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March 3, 2008 [Monday]
Issue #472

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ALL THE NEWS THAT IS NEWS

KTHT-790, KULF-790, KKBQ-790 AND KBME-790
Lately, there is discussion of the many lives of 790kc (or kHz) here in Houston, TX. Bill Bosse is the KULF GM when I come over from noon-3pm on KNUZ-1230 in 1978. During the first part of my time on KULF from 1978-80, Steve Roddy is KULF's PD. A local radio fan who has a Web site quizzes me about KULF for a couple of weeks and I fill in most of the details but still incorrect information prevails plus important data is missing. So, let's just sit back and examine an important portion of the long history of Houston's 790 AM frequency that shuffles its call letters and formats over the years.

In its KKHT configuration Demand 79 is the logo with emphasis on music and not so much the DJ behind the mic. But this light-hearted approach dramatically ends in the early 1970s when the new KULF call letters emerge with sparking new air personalities who spin bright and shiny contemporary music on the airwaves. The most exciting and vibrant period in KULF's history is during the time that I'm behind its mic from 1978-80. First of all, the KULF studios are high atop the former Central Bank building at 2100 Travis Street which is at the edge of beautiful downtown Houston, next door to Interstate 10 and near the world famous Hospital District. Ma Bell is now the largest tenent in the structure. The former Cork Club penthouse suite transforms into the new KULF studios. This is the finest, most well organized radio station control room of which I ever have the pleasure to be a part.

As we remember, by 1979, disco records begin to take control of radio's airwaves. That's when KULF's PD moves me into the 7pm-midnight slot. Prior to that, KULF has a more mature strategy with Adult Contemporary tunes and Be A 79'er as its logo. To me, this is silly putty and it's embarrassing to utter that line on the air. Then, like the crack of Lash LaRue's whip, KULF transforms into a full-fledged Top 40 operation and SUPER 79! is its new direction. KULF's PD pushes and pushes me to be more high energy on the night show. This never is my forté because my seasoned radio voice feels more natural with a mellow fellow method that seems to appeal to female listeners all across TX. But I give it my best shot. A couple of months later, a more teen-oriented DJ arrives from Louisville, KY who talks the talk and walks the walk. Coyote Calhoun becomes the new 7pm-midnight DJ on KULF and I ease back into my more laid-back radio spot. We become best of friends. This hip radio Rocker hates disco music and the Urban Cowboy craze overcomes him. He buys probably the most elaborate non-cowboy cowboy hat that I ever see. Then, he heads back home to KY to program a new Country FM radio station that continues to be #1 for decades.

From 1978-80, lots and lots of unbelievable things happen at KULF while I am there. During 1979-80 is the biggest and most productive period in the history of KULF and I am stuck in the middle. Some of America's top radio DJs come and go. Never see so many big name radio DJs fly in and out in my long radio career. In 1979, alone, KULF has three different morning shows - London & Engleman (Jon & Ron), Steve Lundy and Stevens & Prewitt (Mark & Jim). Listeners find my voice on many different times of the day except the all night show.

In 1979, Dick French pops up as KULF's new GM from his position as manager of WHBQ-560 in Memphis, TN. Dick's wife is the new honcho of KULF's sister station Beautiful Music KYND FM. For a very short period in early 1979, maybe a month, KULF's PD Steve Roddy joins Hank Moore on the KULF Oldies show. Prior to that for a couple of months it is Kevin O'Neil with Hank on the Oldies program. But from 1979-80, it is Jim Rose and Hank on the KULF Oldies show on Saturday nights and Sunday afternoons. This is during the final year of its existance. We make many personal appearances on behalf of the Oldies show. Both Hank and I bring records from our very own personal collections to play on the Oldies show. Our Oldies program becomes so popular that one FM station adds an Oldies show and KFMK FM switches formats to all Oldies.

In late 1979, French brings in his former WHBQ PD John Long to be KULF's new PD. John quickly places me into the noon-3pm DJ role, plus I continue to perform the KULF Oldies show on the weekend. This is seven days a week for me behind the DJ mic on KULF and I fully enjoy every single minute of the action. One Saturday night in 1979 on the KULF Oldies show, Hank is absent which leaves me as its lone host. But that night is very special because I have some of KTRK-TV CH13's top personalities as guests - Ed Brandon (CH13 weathercaster), Bob Allen (CH13 sports director) and the soon to be wife of Bob Allen, Jan Glenn (CH13 morning talk show hostess). We have an absolute blast from the past because, likewise, they are Oldies connoisseurs, too.

