|
WKMS
HISTORY HIGHLIGHTS
On-air
fundraisers began to generate more funding for station operations.
During 1980, 27 other NPR affiliate stations picked up WKMS
producer Bobby Bryan's series "The Black Cats Jump."
In 1981 Mark Welch begins his first 4-year stint program director
when Bruce Smith leaves the manager's post. Don Lanham is hired
and becomes manager in 1982. The following year, Radio Reader
Dick Estell visits WKMS during a fundraiser. Listener Joy Thomas
of Murray wins a "Powdermilk Biscuit" contest through
"A Prairie Home Companion." In 1984 WKMS airs a live
interview with Black Panther Bobby Seale on February 2; Janet
Kenney becomes station manager and classical producer Margaret
Hunt comes from WSIU-FM, Carbondale. Serving as advisory board
at that time were Stuart Brodsky, Robert Baar, Betty Cook, Cynthia
Fraed, Don King, Bobbie O'Quinn, Frank Welch and John Winter.
In 1985, Kent Jenkins is news director; Patrick O'Neill becomes
program director; Norris Ragle becomes chief engineer.
In 1986 the station continues the tradition of an advisory group
from the community with the formation of a "Friends Group."
It includes Charles Jackson, Wade Kadel, Jeffre Dryer, Stuart
Brodsky, Jean Gray, Ted Vaughn, Bob Wynn, C.K. Davis, John Drew,
Margie Pope, Frank Rasche, Don and Linda Swearingen, K.B. and
Mary Humphreys, A.J. and Mary Del Buono. In this year the station
hires its very first secretary, Mary Ann Taylor, and Linda Pierce
produces a logo replacing the first one which was designed by
Joe Rigsby.
In 1989 WKMS recognizes its first "Ten Year Friends"
including station contributors who began their support in 1979.
This tradition continues with "Ten Year Friends" receiving
special pins annually.
WKMS celebrates its 20th anniversary in 1990 with a party in
Murray State's Curris Center attended by about 400 friends of
the station, organized by station promotion/development director
Ann Palormo. The event includes performances by many members
of the faculty of the department of music at Murray State as
well as volunteer talent. NPR's vice president for representation
Midge Ramsey attends.
In 1992 there's a standing room only crowd for jazz producer
Bobby Bryant's retirement party, a big band bash at the Civic
Center in Paducah. Bryant's second series, "Lady Day and
the Cats," had received a Kentucky Tourism Grant in 1990
for distribution, eventually airing on nearly 100 stations nationwide.
By 1992, Ann Palormo and Janet Kenney have left the station.
The University appoints Kate Lochte interim manager, then station
manager in 1994. In the subsequent decade the station refurbishes
its transmission system, adopts a 24 hour daily schedule, installs
translator services in Paris and Madisonville, incorporates
digital editing workstations in its studios, converts its master
control studio operations to digital, and adds an auxiliary
transmission antenna at its main site, an auxiliary transmission
system at its studio site.
WKMS
Gets Started:
Grant
Funding for WKMS Activities over the Years:
WKMS
Facilities:
WKMS
Physical Plant - Murray State Campus:
WKMS
Long-term and Short-term Goals
|
