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CityThroughout the years. Roswell has had a variety of radio stations to serve its varied listeners.In 1947, the McEvoy BroadcastingCo. began broadcasting, using the call letters, KSWSKSWS was Roswell's second station. following KGFL which went out of business.The radio station broadcast from 6 a.m. until midnight, with its 250 watts of power enabling listeners as far away as Carlsbad to tune in.On Dec. 12. 1952, the station was sold to the late John A. Barnett Sr.varietywho started KSWS-Television.KSWS-TV broadcast out of Roswell until 1968. when KCBD in Lubbock bought the station and made it a satellite.In May 1961, the radio station was sold to former Gov. John BurroughsEof Portales, who changed the call letters to KRSY.The station is now owned by KRSY Inc.In October 1977, KRSY-FM was added and, in November of the same ear, the call letters were changed to[RIZ-FMBoth KRSY itnd KRIZ broadcast 24 hours a day.KRSY operates on 1000 watts of power in the daytime and 250 at night.KRIZ currently operates on 30,000 watts. but an application is pending with the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) for a license with100.000 watts.Jim Clark, general manager of KRSY and KRIZ estimated that the AM station has a broadcast radius of 90 miles and the FM station of 50 miles.Herb Trix, program director for KRSY estimates that his station reaches 70.000 people.Trix classifies KRSY's music as modern country, but said that the line between what's country andwhat isn't is becoming fuzzier and fuzzier.Johnny Raj program director for KR1Z, classified his station's music as album-oriented rock. He said this means that instead of playing shortened versions of new 'singles. the station plays entire versions of albums.Ray said that his station is geared to housewives and secretaries, and tries to play old favorites in addition to new albums.Clark said that, because of the implications of the call letters, KRSY can almost get away with anythingand make it fun.He recalled an incident that occurred several years ago when a disc jockey was trying to help raise money for the Jaycees' School.The disc jockey promised — on the air — that he would raise Sio.ooo for the cause.When, after several days, the money had not been raised, a sheriff's deputy arrested the disc jockey during his morning broadcast for breach of promise.For the next four or five days, he did his show from 6 to 9 every morning from his jail cell, until the money was raised.In 1965, Barnett was awarded a Class II 50.000 watt radio allocation, the first ever awarded by the FCC.Barnett's radio station, again called KSWS, went on the air on Dec. 20.1965.On July 1,1970, the station was sold to the RosweP Broadcasting Co., consisting of John A. Barnett Jr.. president; Mrs. John A. Barnett Sr., vice president; and Paul McEvoy, secretary-treasurer.On Dec. 1. 1973. it was again sold, this time to Robert O. Anderson. Its call letters later were changed to KBCQ.The station is managed by Merle H. Tucker, a veteran New Mexico broadcaster and former president of Kiwanis International.The station, currently known as a top 40 station, broadcasts with50.000 watts of power, reaching listeners as far away as Mexico.KBCQ and KOB-Radio in Albuquerque are New Mexico's only 50,000-watt radio stations.KBIM-Radio began daytime broadcasts with 1.000 watts in May 1953.The station's first office, located on East Second Street, contained 1,000 square feet of floor space, said W.C. “Bill Taylor, executive vice president in charge of broadcasting.In 1959, the station added low-powerFM and Muzak.By 1963, KBIM was able to go to5.000 watts, broadcasting 24-hours a day. At about the same time, its offices were moved to the Norton Hotel on West Second Street.Taylor described local news coverage as the cornerstone of KBIM’ssuccess.During the floods in the early 1960s in which two persons drowned, he said the station worked closely with a network of 21 ham radio operators, headed by Larry Doyle, who fed up-to-date information to KBIM. This service has been credited with saving many lives.Taylor reminisced that at the height of the flood a truckload of soldiers from Walker Air Force Base was washed off the road west of Six Mile Hill. Only a partially submergedtelephone pole prevented them from being swept away.When initial rescue efforts from the base were unsuccessful, KBIM stationed a mobil unit nearby to reassure the stranded men that help was on theWAY.KBIM-TV, Channel (6)10, went onthe air in 1966 sod moved to a building on North Main Street.At the same time the station was able to boost its FM radio to maximum power by locating the transmit ter on the television tower.Located seven miles east of Roswell. this tower was one of trhe tallest man-made structures in the world, rising 1.839 feet above the caprock.Exactly 30 days after television transmission began — at 6:53 a.m. on April 1 — the tower collapsed.Because it was April Fool's Day, when the call reached Taylor, he at first thought it was a joke.In 1970, KBIM merged with the Holsum Inc.On May 31. 1977, the KBIM studio downtown was almost completely destroyed by fire.But. Taylor, noted, KBIM-FM wasoff the air only one day, AM radio was off seven days, and television was off for only 10 days.Cooperation by other Southwestern radio and television stations — which loaned the station equipment — helped KBIM get back on the air quickly.Roswell's other radio station is KRDD, which broadcasts during daylight hours with a power of 1,000 watts.Socorro Blair, bookkeeper and part-time disc jockey for KRDD, said the station broadcasts over a 200-mile radius.Mrs. Blair said that 84 percent of the station's listeners are Spanish-surnamed adults.The station, which has beer* operating for 18 to 2o years, plays Mexican and American hits and traditional favorites, Mrs. Blair said.REALTORSHOME OWNEDHOME OPERATEDDOLLAHON REALTORSJoyce and Paul Dollahon, both natives of Roswell, own and operate DOUAHON RCALTORS located at 308 W. 4th St. in Roswell. Joyce began her coreer In real estate in 1964 and it was not until the family business was sold in 1970, that Paul joined the profession. In 1973 they opened their own office. Real Estate, better known as -IN* MOMt flUSfNISS is not new to the Dollohons. Pours grandfather, T. i. Dollahon was first involved in the real estate business and is first recorded as selling some of his own Pecos Valley land on January 30, 1913, only 14 days after New Mexico was granted statehood status. Paul s father, the late R.W. Dollahon at one time was associated with Claude Allison, one of Roswell's early day Realtor-Contractors. Paul was also licensed os a Contractor and with his father contracted and built several homes in the early 50s. The Dollohons son Walter, Senior at Texas Tech University, also is o licensed Salesman and is spending his Summer in this family operated business with his parents. If you are interested in personal, professional service, why not coll DOUAHON REALTORS MS-6234310. Paul and Joyce remember why people buy real estate in the first place.P.O. Box 6 — 30B Wost Fourth St. — 505/623-5310Roswell. New Mexico RR201You'll Find The Most Original And Most Wanted Gifts At Chew's Oriental Gifts!WE'RE PROUD TO BE A PART Of ROSWELL — THE ALL AMERICA CITYI• Imported Teos• Cookies• Candies Rattan Ware• Pictures• Chinese Dresses• Figurines• Baskets• Dolls• Screens0Jade Earrings Jewelry BoxesAnd Much More!Jack Chew, Owner.2513 West Second.Belh Muslachio, ManageOpen MonJFri. 10-5:30. Set. 10-
Newspaper Details
Roswell Daily Record
Roswell, New Mexico, US
Sun, Jul 01, 1979
Page 31
Full Page
Clipped by
Sammi B.
NA 06 Dec 2021
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Roswell Daily Record
