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K102 Radio - Fort Lauderdale/WCKO

A

apolasky

K102 Radio - Fort Lauderdale/WCKO

Alumni, Friends & fans of K102 Page facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/K102...e-Alumni-Friends-fans-of-K102/119337431502961

WCKO, went on the air in the the early 1970s. WCKO originally had a soul/R&B format it was the sister station of long time AM R&B leader in Broward County WRBD 1470. In late 1977 WCKO changed it moniker to K-102 and switched to an automated disco format. In 1979 K-102 changed formats again, to a tight rotation of rock hits with DJ's Buddy Hollis, Bo Walker, Alan Michaels, Tom Stevens and Geoff Allen and By late 1980 K-102 had made a dent into WSHE's dominance of South Florida rock audience, At this time K-102 was calling itself "South Florida's Hottest Rock". In early 1982 K-102 began playing a new wave format and calling itself K-102 Rock of the Eighties. In 1983 K-102 was playing an album oriented rock that lasted until the station was sold by Bob Bell.

In 1983 the station was purchased by Sconnix Broadcasting which dropped the WCKO call letters, changed the format to Adult Contemporary and upgraded the signal, moving the station to the master antenna system serving South Florida, the result of another station moving from 92.1 to 92.3. In 1988 the station migrated to a full time Oldies station and dominated the key 25-54 demographic through 1991.
 
Another tribute site...this time, however, it's on Facebook.

Alan must be strapped for cash, considering the hundreds of websites he owns.

;D
 
Wow K-102, what a strange (but fun) little radio station. With a rag tag team of DJ's I imagine we made some of the old guard stations sit up and take notice. Program Director John Glances had been at WLEE in Richmond I believe. John was early on a lot of artists that became big later. Artists like John Mellencamp back when he was known as John Cougar.

When I first got there we had ABC Contemporary Network News that we recorded on cassette! The board was an old Collins that worked well. The music was on reels and played on the automation system. After awhile the News, automation and board went away. They were replaced by a brand new Ramco board and a couple of Harris Triple cart decks. The board was total garbage, and the buttons on the Harris cart machines had the annoying habit of popping off and landing across the room!

Working there was fun, I was there during the day, did mornings for awhile and later just production. I can only imagine what went on there at night. I seem to remember a certain DJ getting suspended for having visitors at the station. I'm sure there is a good story there.

Management was good to us. We didn't make a fortune but it wasn't bad and at the Christmas party I remember they gave us a cash bonus, no taxes taken out.

One question: Whatever happened to Bo Walker?
 
Mike Sheridan said:
One question: Whatever happened to Bo Walker?
Click to expand...

I've often wondered that too. I hired him when I was at the second coming of 96X to do weekends and fill ins. He was definately a character and I enjoyed working with him.
 
I just thought of two more K-102 jocks. Johnithan Keys and Ken Martin, both good guys. Even though we were kind of a rag tag group we never had any ego issues. We all got along great and had a good time.
 
I remember listening listening to K102 on a boombox in Key West. The signal was good on the second floor of our house. I liked the station. By the way I took the plunge and purchased a CP in West Alabama. WLYB-FM. Since it will be a very small operation (1 announcer, 1 salesperson) I am look for V/O people (commercials) If anyone is interested. IM me.
 
Mike Sheridan said:
I just thought of two more K-102 jocks. Johnithan Keys and Ken Martin, both good guys. Even though we were kind of a rag tag group we never had any ego issues. We all got along great and had a good time.
Click to expand...

The last information I have on Johnathon Keys dates back several years, so it may not be accurate now. However, he was program director for WJKC-FM 95.1 Charlotte-Amalie, US Virgin Islands.
 
jmtillery said:
Mike Sheridan said:
I just thought of two more K-102 jocks. Johnithan Keys and Ken Martin, both good guys. Even though we were kind of a rag tag group we never had any ego issues. We all got along great and had a good time.
Click to expand...

The last information I have on Johnathon Keys dates back several years, so it may not be accurate now. However, he was program director for WJKC-FM 95.1 Charlotte-Amalie, US Virgin Islands.
Click to expand...

