93Q KKBQ Houston 1985 and 1989 airchecks

- Classic Houston radio aircheck audio from the 1950s to the 2000s

Remembering Kidd Kraddick

Kidd Kraddick, a legendary radio morning show host from Dallas—Fort Worth and beyond, died on July 27, 2013.

This aircheck features the "Kidd Kraddick Morning Show", days after his passing, where they played some of his best moments on the radio.

740 KTRH turns 95 on March 25, 2025

740 KTRH Houston turns 95 years old today on March 25, 2025.

Believe it or not, KTRH originally began as KUT Austin, affiliated with the University of Texas at Austin. However, unlike the 90.5 KUT-FM Austin of today, this version was sold to Houston Chronicle owner Jesse H. Jones, who sought to compete with the Houston Post's KPRC-AM, which signed on in 1925. UT Austin wanted to exit the radio business at the time due to the Great Depression.

RELATED
950 KPRC AM turns 100

In a 1994 KTRH anniversary special on "Houston Hotline" with Lana Hughes and J.P. Pritchard, former owner John T. Jones says all of the station's equipment was sent to Houston via two trips in the back of a red Model A Ford pickup truck. 

KTRH was initially housed in a single room at the Rice Hotel in downtown Houston, which was also owned by Jesse Jones. The luxury hotel charged the Chronicle no rent for the room but requested hourly announcements about it on air.  To illustrate the connection between the two entities, the call letters stand for 'Kome to the Rice Hotel.'

I feature KTRH's early days through an interview with Jay Jones in my 101 KLOL documentary, "Runaway Radio," now streaming on Tubi, VOD, and available on DVD.  

John T. Jones said KTRH was one of only three or four stations on the air in Houston at the time of its sign-on.  KPRC is the only other station that has operated alongside KTRH from that time to the present day, with both now owned by iHeartMedia.

Programming was largely local until the emergence of broadcast networks.

That 1994 anniversary special features an interview with Dan Rather, a young man who grew up in The Heights with limited broadcasting experience.  Obviously, Rather went on to KHOU 11 and become the main evening anchor for CBS Evening News. 

"This news makes me feel incredibly old," former KTRH host Wayne Dolcefino told mikemcguff.com.   "When you worked there in the late 70s, it was a great investigative news team.  I learned from the late Garvin Berry.  One of the best. Great memories.  I did the morning talk show, too.  I owe that radio station a lot."

After his years at KTRH, Dolcefino became a legendary investigative reporter for ABC13 KTRK Houston, which, upon its 1954 sign-on date, was a sister property to KTRH and the Houston Chronicle. Dolcefino now runs the investigative firm Dolcefino Media.

Charlie Peña 1 · KTRH's 64th Birthday Celebration 3.24.94

Jim Carola of KILT fame has died

Jim Carola, 83, the longtime news director and anchor for 610 and 100.3 KILT Houston, passed away Monday. 

"Jim Carola is not only a Houston icon, but will always be remembered as a class act," Texas Radio Hall of Famer and former KILT colleague T.J. Callahan told mikemcguff.com.   "Jim was loved by all who crossed his path, and I was blessed to have learned the radio news business firsthand from him and Robert B. McEntire."

"How I loved my time on KILT with Jim Carola,"  Texas Radio Hall of Fame director emeritus Josh Holstead, who went by 'Rowdy Yates' on KILT-FM, told mikemcguff.com.  "It was not only a blessing every day to work with such an iconic and legendary broadcaster, but a man who became such an integral part of my success on Houston radio and eventually the national stage. Not only was he the ultimate pro, but a super nice guy who had a very gentle approach to his management style that not only fostered loyalty among his employees, but set a great example that many others would apply in their own careers.  He was a fantastic husband, brother, uncle, and neighbor-and an equestrian’s equestrian.  He never met a horse he did not love, or a cowboy/cowgirl he did not like.  I will miss my friend so much, and I shall treasure our time together on and off the air and never forget the memorable moments I had working across the microphone from one of my radio heroes and (literal) lifelong friend, Jim Carola."

His career in broadcasting began unexpectedly as a young dancer on Channel 13 KTRK's "The Larry Kane Show."

Carola joined KILT in 1964 while still a junior at the University of Houston and became news director in 1970, dedicating 40 years to the station delivering the 20/20 newscasts.

