KFYO (AM)

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KFYO (790 AM) is a Lubbock, Texas, based news/talk radio station operating on 790 kHz AM.

[edit] Programming

Weekdays
Midnight Coast to Coast AM- Guest Hosts (Mon) George Noory (Tue-Fri)
5am The Wall Street Journal This Morning
6am LOCAL- Lubbock's First News with Chad Hasty & Rex Andrew
9am Neal Boortz
11am Rush Limbaugh
2pm Sean Hannity
5pm LOCAL- Robert Pratt with "Pratt on Texas"
7pm Mark Levin
9pm Dave Ramsey

Saturday
Midnight Coast to Coast AM with George Noory
5am The Wall Street Journal This Weekend
7am Paid Programming or WSJ This Weekend
7:30am Paid Programming
8am Best of Boortz or Paid Programming
9am The Kim Komando Show- "America's Digital Goddess"
11am "The Weekend" with Mike McConnell
2pm Best of Mark Levin
3pm "The Money Pit" Home Improvement Radio Show
5pm LOCAL- The Chad Hasty Show with Casey Cowan
7pm The Cigar Dave Show- Cigars. Spirits. Diversions.
9pm "The Other Side" with Steve Godfrey
11pm Steppin' Out- "The 12 Step Radio Show"

Sunday
Midnight Coast to Coast AM with Ian Punnett
5am Coast to Coast AM or Paid Programming
6am This Week in Lubbock (Public Affairs)- Hosted by Rex Andrew rex@kfyo.com
6:30am Paid Programming or Coast to Coast AM
7am Paid Programming or ABC World News This Week
7:30am "Christian Science Sentinel" Sponsored by the First Church of Christ Scientist of Lubbock
8am The Lutheran Hour Sponsored by Redeemer Lutheran Church
8:30am Lubbock Bible Class
9am "Words of Love" Sponsored by the Third Street Church of Christ
9:30am Lubbock ISD Schools Report
9:45am Downtown (Lubbock) Bible Class
10:15am Southside Church of Christ
11am First United Methodist Church of Lubbock- A KFYO Tradition since 1952
Noon Rush Limbaugh 'Week in Review'
3pm The Kim Komando Show- "America's Digital Goddess" (Hour 3)
4pm ABC News "Perspective"
5pm The Allen Hunt Show (LIVE)
7pm Ben Ferguson- Radio America Network (LIVE)
8pm Red Steagall's "Cowboy Corner"
9pm Bill Cunningham LIVE on Sunday Night

KFYO News Staff includes: Robert Snyder, Rex Andrew, Cole Shooter, Bruce Lamb & Bob Horton
KFYO Producers include: Allen Corbin, Matt Copple, Matt Tynan, Casey Cowan
KAMC 28 Meteorologists: Ron Roberts & Damon Shaw

[edit] History

This article does not cite any references or sources. (May 2007) Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed.

1927- On September 11th, T.E. Kirksey established KFYO in Breckenridge, Texas on 1420 AM with originally 15 watts then boosted to 100 watts of power

1928- On September 29th, KFYO moved to Abilene, Texas on 1310 AM with power at 250 watts day & 100 watts night. T.E. Kirksey is still KFYO's owner

1932- On April 23rd, KFYO moved to Lubbock. It kept its frequency, power, and ownership from when it was in Abilene

1932- On May 20th KFYO began broadcasting in Lubbock. The transmitting site was at 2312 5th St., 3 blocks East of Texas Tech University

1934- KFYO moves into its new downtown studios and office building at 914 Avenue J.

1934- On an unknown date, KFYO broadcasts the first ever radio broadcast of a Texas Tech football game. KFYO erects a 50 foot tower across the street from Jones Stadium to be able to watch the action.

1935- KFYO begins airing Downtown (Lubbock) Bible Class Sunday morning services. KFYO airs the weekly service for 11 years until 1946 (moved to KSEL-AM 1946-Nov. 1987) and then resumes airing the weekly Sunday service in December 1987.

