101 heard from a couple of WKGN legends regarding our post about the Hooper ratings from 1969.
This photo isn't from 1969 but is a classic of the WKGN DJs in the mid 70s. Front row left to right- Mike Beach, Frank Erwin, Bob Thomas, Kerry Lambert. Back row left to right- Dr Al (PD), Rick Davis, David Todd and Phil Michaels.
You know George the ratings don't tell the whole story. 'KGN had only 1000 watts and 250 nighttime. That makes this story simply incredible. The talent was amazing. Just proving to the industry today...radio was a talent driven vehicle. If you've got the people...the audience will come. A massive success for the time. (Mike Beach)
Hey George! Thanks for posting the Hooper book from 1969. This was just as I arrived at 'KGN and my midday show was not reflected in the ratings. Couple of things did stand out.
- Hooper measured only in-home listening and was a telephone survey.
- The morning drive numbers were VERY tight with several stations showing well.
- The Top 40 battle was won by WKGN from 3pm on. Skip Broussard programmed the station and did afternoon drive. Heckava jock! Night numbers were DOMINATED by Eddie Beacon (yo' Swingin' Deacon). That was remarkable because 'KGN was 250 watts at night against WNOX 10,000.
These days radio is slick and error free. And a whole lot less fun to listen to. Thanks for hangin' with the Possum. (Possum Riley aka Paul Randall Dickerson)
Some of the WKGN on air personalities back in '69 were Sonny Knight, Possum, Don Smith, Skip, Eddie, Steve Remmel, Kevin Young and Allen Pressley (news).
Some other big names in Ktown at that time were Johnny Pirkle on WNOX, Doc Johnston's Date with Doc on WBIR, and Bobby Denton at WIVK.