"I listened to Jim Carola on the Big 610 growing up in the Westbury neighborhood of Houston, all of us teens did," Texas Radio Hall of Famer and Houston TV's Don Armstrong told mikemcguff.com.  "It was his style and delivery that helped set my sights on a broadcasting career. When I finally met him at the Houston rodeo, he shook my hand like we had been friends all our lives. He was what everyone in our business strives to be, loved."

Upon his exit from KILT in 2004, Carola immediately joined the new FM News Channel 97.5 KFNC. Founding KFNC general manager Pat Fant was shocked Carola, who he had been listening to since college, was willing to work for the upstart Houston news station. 

"He was the nicest and genuinely most talented news guy anyone could ever have on their radio station," Fant told mikemcguff.com. "He was the best."

Fant, a member of the Texas Radio Hall of Fame, provided us with this irreverent Carola promo clip from FM News Channel 97.5 to reminisce with:

Mike McGuff · Jim Carola FM News Channel 97.5 KFNC Houston promo

Beyond radio, Carola was a familiar voice in Houston sports. He served as the public-address announcer for Super Bowl VIII at Rice Stadium and was the voice of the Houston Oilers for 28 years at the Astrodome.

In 1979, after the Oilers' heartbreaking AFC Championship loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Carola introduced the team to a full Astrodome crowd during the unforgettable Luv Ya Blue era homecoming.

When the Houston Texans launched in 2002, Carola was selected as the PA announcer for the franchise’s first four seasons, continuing his legacy as the voice of Houston football.

He was inducted into the 2003 Texas Radio Hall of Fame class.

After retiring from the radio and sports world, Carola retired to the Texas Hill Country. 

Funeral Service for KILT’s Jim Carola:

Friday, February 28th-11am
St. Cecilia Catholic Church
11720 Joan of Arc
Houston, TX 77024

The family has requested guests to wear/accessorize in purple.

https://www.saintcecilia.org/about-us

www.JoshHolstead.com · Jim Carola's Birthday-1997

102.1 KLYX Houston in 1974

If you were in Houston listening to 102.1 KLYX, AKA "Clicks, The Music Station," in July 1974, you might have heard DJ Bob Randall.  By 1975, KLYX went to an all-news format. 

SkyEye 13 chopper reporter Don Armstrong can thank his long broadcasting career to KLYX since he got his start there.

Today at the FM dial position is Majic 102.1 KMJQ, launched in 1977.

Mike Rhyner interviewed by Jody Dean

If you like Dallas - Fort Worth radio, then do yourself a favor and listen to Jody Dean's interview with Mike Rhyner, "The Old Grey Wolf," about The Ticket, The Freak, KZEW, and more.

Jody Dean · Mike Rhyner

RELATED
- Ben and Skin return to 97.1 The Eagle DFW
- 97.1 The Eagle KEGL is back on DFW radio...again

97.1 The Eagle KEGL is back on DFW radio...again

Like the phoenix that rises through the ashes, 97.1 The Eagle KEGL makes its second return to the Dallas-Fort Worth FM radio dial to the delight of hard rock fans if they still care.

UPDATE MAY 8, 2024
Ben and Skin return

The latest station that couldn't overtake The Eagle was sports/talk station 97.1 The Freak, which debuted on October 3, 2022, at 3pm.

Houston listeners might wonder if this means 101 KLOL is ever coming back. I highly doubt it. To return to the glory days of rock music, they will have to watch my "Runaway Radio" documentary.

Today, April 29, 2024, The Eagle returned for the second time at 10am with a custom recorded message from Metallica with lead singer/guitarist James Hetfield saying, "Very excited to report that 97.1 The Eagle is back on the radio in Texas. Kick Ass. Hell yeah. Metallica loves you, Dallas-Fort Worth. The Eagle is back!"

The first song was back for 97.1 The Eagle was not Metallica but "Kill the King" by fellow Big 4 of Thrash band Megadeth.

No word yet on the new air staff or morning show.

"I’m excited that The Eagle is back and ready to rock Dallas-Fort Worth again," Patrick Davis, senior VP of programming for iHeartMedia Dallas-Fort Worth, said in a statement. "This is a legendary brand for the market, and listeners have been asking to have it back on air, and we listened!"