1935- September. KFYO begins first regularly scheduled broadcasts of Texas Tech football

1936- On April 8th, KFYO is purchased by the Avalanche Journal, Amarillo Globe News (also owners of KGNC-AM in Amarillo), & Plains Radio Broadcasting Company. DeWitt "Judge" Landis becomes the General Manager and KFYO becomes affiliated with NBC

1937- KFYO affiliated with the Mutual Radio Network

1941- KFYO changes its frequency to 1340 AM (sister station KKAM now occupies 1340) and power becomes a constant 250 watts

1944- KFYO affiliated with the NBC Blue Network, which becomes the ABC Radio Network

1948- On April 15th KFYO-FM went on the air. According to Jack Dale, it signed off a few years later after limited use. From the 1950 edition of Broadcasting Yearbook KFYO-FM broadcast on 99.5 FM (now 99.5 The Bear) at 13,000 watts of power.

1949- On May 15th, Gordon Thompson becomes KFYO's new General Manager

1949- In September, Legendary Broadcaster, Paul Harvey visits Lubbock

1950- On June 12th, KFYO Farm Director Jack Creel, along with the rest of the Radio Farm Directors (of America) meet with President Harry S. Truman at the White House. Farm Directors from other notable stations that made the trip include, WGN-Chicago, KOA-Denver, KSL-Salt Lake City, WBAP-Fort Worth/Dallas, WNBC-New York. (source: Harry S. Truman Presidential Library)

1952- Sportscaster Jack Dale, "The Voice of the (Texas Tech) Red Raiders", comes to Lubbock and begins his longtime relationship with KFYO and Texas Tech University

1952- KFYO begins its longtime association with the First United Methodist Church of Lubbock by airing their Sunday morning service

1953- On January 18th, KFYO makes its big move. The station changes from 1340 AM to its current 790 AM and increases power to 5,000 watts day and 1,000 watts night. The transmitter and 3 tower transmitting array were located at the Northeast corner of 82nd & Quaker. Shortly after KFYO vacated 1340, KDUB-AM became the station on 1340, which was owned by the same owner that started KDUB-TV (now CBS 13) Lubbock's first TV station

1953- The FCC grants KFYO a TV License on Channel 5. Channel 5 is today occupied by Texas Tech's KTXT-TV

1954- June 1st, KFYO begins its 49 year affiliation with CBS News

1967 or 1970- KFYO honored as a 5- year radio network affiliate of Houston Astros Baseball (editors note: no date was given on the photo and the Astros began play in 1962 as the Colt .45's and then became the Astros in 1965. Assumption is made that KFYO started broadcasting Astros Baseball in one of those two pivotal years in the Astros' History)

1970- May 11th- The most important day in KFYO's History. KFYO is the only broadcast outlet in Lubbock that broadcasts continually before, during and after the Lubbock Tornado Lubbock Tornado. Bud Andrews Bud Andrews, Max Mott, Bob Nash and the rest of the KFYO staff coordinate and broadcast critical information to Lubbock during and after the tornado. KFYO also provides Lubbock's only link to the outside world during the tornado by broadcasting over phone to 1080 KRLD in Dallas. Because KFYO was the FEMA/Civil Defense radio station in Lubbock, the station was equipped with two diesel back-up generators which provided power for KFYO's studios, 914 Ave. J and transmitter site at 82nd & Quaker. KFYO becomes the vital link for Lubbock and the region in the hours and days after the tornado. This was because of the immense damage in Lubbock and lack of electricity in Lubbock for days following the tornado.

KFYO is honored with numerous local, state and federal awards for its coverage, which included multiple days of 24 hour commercial-free broadcast. The citations included recognition from President Richard M. Nixon. The City of Lubbock along with FEMA commissioned a reenactment film to be produced of the night of the Lubbock Tornado. KFYO is mentioned prominently in the film, along with staff members Bob Nash and Bud Andrews. The City of Lubbock will occasionally rerun the film on its public access channel during Tornado Season.

