Memory Jogger

[ExKynoJox]

I had to go back and check the online Vane Jones logbook, 1963. KARM-FM was 101.9 93.7 was KRFM. The next year, 1964, 943.7, became KFRE-FM. I read somewhere that at one point, the KARM ownership, wanted to donate 101.9 to Fresno State and Fresno State refused to take it.
During those years 94.5 was KBID, 97.9 was KMJ-FM, and 102.7 was KXQR. That was all, just 5 FM stations in Fresno in 1963.

The AM side had just recently increased from 8 to 11 with the ealy 60s seeing the additions of 1220 in Fowler and 1510, and 1550 in Fresno. All three new AMs were 500 watts or less and all 3 daytime's.

Anyone remember the days when KMJ FM was classical and in mono? Signed on around 4pm...

How about KIRV's short-lived top 40?

 

[mofocat]

"Anyone remember the days when KMJ FM was classical and in mono? Signed on around 4pm...
How about KIRV's short-lived top 40?"
I don't remember KIRV ever doing Top 40 - when was that? I remember Dick Delgato, Richard the Lion buying time on weekends on 1510. I do remember it being MOR - was my dad's favorite - for decades after KIRV went Christian he referred to any station that was doing MOR as "curve"-
Classical on KMJ - I remember being in 6th grade -hmm - '61-'62 and on Wednesdays @ 1pm our teacher tuned in KMJ-FM on a Zenith console for a classical music program geared for grade schools. (Not sure if that was day and time but it was weekly.) That was in Reedley- the reason I questioned KMJs power/antenna in another post- the signal was very good considering no outdoor antenna on an old console. Being in mono helped. KMJ stayed classical until KVPR came on the air and gave a sizable collection of vinyl classical music to the new FM 89. That was when, ... and what did KMJ-FM do when it gave up the classical?

 

[DanielBoone]

Yes indeed! Those were the good days of radio! ;D

Compared to the crap-music now, that dominates the airwaves!

Todays radio is so watered-down

Thanks to the Communications Act of 1996 and elimination of The Fairness Doctrine (when? 86?)

And that's about the time the Hip-hop generation was starting to take over (after 1990) and music started getting really bad.

 

[mofocat]

"and that's about the time the Hip-hop generation was starting to take over (after 1990) and music started getting really bad. "
that's pretty much right-on

I mispoke previously about KIRV being MOR - I meant to say 'Beautiful Music'
Speaking of Beautiful Music the KNNU/KNU, 102.7, 106.7 simulcast had a couple or three yr. run - I know the simulcast ended in the summer or fall of 72. Didn't t the Tulare, 106.7 became KWSM? The calls were for "Wonderful Sound of Music" which sounds like a continuation of the BM format but I'm not sure if thats what 106.7 did or not. Did that one continue with the BM? I know 102.7 did for another 20 years.

 

[multiplex]

I don't think KMJ-FM was classical until KVPR signed on, which happened in '78 or '79. I think they were some sort of automated AC around 1974, but they certainly could have still had the library from those days to donate to KVPR.
About 1982 KMJ-FM changed to an automated hot AC format, including some 50s rock, with news from NBC's The source.
I believe KWSM began with a BM-type format, possibly the one NBC marketed as "Music Only For A Woman," or some such.
But by 1974 they were carrying an Adult Contemporary package from BPI in Seattle, with jocks' voicing their "shows" on tape
Lee Smith was on the format, and there were two others, possibly Larry Nelson, but definitely Jim French.
A couple years later the call was changed to KJUG, shifting to BPI's country format, with the same system: songs on reels interspersed with taped jock patter on another reel. Ikabod Kane was one of the automated jocks on the country format, but I can't remember the other two.
In another post I'll tell you a funny KDFR story; at least I _think_ 106.7 was KDFR when this took place.

 

[ExKynoJox]

"Anyone remember the days when KMJ FM was classical and in mono? Signed on around 4pm...
How about KIRV's short-lived top 40?"
I don't remember KIRV ever doing Top 40 - when was that? I remember Dick Delgato, Richard the Lion buying time on weekends on 1510. I do remember it being MOR - was my dad's favorite - for decades after KIRV went Christian he referred to any station that was doing MOR as "curve"-
Classical on KMJ - I remember being in 6th grade -hmm - '61-'62 and on Wednesdays @ 1pm our teacher tuned in KMJ-FM on a Zenith console for a classical music program geared for grade schools. (Not sure if that was day and time but it was weekly.) That was in Reedley- the reason I questioned KMJs power/antenna in another post- the signal was very good considering no outdoor antenna on an old console. Being in mono helped. KMJ stayed classical until KVPR came on the air and gave a sizable collection of vinyl classical music to the new FM 89. That was when, ... and what did KMJ-FM do when it gave up the classical?

Same here about KMJ FM - I am thinking late '60's or so. I think that show ran about the same time the teacher wanted us to put our heads on our desks and take a nap for her sake. They changed to stereo and continued the classical for awhile, then dropped it when KVPR came on.

As to KIRV, I only remember the jingles. Seemed like it came and went, which I believe it did. Seriously, at that time, KYNO was still a monster.

If you're really wanting a trip back in time, the Fresno Bee had radio schedules for the Fresno stations. The FM's BMs had various, I guess you'd call it shows, for their music by dayparts.. This is obviously going back to when few actually had FM radios. Geez, I am so dating myself here. But, they make for good reading.

Anyone remember when KMAK was talk?

The only airchecks I've found of old Fresno radio on the net are from KYNO, KMAK both Top 40 and Country era, and a few on FB from KARM during the format of the day era and KFIG's AC days. If anyone knows of more - please post the URL. Bob Manfredo had many checks and jingles, unfortunately, he's passed on and with his passing, we lost one of the most knowledgable persons out there on Fresno radio in the '60's and early 70's..