The Eagle signed on in 1980 and was a cross between rock and top 40 until the early 90s when it became active rock.  

KLOL Houston fans will recognize that Stevens and Pruett, followed by Moby, were on the 97.1 The Eagle morning slot before Howard Stern took over until he was kicked off the station. Russ Martin followed, and another KLOL pairing of ‘The Grego and Brian Morning Show’ from 2002-2004.

In May 2004, the station flipped to Soft AC Sunny 97.1.

By August 2005, KEGL became "La Preciosa."

Then, in December 2007, the first return of 97.1 The Eagle happened.

LISTEN TO THE RETURNED STATION HERE

Stevens and Pruett as Hudson and Harrigan on 610 KILT in 1976 and 1979

Here is rare audio of 101 KLOL's morning show hosts Mark Stevens and Jim Pruett as Hudson and Harrigan on 610 KILT from a 1976 and 1979 aircheck.

You and other Groove Dawgs can learn more about Stevens and Pruett and the rest of Rock 101 KLOL in my "Runaway Radio" documentary, now available on DVD and streaming via video on demand. 

The names Hudson and Harrigan were just that, with different radio teams like Stevens and Pruett playing them through the years.

I interviewed Randy Hames, the last and longest-running Irv Harrington, back in 2015 for his book "Houston's Morning Show: The True Story of Hudson & Harrigan."

Rowdy Yates launches podcast talking to Houston radio greats

Rowdy Yates boasts a long radio career, having held on-air positions at various stations across Texas and beyond. Notably, he spent 16 years as a drive-time host at 100.3 KILT in Houston.

Now, he's using his vast industry knowledge to interview his broadcasting friends in a new podcast to hear never-before-heard tales from the radio studio.

"I think in many ways, it was the first (and in many cases) only time that a popular personality in Houston radio could really get the opportunity to express appreciation to their fans, tell their side of how things were, share a bit of the business that not many people were really aware of, and selfishly, to see my friends and get the opportunity to visit with my Houston radio heroes," Yates told mikemcguff.com.

Yates' latest episode is with Cactus Jack, formerly the afternoon DJ on 93Q KKBQ, just a few months after his near-fatal heart attack.

Other episodes include famous names like Dan Gallo, Joe Ladd, Andy Waldrop, and more.

"A few of the 'tales from the street' with veteran Houston news anchor Robert B. McEntire were quite captivating," Yates said.   "Tom Fontaine and I reminiscing (if you can call it that) over the CBS Radio coverage of Hurricane IKE was pretty entertaining.  We actually are going to do a follow-up with a number of folks that were there during that time and in the studios at 24 Greenway during the storm. I'm looking forward to that."

Yates tells me Paul Christy will be one of the next episodes.

"I think people will enjoy this because it is unscripted, unvarnished, and reveals a side of their favorite media types like they have never heard," Yates told me.   "There are no rules, no restrictions, and no frills.  It is about as raw, real and revealing as it can be."

Yates' passion for radio began at a young age.  In fact, his dad, the legendary Texas radio newsman Joe Holstead, was a respected Dallas-Fort Worth journalist for nearly 30 years at the likes of 820 WBAP and was a backup for ABC Radio's Paul Harvey. 

His start in radio at age 15 in Denton led to a career at stations such as 95.7 KIKK Houston, 98.5 KVOO Tulsa, and 101.9 The Twister KTST. 

He currently hosts "The Original Country Gold" and "The Rowdy Ride Home," nationally syndicated by SuiteRadio.

Yates is a recipient of numerous accolades, including three nominations for Disc Jockey of the Year, a 2013 Academy of Country Music Award win, and the distinction of being the youngest inductee into the Texas Radio Hall of Fame.

RELATED
Tuttle and Kline reunite on new podcast

Rowdy Yates · "Cactus Jack" Talley a/k/a Jack Da Wack

Mark Stevens of Stevens and Pruett's battle with Alzheimer's

Mark Stevens was half of the legendary Rock 101 KLOL morning duo Stevens and Pruett.  Stevens brought laughter to may along with Jim Pruett during his longtime radio career. 

Stevens died after a battle with Alzheimer's disease in 2010.

