Radio KFYO-AM (Newstalk 790)

KFYO (790 AM) is a Lubbock, Texas, based news/talk radio station operating on 790 kHz AM.

Ed. Note: Most of the information noted here comes from the KFYO archives

1926- KFYO originally comes into existence in the last half of the year in Texarkana, TX. The Buchanan-Vaughan Company owned the station. KFYO broadcast on 1430 AM with 10 watts of power. (Source: The 1926 Fall Issue of White's Air Line Mileage Book and Triple-List of Radio Broadcasting Stations with Map)

1927- On September 11, T.E. Kirksey acquires and moves KFYO to Breckenridge, Texas. KFYO changes frequency to 1420 AM and increased power to 15 watts, which then is increased again to 100 watts of power

1928- On September 29, KFYO moved to Abilene, Texas on 1310 AM with power at 250 watts day & 100 watts night. T.E. Kirksey is still KFYO's owner. KFYO during a portion of its time in Abilene broadcast from the historic Grace Hotel.

1932- On April 23, KFYO moved to Lubbock. It kept its frequency, power, and ownership from when it was in Abilene

1932- On May 20 KFYO began broadcasting in Lubbock. The transmitting site was at 2312 5th St., 3 blocks East of Texas Tech University

1934- KFYO moves into its new downtown studios and office building at 914 Avenue J.

1934- On an unknown date, KFYO broadcasts the first ever radio broadcast of a Texas Tech football game. KFYO erects a 50 foot tower across the street from Jones Stadium to be able to watch the action.

1935- KFYO begins airing Downtown (Lubbock) Bible Class Sunday morning services. KFYO airs the weekly service for 11 years until 1946 (moved to KSEL-AM 1946-Nov. 1987) and then resumes airing the weekly Sunday service in December 1987.

1935- September. KFYO begins first regularly scheduled broadcasts of Texas Tech football

1936- On April 8, KFYO is purchased by the Avalanche Journal, Amarillo Globe News (also owners of KGNC-AM in Amarillo), & Plains Radio Broadcasting Company. DeWitt "Judge" Landis becomes the General Manager and KFYO becomes affiliated with NBC

1937- KFYO affiliated with the Mutual Radio Network

1941- KFYO changes its frequency to 1340 AM (sister station KKAM now occupies 1340) and power becomes a constant 250 watts

1944- KFYO affiliated with the NBC Blue Network, which becomes the ABC Radio Network

1948- The FCC issues a Construction Permit (CP) for a new AM radio station in Lubbock. The call letters of the station is KVLU, frequency 790, power 5,000 watts Day and 1,000 watts Night (the current-day KFYO). The CP is owned by Wendell Mayes, C.C. Woodson and G.H. Nelson of Lubbock County Broadcasting in Brownwood, Texas. Mayes is also the owner of 1380 KBWD-AM, in Brownwood, Texas. The CP for KVLU is not built and expires in 1949. KFYO then makes the move to 790 AM in 1953. (source: 1948, 1948 & 1950 editions of Broadcasting Yearbook)

1948- On April 15 KFYO-FM went on the air. According to Jack Dale, it signed off a few years later (in 1950) after limited use. From the 1950 edition of Broadcasting Yearbook KFYO-FM broadcasted on 99.5 FM (now the present-day KQBR-FM, 99.5 The Bear) at 13,000 watts of power.

1949- On May 15, Gordon Thompson becomes KFYO's new General Manager

1949- In September, Legendary Broadcaster, Paul Harvey visits Lubbock

1950- On June 12, KFYO Farm Director Jack Creel, along with the rest of the Radio Farm Directors (of America) meet with President Harry S. Truman at the White House. Farm Directors from other notable stations that made the trip include, WGN-Chicago, KOA-Denver, KSL-Salt Lake City, WBAP-Fort Worth/Dallas, WNBC-New York. (source: Harry S. Truman Presidential Library)

1952- Sportscaster Jack Dale, "The Voice of the (Texas Tech) Red Raiders", comes to Lubbock and begins his longtime relationship with KFYO and Texas Tech University

1952- KFYO begins its longtime association with the First United Methodist Church of Lubbock by airing their Sunday morning service

1953- On January 18, KFYO makes its big move. The station changes from 1340 AM to its current 790 AM and increases power to 5,000 watts day and 1,000 watts night. The transmitter and 3 tower transmitting array were located at the Northeast corner of 82nd & Quaker. Shortly after KFYO vacated 1340, KDUB-AM became the station on 1340, which was owned by the same owner that started KDUB-TV (now KLBK 13) Lubbock's first TV station

