WKMS-FM
Murray, KY (HD Radio )
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Branding | WKMS News and Music |
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Programming | |
Murray, KY (all-classical, HD2)
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Links | |
Webcast | Listen Live Listen Live (HD2) Listen Live (HD3) |
Website | wkms.org |
WKMS-FM (91.3 FM), is a non-commercial
Overview
The station now broadcasts in analog
The station's signal reaches southernmost Illinois, far western Kentucky, and northwestern Tennessee. Listeners elsewhere can visit wkms.org to hear its programs.
The station offers two separate channels of programming on its digital signal: HD-1
WKMS also broadcasts programming from American Public Media, the Public Radio Exchange, the BBC, the Associated Press, independent producers from around the nation, and local content by staff or volunteers. WKMS News is a contributing correspondent to the Kentucky Public Radio News Exchange and a partner in funding the Kentucky Capitol Bureau.
History
Early history
In 1948 WNBS radio owner Chuck Shuffett gave the Murray State drama department an hour a week of airtime on his station to broadcast plays adapted for radio.[1] It was not until October 4, 1949, though, that the first broadcast from what was then Murray State College was heard, with Murray State College on the Air. The studio from which the program was broadcast consisted of a handmade control board located in the old Economics room on the third floor of Wilson Hall. The title of the show was changed in the 1950s to The Thoroughbred Hour and broadcast nightly half-hour segments. The content changed from radio drama to campus information. The Thoroughbred Hour was under the direction of Charles Henry Stamps through the use of a telephone line.[2]
In 1962, The Thoroughbred Hour's staff was split into an audio department and a technical department under the direction of a student program director and a student chief engineer. In the early 1960s, a news department was added, emphasizing in-depth, on-the-spot reporting for the Jackson Purchase region of southwestern Kentucky. In 1964 an official station manager, program director and engineer were instituted on The Thoroughbred Hour. Also in 1964, special broadcasts began with the MSC Homecoming Parade. The Thoroughbred Hour was expanded to full one-hour segments Mondays through Fridays and two hours on Sundays in 1965. During this year, live broadcasts expanded and included broadcasts from the Auditorium, the Student Union Building, freshman basketball games, a professor's 20th-year banquet, and the Quad-State Band and Choral festivals. The Thoroughbred Hour Tape Library was formed in 1966; MSC was renamed MSU that same year by an act of the Kentucky General Assembly. The library provided MSU with a permanent record of important events. By 1967 a Board of Directors was established.
Up until 1969, WKMS was originally branded "The Radio Center, The Voice of Murray State."[2] Executive assistant Ray Mofield pushed for a radio station to be included in the 1965–66 MSC budgets. Mofield convinced then-MSC President Ralph Woods of the benefits from a radio station on campus, and as a result, $15,000 was set aside for its development. In 1968 Woods applied for a non-commercial educational radio license from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and requested for the frequency to be located at 91.7. In 1969 the FCC granted a construction permit for WKMS to operate at 91.3 FM, as 91.7 was already taken by a nearby station.[3]
1970s
WKMS-FM, the broadcasting service of Murray State, started formal operations on May 11, 1970. MSU President Dr. Harry Sparks noted this milestone and said, "With this radio station's audience we lengthen the shadow and multiply the sphere of influence of this University. Every broadcast of whatever type is a public relations message saying something about this school."[1] Sparks also put forth a mission for WKMS to follow, "We perceive WKMS as the window on the world for our region. It will help cast a longer shadow for Murray State University and will deliver not only news about Murray State but will also offer culturally and educationally enriched programming throughout the Murray State region." At first, the station only employed Mofield as a general manager and Thomas Morgan as station manager, both of whom were assisted by students and volunteers. Because of this arrangement, broadcasts were only available while school was in session.[2]
The two rooms in the northwest corner of Wilson Hall were not able to meet the productive, professional environmental needs of educational radio broadcasts that Mofield had first envisioned. Mofield and other faculty of Murray State raised about a million dollars to build the Price Doyle Fine Arts Building, the new location for WKMS. In September 1971 the building was officially open for use. In its permanent home on the sixth floor (in the late 1990s the sixth floor was relabeled the eighth floor), WKMS was fully equipped with offices, soundproof studios, state-of-the-art
