Classic Puget Sound Call Letters: Where Are They Now?

[Bongwater]

We know where KNBQ, KLSY, KAYO, KBRD are here in Western WA. But what about the other classic Puget Sound radio call letters?

I've tracked down some of them:

KTAC:
Then: On 850 Tacoma, CHR, later AC, then oldies 1941-1991
Today: On 93.9 Ephrata, Religious


KGDN:
Then: On 630 AM Edmonds, Religious 1960-1985
Today: On 101.3 FM in Pasco, still a religious station

KRPM:
Then: On 106.1 Tacoma, Country 1977-1995
Today: On 107.5 in Billings, MT, Active Rock

KYYX:
Then: On 96.5 Seattle, CHR, later Modern Rock 1977-1984
Today: On 97.1 in Minot, ND, Country

KZAM:
Then: On 1540 AM/92.5 FM Bellevue, AAA, 1975-1983
Today: On 98.7, Pleasant Valley, TX (currently off the air)

KRAB:
Then: On 107.7 Seattle, Public, 1962-1984
Today: On 106.1, Greenacres, CA, Active Rock

KUUU:
Then: On 1590 Seattle, Oldies 1971-1977
Today: On 92.5 Salt Lake City, UT, Rhythmic CHR

KSEA:
Then: On 100.7 Seattle, B/EZ, 1976-1990
Today: On 107.9 Greenfield, CA, Reigonal Mexican

KWWA:
Then: On 106.9 Bremerton, Country (later B/EZ, AOR, automated CHR)
Today: On TV Ch. 49, Ellensburg

KTZZ:
Then: On TV Ch. 22 Seattle
Today: On 93.7, Conrad, MT Classic Hits

KQIN:
Then: On 800 (later 820), Burien, B/EZ, later urban AC
Today: On TV Ch. 36, Davenport, IA

KMGI:
Then: On 107.7 Seattle, AC 1985-1991
Today: On 102.5, Pocatello, ID, Classic Rock

KTNT:
Then: On AM 1400/97.3 FM/TV Ch. 11, Tacoma 1948-1974 (TV), 1978 (FM), 1983 (AM)
Today: On 102.5 FM, Eufula, OK (ironically called "K-Fox 102.5", all containing classic Puget Sound radio elements! ), Country

KXRX
Then: On 96.5 Seatlle, AOR 1987-1994
Today: On 97.1 Walla Walla, still rock (even using recut KXRX Seattle jingles!)

KKFX:
Then: On 1250 Seattle, R&B 1981-1993
Today: On TV Ch. 24, San Luis Obispo, CA

KBIQ:
Then: On 105.3 Edmonds, Religious 196(?)-1985
Today: On 102.7 Manitou Springs, CO, still religious

KHIT:
Then: On 106.9 Bremerton, CHR 1984-1987
Today: On 1450, Reno, NV Spanish sports

KWMX:
Then: On 100.7 Seattle, AC 1990-1992
Today: On 96.7 Williams, AZ. Oldies

KEZX:
Then: On 98.9 FM, B/EZ / AAA, then B/EZ again 1974-1995 and 1150 AM (1986-1999)
Today: On 730 AM, Medford, OR News/Talk

Still available: KCMU, KGAA, KYAC, KNUA, KBAE (on 1380 1985), KQKT, KNWX and more recently, KLKI

Any others?

 

[BurntOutRadio]

Here are call signs I remember. I don't have any dates or formats for most when they were assigned here.

Then: KJUN AM 1450 Puyallup country
Now: KJUN-CA Morgan City, LA low power TV

Then: KETO AM 1590 Seattle
Now: Unavailable since 8/1/97 Nothing listed as to what it is assigned to.

Then: KSCR AM 1420 Renton, adult contemporary, country 1982-?
Now: KSCR AM Eugene, OR since 4/26/01 also, KSCR-FM Benson, MN since 2/26/90 (seperate ownership)

Then: KREN AM 1420 Renton unknown years
Now: KREN-TV Reno, NV (date not listed) and KREN-LP Susanville, CA since 5/6/05

Then: KBVU AM 1540 Bellevue
Now: KBVU-TV Eureka, CA since 11/1/92

Then: KQDE AM 910 Renton WA Rock
Now: Available

Then: KAYE AM 1450 Puyallup
Now: KAYE FM Tonkawa, OK

 

[LITTLEBOYBLUE]

Excellent idea, Larry!