Guess all good things must come to an end. Around 11:00am in 1980, as I step out of the KULF elevator, Hank Moore waits to leave the building. Hank tells me that John Long fires him. When I get off the air at 3pm, John gives me walking papers, as well. When Kenny Miles finishes his show at 7pm, in like manner, he receives the Long axe. Kenny calls me at home to fill in the details. That fateful day lives on in infamy as a one-two-three knock-out punch.

About a year after that, KULF changes its call letters to KKBQ as a complete Top 40 outlet. KYND FM switches to KKBQ and begins to simulcast its AM brother. This is very successful for a few years. Then KKBQ FM becomes Easy Country with a gentle touch. This abruptly becomes like dust in the wind. All of a sudden, KKBQ FM shakes and bakes Houston's listeners' ears with a heavy personality up tempo New Country format. This does very well and is in the Top 10 today. While all of this occurs, the infamous Telcom disaster law of 1996 rattles radio as we once know it. KKBQ-790 changes ownership again to become KBME-790 with a Pop Standard format. This music of our lifetimes is wonderful but we do not hear the best of those great tunes on KBME. It falls flat on its face. KBME-790 changes to All Sports, then ESPN Sports and now a young approach to radio sports. Houston's Country radio stations are still in a hot race for the crown jewel #1 position. Both are in the Top 10. In January 2008 ARB ratings, CBS Radio Country KILT FM is #5 at 4.8, up from 4.6 while Cox Country KKBQ FM ranks #7 with a 4.5 share which is up from its previous 4.2. Country KIKK FM drops out and assumes the title of Smooth Jazz KHJZ.

CHARLES DRAKE (Houston, TX) Jim, As a Native Houstonian I also recall the old days of radio in the city. Jeff Mack's short history on KULF was interesting. Bill Bosse's on-air name was Bob Kelly. And KULF (KTHT) was originally on South Main in that triangular-patterned site between the old Sears store, the Delman Theater and a large church. The studios were the old-style akin to the 1940s and were actually fitted out with huge main performance studio with outlets and acoustics ready for being converted to an early TV station studio. That never materialized but the studio was something to see for its day. Whatever became of early 60s KTHT jock Casey Martin? (I only recall all this because my grandmother worked at that Sears and I would go across the street to visit at KTHT.) Charles Drake

BOB EDWARDS [PARKER] (Houston, TX) Hey, I can remember before KKBQ and KYND, when it was KLVL in Pasadena. Owned by the Morales Family. Felix sold KLVL-FM in 1969 to Sudbrink Broadcasting Company and they changed the calls to KFMY-FM, Pasadena. The transmitter was on top of the Pasadena Bank Building. They had to change calls because of KFMK's complaints to the FCC and it became KYED (pronounced "Keyed Radio"). I have old airchecks of KFMY as well as some of KYED-FM (they played oldies and big band). One of my good friends still to this day, Lucky Hower, was a DJ there and the station was run by Ray Casas (still around today..in Florida, I think.) When Sudbrink sold it..the calls were changed to KYND ("kind") and the power was increased, so it truly became a Houston area station. Before that, they were only a few hundred watts and only covered the Pasadena area, well. Does anyone know what happened to Wayne Warmack? He was the announcer on KYND one night when a prankster called him pretending to be the FCC. Wayne got terrified (a newly licensed 3rd Class Radiotelephone Operator) and pulled the station off the air for some 30-minutes before the call was discovered to be a prank. I think this was in late 1973. I'll never forget when Wayne signed it back on...in his calm and smooth voice, he simply said..."And now...KYND beautiful music continues..." One may remember KYND was rated #1 at the time here in Houston. Wayne also later worked for KODA..and I always liked him. Great voice and really a super nice guy. Bob

MARILYN MONROE (June 1, 1926-August 5, 1962) A career is wonderful thing, but you can't snuggle up to it on a cold night.

Jim Rose and Tejas
Houston, Texas
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