The Cutting Edge,") Don Spear, Devin Wickham, Ray Nell Thomas (wife of Eldred,) "Brother" Tom Dooley (also owns Master Media in Euless, TX.)  Broadcasted 2PM-8PM daily (1950.)  Eldred Thomas bought station after hearing that KDTX-102.9 was dropping its religious programming.  Station first located at 1316 W. Commerce in Dallas.

KEMM, Commerce.  Station established 12/1/1981.  Moved to 103.3 in the early 1990s (see entry there.)

And separately, serving the Fort Worth market:

KCLE, Glen Rose.  Station established 1989.  Unknown format.  Owner:  George Marti.  Successor to Marti's KCLE-94.9, which was sold in 1969.  Marti applied for the 92.1 position and resurrected the old call letters (which were still in long use by his KCLE-AM in Cleburne.)
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KZPS, Dallas. Call letters established 2/20/1986. Formats: Top 40 (2/20/1986-12/1986,) Classic Hits and Jazz (12/1986-1988,) Classic Hits (1988-1990,) Classic Rock (1990-4/23/2007,) Americana (as "Lone Star 92.5") (4/23/2007 to present; "Lone Star" was originally a format used on one of 92.5's HD channels.)  Former sister station to KAAM (1/1978-11/1993; new owners continued to rent space at KZPS until the studios for successor KTCK were complete in 3/1994.) Current owner: Clear Channel. Former owners: Evergreen Media, Bonneville Broadcasting (Evergreen bought KZPS and KDGE from Bonneville in 6/1997 for a combined $83.5 million,) Chancellor Media (AMFM; absorbed Evergreen in 1997.) Call letters stand for "Your Power Station."  Nickname: "Lone Star 92.5" (4/23/2007-present,) "Classic Rock" (1990-6/2007,) "Classic Hits" (12/1986-1990,) "Z92.5-Your Power Station" (2/20/1986-12/1986.)  Programs:  "Back Pages," "Southern Fix at Six," "Enerjazz," "Dillon's Dungeon," "Out to Lunch Show," "Most Music in the Morning," "Get the Led Out" (hosted by John Moore,) "Jerry Jones Show."  Notables as "Classic Rock/Hits": Clyde White aka Jim White (I) (morning show host, 1986-1987, prior to John Rody,) John LaBella  and John Rody ("LaBella and Rody," 1990-91; Rody started 2/1/1988; soloed from 1988-1991 as host of "The Morning Deal;" he and LaBella reunited in a special broadcast on 2/9/1990; KZPS split team in early 1991 and used LaBella on other shifts; Rody was rehired on 9/27/1991 and reunited with LaBella until his firing in 8/1992,) Scott Parkin (to 4/1992; Parkin also hosted the "Farm Report,") Sam "Bo" Roberts and "Long" Jim White (II) ("Bo and Jim," 8/1998-6/18/2001; returned later.)

