KARW (Texas)

Last updated
KARW
Broadcast area Tyler-Longview, Texas
Frequency 1280 kHz
Programming
Format Defunct (was gospel)
Ownership
OwnerPine Tree Media, Inc.
History
First air date
October 27, 1948 (October 27, 1948)
Last air date
October 1994 (1994-10)
Former call signs
  • KLTI (1948–1959)
  • KLUE (1959–1986)
  • KAAW [1] (1986–1988)
  • KLGV (1988–1992)
  • KDOX (1991–1992, not used locally)
  • KARW (1992–1995)
Technical information
Facility ID 52638
Power 1,000 watts (daytime only)
Transmitter coordinates
 32°26′58″N94°43′36″W / 32.44944°N 94.72667°W / 32.44944; -94.72667

KARW was a radio station broadcasting at 1280 kHz AM in Longview, Texas, United States, between 1948 and 1994. The station was last owned by Pine Tree Media, Inc.

Contents

History

Early years

R. G. LeTourneau, owner of the Le Tourneau Technical Institute, filed for a construction permit for a new radio station in Longview on June 27, 1947. Though he initially specified 960 kHz, he changed the application to 1280 in order to avoid a hearing. The Federal Communications Commission granted the application on May 19, 1948. [2] Originally assigned the call letters KFRN, they were changed to KLTI before signing on October 27, 1948. [3] LeTourneau, who had previously built America's first all-steel radio studio at a station in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, constructed KLTI's studios using then-new concrete techniques. [3] KLTI was built alongside an FM outlet, KLTI-FM 105.9; [3] the FM license was cancelled at LeTourneau's request in 1955. [4]

In 1959, LeTourneau sold KLTI to the Bridge and Mahone families, doing business as Radio Longview, Inc.; [2] the new ownership also ran KMHT at Marshall. [5] The $100,500 purchase—inadvertently reported as $10,500 due to a wire service error—closed in September. [6] The new owners renamed the station to KLUE and also expressed their desire to seek authorization for nighttime broadcasts and return to the FM dial. [7] They also attempted to follow through on their promises of improved AM facilities; while their bid to increase power to 5,000 watts was dismissed in 1962, [2] they did return to the FM dial in early March 1963 when KLUE-FM 105.7 made its debut. [8] The new station carried "mood music" as well as the Mutual Broadcasting System and Texas State Network newscasts already airing on AM. [9] Between 1963 and 1964, the station remodeled and expanded its studio facility. [10] [11]

Beatles Bonfire

A sequence of events in August 1966 would prove the most memorable in station history. Early in the month, the station announced that it would no longer play The Beatles, and its program director expressed hope that "the word beetle may soon again simply refer to the insect in this country". [12] The controversy started with a statement by John Lennon that the group's popularity was eclipsing that of Jesus Christ. Thousands of Beatles records were gathered by the station for a Beatles Bonfire to be held the night of August 12, while the station needed extra receptionists to answer the telephone due to the number of calls received. [12] (Sister station KMHT in Marshall also banned the Beatles, as did a number of other radio stations in the state. [13] ) KLUE's bonfire attracted 1,000 spectators and another 2,000 who drove past in their cars. [14] (Another report estimated the crowd at 7,500. [15] ) News director Phil Ransom said that claims made by Lennon in A Spaniard in the Works included "anti-Christian comments that would make the godless Russian leaders blush". [15]

The next day, KLUE's transmitter tower was struck by lightning. [16] Equipment was extensively damaged, and news director Phil Ransom was knocked unconscious and transported to the hospital; the station was able to return to the air the next day. [16]

After the bonfire

In December 1974, KLUE moved again into a new studio building at the same Signal Hill site. [17] The station's reporting on corruption in Gregg County, led by Glen Ivey, earned it a 1979 award from the Texas State Network [18] and other honors from the Texas Association of Broadcasters and United Press International. [19]

After more than 20 years, H.A. Bridge announced the sale of KLUE to McLarty Communications of Little Rock, Arkansas in 1980. [20] Among the programs carried by the station in the early years of McLarty ownership was the 1982 The Beatles at the Beeb special consisting of BBC studio sessions unheard until that point in the United States. [21]

Pine Tree Media of Texarkana, Texas, the final owners of the 1280 frequency, acquired KLUE from McLarty in 1982; the station continued with its adult contemporary format [22] until flipping to country in June 1984. [23]

KAAW, KLGV, KDOX and KARW

In October 1986, KLUE became KAAW. [1] The station promoted itself as "Pure Gold AM 1280", returning to an oldies format. [24]

