Lufkin Nacogdoches Radio Questions

[ocala500]

It is Scott Shannon's Oldies. That's a fact, Jack!!

 

[RunawayRadio]

On the programming issue (I say this as a former 30 year resident of the Lufkin-Nacogdoches area) Musicsweep is right... Programming to college students in Nac has been tried before and it DID NOT WORK... (Remember Q107 in the early 90's).

As a former Q107 employee in the early 90's (Center City Communications ... before George Wilkes and "Class Act"), I can vouch for what Sandy says. Q107 (KTBQ-FM) was Hot AC and our direct competition was K-FOX (which was CHR at the time). We constantly struggled to keep our billing revenue high. If we billed more than $50k in a single month we considered that a windfall. The only way we could keep sales people was to pay based on total sales and not on collections. The owners of the company had to supplement our bank accounts with revenues from their more successful stations in Killeen-Belton, TX. One year we came close to beating K-FOX in the 12+ ratings but ultimately failed. At the time, Q107 had the best broadcasting equipment and technology in the market. We were the first radio station in the Lufkin/Nacogdoches market to use 100% CD's.

Then George Wilkes bought the station and proceeded with its dismantling and ultimate sale to Gulfstar Communications.

 

[kiltfmsteve]

Former Q-107 employee from the early 90's?? Just wondering who you are. Jimbo,,Janna,,Chuck,,Gary,,?? I know where Johnny (Walker) Lathrop is. I always thought that Q107 sounded so kick ass when they signed on,,and for a while after that. They had the best talent, equipment, location, and sound HANDS DOWN! They looked and sounded like a bigger market station stuck in little old east Texas. I remember waiting with baited breath while that digital countdown came to an end. Remember when Mike Austion (former KFOX morning guy) called in to welcome Jimbo Powers, (former Q107 morning guy) and crew to town,,,Jimbo recorded the whole conversation and then produced a promo that said, "Everybody listens to Q107,,(insert Mikes voice here saying "HI this is MIke Austin"!!),,GENIUS!! I eventually programmed the "Q" for CC, and although certain times were difficult, they were some of the best times of my broadcasting career. Ahhh,,memories........

 

[RunawayRadio]

I remember waiting with baited breath while that digital countdown came to an end.

A funny story about that countdown. The countdown started once the new transmitter was brought online and the studios were still being constructed on University Drive (next to the now defunct "Californian"). The recording said something to the effect of "xx days until a new clear radio station in East Texas". We received several phone calls from concerned citizens wondering about the NUCLEAR radio station in East Texas.

They had the best talent, equipment, location, and sound HANDS DOWN!

Q107's original ownership did indeed bring a new level of class to the Lufkin/Nacogdoches market that had never before existed. Q107 was the first station in the market to make use of a full-blown jingle package, professionally produced liners and sweeps, big market style promotional contests, out-of-market on-air talent, noticable station vehicles (the BUTT truck and the Jammin' 860 - KSFA 57 Chevy) and a sales staff that sold professionally produced jingles to many local area clients. Q107 and KSFA were also the first stations in the market to make use of digital audio technology and computers. While the other stations were playing their commercials on carts, we had a state-of-the-art IBM Clone 286 running the now defunct Digital DJ software to play commercials. While that technology is common place today, it was very much ahead of its time back in 1990.

It was a hell of a way to make a statement that ultimately wound up costing too much because the Lufkin/Nacogdoches market simply would not/could not support it.

Remember when Mike Austion (former KFOX morning guy) called in to welcome Jimbo Powers, (former Q107 morning guy) and crew to town,,,Jimbo recorded the whole conversation and then produced a promo that said, "Everybody listens to Q107,,(insert Mikes voice here saying "HI this is MIke Austin"!!),,GENIUS!!

Much of the on-air success that Q107 experienced can be attributed to Jimbo Powers. In the early 90's Jimbo was a punk kid from Killeen with lots of attitude and big ideas. He brought a level of energy and production talent to the Lufkin/Nacogdoches market that probably hasn't existed since his departure to Austin. The highest ratings Q107 ever received using the Hot AC format were received while Jimbo Powers was Program Director. I hate to boost his ego , but the facts simply cannot be denied ... Jimbo was a genius before his time.

Former Q-107 employee from the early 90's?? Just wondering who you are. Jimbo,,Janna,,Chuck,,Gary,,?? I know where Johnny (Walker) Lathrop is.

I worked at the Q from 1989 up until it was sold to Gulfstar Broadcasting. Being a small radio station, I assumed many roles (mostly off air) from part-time air personality to production director, copy writer, traffic director, janitor, receptionist, and computer engineer.