Z-97 did not use sweepers or imaging. One TM shotgun jingle is the only element other than music, jocks, promo's and spots!
The station was very tightly programmed by Gary Mack who now is the curator at the Texas School Book Depository Museum in downtown Dallas.
The launch of commercial free radio for the Spring 1977 book was classic and I remember it well for one reason.
In my hometown of Lindsay, Texas, a friend was obsessed with winning that contest. He literally listened day and night trying to hear the first commercial. When it did air, he heard it and sent in numerous entries with friends and relatives names on them, knowing in the event of a tie a drawing would be held from the exactly correct entires. He had the correct answer and sent in maybe 25 or so entries. They drew not only his but several mutual friends names and awarded thousands of dollars in prizes to them. I still remember the promo that ran after the contest....with the names and every other name was such and such, Lindsay, such and such, Gainesville, such and such Dallas, such and such Lindsay...we thought it was such a hoot!
Years later I was offered a job at Z-97 to do overnights when I was in Sherman. I didn't go but did go to KVIL a few months later.
In the ensuing years I have become aquainted with Gary Mack and we've talked about that contest and I told him what happened.
Z-97 was a great Top Forty Q type format...only the hits and very tight with great jocks...John Rivers, Christopher Haze, Randy Hames just to name a few.
...and yes, I have an aircheck (shocking, I know)...contact me and I'll copy you on it.