At my last talking to Jonathan, not only was he PD but owner of WJKC and a couple other stations in the USVI. He did ask me to come work with him but I just didn't feel like moving there.
 
Stuart Elliott said:
jmtillery said:
Mike Sheridan said:
I just thought of two more K-102 jocks. Johnithan Keys and Ken Martin, both good guys. Even though we were kind of a rag tag group we never had any ego issues. We all got along great and had a good time.
Click to expand...

The last information I have on Johnathon Keys dates back several years, so it may not be accurate now. However, he was program director for WJKC-FM 95.1 Charlotte-Amalie, US Virgin Islands.
Click to expand...

At my last talking to Jonathan, not only was he PD but owner of WJKC and a couple other stations in the USVI. He did ask me to come work with him but I just didn't feel like moving there.
Click to expand...

He has quite an impressive radio group in the USVI.
 
This isn't really a thread for me, as I was in the military during a lot of K-102's time; however I will say this:

I caught WJKC from South FL on E-skip in 1984. At that time, I had no info on any 95.1 in the USVI, only PR. I called information, IIRC, and got a phone # for Isle 95. I called them and played my cassette....they QSL'd over the phone, and I am sure it was Keyes. He said "I used to work at 96X....remember the 'worst joke of the day' competition?" I sure did! They sent me a visor cap in the mail for calling.

cd
 
When I worked at Y-100 I got to go over and visit Alan Michaels while he did his show on K-102. It was a cool place! And there was another station there too, was it WRBD? Not sure. Our favorite trick was to wait until Alan left the control room to get his weather forcast, then we'd quickly "adjust" the equalization controls. Fun times!

Also does anyone remember Alan broadcasting live from a hot air balloon over at the waterpark near I-95 and Sheridan? Back when djs did stunts.
 
MarkInTheDark said:
When I worked at Y-100 I got to go over and visit Alan Michaels while he did his show on K-102. It was a cool place! And there was another station there too, was it WRBD? Not sure. Our favorite trick was to wait until Alan left the control room to get his weather forcast, then we'd quickly "adjust" the equalization controls. Fun times!

Also does anyone remember Alan broadcasting live from a hot air balloon over at the waterpark near I-95 and Sheridan? Back when djs did stunts.
Click to expand...

Yes WRBD was downstairs, K-102 was upstairs. I also remember a door at the back that went out to the roof.

The jocks at WRBD were great guys, often I liked the music they were playing better than what we were playing at K-102.
 
Nice to see old memories and Alan's posting's of K-102FM..

Mike Sheridan mentioned Jonathon Keyes, totally cool, and that brings back a flood of memories, Jonathon and I have remained best of friend's for some 30 plus years now and we talk and e-mail quite often, just two week's ago matter of fact, Jonathon is doing well, very well, and for those of you interested, and who have worked with and know Jonathon as I have, Alan, Mike and Stewart, and others, you might wanna check out his website @ VIRadio.com and his name sake stations and take a listen to the stations.
 
Jonathan and rest of the guys were all great to work with. Stupid me I left for WRMF. That turned out to be a huge mistake.
 
Re: K102 Radio - Fort Lauderdale/WCKO/Jonathan Keyes

Thanks for remembering Jonathan keyes. Yes I am in the Virgin Islands. Sure do miss the good old days when radio was fun. Is their ever a reunion in South Florida? Alan Polasky.....it was fun hanging with you at WFUN!!

Anyone know where Dana Palley is..... our old news guy from K102? John Galanses is living in Costa Rica doing a Sun Tanning Salon!!! I saw him on St. Croix several years ago.

I do understand that Beau Walker passed away many years ago.

Alan Polasky (Michaels) yes I remember the hot air balloon and the nights I would catch you at the top of the stairs above the Rockin' Big Daddy studios with your Reel to Reel Tape Box.

Mike Sheidan...hi to you....what are you up to?

Do you guys rember Bimini Joe? The morning show bit that went bad at K-102? I believe the morning show host was Jeff Conrad?

