Anyone Remember Classical KIWI-92.1?

[Madmansam]

I have heard that 92.1 used to be KIWI and the original format was a Fulltime Classical Music/Fine Arts Radio Station at one time before switching to Spanish sometime in the 1990's. How long was KIWI Classical? Was it a Non-Profit Non Commercial Classical Music Station or a Commercial Classical Station. It is hard to believe that Classical was big in the honky tonk town of Bakersfield but I do remember when Mt. Wilson Broadcasters simulcasted its Los Angeles Classical Station (KKGO-105.1) on the AM Dial of 1050.

 

[flakunkel]

I have heard that 92.1 used to be KIWI and the original format was a Fulltime Classical Music/Fine Arts Radio Station at one time before switching to Spanish sometime in the 1990's. How long was KIWI Classical? Was it a Non-Profit Non Commercial Classical Music Station or a Commercial Classical Station. It is hard to believe that Classical was big in the honky tonk town of Bakersfield but I do remember when Mt. Wilson Broadcasters simulcasted its Los Angeles Classical Station (KKGO-105.1) on the AM Dial of 1050.

92.1 was classical KIWI in the 1980's and early 1990's when it was owned by Ed Hopple, who also owned KWAC. It is an 80-90 drop-in. It was a commercial station although I don't think Hopple really tried to make money with it. It used the same automation tapes as KDFC, San Francisco did when Ed Davis still owned KDFC.

 

[Santos]

I do remember those days. Back in the 80's, I was a part timer at KWAC, and we would have to take care of KIWI-Classical 92.1. We would change the tapes (reel to reels) and keep an eye on it.

Those were the good ol' days of when Ed Hopple ran KIWI and KWAC, and later bought KCHJ-AM. Still remember the old mixing board and everything.

Wow, those were the good ol' days. Also, very true. the old reel to reels had the KDFC logo and labels on them. You are very accurate.

Also, we had the Jazz show with Jon Coleman. Jon would do the jazz Saturday night show, while I was spinning 45's on KWAC.

The good ol' days.

 

[Madmansam]

I do remember those days. Back in the 80's, I was a part timer at KWAC, and we would have to take care of KIWI-Classical 92.1. We would change the tapes (reel to reels) and keep an eye on it.

Those were the good ol' days of when Ed Hopple ran KIWI and KWAC, and later bought KCHJ-AM. Still remember the old mixing board and everything.

Wow, those were the good ol' days. Also, very true. the old reel to reels had the KDFC logo and labels on them. You are very accurate.

Also, we had the Jazz show with Jon Coleman. Jon would do the jazz Saturday night show, while I was spinning 45's on KWAC.

The good ol' days.

What format was KWAC back when you worked there Santos?

 

[Santos]

A little bit of everything, like most Spanish language AM's were in the 80's. DJ's still picked whatever music they wanted.

You could say it was a Regional Mexican format, but it was a full service station, with Music, News and Community involvement.

 

[multiplex]

I think KIWI came on around 1985. They weren't all KDFC tapes, though; weekday evenings at 8 you could hear Klaus Hopper (sp?), who did an afternoon classical show on KWSO-1050 in Wasco for years--and he really knew his classical music!
(Note: KWSO began broadcasting in 1949 as a daytimer, becoming KERI-1180 in the early 1980s.)
KIWI had a super clean signal, by the way. That clean audio was long gone when I visited Bakersfield again in 1993.

 

[Madmansam]

A little bit of everything, like most Spanish language AM's were in the 80's. DJ's still picked whatever music they wanted.

You could say it was a Regional Mexican format, but it was a full service station, with Music, News and Community involvement.

An interesting radio station combo: Spanish AM & Classical FM. Eventually Spanish made its move to 92.1.