In 1988, Ken Tuck bought Pine Tree, and changes followed for KAAW, starting with a change in call letters to KLGV on April 27, 1988. Like KAAW, KLGV aired an oldies format. [25] Phoenix Broadcasting Consultants programmed the station with its "Solid Gold" oldies format. [26]

After filing for bankruptcy in February 1991, [27] the station changed formats again to urban in May. [28] It continued to go by KLGV locally even though its call letters had changed to KDOX on March 11. The format remained gospel after changing call letters one last time to KARW on June 30, 1992. [29]

Silence and license renewal denied

On August 13, 1994, KARW was burglarized and forced off the air. [30] The station would briefly return to the air at the end of September, but after a few weeks, mechanical problems led to the station going silent again. That silence would be made permanent when, on November 18, Southwestern Electric Power Company disconnected KARW's electricity for nonpayment. [31]

The silence compounded more serious problems that had already emerged: in 1993, the FCC had designated KARW's license renewal for hearing. [31]

The hearing designation order centered around several issues. One of them was a series of unauthorized transfers of control. After Ken Tuck died on May 27, 1990, [32] American Plastics Products, Inc. acquired the promissory note that had been made by Tuck to pay previous owners Herbert Wren and Earl Jones for the radio station. American Plastics then proceeded to foreclose on the note and acquire Pine Tree without applying to the FCC for the necessary consent to the transfer of control. Wren and Jones then foreclosed on the American Plastics note, causing a second transfer of control that was not approved by the FCC, and Praise Media, Inc. then bought personal property of KARW and took over operations in March 1992, leading to a third change in operator, all without the approval of the commission. [31] Even though Tuck was dead, the renewal application in August 1990 was filed in the name of Pine Tree, not American Plastics. [31] In March 1995, the scope of the proceeding was expanded to include the silence of KARW. [31]

In 1992, the FCC sent several letters to Pine Tree, requesting additional information and notifying the licensee of deficiencies in the license renewal. However, none of the letters ever elicited a response. As a result of the misrepresentations, silence, and false statements made by Praise Media manager Janet Washington as to the reasons for the incarceration of her husband, FCC administrative law judge John M. Frysiak denied KARW's renewal in August 1995. [31]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WWTC</span> Radio station in Minneapolis, Minnesota

WWTC is a commercial radio station licensed to Minneapolis, Minnesota, and serving the Twin Cities region. It is owned by Salem Media Group and broadcasts a conservative talk radio format.

WBIG-FM is a commercial radio station licensed to Washington, D.C. It has a classic rock radio format and is owned by iHeartMedia, Inc. The studios and offices are in Rockville, Maryland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WODT</span> Black Information Network affiliate radio station in New Orleans, Louisiana

WODT is a commercial radio station in New Orleans, Louisiana. It broadcasts an all-news radio format as an affiliate of the Black Information Network. It is owned by iHeartMedia, Inc., with studios on Howard Avenue.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WLOA</span> Radio station in Farrell, Pennsylvania

WLOA is a commercial rhythmic contemporary radio station licensed to Farrell, Pennsylvania. Owned by Over/Under, LLC, the station serves both the Sharon, Pennsylvania, and Youngstown, Ohio markets. WLOA also simulcasts over Youngstown translator W272EI. The WLOA studios are located in the city of Meadville, while the transmitter for WLOA resides off of South State Line Road in Masury, Ohio; W272EI's transmitter is located off of Mabel Street in Youngstown's Lansingville neighborhood. In addition to a standard analog transmission, WLOA is available online.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WSWW (AM)</span> Radio station in Charleston, West Virginia

WSWW is an AM radio station airing a sports radio format in Charleston, West Virginia, United States. The station is an affiliate of ESPN Radio and is owned by WVRC Media. The station has a power of 1,000 watts. It is also heard on FM translator W294CL in and around Charleston.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KARW</span> Air 1 radio station in Salinas, California

KARW is a non-commercial radio station in Salinas, California, broadcasting to the Santa Cruz-Monterey-Salinas, California, area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KNUE</span> Radio station in Tyler, Texas

KNUE is a Townsquare Media radio station, licensed to Tyler, Texas, United States, serving the Tyler-Longview-Jacksonville area with a contemporary country music format. KNUE operates with an ERP of 98 kW from a transmitter site near Overton in western Rusk County. Studios are located on Brookside Drive in south Tyler in a building shared with Townsquare's other Tyler stations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KJOY</span> Adult contemporary radio station in Stockton, California