October 1976 marked the year WKMS started membership coordination. There were several levels of giving: to obtain station membership, "student friends" could donate three dollars, basic adult "friends" five dollars, "good friends" 10 dollars, "great friends" 25 dollars, and "best friends" 50 dollars. Membership applications were found on the back of the first-ever programming guides and were sent to the station by postal mail. As with other public broadcasting stations of that time, programming guides were perquisites sent to members, released monthly at first, later seasonally. The guides always began with a letter from the station manager discussing new programs added to the schedule and the reasons some others were removed. There were statements of the current WKMS financial situation as well as a reminder of the importance of listener support. The guides would also have a grid containing a regular week's program schedule in it, and a description of each show's features. Later they would include features about staff, volunteers, musicians, and/or composers. Still later, guides would also eventually mention the involvement of WKMS in the community and community feedback to those efforts.[7][8][9]
The advent of advanced technology took place in the late 1970s with a sophisticated system of satellite interconnection of radio and television around the country. Before the new technology, stations were linked by terrestrial landlines that were leased from AT&T. Costly telephone lines delivered a low-quality signal, which was only suitable for the deliverance of spoken-word programs, not musical ones. The satellite connections, however, would transmit all programs, music and talk alike, and "be of the highest quality." The satellite transmissions would also permit stereo and quadraphonic network broadcasts, therefore allowing WKMS to broadcast live concerts from anywhere in the world. Consequently, content for broadcast was enlarged and the station was given more options to choose from.
On November 5, 1979,
1980s
The 1980s were a notable decade for WKMS-FM. On March 30, 1980, at 5 p.m., WKMS boosted its power to 100,000 watts.
WKMS experienced nationwide recognition with locally produced shows that were distributed by NPR around the country. Twenty-seven NPR stations in 16 states (ten percent of the network at the time) picked up The Black Cats Jump, a WKMS-produced show hosted by Bobby Bryan. The Black Cats Jump was a 13-week series of hour-long programs about big band music. The series featured some of the great
The 1980s also witnessed the switch from vinyl records and
1990s
On January 24, 1990, the Attorney General of Kentucky, Fredric J. Cowan, wrote to WKMS. He commended the station for providing western Kentucky with information "that is crucial in our system of democracy."[14] WKMS celebrated its 20th birthday that year, and as a special treat, Bob Edwards, then host of Morning Edition, came to WKMS for a special-guest, open-house informal seminar. He also joined the WKMS staff and volunteers at the Paducah Symphony's Concert in the Park at Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park.[15] On July 15, 1994, the old MSU fine arts center, a connecting building to the Doyle Price Fine Arts Center, caught fire. The station was knocked off the air from 9 a.m. until the next day. WKMS remained unharmed, except for minor smoke damage in a few studios.[16]
During the 1990s, WKMS expanded to a 24-hour-per-day, seven-days-per-week schedule to serve its five-state area. Further, the creation of online streaming offers worldwide listening opportunities. Translators have been erected to expand broadcasts to 92.1 in Paducah, 99.5 in Paris, Tennessee, and 105.1 in Madisonville. Two studios were also added to the station's facility.[1]
2000s
In the late spring of 2007, WKMS-FM started a new
The January 2009 Central Plains and Midwest ice storm
During the
By January 31, a generator obtained with the assistance of the Calloway County Emergency Operations Center and the
2010s
In February 2010, WKMS changed the frequency and the programming on its Paducah translator to carry a 24-hour classical music service. The Paducah translator, formerly at 92.1, was moved to 92.5 FM. Broadcasts include the
In March 2010, WKMS started a new repeater service, 90.9 FM, WKMD, in Madisonville. Additionally, the station placed its all-classical WKMS HD-2 service on the 105.1 FM, Madisonville translator. The repeater service at 90.9 FM transmits from a tower on campus at Madisonville Community College. This is a repeater transmitter that broadcasts a signal of just over 20,000 watts. WKMD rebroadcasts the main WKMS signal to areas of Union, Webster, Daviess, McLean, Ohio, Muhlenberg and Christian counties, all of which were previously outside a public radio service coverage area, and boosts the reception for listeners in Hopkins County.
