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Celebrating 45 Years of WKMS

WKMS-FM celebrates forty-five years of broadcasting. Today’s listeners, staff, volunteer show hosts and student interns who make WKMS thrive owe a great debt to the individuals who laid the groundwork for a University radio station back in 1964 and who brought the idea of the station to fruition on May 11, 1970.

During the opening ceremonies in 1970 the station went on air from Murray State’s campus with a broadcast of the National Anthem. One of the first voices heard on the station was Murray State President Harry M. Sparks who remarked, “Today Murray State University has reached another milestone. With the inauguration of radio broadcasting on WKMS-FM, we lengthen the shadow and multiply the sphere of influence of this university.” Back then the broadcast day was eight hours long and the coverage area was limited to western Kentucky with just 13,000 watts of power.

The first WKMS staff photo, from the Murray State University Yearbook 1969-1970. Thanks to George Cumbee for sending us this scan (he's seated in the middle at the table).

Forty-five years later WKMS is heard 24 hours a day over the air through its FM, online and HD signals. The HD over- the-air signal has two channels, and both of these channels stream live at wkms.org. The HD classical channel is also transmitted via FM in Murray, Paducah, and Madisonville. The 100,000 watt station serves nearly 30,000 listeners in western Kentucky, southernmost Illinois and northwestern Tennessee, providing news and music from around the coverage area, the region, the Commonwealth, the nation and around the globe.

Station Manager, Kate Lochte says, “Murray State actually began its love affair with radio in 1949 when a Murray commercial broadcaster allowed it a regular hour of programming time. It was the late Dr. Ray Mofield who worked to secure a non-commercial educational FM license for the University. Since then Murray State has supported the station’s growth and mission, as have individual and businesses throughout the area.”

Recently, Mr. David Dikin of San Antonio, TX, reached out online to say, “I attended MSU in the late 80s and early 90s and remember well the many, many hours I enjoyed listening to WKMS. In my opinion, WKMS is the one cultural vehicle that allows listeners to reach beyond their grasp. It's a big world out there and public radio can be your guide. A hearty thank you to the many supporters of WKMS who came before me. I am proud to do my part in making sure that public radio is available to the next generation in Western Kentucky.”

WKMS broadcasts a continuous, comprehensive mix of news and music, with stations including 91.3 WKMS-FM, WKMS HD-1 and All-Music HD-2, Murray; 90.9 WKMD, WKMD HD-1 and HD-2, Madisonville; 89.5 WKMT, Fulton; and All-Classical 92.5 Paducah, 88.9 Murray and 105.1 Madisonville. WKMS also streams both its News and All Classical channels online at wkms.org, a robust website offering playlists, regional news and an online contribution page. For more call 1-800-599-4737.

Jenni holds a degree in Music Education from Murray State University and a Masters degree in Arts Administration from Florida State University's College of Music. She's equipped with knowledge and enthusiasm for fundraising and the arts. She also serves as a Girl Scout Troop Leader and on the Murray Independent School District Foundation for Excellence Board of Directors.
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