Also Jim Thomas, Brent Alberts aka Big Wally Londo, John Boy and Billy (via satellite; began 7/6/1995,) Jack "Locker Room" Lindstrom, Tempie Lindsey, Babe Laufenberg, Charles Mixon aka Chaz Mixon (1990-97; returned in 2004,) Danny Owen, George Gimarc (host of "Back Pages,") Cerie Segal, Jon Dillon (1989-present; host of "Dillon's Dungeon,") Pamela Steele (1982-1992; fired in 8/1992 along with John LaBella; Steele is married to John Rody,) Scott Reese, David Perry aka Dave Bolt, Guy Johnson, Jaan (pronounced "John") McCoy, Stan Robak, Chris Kerson (5/1989-9/1993,) Shadow Hayes aka "The Jammer," Cindy Scull (late of KEGL; fired 4/2007,) John Michaels (not sure if this is "Johnny Michaels" of KNUS fame,) Gerry Oher, Susan Edwards, Melissa Rasmussen, Michael Moser aka Michael T. Parker (1997-1999,) Keith Vaughn, Debbie Alcocer, Doyle King, Bob Kevoian and Tom Griswold aka "Bob and Tom" (cheaper, syndicated Indianapolis morning team used to replace Bo and Jim after their 6/18/2001 firing,) Christopher Hackett, Blair Garner, Nancy Jay, Ed Budanauro (host of nighttime jazz program, "Enerjazz," 1986-1988,) Stephen "Stubie" Doak (1983-4/1989,) John Lacy, Jay Philpott (to 1/3/2003,) John Ford, Randy James, Steve Nichols, Nancy Johnson (1994-1996,) John Morrill aka John Moore aka J. David (12/24/1993 to 5/1995; returned briefly in 10/1995; returned 8/1998 as host of "Out to Lunch Show" and as assistant PD; left 11/1999; returned 6/2001 to 10/11/2002 until replaced with Schelby Sweeney-Dugan,) Ellen Daniels, Brian Allen (8/1998-present,) Jack "Locker Room" Lindstrom (fired 4/2007,) Marc Avery, Paula Street aka Paula Walker, Robin Jones, Schelby Sweeney-Dugan, Tom Dooley.  Notables as "Lone Star":  J. D. Freeman, Bo Roberts and Jim White (II,) "Redbeard," Jon Dillon.
AIRCHECK AVAILABLE
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KZPW, Dallas.  Call letters established 2/12/1986. Format:  Top 40.  Temporary calls for KZPS, 2/12/1986- 2/20/1986.

KAFM, Dallas. Call letters established late 1972. Formats: Top 40 (1973?-12/31/1974,) Progressive Country/Western Swing (1/1/1975-7/1976,) AOR (7/1976-6/12/1978,) "Adult" Rock and Jazz (6/12/1978-1982,) Pop Oldies (1982-8/1982,) Top 40 (8/1982-1986.) Owner: Bonneville Broadcasting (1/1978-6/1997,) Metromedia (1/1978; sold when they exceeded FCC ownership limits by buying former sister station KRLD-AM,) Jonsson (to 1/1978.) Nicknames: "92K" (1973-1974,) "The Outlaw" (1975-1976,) "Maximum Music," "K-FM" (1975,) "The Pride of Texas" (1975,) "Feel the Energy," "Maximum Hits."  Sister station to KRLD-AM and KRLD/aka KDFW-Channel 4.  Promotion:  "$500,000 Trivia Challenge" (1984.)  Publication:  "Texas Radio Chili Cookbook."  Programs:  "Longhorn Jamboree," "All That Jazz," "Historic Moments," "Texas Hit Review" (simulcast over KTVT-TV,) "Texas Top 20."  Notables: Randy Hames, Andy Barber ("fired" in 6/1984 for calling Duran Duran's Nick Rhodes a 'sissy;' Barber was soon reinstated, but the whole process was actually a bit,) Pete Thomson, Nancy Jay, "Captain Billy," Ryan West, Paul Donovan, William Steding, Guy Johnson, Chris Kerson, Pam Johnson, Susan Edwards, Blair Garner, A. C. Greene (as host of "Historic Moments,") Allen Elwin aka Owen Farmer, Jim Heath, Dave "Dorb" Howe, Larry Martin, Bob Burns, Randy Coffey , Steve Coffman, Pamela Steele (1982-1992,) Don Moore, Jonathan Lear, Mark Campbell (as host of "All That Jazz,") Lynn Woolley, Chris Favors, Dick Hitt  (concurrently columnist for "The Dallas Times Herald,") Dan Stevens, Sam Sauls, Leon McWhortor aka Jay Roberts (I,) Chuck Dunaway, Danny Moffat, Steven "Stubie" Doak, Bob Johnston, David Hultsman, Allen Stone, Steve Nichols, J. D. Ryan. Chastised in the mid-1980s for editing and relooping songs to make them kid-friendly (the station was then Mormon-owned!)  Located at 12750 Park Central Dr, Suite 512 (moved from Maxwell Building at 7901 Carpenter Fwy/1080 Metromedia Place after sale closed from Metromedia.)

Thanks to Ed Padget for providing this long-lost logo!

