What happened?

[grantchester]

Above posters are correct about the fate of KTFM. For 30 years it survived and thrived by channging with the times. In the early 70's, there was an attempt to create an album-rock format. It struggled. Ken Dowe of KLIF and KNUS fame was brought in to take it to the next level. That would have been early 1975. The jocks were Ken Noble 6-10, Greg DeHonie 10-2, Tony Raven (Michael Steinmetz) 2-6, Nick St. John 6-12, and Bob Prado 12-6. When Ken Fired Nick, Barney Stone and David Munoz were added. Then Ken hired Trigger Black (Gary Guthrie), and Greg was let go. Trigger took it to the top. As the disco era dawned, the station switched. That was when Tony Dale was P.D. (they went disco). After that, with Catfish (Jim Prewett) and "Cousin" Billy Thorman, they created a solid performing CHR, and enjoyed double digit ratings. That was when Sonny Melendrez was doing mornings, and despite his leaving for 105, KTFM stayed on top. I wasn't there when it ended, but I believe above posters are correct, they didn't make the change, and the Beat ate their lunch. I was told CBS took it Classic Rock, in an effort to drive KZEP out of business, so they could buy their frequency. It didn't work.
BTW- Kiddie Park was right next to the golf course at Brackenridge Park.
And Nick St. John lived across the street from Playland for a time.
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[WilmingtonRadio]

OK thanks. So, it was actually called "Kiddie Park" then? I vaguely remember that park...something about a little ferris wheel and and a boat-go-round with actual little boats in the water.

There was alos this really cool toy store. Kind of a precursor to "Toys R Us" and back in the 60's, it was biggest toy store I'd ever seen. I loved going there. I twas kiddie town or something like that.

And thanks for taking me down memory lane with early KTFM. The names of two DJs sound familiar...Nick St. John, Tony Raven and David Munoz. I seem to remember David Munoz having a very distinctive speaking style. Mellow and perfectly suited for the rather laid back, head shop delivery early AOR jocks used.

I didn't know KTFM went disco. That must've been considered a sacriledge. All I know is that I loved the old KTFM. I've lived in a few big cities across the country and always compared the early AORs to KTFM. When it was good, it was great.

Whatever happend to Bruce Hathaway, the old KTSA jock from the 60's..anyone know? And this goes back even further into San Antonio TV lore---Anyone remember a show on saturday afternoons called "Five Star Shock" with this guy dressed like an undertaker or something and he'd introduce schlocky scary movies?

 

[grantchester]

Kiddie City had two locations, on Loop 410 near McCullough, and at Mcreeless Mall.
Cap'n Gus had the cartoon show. He was played by Joe Alston.
KENS had two monster movies in the 60's. Five Star Shock ran Saturday afternoons.
Project Terror was on Friday Nights. Bruce was on KTSA into the '80's. He was on KKYX for a number of years. He is still active with the Stock Show and Rodeo.
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[bigmikesa]

Bruce is still aroung talked to him last month. Great guy when I was working with him at COX about 5 years ago me Roger Allen Doug Bennett and Steven O Sellers would skip out early on fridays to go to little hipps ( its closed now) we would have a great time talking about the good old days I grew up listening to Bruce and Jud on KTSA I remember one time my brother came to the station to visit me and Bruce's desk was just outside of my office my brother saw Bruce and said holy s##t ( my brother is a preacher )thats Bruce hathaway he should be in this office and you should be out there he's a legend then my brother went on about how he used to watch Bruce on tv on saturdays on a show called Swingtime My brother and Bruce laughed and joked half the day. I miss Bruce and all the guys that was a fun time for me. I also want to send congrats to Bruce on being inducted to the Texas radio hall of fame Bruce is a great guy and a very humble man and I respect him to the fullest. also that toy store you are talking about I think you are talking about the Toy Box (now Im showing my age) I loved that store ten times better than Toys R Us.

 

[mxhdrm1978]

About the sea show. It was a live kiddie show called, "The capt Gus and Popeye show" I think it ran until the late '70's? I was on it twice. Eventhough most people have warm feelings about Capt Gus (who passed away sometime ago), I think he was just another racist redneck. During the show, inbetween the cartoons, he would walk through the stands and ask the kids their names, etc. He had all of the time in the world for 'his people' but when it came to us who are a darker shade than pale, we were lucky to finish saying our names before he whisked the mike over to the next kid. Once I went with my teenage uncles and they said he reeked of liquor. One thing I do remember as fact is that when the cameras and lights went off and the cartoons started, he ran off the stage and through a side door, only to reappear seconds before the live action started again. I guess he didn't like kids very much. When Capt Gus was very ill before his death, his widow was interviewed on a radio show and she asked for everyone to pray for him. I don't know exactly when he retired, but my sisters say that he never made any public appearances after the show was scuttled. I also remember that while we were on the show we had to watch all those color cartoons on a small black and white set. I never won anything from the wishing well either. know future......