One of KFYO's competitors, 1420AM KLLL was seriously damaged during the tornado and its transmitter knocked off the air. KLLL used their time off the air, approximately one week, to petition a move of the KLLL call letters to its co-owned 96.3 FM. After receiving FCC approval for the call letter change, KLLL relaunched on 96.3FM where it has remained ever since.

1972- On September 1st, the Avalanche Journal and Globe News transfer ownership to Plains Radio Broadcasting Company

1973- On August 1st, ownership is transferred to KFYO, Inc.

1977- On September 7th, KFYO celebrates its 50th Anniversary with a public reception at the Memorial Civic Center

1979- "Big Ed" Wilkes leaves KFYO. He joined KFYO in 1962 as Ag Director

1979- On September 1st, Bob Clark becomes General Manager of KFYO

1981- Jim Stewart rejoins KFYO as Farm Director and begins an over 20 year run at the station

1985- On February 21st, KRUX-FM becomes KFYO-FM

1986- On March 27th, KFYO-FM becomes KZII-FM (currently sister station Z102)

1986- KFYO & KZII move to a new broadcasting facility on South Slide Road. The new facility has offices and studios for both stations and a new 3 tower transmitting array for KFYO

1987- December 20th. After a 41 year hiatus, KFYO resumes airing the Downtown (Lubbock) Bible Class' weekly Sunday service at 9:45am. KFYO originally aired the Downtown Bible Class from 1935-1946. 1993- Danny Fletcher becomes General Manager of KFYO & KZII-FM

1996- In the last third of the year, Scott Parsons, becomes General Manager of KFYO & KZII-FM

1997- In March, KFYO & KZII were sold to GulfStar Communications, who also owned KFMX, KKAM & KRLB (now KQBR- 99.5 The Bear) in Lubbock

1997- After being acquired by GulfStar KFYO & KZII move their studios back to 82nd & Quaker, in the Copy Craft building, where their new sister stations were already located. The KFYO Transmitting Site stayed at South Slide Road

1998- In January, KFYO, went on the air with digital broadcasting facilities utilizing the latest in computer technology

1998- On December 21st, former KFYO Ag Director Ed "Big Ed" Wilkes passes away. "Big Ed" was with KFYO from 1962-1979 and later bought Lubbock radio station KRFE AM 580 in 1994. His family still owns KRFE.

2000- In October, KFYO & its sister stations (KFMX, KKAM, KKCL, KQBR & KZII) were acquired by Clear Channel Communications

2001- On October 15th, well known Lubbock broadcaster Jane Prince-Jones joins KFYO and begins doing a daily morning show and anchoring news updates

2002- KFYO celebrates its 75th Anniversary of Broadcasting. Including a special week of shows during the end of April on the Jane Prince-Jones Show with interviews from Jack Dale, Max Mott (longtime KFYO Newsman), & Jim Stewart

2003- February 21st. Longtime KFYO Ag Director, Jim Stewart, does his last show as he retires from radio. Jim had been with KFYO continually since 1981 and for a few years in the 1970s. Editor's Note: Jim returns to Lubbock radio, as AM 580 KRFE's Ag Director, in June 2005.

2003- March. Jack Dale, after 50 years (started fall of 1952), retires from doing radio play-by-play of Texas Tech Sports. He broadcast Texas Tech Football through the 1999 season and Red Raider Basketball through the 2002- 03 season, his final broadcast came in New York City at the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) 3rd place game, which the Red Raiders won. Jack continued doing Jack Dale's Sportsline on SportsRadio 1340, weekday mornings from 7-9a. After retiring from play-by-play broadcasting Jack has been inducted in the Texas Tech Mass Comm. Hall of Fame, the Texas Sports Hall of Fame, and been bestowed with an honorary doctorate from Texas Tech University

2003- June 1st. KFYO after exactly 49 years switches its network affiliation from CBS to ABC News. KFYO also adds Paul Harvey and Sean Hannity to the lineup.