KRLD, Dallas. Station established 3/15/1948. Format:  Progressive (1972,) simulcast of KRLD-AM (pre-1972; 50% simulcasting was reported in 1969.) Sister station to KRLD-AM and KRLD/aka KDFW-Channel 4.  Call letters stood for Radio Laboratories of Dallas, original owner of KRLD-AM in the 1920s; readapted as "Radio Love Dallas" around 1970 to match their PAMS jingle package.  Owners:  Metromedia, Times-Herald Printing.  Nickname:  "Radio Love Dallas."  Station was used on occasion in the 1950s to simulate stereo:  KRLD-AM's "Music Till Dawn" program was sometimes broadcasted in one channel on AM, the other channel on FM (so a listener could tune one radio to the AM side and another to the FM, thus creating "stereo!")  Notables:  Dan Foster, Hugh Lampman, Jon Dillon.  Broadcasted 5:30AM-12AM daily (1950.)  One of only three 24-hour FM stations in DFW (1960s.)  An early-1950s Texas Almanac states that call letters "KDFW" were used on this station prior to KRLD, but no other sources confirm this...the KDFW calls were applied for in 1958 to use at 107.9, and, of course, were taken on 7/2/1970 by Channel 4 and still in use today.

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KBEC, Waxahachie.  Station established 1958; dark by 1960.  Format:  Variety (simulcast of KBEC-AM.)  Sister station to KBEC-1390 AM; on air briefly as owner Richard Tuck lost money on it and surrendered the license back to the FCC in 1960.  See KBEC-AM for personalities.

KESS, Fort Worth. Call letters established 1977.  Format:  Spanish.  Owner:  Latin American Broadcasting.  Network affiliations:  Mutual, TSN.  Nickname:  "La Fabulosa," "Recuerdo," "Solid Spanish Radio."  Notables: Armando Quintero (also Spanish voice of the Dallas Cowboys,) Armando Reyna, Rogelio Soto, Jonas Molina, Demetrio Mora, Bertha Obregon, McHenry Tichenor , Marcos Rodriguez (Sanchez) .  Station located at Seminary South shopping mall in Fort Worth (later known as Hulen Fashion Mall and currently as Fort Worth Town Center mall.)  KESS traded 93.9 for KSSA's 1270AM on 11/17/1986; at that time, the 93.9 frequency was dissolved and moved to 94.1.
For the record, Seminary South's theme song for its 1960s and 1970s commercials was "Here Comes the Sun"...resung as "Sem-in-ary South, do do do do, Sem-in-ary South..."!
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KRXV, Fort Worth. Call letters established 3/3/1976. Unknown format (possibly news/talk simulcast from AM side.)  Owner:  Co-owned by actor Jimmy Stewart and William Schuller (Schuller also owned the Oklahoma News Network) dba Radio 15, Inc.  Call letters derived from roman numerals (R=Radio, XV=15) as 1540 was the AM station's frequency.  Sister station to KRXV-AM.  When John B. Walton sold the station to Radio 15, he kept the KBUY calls and transferred them to his station in Amarillo.  Later, his station in Ruidosa, NM was given the calls KBUY-FM.  Station located at Seminary South shopping mall.

KBUY, Fort Worth.  Call letters established 1/2/1967 (calls were taken from owner John Walton's Amarillo, TX station.)  Format:  Ethnic, Spanish (c. 1972,) Country (first area station to have fulltime Country & Western format.)  Owner:  John B. Walton (bought 8/24/1966.)  Sister station to KBUY-AM (both KCUL-AM and FM were sold to John Walton and became KBUY-AM/FM.)  Program:  "Cowtown Hoedown" (carried over from KCUL.)  Notables:  Jack Dillon, Joe Fuchs aka Jay Weaver,(1/1966-1972,) Thomas Shelby Brown aka Randy Rider, Hal Jay, Brad Wilson, Boxcar Willie, Ted Mack, James Schumacher, Larry Shannon aka Charlie Wise, David Perkins aka Charlie Brown, Skeeter Gordon, Gene Kelly  (PD, later with KXOL and spent many years in San Antonio radio thereafter,) Ken Enos aka Ken Knight (left for San Antonio radio,) Wade Simms aka Cary Simms (later with WBAP-TV,) Ron Rice (II), Larry Glenn, Don Miller, Lawton Williams, Tony Berta, Roy Lemons (SM 1966-1969,) Don Thompson (PD,) Bud McKool aka Bob Gordon, Darrell Monroe, Don Swancy (5/1969-7/1969,) Jerry Condra aka Jerry Parks, Don Sitton aka Don Miller, Bob White (PD,) Bob Allen (PD,) Ron Peterson, Bill Smith aka Bill Mack (II) (began 10/1967,) Stacy Richardson (1972-1973,) Gary Smith (1967-1969,) Virgil Dowell aka Mike Bradley, Larry Fitzgerald, Tom Bigby (PD; in Philadelphia radio for many years thereafter.)  Broadcasted with 50Kw (day) and 5,000 watts (night.)  Station located at Seminary South shopping mall in Fort Worth.