Former KLOL DJ Dayna Steele interviews Melissa Stevens, Mark's widow.   Melissa joins Steele to talk about Mark's journey with Alzheimer's, why many fans didn't know, and her journey as a loved one and caregiver. 

Both Melissa and Steele are featured in the 101 KLOL documentary "Runaway Radio" scheduled to screen in Austin, TX at the Sound Unseen film festival in December. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO

After listening you can support the Steeleworkers Walk to End Alzheimer's team.

LISTEN BELOW

Country Legends 97.1 Houston flips to K-LOVE

Country Legends 97.1 Houston KTHT flipped to K-LOVE KLVH on Halloween night, and no, it wasn't a trick much to the chagrin of country radio listeners contacting me.

Here is more from the Country Legends 97.1 Facebook page:

"Due to the sale of the frequency at 97.1FM, Country Legends has moved.  

This amazing station and ALL of [your] favorite Classic Country songs and legendary artists are still alive on the radio but can now be exclusively found at 92.9 HD2, online at countrylegends971.com and on your Country Legends App.  

Same station just a few new ways to hear it."

The station ended during the shift of Country Legends 97.1/93Q KKBQ DJ Corey Dillon, but then a special twist happened right before K-Love took over.

LISTEN HERE

Tom "Tubby" Lawler, the first DJ/assistant program director/music director for Country Legends 97.1, was the last voice heard on the station before it flipped on October 31, 2023 at 6pm.  

In a recorded clip from many years ago, Lawler introduced Marty Robbins' "Some Memories Just Won't Die" as the very last song heard on KTHT before static and K-LOVE made its Houston debut in the middle of a song. Lawler died in 2016 which makes it all even more sentimental. 

Country Legends 97.1 KTHT and Lawler debuted in January 2003 after the station flipped from "Hot 97.1." 

Lawler will be a familiar name to Rock 101 KLOL Houston fans who heard him on the Stevens and Pruett morning show.

The Houston radio format flip happened due to a couple of recent happenings.

In April of 2023, KTHT owner Cox Media Group sold its Houston stations to Urban One Inc. Those stations are 93Q Country KKBQ-FM, classic rock station The Eagle 106.9 & 107.5 KHPT-FM and KGLK-FM, and Country Legends 97.1 KTHT-FM.

The following July, Country Legends 97.1 was sold to Educational Media Foundation (EMF) which owns the nationwide contemporary Christian music radio network K-LOVE. K-LOVE could be considered a competitor to Hope Media Group's longtime Houston contemporary Christian station 89.3 KSBJ.  

Also sold before KTHT was Praise 92.1 KROI, a station Urban One had to sell due to Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) local ownership limits. After purchasing all of the Cox stations, Urban One had to sell both KTHR and KROI to be under the ownership cap. 

At the time of this post's publish date, Praise 92.1 is still on the Houston FM dial. 

Right as Country Legends was flipping formats, Rowdy Yates, a famous Houston country radio name, posted two interviews with former KTHT mornings/KILT DJ Dan Gallo which you can hear below.

Rowdy Yates · Ep.05a-Dan Gallo

Rowdy Yates · Ep.05b-Dan Gallo

Houston radio jingles from the past

Melissa Wilson talks FOX 26 and son's cancer battle

FOX 26 KRIV Houston morning anchor/health reporter Melissa Wilson talks to Mark Levine of the "Help and Hope Happen Here" pediatric cancer podcast.

Wilson discusses her TV anchor career and her son Caleb's cancer battle, who is now a long term survivor of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia which he was diagnosed with at age six.

Hal Jay's health update on WBAP 820 DFW

Hal Jay, the long running WBAP 820 AM Dallas - Fort Worth morning radio host, has a new heart after a transplant according to his wife, Ann, who called into the radio station February 7, 2023.

UPDATE MARCH 2023
Hal Jay to make WBAP DFW return

UPDATE FEBRUARY 2023
Hal Jay on heart transplant recovery

Back in January, Jay called in from his Baylor University Medical Center hospital room to let the morning show audience know about his current health condition and need of a heart transplant.

RELATED
Changes at 820 WBAP’s morning news
Where is Stubie Doak?

Here is an edited transcript of Hal Jay's remarks from the January 16, 2023 WBAP Morning New broadcast embedded below.