2003- October 14th. Former U.S. Congressman Larry Combest joins the Jane Prince-Jones Show as a weekly contributor, and a special political contributor for KFYO. Mr. Combest served in Congress as the Lubbock area's representative for over 18 years, and he was a very vocal voice for Agriculture. Combest's radio debut was covered on local TV stations ABC 28, CBS 13, & KCBD.

2004- April 21st & 22nd. Nationally syndicated talkshow host Michael Reagan (son of former President Ronald Reagan) comes to Lubbock and does 2 special shows on KFYO. Reagan's national show on April 21st was broadcast nationwide from Lubbock's historic Cactus Theater. Then on April 22nd Michael joined Jane Prince-Jones and Larry Combest for a special edition of the Jane Prince-Jones Show.

2004- April 23rd. KFYO's Jane Prince-Jones goes down to the Texas Capitol in Austin and broadcasts a special edition of her morning show during the Legislature's Special Session on School Finance. State Representative Carl Isett, Speaker of the House Tom Craddick, and Governor Rick Perry all make special LIVE appearances on her show.

2004- September 24th. KFYO nationally syndicated talk show host, G. Gordon Liddy, come to Lubbock to do his radio show LIVE from the Cactus Theater. KFYO aired all 4 hours of Gordon's show that day. Texas Tech Basketball Coach, Bob Knight, made a special appearance at the Cactus Theater, being on the show for 40 minutes.

2005- April. KFYO is awarded two Honorable Mention Awards from the Texas Associated Press. The first award is Honorable Mention for 2004 Best Sports Play-by-Play (Division B), Texas Tech Lady Raider Basketball with Ryan Hyatt, Crystal Boles, and Kyle Schulein- Producer. The second award is Honorable Mention for 2004 Best Station Website (Division B).

2005- May. KFYO's Jane Prince-Jones, for the second consecutive year, goes to Austin to broadcast a special edition of her morning show with State Representative Carl Isett for his capitol office. Speaker of the House tom Craddick also makes a special LIVE appearance on Jane's show.

2005- July 10th. Lubbock's First Church of the Nazarene joins the KFYO Sunday Morning lineup. First Church of the Nazarene airs a special weekly sermon, Sundays at 8am.

2005- August. KFYO sells it's old Collins 1,000 watt backup transmitter (a tube transmitter) to KMUL- Muleshoe. KMUL utilizes the transmitter to change it's frequency from 1380 AM to 830 AM.

2005- November 21st. Jane Prince-Jones changes stations, moving off of KFYO, to sister station 99.5 The Bear to host The Bear's morning show. Jane rejoins former partner Rick Gilbert (whom she worked with at KLLL) for the morning show.

2006- April. KFYO is awarded two Honorable Mention Awards from the Texas Associated Press. The first award is Honorable Mention for 2005 Best Sports Play-by-Play (Division B), Texas Tech Lady Raider Basketball with Ryan Hyatt, Crystal Boles, and Kyle Schulein- Producer. The second award is Honorable Mention for 2005 Best Station Website (Division B). It's the second consecutive year, KFYO has been recognized for our news and sports.

2006- April 12th. KFYO adds a local afternoon talkshow with former Lubbock County Republican Party Chairman Robert Pratt.

2007- April. KFYO is awarded an Honorable Mention Award from the Texas Associated Press. The award is for Honorable Mention for 2006 Best Station Website (Division B). It's the third consecutive year KFYO has been recognized.

2007- September 17th. KFYO adds Neal Boortz to the lineup, replacing G. Gordon Liddy

2007- December. KFYO beings streaming its on-air programming over the Internet. KFYO's webstream can heard through the station website at www.kfyo.com

2008- January 2nd. Chad Hasty officially joins the revamped KFYO morning show, Lubbock's First News with Chad Hasty and Rex Andrew. The show airs from 6am-9am, weekdays

[edit] External links

• KFYO Radio official website
• Query the FCC's AM station database for KFYO
• Radio Locator Information on KFYO
• Query Arbitron's AM station database for KFYO