KCUL, Fort Worth.  Station established 12/24/1964.  Format:  Country.  Sister station to KCUL-AM.  Owner:  Kurt Meer dba Dalworth Broadcasting, John B. Walton (8/24/1966-into KBUY, paid $7.15 million for both the AM and FM.)  Call letters reportedly taken from backwards spelling of original AM owner's name, Dr. L. H. Luck.  Simulcasted from sister KCUL-1540 AM.  Programs:  "Cowtown Hoedown," "Open Line."  Notables:  Joe Fuchs aka Jay Weaver (began 1/1966,) Jerry Condra aka Jerry Parks, Bud Faulder, Eddie Stewart, Ron McCoy, Bill Smith aka Bill Mack (II) (1963-1966,) Ray Robbins, Morgan Choat, Terry Jones, Bob Peacock ("The Bird With the Word,") Bob McCord, Reb Foster aka Dennis Bruton, Gary Smith (1966,) Bo Powell, Ron Rice (II), Gene Kelly aka "Jelly Belly Kelly" aka "Chuck Roast," Hugh Lampman , Ben Toney, Duane Ramsey, Dan Allison, Virgil Dowell aka Mike Bradley (PD,) Bob White (PD,) Bob Allen (PD; host of "Open Line,") Lawton Williams (GM,) Roy Lemons (1966-1969; GM,) Bill Hightower, Jerry Condra aka Jerry Parks (not the WFAA-TV personality,) Bruce Chambers, Roy Lemons (GM, 1966-1969,)  Don Sitton aka Don Miller, Jim Tucker , Andres Mantecon , Angie Meer.  93.9 was one of two remaining, unassigned frequencies allocated to Dallas-Fort Worth (107.5 was the other) that were applied for at the same time in 1964.  Station located at 3607 Camp Bowie, Fort Worth.

KCPA, Dallas. Station established 7/8/1960, but didn't go on the air until 1961. Format:  Easy Listening, Jazz. Owner:  Charles and Peggy Ames dba Merchants Broadcasting.  On air 9AM-midnight.  License was revoked on 2/12/1962, although station had already gone dark in late 1961.  First station in Texas to ever have its FCC license revoked!  Notables:  Bob Fox, Bob Johnston, Mel Cummings, Frank Haley, John Lemburg, "Juicy" Boyd, Mike Stoddard , Bob Brown (not the same person as on WFAA-TV and "20/20".)  Bob Fox, John Lemburg, Bob Johnston and Frank Haley have provided an in-depth report on the quick fall and financial shortcomings of KCPA...click HERE!