"It's been a...it's been a heck of a week.  It all started last to Monday night or Tuesday night. And I had another ventricular tachycardia event where I just passed out and went down on the floor.

I asked the doctor. I said, 'how sick?' But he goes, 'You're real, real sick.' He goes, 'Your heart's done.' And the people here at this hospital, you can't imagine the people here.

This place. Baylor United, Baylor University Medical Center here in the Roberts Building. There are no words. I've had more testing done and blood work, and I've got stuff sticking out of my neck and it's unbelievable. They asked me if I'm allergic to anything before they started all this. And I said, hospital bills. 

 When I think of the heart transplant list, you know, you go on it. Okay, I'm way down the know there's different levels of the heart transplant list. Level one through level four, depending on how bad you are. You'll get on that list. Right now, for me, they're looking at level two and we'll see. I don't know what that means. I don't know if it'll be three months, three weeks, ten months. It could be. It could be real quick. But nevertheless, I'm looking forward to this. It's given me a second chance."

Jay, who said he hasn't been able to drive recently due to his condition, will check back with the WBAP Morning New team periodically with his health updates.

I've been told by a WPAB DFW radio listener that Ernie Brown, Steve Lamb (Sports), Brad Barton (Weather) and Monty Cook (filling in for Hal from the Traffic slot) are holding the fort down.

Jay has been with WBAP since 1981. 

(Thanks Nolan)

Mo from 100.3 The Bull is pregnant

Monica "Mo" Lunsford from The Morning Bullpen on 100.3 The Bull KILT Houston is pregnant and the baby is due November 6, 2022.

UPDATE MAY 2025
- Mo from 100.3 The Bull joins Rod Ryan Show
- Erik Scott Smith joins Y100 San Antonio

UPDATE
Mo from 100.3 The Bull gives birth

To celebrate the upcoming bundle of joy's arrival, co-host Erik Scott Smith dedicated his 10-Minute-Tune at 7:30am to the baby with an original song to the tune of Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean."

In the below photo, Mo is featured with Katelyn Maida from Houston country station rival The New 93Q Q Morning Zoo KKBQ who is also pregnant. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Mo (@realradiomo)

 

Houston and San Antonio Radio clips 1980s

97.1 The Freak DFW debuts in place of The Eagle

97.1 "The Eagle" KEGL Dallas - Fort Worth flipped to 97.1 "The Freak" on October 3, 2022 at 3pm.

UPDATE APRIL 2024
97.1 The Eagle KEGL is back on DFW radio...again

Mike Rhyner returns from retirement at "The Ticket" (a station he helped create in 1994), with some of the Eagle staff like "The Ben and Skin Show."

97.1 The Freak DFW on-air programming schedule

7am to 11am The SpeakEasy with Kevin Turner, Jeff Cavanaugh and Julie Dobbs

11am to 3pm Ben and Skin

3pm to 7pm The Downbeat with Mike Rhyner, Mike Sirois and Michael Gruber 

The Freak slogan is "We Say What We Want."  It has been reported to be a sports talk station to compete against The Ticket 1310 AM / 96.7 FM KTCK.  While it might compete with those North Texas radio stations, Tim Rogers of D Magazine writes, "The Freak won’t be a sports station. It’s free-form talk, unlike any other station in this market."

The Eagle flipped formats in the past and then returned to rock in 2007.

KEGL has had past Metroplex radio legends on air like Stevens and Pruett, Moby, Kidd Kraddick, Russ Martin, Cindy Scull and more!

It was reported that KEGL started stunting September 30, 2022 by playing The Waiting by Tom Petty,  Rick James’ Superfreak, Missy Elliot’s Get Your Freak On, Whodini’s Freaks Come Out At Night and Chic’s Le Freak. 

In the credits of my Rock 101 KLOL documentary, releasing in 2023, Dayna Steele had the idea to list all of the dead Album Oriented Rock (AOR) stations in the credits.  I thought about The Eagle.  Funny enough, The Eagle was not considered an AOR station.  It was called a term that I am not familiar with...a Rock 40 station.  Rock 40 stations were those that were more Top 40, but leaned rock.  Now later in the 90s, The Eagle became Active Rock format. 

pic.twitter.com/Gk6QGQHZDL

— Mike Rhyner (@theoldgreywolf) October 3, 2022

Katelyn Maida is pregnant

Katelyn Maida took to the New 93Q Q Morning Zoo airwaves and announced that she and husband Matthew Shelton are expecting a baby.