I also heard from Jefferson Stone who lives in North Carolina doing a DJ/Party service. I know he wants to get back on the air.

If anyone wants to contact me just e-mail me at [email protected].

Missing the fun days of radio
Jonathaan Keyes
 
Sorry to hear about Beau Walker. I was gone by the time the Jeff Conrad incident happened but I had a feeling that he would crash and burn. He crossed the line a little too often probably not as bad as some of the things you hear about today though!

I did some part time a few years ago here in Charlotte. Voice tracking was kinda cool but doing a live show was boring. Talked for 90 seconds in an hour, the computer did the rest. I got bored and the money was not good even though it was a CBS station. I'm embarrassed to tell people how little I made. I quit after I figured out it didn't cover the price of gas.

Short story, I'm alive and well working in the IT industry.
 
Hello to all..just to let you know i'm not dead..i was in a very bad car accident about 3 yrs ago while I was doing voice work in las vegas..i almost died but thankfully i'm still alive..as far as k102 is concerned that was one of the best years of my life..what a blast..didn't make any money but i've worked in dallas, seattle and pittsburgh where I did make great money and it wasn't nearly as fun..but i'm glad to report that i'm still breathing..take care..beau walker
 
apolasky said:
K102 Radio - Fort Lauderdale/WCKO

Alumni, Friends & fans of K102 Page facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/K102...e-Alumni-Friends-fans-of-K102/119337431502961

WCKO, went on the air in the the early 1970s. WCKO originally had a soul/R&B format it was the sister station of long time AM R&B leader in Broward County WRBD 1470. In late 1977 WCKO changed it moniker to K-102 and switched to an automated disco format. In 1979 K-102 changed formats again, to a tight rotation of rock hits with DJ's Buddy Hollis, Bo Walker, Alan Michaels, Jonathon Keys Tom Stevens and Geoff Allen and By late 1980 K-102 had made a dent into WSHE's dominance of South Florida rock audience, At this time K-102 was calling itself "South Florida's Hottest Rock". In early 1982 K-102 began playing a new wave format and calling itself K-102 Rock of the Eighties. In 1983 K-102 was playing an album oriented rock that lasted until the station was sold by Bob Bell.

In 1983 the station was purchased by Sconnix Broadcasting which dropped the WCKO call letters, changed the format to Adult Contemporary and upgraded the signal, moving the station to the master antenna system serving South Florida, the result of another station moving from 92.1 to 92.3. In 1988 the station migrated to a full time Oldies station and dominated the key 25-54 demographic through 1991.

K102 Page facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/pages/K102...e-Alumni-Friends-fans-of-K102/119337431502961
Click to expand...
 
Re: K102 Radio - Fort Lauderdale/WCKO/Jonathan Keyes

JKC95 said:
Thanks for remembering Jonathan keyes. Yes I am in the Virgin Islands. Sure do miss the good old days when radio was fun. Is their ever a reunion in South Florida? Alan Polasky.....it was fun hanging with you at WFUN!!

Anyone know where Dana Palley is..... our old news guy from K102? John Galanses is living in Costa Rica doing a Sun Tanning Salon!!! I saw him on St. Croix several years ago.

I do understand that Beau Walker passed away many years ago.

Alan Polasky (Michaels) yes I remember the hot air balloon and the nights I would catch you at the top of the stairs above the Rockin' Big Daddy studios with your Reel to Reel Tape Box.

Mike Sheidan...hi to you....what are you up to?

Do you guys rember Bimini Joe? The morning show bit that went bad at K-102? I believe the morning show host was Jeff Conrad?

I also heard from Jefferson Stone who lives in North Carolina doing a DJ/Party service. I know he wants to get back on the air.

If anyone wants to contact me just e-mail me at [email protected].

Missing the fun days of radio
Jonathaan Keyes
Click to expand...

Is that the same Jefferson Stone who worked at WSFL back in the '70s?
 
I have a 60 minute aircheck of the "New K-102" from July 1979. Fun listening to this!
 
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