KJOY is a commercial radio station in Stockton, California. The station is owned by Cumulus Media and broadcasts an adult contemporary radio format, switching to Christmas music for much of November and December. The radio studios and offices are on Transworld Drive in Stockton. It uses the slogan "Lite Rock, Less Talk."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KISX</span> Radio station in Texas, United States

KISX is a Townsquare Media radio station licensed to Whitehouse, Texas, serving the Tyler/ Longview market with an urban adult contemporary format. Studios are located in south Tyler; transmitter site is located southeast of Tyler in Smith County.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KLTI</span> Radio station in Macon, Missouri

KLTI is a radio station licensed to serve Macon, Missouri, United States. The station is owned by Best Broadcast Group and the broadcast license is held by Chirillo Electronics.

KZNS is an AM commercial radio station in Salt Lake City, Utah. It airs a Sports radio format and is owned by Jazz Communications LLC. Programming is simulcast on co-owned KZNS-FM 97.5, licensed to Coalville, Utah. On weekdays, KZNS-AM-FM have local hosts discussing Salt Lake City and national sports. Nights and weekends, programming is supplied by Fox Sports Radio. KZNS-AM-FM are the flagship radio stations for the Utah Jazz basketball team, the Utah Hockey Club of the NHL, the Salt Lake Bees Minor League Baseball team, Real Salt Lake of Major League Soccer, Utah Royals FC of the National Women's Soccer League, and Utah State Aggies football and men's basketball of the Mountain West Conference. When multiple games are occurring simultaneously, the AM and FM signals will air different live sports.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KHFZ</span> Radio station in Pittsburg–Longview, Texas

KHFZ is a terrestrial American radio station, licensed to Pittsburg, Texas, United States. The station serves the Longview-Marshall area, and simulcasts KLFZ Jacksonville, Texas, which covers the Tyler-Jacksonville area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KYKX</span> Radio station in Longview, Texas

KYKX is an Alpha Media radio station, licensed to Longview, Texas, United States, and serving East Texas with a country music format. KYKX features programming from the Bobby Bones Radio Show. KYKX maintains two separate studios; 4408 North US Highway 259 in Longview, and 210 South Broadway Ave., Suite 100 in Tyler. The transmitter site is located near FM 1844 and SH 300 in Upshur County, Texas.

KDOK is a terrestrial radio station licensed to Kilgore, Texas, United States, paired with an FM translator, and simulcast with sister station 1490 KYZS, serving the Tyler-Longview market with a Classic hits format.

KNCR was a radio station broadcasting a Regional Mexican format. Licensed to Fortuna, California, United States, the station served the Eureka area. The station was last owned by Del Rosario Talpa, Inc.

KMGW is an FM radio station broadcasting a classic hits format. Licensed to Naches, Washington, United States, the station is currently owned by Townsquare Media.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KTYL-FM</span> Radio station in Tyler, Texas

KTYL-FM is a Townsquare Media radio station, licensed to Tyler, Texas, serving the Tyler-Longview-Jacksonville area, with a Top 40 format. KTYL operates with an ERP of 82 kW from a transmitter site near Overton in western Rusk County. Studios are located on Brookside Drive in south Tyler in a building shared with Townsquare's other Tyler stations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KUJ (AM)</span> Radio station in Walla Walla, Washington

KUJ is a radio station licensed to Walla Walla, Washington, United States. The station is currently owned by Alexandra Communications. It features a news/talk format. The station has obtained a construction permit from the FCC for a power increase to 10,000 watts during the day.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KQLL</span> Radio station in Henderson, Nevada

KQLL is a commercial radio station located in Henderson, Nevada, broadcasting to the Las Vegas metropolitan area on the AM dial with a simulcast on K272EE 102.3 FM. KQLL airs an oldies music format. The station is currently owned by Summit Media.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KOEZ (FM)</span> Radio station in Ames–Des Moines, Iowa

KOEZ is a commercial radio station broadcasting a soft adult contemporary music radio format, switching to Christmas music for part of November and December. Licensed to Ames, Iowa, the station serves the Des Moines metropolitan area. The station is owned by Saga Communications, and operates as part of its Des Moines Radio Group. The station's studios are located on Locust Street in Des Moines, while its transmitter is located near Woodward.