MISC KERA TIDBITS...
WFAA/Belo experimented with FM broadcasting prior to KERA:  Station W5XD, was operational for a short time in 1938-39.  It broadcasted on 31,600 kc on the UHF band with 100 watts.  The transmitter was located on top of the Tower Petroleum Building in downtown Dallas.  Another FM station, W5XAJ (aka KEGE, at 31,000 kc) was used as a field transmitter to feed audio to WFAA-AM.  And KAXD at 1622 kc was WFAA's mobile transmitter, mounted to a car chassis and towed around town for longer-distance field transmitting (other sources refer to the mobile unit as KFAA at 2790 kc.)  Soon thereafter, Belo applied for W5XGR (other sources say W5XD) on the FM band in the mid-1940s, to handle facsimile transmissions of The Dallas Morning News.  The technology for facsimile and television came about at the same time, and Belo opted to pursue facsimiles...this would permit over-the-air transmission of The News to subscribers, who would receive the signal through a printer at home, which printed out the daily paper!  (No one thought to use telephone lines for this at the time.)  Interest and practicality soon died off, leaving Belo to scramble for entry into the quick-thriving television market.  See WFAA-TV in the "TV" section of this site.
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94.5
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Mike Shannon, Mike Ehrle and Sandy Shepard chronicle the history of KDNT...click here!
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KGAF, Gainesville. Station established 11/18/1958.  Format:  MOR (AM)/Top 40 (afternoons)/Easy Listening (night) (1960s,) Light Rock (1970s,) Country (1978-81.)  Owner:  First IV Media (11/15/1974,) White Fuel Corporation, Bud and Joe Leonard Jr. dba Gainesville Broadcasting (1958-1967; Joe Leonard also owned Lin Records.)  Nickname:  "The Voice and Choice of North Texas and Southern Oklahoma."  Broadcasted at 250 watts in 1960.  Sister station to KGAF-AM (retained after FM was sold; still operating today at 1580 AM.)  Notables: Ray Whitworth aka Ray Kennedy (to fall, 1977,) Randy Williams, Mike Stoddard , Mike Parenti aka Mike Monday, Ross Whitmire, David Klement, Mike Smith, Steve Eberhart (12/3/1973-5/1976; currently owns KGAF-AM,) Pat Bolin, Dee Blanton, Steve Simmons, Bob Couch.  Studios located at Radio Hill in Gainesville; Ray Whitworth explains the layout:  "The studio was in a converted house...the master bedroom was the main studio, a smaller bedroom the production studio, the utility room had the wire machines, the transmitters were in the carport, the reception area was in the living room, and the kitchen housed the engineering area and break room!"  The Leonard brothers made more money off selling FM sideband broadcasts (ala Muzak) to local businesses.

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KODZ, Arlington. Call letters established 10/28/1991. Format: Pop Oldies. Nickname: "Oldies 94.9".  Owner:  Evergreen Media.  Notables: Richard Stevens (brother of voiceover king Shadoe Stevens,) J. J. McKay (currently OM for satellite oldies format on Jones Radio Network,) Phil Hall, Laurie Bandemir aka Laurie B (a holdover from KHYI,) Ken "Hubcap" Carter (defected from KLUV,) Blake Lindsay (area's only blind jock,) Billy Burke (a holdover from KHYI,) Ken Dowe, Brian Wilson, Jimmy deCastro, Liz Kiley, Cameron Smith.  Wolfman Jack  guest-hosted the morning show live the first week of broadcasting, and flew in for several consecutive weekends to do a live oldies program on Saturday nights.

KXRK, Arlington. Initial call letters requested for 94.9 when application was submitted in 1991 by Evergreen Media.  Format was originally to be an Album-Oriented "Pirate Radio" Rock station, but Scott Ginsburg of Evergreen changed his mind at the last minute in favor of oldies.  The idea got as far as creating billboards, designing bumper stickers and hiring a morning host.

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KCLE, Cleburne.  Station established 4/13/1949 at 94.3 (moved to 94.9 in 1957.)  Call letters stood for "Cleburne."  Owners:  George Marti and Jim Gordon (yes, THE George Marti, inventor of microwave transmitters and ENG.)  Format: Variety (initially simulcast of sister KCLE-AM.)  Nicknames:  "Spectrasonic Sound," "Crown of the Megacycles."  Programs:  "Man on the Beat," "Swap Shop."  Notables:  "Ramblin'" Russ Bloxom (host of "Man on the Beat;" later longtime news anchor for WBAP/KXAS-TV,) Frank Hardgrove, John Butner , Lee Myres, Don Harris (I) (later of WBAP-AM,) Bob Ellis, Glenn "Uncle Hank" Craig , Eddie Craig (son of Hank,) Art Jones, Ron Harper, Willie Townes (former Dallas Cowboys player,) Ray Weathers, Sam Riddle (later with KRLA and KFWB in Los Angeles,) Jean Jenkins, David Perkins, Tommy Jeter, John Polson, D'Vae Smith, John Merti, Olin Merrill, Dave Thomas (who lived at the studios,) Mike Ambrose (later "Captain" Mike Ambrose on KLIF-AM; retired in 2001 after 28 years as a San Diego weathercaster.)  Marti sold KCLE-FM in 1969 but retained the AM side; he reused the KCLE-FM calls at 92.1-Glen Rose in 1989.  Initially broadcasted with 250 watts.