KSND was on 1590 before KUUU (I didn't look it up). Interesting that KING-AM never got reassigned (esp. given all the people that wanted it originally) ... and also amazing that KHIT is not a CHR given how much THOSE GUYS wanted that particular set of calls for that format! All the three's are, of course, gone to the winds ... KTW, KOL, etc.

Reminds me of when KFRC was about to ditch calls ... they were saved at last moment "just in case..." as they went to Magic-61 (nostalgia). So only once an hour you could still hear "....k-f-r-c ... san francisco..." and then into a Tony bennett power rotation cut with strong TOH/"opener" selector code!!!

 

[Bongwater]

We Three KINGs

I always thought KING-AM never got reassigned from fear of litigation from KING-TV's Belo or KING-FM's Beethoven Inc. Or maybe nobody is aware that they really are avai...um, nothing.....

Or the KING-AM calls are so INDELIBLY tied to Seattle (as they should be.) Mention KING to radio people around the world, especially in the UK and Australia and their eyes light up and they say "SEATTLE!" Happened time after time after time in my travels

I don't know, but in all fairness, they STILL BELONG on 1090 kHz here in Seattle. NO other set of letters will ever do for that frequency.

My guess is the S.S. Watertown got them back. Dorothy Bullitt must be spinning in her grave.

CHR was big in the '80s, not quite so now. But I too thought it was odd that KHIT, among the most prized set of call letters in that format are on a non-music Spanish sports talker.

 

[frankh19]

KHIT goes back even further than Seattle. In the '60's, the call used to belong to a 1000 watt daytimer in Walla Walla.

 

[Bongwater]

KHIT goes back even further than Seattle. In the '60's, the call used to belong to a 1000 watt daytimer in Walla Walla.

YES! And there's a story behind that:

When looking for new call letters for KWWA (the station to become KHIT), they found KHIT in Walla Walla. At first, Bob Bingham offered a trade: KWWA to Walla Walla for KHIT. Sounded perfect?

KHIT's Walla Walla owner had only one comment on those letters "UNPRONOUNCEABLE!!"

The former KHIT Walla Walla became KAFR instead. The KHIT letters were bought for a sum of $$$.....

(Try saying "KWWA, Walla Walla" 10 times fast....the writing was on the wall....)

 

[bonusbob]

how about some of the alumni from these station.there some great talent AND WHERE ARE THEY NOW.

KTAC
DON WAYNE
GREG COOK
SUGAR BRUCE CANNON
BOB CASE
RON ERICKSON
RON HARRIS
SHAWN CARTER AKA VIC ORLANDO
KRPM

ICABOD
DEWEY BOUGHTEN
LIA

KYYX
SEAN LYNCH

KMGI
ROB CONRAD
GREG COOK
KELLY AND ALPHA
STITCH MITCHELL
FRANK SHIERS
SCOTT MITCHELL
RANDY LUNDQUIST
SCOTT PHILLIPS
JILL TAYLOR
JEFF KING
RON HARRIS
ANGIE GOOD
MARK ANDREWS

KHIT
RICK SHANNON AND SUDS COLEMAN
ANDY BARBER
A J ROBERTS WHO SOUND ALOT LIKE RANDY LUNDQUIST
MO MATHEWS
JUSTIN CASE
PETER MCLANE
STEVE RABOW
JEFF CHASE
CHRIS JEFFRIES
ROD JEFFRIES
JENNIFER MICHELS
HOWARD HOFFMAN
SMOKIN JOE DAWSON
JOHN FROST

THE NEW MIX 101 KWMX
GREG COOK
DAN MURPHY
TOM HUTLER
SCOTT BURNS PART OF COOK AND BURNS
DAVE YOUNG

KNBQ
ICABOD
JOHN MURPHY
RP MCMURPHY
RIC HANSEN
PETER MCLANE
RON ERAK
SEAN LYNCH
DANCIN DANNY WRIGHT
CRAZY STEVE RANDELL
BEAU ROCKIN ROBERTS
SHAWN LYNCH
RON HARRIS
HARV ALLEN
JENNIFER MICHELS
SANDY LOUIE
JEFF RANDELL
JOEL BLOCK
ROMIE COLE

THERS JUST SOME OF THEME

 

[searadiofreak]

how about some of the alumni from these station.there some great talent AND WHERE ARE THEY NOW.