References

  1. 1 2 "Call Letters" (PDF). Broadcasting. November 3, 1986. p. 94. Retrieved November 26, 2019.
  2. 1 2 3 FCC History Cards for KARW
  3. 1 2 3 "New Radio Stations On Air Here". Longview News-Journal. pp. 1, 15 . Retrieved November 10, 2019.
  4. ↑ "Existing Fm Stations..." (PDF). Broadcasting. June 20, 1955. p. 111. Retrieved November 10, 2019.
  5. ↑ "KLTI Purchase Sought By Group". Longview News-Journal. July 3, 1959. p. 1. Retrieved November 10, 2019.
  6. ↑ "KLTI Purchase Near Completion". Longview News-Journal. September 4, 1959. p. 6.
  7. ↑ "KLTI Transfer Okayed By FCC". Longview News-Journal. September 3, 1959. p. 11. Retrieved November 10, 2019.
  8. ↑ "New Station Now On Air". Marshall News Messenger. March 7, 1963. p. 10-A. Retrieved November 10, 2019.
  9. ↑ "Radio Station KLUE Slates Improvements In February". Longview News-Journal. January 1, 1963. p. 5. Retrieved November 10, 2019.
  10. ↑ "KLUE Looking To Completion Of Expansion". Longview News-Journal. January 1, 1964. p. 2-A. Retrieved November 10, 2019.
  11. ↑ "Mayor, Others To Help Dedicate KLUE Building". Longview News-Journal. February 23, 1964. p. 1-C. Retrieved November 10, 2019.
  12. 1 2 "Ban-Beatles Campaign Picks Up Momentum". Longview News-Journal. August 5, 1966. p. 5-A. Retrieved November 10, 2019.
  13. ↑ "Many Texas Stations Banning the Beatles". Amarillo Globe-Times. Associated Press. August 5, 1966. p. 19. Retrieved November 10, 2019.
  14. ↑ "Beatles Burned Black". Longview Morning Journal. August 13, 1966. p. 1. Retrieved November 10, 2019.
  15. 1 2 "Beatles Bleat; Detroit Harks". Dayton Daily News. UPI. August 14, 1966. p. 9-A. Retrieved November 10, 2019.
  16. 1 2 "Lightning Hits KLUE". Longview Morning Journal. August 14, 1966. p. 2-A. Retrieved November 10, 2019.
  17. ↑ "Communications Center Hosts Open House". Longview Morning Journal. December 1, 1974. p. 5-C. Retrieved November 10, 2019.
  18. ↑ "San Antonio TV news team cited by TAB". Longview Daily News. UPI. October 17, 1979. p. 7-D. Retrieved November 10, 2019.
  19. ↑ "KLUE newsman wins award for corruption coverage". Longview Morning Journal. January 20, 1980. p. 4-B. Retrieved November 10, 2019.
  20. ↑ "Bridge sells KLUE-AM". Marshall News Messenger. June 27, 1980. p. 2A. Retrieved November 10, 2019.
  21. ↑ "KLUE to play Beatles music". Longview Morning Journal. May 29, 1982. p. 8-C. Retrieved November 10, 2019.
  22. ↑ "PT Media purchases KLUE; Wren manager". Longview Morning Journal. December 19, 1982. p. 2-I. Retrieved November 10, 2019.
  23. ↑ "KLUE radio station switches formats". Longview Daily News. June 5, 1984. p. 3-A. Retrieved November 10, 2019.
  24. ↑ "Pure Gold AM 1280". Longview Daily News. October 27, 1986. p. 10-A. Retrieved November 26, 2019.
  25. ↑ Craddock, Van (July 18, 1988). "Radio program takes listeners to big-band era". Longview News-Journal. p. 2. Retrieved November 10, 2019.
  26. ↑ "Station to change call letters, format". Longview Morning Journal. May 8, 1988. p. 2-F. Retrieved November 26, 2019.
  27. ↑ "Bankruptcies". Tyler Courier-Times. February 17, 1991. p. 4. Retrieved November 10, 2019.
  28. ↑ "KLGV-AM changing format to urban, gospel". Longview News-Journal. May 4, 1991. p. 2-A. Retrieved November 10, 2019.
  29. ↑ "KARW will sponsor 'Blessed Gospel Mix'". Longview News-Journal. September 18, 1993. p. 5-D. Retrieved November 10, 2019.
  30. ↑ Elswick, Mike (September 23, 1994). "Radio station soon should hit airwaves once again". Longview News-Journal. p. 3A. Retrieved November 10, 2019.
  31. 1 2 3 4 5 6 John M. Frysiak (August 15, 1995). "PINE TREE MEDIA, INC. -For Renewal of License of Station KARW Longview, Texas". Federal Communications Commission. Retrieved November 10, 2019.
  32. ↑ "William Tuck". Longview News-Journal. May 29, 1990. p. 6-A. Retrieved November 26, 2019.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.