1953- The FCC grants KFYO a TV License on Channel 5. Channel 5 is now occupied by Texas Tech's KTXT-TV

1954- June 1, KFYO begins its 49 year affiliation with CBS News

1967 or 1970- KFYO honored as a 5- year radio network affiliate of Houston Astros Baseball (editors note: no date was given on the photo and the Astros began play in 1962 as the Colt .45's and then became the Astros in 1965. Assumption is made that KFYO started broadcasting Astros Baseball in one of those two pivotal years in the Astros' History)

1970- May 11- The most important day in KFYO's History. KFYO is the only broadcast outlet in Lubbock that broadcasts continually before, during and after the Lubbock Tornado Lubbock Tornado. Bud Andrews, Max Mott, Bob Nash and the rest of the KFYO staff coordinate and broadcast critical information to Lubbock during and after the tornado. KFYO also provides Lubbock's only link to the outside world during the tornado by broadcasting over phone to 1080 KRLD in Dallas. Because KFYO was the FEMA/Civil Defense radio station in Lubbock, the station was equipped with two diesel back-up generators which provided power for KFYO's studios, 914 Ave. J and transmitter site at 82nd & Quaker. KFYO becomes the vital link for Lubbock and the region in the hours and days after the tornado. This was because of the immense damage in Lubbock and lack of electricity in Lubbock for days following the tornado.

KFYO is honored with numerous local, state and federal awards for its coverage, which included multiple days of 24 hour commercial-free broadcast. The citations included recognition from President Richard M. Nixon. The City of Lubbock along with FEMA commissioned a reenactment film to be produced of the night of the Lubbock Tornado. KFYO is mentioned prominently in the film, along with staff members Bob Nash and Bud Andrews. The City of Lubbock will occasionally rerun the film on its public access channel during Tornado Season.

One of KFYO's competitors, 1460AM KLLL was seriously damaged during the tornado and its transmitter knocked off the air. KLLL used their time off the air, approximately one week, to petition a move of the KLLL call letters to its co-owned 96.3 FM (KBFM-FM). After receiving FCC approval for the call letter change, KLLL relaunched on 96.3FM where it has remained ever since.

1972- On September 1, the Avalanche Journal and Globe News transfer ownership to Plains Radio Broadcasting Company

1973- On August 1, ownership is transferred to KFYO, Inc.

1977- On September 7, KFYO celebrates its 50th Anniversary with a public reception at the Memorial Civic Center

1979- Edwin "Big Ed" Wilkes leaves KFYO. He joined KFYO in 1962 as Agricultural Director

1979- On September 1, Bob Clark becomes General Manager of KFYO

1981- Jim Stewart rejoins KFYO as Farm Director and begins an over 20 year run at the station

1985- On February 21, KRUX-FM becomes KFYO-FM

1986- On March 27, KFYO-FM becomes KZII-FM (currently sister station Z102)

1986- KFYO & KZII move to a new broadcasting facility on South Slide Road. The new facility has offices and studios for both stations and a new 3 tower transmitting array for KFYO

1987- December 20. After a 41 year hiatus, KFYO resumes airing the Downtown (Lubbock) Bible Class' weekly Sunday service at 9:45am. KFYO originally aired the Downtown Bible Class from 1935-1946.

1992- August 8. Jack Dale, and his son Steve Dale, start Lubbock's first daily sports talk show; Jack Dale's Sportsline. In addition to Jack and Steve on the show, a different co-host was featured each day of the week. The show airs from 5:30pm-7pm (after a 30 minute block of news & weather), when not preempted by Texas Rangers Baseball, Dallas Cowboys Football or Texas Tech sports. KFYO, previously broadcast a show called 'Sportstalk' over the previous decade, but the show was not daily in nature and it featured rotating hosts and timeslots. Jack Dale's Sportsline moved to rival 1340AM KKAM in May 1994, expanding its timeslot to 5pm-7pm. Jack Dale's Sportsline then moved to 7am-9am in November 1996 when KKAM became Lubbock's first all-sports radio station, SportsRadio 1340 KKAM. As of August 11, 2008 Jack Dale's Sportsline still airs on SportsRadio 1340.