KHYI, Howe. Call letters established 4/17/1994. Format: ABC's "Real Country" format (automation) (4/17/1994-1/1/1997,) Americana/"Hard Country" (1/1/1997-present.) Nickname: "The Range", "Y-95.") Owner: Ken Jones dba Metro Broadcasters of Texas.  Calls resurrected from KHYI-94.9 (calls were "parked" temporarily since 11/21/1991 when 94.9 surrendered them; owner Jones had just received call letters KZKF, but swapped them for KHYI a month later.  Records show that KHYI-95.3 was licensed to be a separate station from KSSA's 95.3, although Howe and McKinney are very close neighbors.)  Sister station to KXEZ-FM.  Notables:  Dan Foster, Dave Avery , Brett Dillon (1996-present,) Bruce Kidder, Allan Peck (concurrently owns a home theatre business, and is the former host of the "Peck and Penny/Peck and Peggy Show" on KBOX-AM in the 1970s; son Allan Peck II is a DJ on 96.7-The Twister.)

KSSA, McKinney. Call letters established 8/1/1988. Format: Spanish.  Owner:  Marcos Rodriguez (Sanchez)  (8/1/1988-1994,) Evergreen Media (who swapped it in 1994 for rimshot KGDE at 94.1 and KTLR at 106.9.)  KTLR moved to 95.3 and switched calls to KHYI, and a new KTLR started broadcasting at 107.1 (see entry at 107.1 for more information.)  Broadcasted Plano high school football games.

KMWT, Mineral Wells.  Station established 3/1/1970.  Format:  Easy Listening.  Call letters stood for Mineral Wells, Texas.  Owner:  Ralph Harbus .
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KSCS, Fort Worth. Call letters established 2/1970.  Format: Country. Owner: Amon Carter, ABC, Capital Cities. Nickname:  "Silver Country Stereo" (2/1970-?, featuring '3-in-a-row' country,) "Today's Best Country," "Continuous Country."  Programs:  "KSCS Hill Country Cafe," "Honkytonk Texas Show," "Five and Dime."  Notables: Terry Dorsey (began 7/18/1988,) Mark Louis Rybczyk aka Hawkeye (began 7/11/1988,) Bill Kinder, Liz Johnson, Brad Wright (was concurrently KXAS-TV anchorman,) Randy Hames, Blaine Brooks, Cathy Martindale, Clint White (hosted "Cryin' Lovin' or Leavin'" program; also hosted briefly by Bill Reed,) John Hare, Andy Connell aka Crash Kelly, Martha Martinez, Steve Nichols, Bill Reed, Stuart McRae (first jock on the "Silver Country Stereo" format,) Jack Dillon , Gary Smith (1969-1973,) Mike Crow and "Dixie" (hosts of "Honkytonk Texas Show,") Dominica Harrell, Paul Bottoms, Michael Scott (II,) "Brother Van," Bob Shiflet, Jeff Cunningham, Steve Smith, Kerry Alford aka Jimmy Stewart, Linda O'Brian (as host of "Hill Country Cafe.")  The country format was created by Capital Cities' VP of programming, Joe Somerset.  He took the low-key "beautiful music" radio approach by playing several songs in a row, and having 'quiet' DJs and a low commercial load.