KTAC
DON WAYNE
GREG COOK
SUGAR BRUCE CANNON
BOB CASE
RON ERICKSON
RON HARRIS
SHAWN CARTER AKA VIC ORLANDO
KRPM

ICABOD
DEWEY BOUGHTEN
LIA

KYYX
SEAN LYNCH

KMGI
ROB CONRAD
GREG COOK
KELLY AND ALPHA
STITCH MITCHELL
FRANK SHIERS
SCOTT MITCHELL
RANDY LUNDQUIST
SCOTT PHILLIPS
JILL TAYLOR
JEFF KING
RON HARRIS
ANGIE GOOD
MARK ANDREWS

KHIT
RICK SHANNON AND SUDS COLEMAN
ANDY BARBER
A J ROBERTS WHO SOUND ALOT LIKE RANDY LUNDQUIST
MO MATHEWS
JUSTIN CASE
PETER MCLANE
STEVE RABOW
JEFF CHASE
CHRIS JEFFRIES
ROD JEFFRIES
JENNIFER MICHELS
HOWARD HOFFMAN
SMOKIN JOE DAWSON
JOHN FROST

THE NEW MIX 101 KWMX
GREG COOK
DAN MURPHY
TOM HUTLER
SCOTT BURNS PART OF COOK AND BURNS
DAVE YOUNG

KNBQ
ICABOD
JOHN MURPHY
RP MCMURPHY
RIC HANSEN
PETER MCLANE
RON ERAK
SEAN LYNCH
DANCIN DANNY WRIGHT
CRAZY STEVE RANDELL
BEAU ROCKIN ROBERTS
SHAWN LYNCH
RON HARRIS
HARV ALLEN
JENNIFER MICHELS
SANDY LOUIE
JEFF RANDELL
JOEL BLOCK
ROMIE COLE

THERS JUST SOME OF THEME

I can help with a few, and some may be a little outdated...

Don Wayne (I think you mean Don Wade), is morning co-host on WLS Chicago with his wife Roma
Bruce Cannon recently exited afternoons at KQAK Bend, Oregon
Ron Harris was in Yakima awhile back, don't know now
Rob Conrad is doing mornings at AC Magic 96.5 in Birmingham, Alabama
Frank Shiers I believe is doing part-time talk at KIRO
Randy Lundquist was doing afternoons at KPLZ for many years, don't know now
Andy Barber is still doing radio in Tulsa, OK
Peter McClain returned for s stint at KLSY, don't know now, but wanna say Denver???
Howard Hoffman I believe in Production Director for KABC
Joe Dawson last I heard was out of the biz
Sean Lynch was in the record industry for years, believe back in radio somewhere???
Dan Murphy was at KIXI-AM
Ron Erak is in commercial production

Maybe some others can check in with updates...

 

[radiojjh]

Almost forgot KFKF in Bellevue....now country in Kansas City!!!

In a round-about way....KTW is how Tom Read is billing his "Fabulous 630" legally KTRW.....but billing it KTW/Mutual Broadcasting System.....how original....he's the same guy that grabed KTAC for Ephrata and KGDN for the Tri-Cities. He loves recycling call letters.....not a bad thing, but definitely a "Tom Reed-ism."

Also found KETO now 1340AM in Rupert, Idaho, and KTIX is in Pendleton, Oregon 1240 on the dial......

 

[dadetim]

KHIT

CHRIS JEFFRIES: Is the radio and TV instructor at Centralia College (since 1991)
STEVE RABOW: Is "retired" in Sarasota, Florida. He now writes travel books for Florida.

 

[IndigoCoyote]

Hey Bongwater and gang-

Amazing what may show up from one of the lurkers around here. Re: KHIT calls in Walla2.

Station was started back in the 40s on those original calls. Full service farm report country and Paul Harvey. You know, THAT kind of station. Original owner starts an automated FM, both eventually go automated, but still local. Finally he buys the farm and the station, through several ownership leaps, ends up in the hands of F.M. "Steve" Stevens, local real estate developer. Nice guy who fancied himself a media maven. Wife's initials were A.M., so I guess it was destiny. I came on the scene in early 1983, when it had all gone pretty much to chaos. But, hey, I'm 18...and it's the RADIO, you know?

The FM was KSXT, (XT-97, Doobie Brothers "rock") and the AM was still 1K country, 23 watts at night. One night we switched to HIT97, KHIT country, though not simulcast. I read about the format change in the paper. Nice.

The calls were magnificent...say k-Hit Kountry...sounds great. Couldn't last.

