KNUE History

[S McCoy]

I am working on something that requires a fairly accurate account of KNUE history in Tyler from the year they signed on and a timeline of it's formats, monikers, even passed jocks and owners if possible.
Thanks!

 

[gbranch]

I moved to Longview in 1973, and KNUE was one of the few strong FM signals that could be received in Longview at the time. IIRC, they were running a beautiful music format in 73. The switch from beautiful music to country occurred in probably 1982.

 

[jd]

...a timeline of it's formats, monikers, even passed jocks and owners if possible.
Thanks!

The ownership history is a little complex, but I can point you in the right direction. PM me if you'd like a few links.

Anything further back than the 1970's is difficult to pin down to exact dates, but I can tell you that KNUE was originally KDOK-FM. It reportedly signed on in 1964 with separate programming from KDOK 1330. (Two dates are listed, September 10th and December 13; the latter is likely closer to the actual sign-on.) Power was listed in Broadcasting Yearbook as 4,800 watts with an antenna height of 380 feet (likely from the AM site off Northeast Loop 323). The format was easy listening (or "beautiful music," if you will) and the station was owned by KDOK Broadcasting Company, with Dana W. Adams as president and general manager.

The call letter change to KNUE occurred sometime prior to 1971, along with a power increase to 39,000 watts, still at 380 feet HAAT.

The switch from beautiful music to country occurred in probably 1982.

I believe that's pretty close, and Dave Moreland could probably help with some of the history, too. I noticed that he was music director at one point during KNUE's beautiful music days.

 

[old_skuel]

Some past KNUE jocks I remember: (in no particular order)

John Moore - Mornings and Program Director
John Q - Mornings
Danny Stapelton - Overnights
Chuck McKinley - Nights
Amy Austin - Mid days and Program Director
Gary P "Blue Eyes" Walker - afternoons
Michael Millsap - Afternoons
JD Patrick - Afternoons
Alex Price - Mornings

 

[C414B]

Of course, a "KNUE Jock Hall of Fame" wouldn't be complete without going back to the "Beautiful Music" days and adding Ed Smith's "Wake Up and Live" morning show from the late 70s/early 80s.

 

[radioaircheck]

i moved to Longview in September of 1983 and it was country then. They did a great job back then.

 

[S McCoy]

Great feedback so far....interested also in GM's and jocks and former studio locations.

 

[TrapperJohn]

Terry Cooper was GM when I was there ('92-'93). I believe Mike Gatons followed.

 

[S McCoy]

Terry Cooper was GM when I was there ('92-'93). I believe Mike Gatons followed.

Then Mike Gatons and Steve Joos followed by Craig Reininger.

Who was before Terry Cooper?

 

[radioaircheck]

I remeber Mike patrick being the morning guy.

 

[Huff]

I would suggest visiting David Gleason's stellar online radio library, he has just about every Broadcasting Yearbook from 1943-1989 posted here:
http://www.davidgleason.com/Broadcasting_Yearbook_Summary_Page.htm

Per my own research -
The first incarnation of 101.5 (and first FM station on the air in east Texas) signed on in 1947 as KGKB-FM. It was originally alloted to 103.9 but moved to 101.5 before signing on. It was owned by the Ulmer Family and operated with 5000 watts.
KGKB-FM signed off sometime around 195.1
The second (unrelated) incarnation of 101.5 signed on 12/13/64 as KDOK-FM with 39,000 watts.