And it's a boy. 

Maida went into more detail on Instagram about her pregnancy.

"I’ve so been fortunate in my life to grow up surrounded by great men - my pops, my three brothers, my husband...lots of boys all the time, so it makes sense that I’ve received the calling to bring another great man into this world."

Baby boy Shelton is due January 2023.

Country music singer and songwriter Lee Brice was even on the phone to hear the pregnancy news along with co-host Erica Rico.

Maida joined the New 93Q Q Morning Zoo when Kevin Kline retired in February 2021. My Dallas - Fort Worth readers will recognize Maida from New Country 96.3 KSCS's “Hawkeye in the Morning."

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Katelyn (@radiokatelyn)

Frank Reed retires from 94.9 KLTY DFW, joins "Keep the Faith"

Frank Reed announced on September 12th that he will retire from 94.9 KLTY DFW's "Frank, Starlene & Hudson in the Mornings" at the end of 2022. He then joins syndicated "Keep the Faith" in 2023.

IN OTHER DFW RADIO MORNING NEWS
- “Miles in the Morning” let go from 98.7 KLUV
- Changes at 820 WBAP’s morning news
- Ryan Fox re-joins 99.5 The Wolf Dallas

Here is a portion of Reed's on-air announcement to North Texas morning radio listeners:

"Autumn is coming and we go through seasons in life too, don't we? I've had such a long, wonderful season here at this amazing radio station. 

Almost 31 years...31 years on November 8th (1991) and 21 years waking up with you here on the morning show. 

But just like seasons, it's time for the season to end in my life and for a new season to begin. 

So after much prayer, many conversations, with the love of my life. Patty, I love you so much. I'll be stepping away from "Frank, Starlene & Hudson in the Morning" at the end of this year.

 I want you to know this is totally, totally God's perfect timing in my life. So I'm leaving with an incredible sense of gratitude and love for you for listening and for my KLTY family."

Reed has more than four decades of radio experience overall.  In the early 1980s, Reed worked with Howard Stern and Don Imus at 66 WNBC New York. He also worked for 96X WMJX Miami.  In 1988, he transitioned into Christian radio at 970 WWDJ New York. 

"So whether you've been with us for 31 years, for 31 days or for 31 minutes, remember...Just like your Heavenly Father loves you, you are loved unconditionally," Reed added in his on-air announcement.  "You are accepted here. You are always welcome here. Every morning. Just the way that you are."

You can hear Reed's 94.9 KLTY announcement below:

Mr. Leonard is back in Houston

Longtime Houston radio listeners will no doubt remember Mr. Leonard who makes his return on Houston Radio Platinum Saturdays from 9am to 1pm.

RELATED
Former 97 Rock and 101 KLOL DJ Moby joins Houston Radio Platinum

Yes, you might remember him from the old Top 40 formatted 93Q KKBQ and the Q Morning Zoo.  Not the "new" one that has been on since the 90s.

Mr. Leonard of course was with the legendary Texas Radio Hall of Fame inductee John Lander of the morning show.

The fan-favorite character of Mr. Leonard is played by John Rio.  Rio took the character to other stations like Z-100’s “Morning Zoo” New York, WBMX Boston and KPLX “The Wolf” Dallas. 

As Rio moves in, Gary Mac moves over to Sunday afternoons at 2pm with Chris Alan (101 KLOL, 93.7 The Arrow KKRW and more) continuing his Saturday afternoon shift 1pm to 7pm.

The full weekend schedule is as follows:

SATURDAY

5am The Best of Jimbo

8am Shotgun Joe Pogge's Driving Range (hosted by Matt Musil of KHOU 11)

9am John Rio

1pm Chris Alan

7pm Chris Rubio

SUNDAY

8am The Syndicated Greatest Hits USA with Chuck Matthews

Noon The Crispy Coated Robots with Jimbo & George

2pm Gary Mac

6pm Solid Gold Sunday with Andy Waldrop

9pm Ivi in the Evening

SEE FULL SCHEDULE HERE

Joey Kovacik · Mr. Leonard Show On HRP