In June 2010, WKMS improved reception for listeners in Fulton, South Fulton, Martin, and Union City with a repeater service, 89.5 FM, WKMT, in Fulton. WKMT restores a strong signal from WKMS to Fulton, one of the communities that experienced reduced reception when WKMS moved its transmission site from Farmington to the Land Between the Lakes in 1980. WKMS is using a data-link connection to transmit programming to the WKMT tower from its MSU studios.[19]
In 2012, WKMS launched the Youth Radio Project, involving local youth in radio production. This project grew with a grant from the Carson Myre Charitable Foundation in 2013 to record and broadcast orchestral and choral performances. In the summer of 2013, WKMS partnered with MSU to implement a Teen Leader Radio Project, for high school juniors and seniors in area leadership groups to produce stories for scholarship awards.
In May 2014, repairs on the 91.3 transmitter allowed for improved coverage in Paris, which made the 99.5 repeater redundant. WKMS used additional funds raised by listeners in February 2014 to move the equipment to Murray to become the new classical repeater on 99.5 FM. In mid-December 2014, 99.5 was moved to 88.9 due to signal interference with another station.
Funding
The WKMS operating budget comes from four main sources: MSU appropriations, individual listener contributors, businesses and corporations, and grants from the
Events
WKMS co-sponsors several events with regional organizations such as MSU's Lovett Live, Land Between the Lakes' Pickin' Party, the Lowertown Art and Music Festival in Paducah, the Pennington Festival in Princeton, Kentucky, concert broadcasts of the Paducah Symphony Orchestra, local schools, and other art agencies. WKMS also hosts an annual "Battle of the Bands" competition in coordination with Maiden Alley Cinema in Paducah and hosts monthly Live Lunches featuring local bands.
Programming
WKMS hosts a diverse programming schedule comprising both national and local news and music programs. WKMS employs a news team, mainly composed of MSU students, to cover news and events in the region in the format of interviews and features that appear in the daily locally produced two-hour-long program Sounds Good. Generally, news and talk programs are heard during weekdays, with arts and cultural programming on weekends. National programming on WKMS includes well-known staples such as Morning Edition, All Things Considered, Science Friday, World Cafe, Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!, Fresh Air and The Diane Rehm Show.
Local programming
WKMS produces several local programs, which focus on regional news or a specific genre of music.
- Beyond the Edge – An eclectic, three-hour mix of folk, rock, pop, alt-country, Americana, blues and other genres, aired weekly with host Tracy Ross. (Saturdays at 8 p.m.)
- Café Jazz – Two hours of mainstream jazz, heard weeknights. The show is hosted by Tracy Ross, Todd Hill, George Eldred and Brian Clardy. (Mondays through Thursdays at 9 p.m.). This program is followed by Jazz Vault, which features archival episodes of Café Jazz and is produced by George Eldred. (Mondays through Thursdays)
- Classical Encore – A twice-weekly two-hour showcase of classical music with host Dr. John Dressler. This production also broadcasts throughout the week on the HD-2 channel. (Sundays at 5 a.m. and 9 p.m.)
- Left of the Dial - A weekly two-hour music program featuring tracks heavily rooted in the underground music scene of the 1980s. Hosted by John Null. (Fridays at 9 p.m.)