WBAP, Fort Worth. Call letters established 3/8/1949 at 100.5 FM (see entry there;) moved to 96.3 in late 1955. Format:  Entertainment, Classical, Easy Listening. Owners: Amon Carter  dba Carter Publications.  Nickname:  "First in Fine Music."  Sister station of WBAP-AM and TV (Channel 5.) Call letters stand for "We Bring A Program" (jokesters used to say, "We Bore All People!")  Simulcasted WBAP-AM (1950s.)  Programs:  "High Fidelity Symphony Hour," "The Song and the Star," "Martin Block Show," "Musical Potpourri," "Dinner Time Music," "High Fidelity Concert Hall," "Symphony Pops Concert," "Music for You."  Notables: Gene Reynolds, Jim Vinson, Larry Fitzgerald, Gary Smith (1969-1973,) Ben Harrover, James Calloway, Gordon Fitzgerald, Stuart McRae, Art Riley, Bill Barclay (PD,) Don Thompson, Chem Terry , Layne Beaty, Ted Gouldy, Gene Baugh, Lee Woodward (brother of actor Morgan Woodward,) Ted Graves, Frank Dinkins, Phil Wygant  (husband of WBAP/KXAS entertainment reporter Roberta "Bobbie" Wygant.)  See 820 AM entry for additional personalities (many worked for both stations equally.)  Owner Amon Carter was threatened by RCA/NBC officials in 1946 with a loss of network affiliation if he did not apply for an FM frequency!

KMEO, Flower Mound. Call letters established 12/28/1998; format began under KNKI calls on 11/23/1998. Format: New Country (6/27/2003-present,) Easy Listening/Soft Adult Pop (12/28/1998-6/27/2003.)  Owner: ABC. Nicknames: "The Twister," "Memories 96.7," "Unforgettable Favorites."  Program:  "Memories Scrapbook." Notables as "Memories": John LaBella  (first personality hired for the station,) Pamela Steele, Bob Eliot, Charles Mixon aka Chaz Mixon (1999-2004,) Martha Martinez, Mike Young, Randy Fuller, Becky Wight (DJ and host of "Memories Scrapbook,") Bob Lawrence, Susan Edwards, Scott Reese, Sammi Gonzales, Tori Logan, Vic Thomas (overnights via satellite from ABC; ABC Radio also carries an identically-programmed "Memories" satellite format.) Eliot came directly from a longtime stint at hard rocker KTXQ-"Q102;" Mixon from KZEW; and LaBella, of course, was half of the "LaBella and Rody" morning show on rocker KZEW who died in a freak traffic accident, and was eulogized in an on-air reunion of former KZEW jocks on 3/8/2002. Notable as "Twister":  Allan Peck II.  The "Memories" format was dropped on 6/27/2003; previously live, local programming was briefly replaced by ABC Radio's corporate "Memories" satellite programming on 6/26/2003, and "The Twister" debuted the following afternoon.

KDVE, Sherman.  Call letters established 2/6/1995 at 101.7; swapped frequencies with KIKM-FM on 6/17/1997.  Station dark after 10/15/1997.  One source says that KWCS/KBOC swapped 96.7 for 98.3 with KDVE on 5/3/1993.

KZXL, Sherman.  Call letters established 12/12/1983.  Sister station to KIKM-910 AM.

KIKM, Sherman.  Call letters established 7/1975.  Format:  Country (days), Top 40 simulcast with KIKM-AM (nights,) then full Top 40 simulcast of AM and FM, then Country (on automation; began 1977.)  Owner:  Albert W. Brown (who had just sold McKinney's KAWB [see 95.3 above,]) Lon Williams.  Sister station to KIKM-910 AM.

KSHN, Sherman.  Call letters established 4/1969.  Format unknown.

KDSQ, Denison.  Station established 6/29/1967 at 101.7.  Calls stood for Denison-Sherman.

97.1
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Also James Smith Carney aka Moby (longtime Houston jock; began 9/1/1986 in afternoons; moved to morning drive 10/20/1986; left on 4/8/1988,) Paul Robins/Paul Kinney/Phil Cowan (morning team prior to Moby, began 3/31/1986 and fired 10/17/1986,) Drew Pierce, Kelly Howard , Roy "Mark" Stevens and Jame