The calls went for 35K. I saw the check.

The staff fought FOR KWWA. "Too hard to pronounce" is a really stupid reason when your legals are automated anyway.

Turns out our music service (Drake-Chenault) gave us three months of service for free to change our calls to KAFR. We dumped country on the AM for a really cheesy oldies format called American Fun Radio. Yikes. Thus the calls.

Both stations in receivership within the year. Good times.

 

[Bongwater]

The Recycler

Almost forgot KFKF in Bellevue....now country in Kansas City!!!

In a round-about way....KTW is how Tom Read is billing his "Fabulous 630" legally KTRW.....but billing it KTW/Mutual Broadcasting System.....how original....he's the same guy that grabed KTAC for Ephrata and KGDN for the Tri-Cities. He loves recycling call letters.....not a bad thing, but definitely a "Tom Reed-ism."

Also found KETO now 1340AM in Rupert, Idaho, and KTIX is in Pendleton, Oregon 1240 on the dial......

You gotta love Tom Read for that. I may have disagreed with him politically a few years back, but after hearing a few of his "radio columns" titled "It Seems To Me", it seems to me we have a lot more in common than even I had ever thought.

And he still has that KILLER classic old school radio voice, circa 1940-50's....Check this out y'all (a few of my favorites):

About store rebates:

http://www.mutualnetwork.net/istmc/Rebates.mp3

About HD Radio:

http://www.mutualnetwork.net/istmc/HD Radio.mp3

But that's just Tom Read, an old school (if overtly religious and Republican) maverick.

I do get irked when a classic Puget Sound call sign has moved out of the area. But I'm sure other folks (Walla Walla for example) feel irked when OUR stations get THEIR classic call letters.

But that's just radio and these days, those who never grew up with with the excitement that even a simple AM station can bring will never know or understand the joy we felt.

While I love the iPod myself and I know it's here to stay, all I miss is somebody on the radio who can say something relevant to me in the middle of of a dark and lonely night. And Delilah or Lia (aka Lia Knight, formerly of KRPM fame who went on to host her own wildly successful syndicated country music version of "Delilah") can NEVER do that for me. I need somebody, close by. I'm not looking for a suicide hotline either, I just want a friend on the airwaves. And I am perfectly sober.

THAT'S what radio is missing. Yeah, expectations change, but sheer class doesn't.

Take a cue from the old school jocks...humanity works.......

 

[BurntOutRadio]

OK here goes:

Bob Case works for Clear Channel
Kelly and Alpha B98.5 Atlanta, GA
Stitch Mitchell KBSG
Frank Shiers KIRO and weekends KBSG
Scott Phillips KBSG
Randy Lundquist KBSG
Mark Andrews Phoenix
Lia Jones Radio Network, Seattle
Dewey Boynton Yakima, OP Manager for New Northwest Broadcasters cluster
R.P. McMurphy KXXO, Olympia
Ric Hansen runs a dj business

 

[dadetim]

some more stuff about steve rabow...well...his kiddos (from the WSLR web site)




WSLR's Youngest DJ makes the Guinness Book of World Records
August 21st, 2007

WSLR is proud to now be the home of "The World's Youngest Radio DJ" - an official Guinness World Record designation awarded to Joshua Rabow who hosts "The Saturday Morning Cartoon Show" with his older brother Aaron on the first and third Saturdays of every month from 9-10 a.m. Joshua and Aaron launched the show back in March when Joshua was still 7 years-old and Aaron was 10.

The idea to approach Guinness was actually Joshua's own idea after his dad, Steve Rabow, suggested in jest that Joshua was probably the youngest D.J. in the world. But when Joshua asked his dad if he thought there might be a chance to get into the Guinness Record Book Steve took the question very seriously. Their efforts paid off and now the "title" belongs to our (and the world's) youngest radio D.J. In 2005, when he was 6 years-old, Joshua was a Florida Studio Theater's Young Playwright Festival Award Winner beating out over 5000 other plays submitted from around the world. His play was titled: "How To Keep Your Pants Up!" Joshua and Aaron attend New Gate School. Congratulations again from all of us at WSLR!!

 

[Steenman]

Radio 440 is a website where you can source talent to find out where they are now. http://www.440.com/440sat.html Also, up until recently, Sean Lynch was programming KDDB (Da Bomb) in Honolulu, I buy that market and worked with him on some promotions but he recently disappeared. Happy holidays everyone!