- The Jazzman Show – A weekly hour-long music program featuring pioneers and innovators in jazz as well as world jazz and big band music, with host Andy "Jazzman" Smith. (Sundays at 1 p.m.)
- The Jive House – A weekly hour-long music program featuring a mix of blues, soul, and roots music, hosted by volunteers John McMillen and Brad Robertson. (Thursdays at 9 p.m.)
- The Last Splash - A weekly two-hour-long music program featuring alternative, indie and punk rock music, along with local hosts' thoughts and reactions. Hosted by Austin Carter, Tim Peyton, Corbet Hall and Matthew Rowan. (Fridays at 11 p.m.)
- Rick's Kitchen Sink – A weekly two-hour music program featuring a mix of blues, jazz and roots music, hosted by Rick Nance. (Saturdays at 1 p.m.)
- Music from the Front Porch – A weekly staple on WKMS for over 30 years; it is a three-hour music program featuring folk music, bluegrass, acoustic music and western swing, from musicians old and new alike, with hosts John McMillen, Mike Gowen, and Nick Morris. (Saturdays at 10 a.m.)
- Sounds Good – A daily two-hour showcase of conversations with members of the community and a range of adult album alternative, folk, and indie music, hosted by Tracy Ross and staff members. (Weekdays at 11 a.m.)
- Weekend Energy – A weekly two-hour-long music program featuring techno, electro, trance music, drum and bass, and other high-energy styles of contemporary electronica, with host Matt "McG" Markgraf. (Saturdays at 11 p.m.)
WKMS HD2
WKMS HD2 airs the nationally syndicated satellite-delivered public radio service, Classical 24, which plays classical music around the clock, produced by Minnesota Public Radio and American Public Media.[20]
References
- ^ a b c "30 Years of WKMS." Murray Calloway County Kentucky Chamber of Commerce 8 (April 2000): 3.
- ^ a b c Cole, Elizabeth T., and Gene H. Coleman. Radio Center Handbook. Ts. Murray State University.
- ^ a b "WKMS – The Story." Celebrating 20 Years of Listener Support 5–7.
- ^ a b c Cowan, Frederic J. Letter to the staff and management of WKMS-FM. January 24, 1990.
- ^ a b "NPR Milestones." Celebrating 20 Years of Listener Support 24.
- ^ "Meet Jay Landers." Celebrating 20 Years of Listener Support 4–5.
- ^ WKMS fm stereo (Fall 1976).
- ^ a b Kenney, Janet. "Welcome Note." Air Fare (Winter 1988): 1.
- ^ a b "HD...High Definition... Digital... More & Crystal Clear..." WKMS with NPR news 91.3 fm (Autumn 07): 7.
- ^ "New and Different." WKMS-fm stereo 91.3 (November 1979).
- ^ "WKMS – How The Years Go By." Celebrating 20 Years of Listener Support 9–12.
- ^ Miller Welch, Karen. "WKMS Goes National with "The Black Cats Jump"" WKMS-FM (October 1980).
- ^ "Lady Day & The Cats." 91.3 WKMS-FM Listening Guide (Sept. & oct. 1990): 6.
- ^ Cowan, Frederic J. Letter to the staff and management of WKMS-FM. January 24, 1990.
- ^ "Meet Bob Edwards." Celebrating 20 Years 21.
- ^ "FIRE!" Notes from 91.3 FM (September & October 1994): 2.
- ^ Tim Moore. "WKMS HD Digital Transmission System Damaged by Ice Storm".
- ^ "Paducah WKMS Translator Changes Frequency – Now All Classical" Press Release. Station Manager Kate Lochte (March 3, 2010).
- ^ "WKMT Extends WKMS Signal to Southwest" Press Release. Membership Coordinator Kate Lochte (June 4, 2010).
- ^ [1], Minnesota Public Radio's Classical 24 website.
External links
- WKMS official website
- WKMS in the FCC FM station database
- WKMS in Nielsen Audio's FM station database