1993- Danny Fletcher becomes General Manager of KFYO & KZII-FM

1994- June 6. Ryan Hyatt and Don Williams take over the afternoon sportstalk timeslot vacated by Jack Dale's Sportsline. The show, branded as the Williams & Hyatt Show, airs 5:30pm-7pm. When the show started Hyatt was a sports anchor & reporter for KFYO & Z102 (KZII-FM) and Williams was a sports writer and columnist for the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. They both continued their previous roles while doing the show. In November 1996, after KFYO & Z102 (KZII-FM) merged with 94.5 KFMX-FM, 99.5 KRLB-FM & SportsRadio 1340 KKAM-AM, the Williams & Hyatt show moved to SportsRadio 1340. The show expanded its timeslot to 5pm-7pm, while Jack Dale's Sportsline moved to 7am-9am. As of August 11, 2008 both shows remain on SportsRadio 1340

1996- In the last third of the year, Scott Parsons, becomes General Manager of KFYO & KZII-FM

1997- In March, KFYO & KZII were sold to GulfStar Communications, who also owned KFMX, KKAM & KRLB (now KQBR- 99.5 The Bear) in Lubbock

1997- After being acquired by GulfStar KFYO & KZII move their studios back to 82nd & Quaker, in the Copy Craft building, where their new sister stations were already located. The KFYO Transmitting Site stayed at South Slide Road

1998- In January, KFYO, transitions from analog to digital broadcasting facilities utilizing the latest in computer technology

1998- On December 21, former KFYO Ag Director Ed "Big Ed" Wilkes passes away. "Big Ed" was with KFYO from 1962–1979 and later bought Lubbock radio station KRFE AM 580 in 1994. His family still owns KRFE.

1999- At some point during the year, The Rush Limbaugh Program is moved from sister station KKCL to KFYO, airing on tape-delay from 1pm-4pm after Jim Stewart's Noon Ag Report

2000- In October, KFYO & its sister stations (KFMX, KKAM, KKCL, KQBR & KZII) were acquired by Clear Channel Communications

2001- January 1. KFYO shuffles its daytime lineup moving Rush Limbaugh from a 1pm-4pm tape-delay to a live airing from 11am-2pm. The net-result is the following weekday lineup: 12am-5am Coast to Coast AM, 5am-6am Bloomberg on the Money, 6am-7am Jim Stewart's Ag Report, 7am-8am KFYO Morning News Hour, 8am-9am Duke & the Doctor, 9am-11am G. Gordon Liddy, 11am-2pm Rush Limbaugh, 2pm-5pm Dr. Laura, 5pm-7pm Michael Reagan, 7pm-9pm Bruce Williams and 9pm-12am Ken Hamblin.

2001- August 1. Robert Snyder is hired as News & Program Director for KFYO

2001- On October 15, well known Lubbock broadcaster Jane Prince-Jones joins KFYO and begins hosting a daily morning show from 7am-8am and anchoring news updates throughout the day

2002- KFYO celebrates its 75th Anniversary of Broadcasting. Including a special week of shows during the end of April on the Jane Prince-Jones Show with interviews from Jack Dale, Max Mott (longtime KFYO Newsman), & Jim Stewart

2003- February 21. Longtime KFYO Ag Director, Jim Stewart, hosts his last show as he retires from radio. Jim had been with KFYO continually since 1981 and for a few years in the 1970s. Editor's Note: Jim returns to Lubbock radio, as AM 580 KRFE's Ag Director, in June 2005.

2003- February 24. Jane Prince-Jones expands her talkshow to two hours, 6am-8am, after the departure of Jim Stewart

2003- March. Jack Dale, after 50 years (started fall of 1952), retires from broadcasting radio play-by-play of Texas Tech Sports. He broadcast Texas Tech Football through the 1999 season and Red Raider Basketball through the 2002-03 season, his final broadcast came in New York City at the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) 3rd place game, which the Red Raiders won. Jack continued hosting Jack Dale's Sportsline on SportsRadio 1340, weekday mornings from 7a-9a. After retiring from play-by-play broadcasting Jack has been inducted in the Texas Tech Mass Comm Hall of Fame, the Texas Sports Hall of Fame, and been bestowed with an honorary doctorate from Texas Tech University

2003- June 1. KFYO after exactly 49 years switches its network affiliation from CBS to ABC News. KFYO also adds Paul Harvey and Sean Hannity to the lineup.

2003- October 14. Former U.S. Congressman Larry Combest joins the Jane Prince-Jones Show as a weekly contributor, and a special political contributor for KFYO. Mr. Combest served in Congress as the Lubbock area's representative for over 18 years, and he was a very vocal voice for Agriculture. Combest's radio debut was covered on local TV stations ABC 28, CBS 13, & KCBD.

2004- April 21 & 22. Nationally syndicated talkshow host Michael Reagan (son of former President Ronald Reagan) comes to Lubbock and does 2 special shows on KFYO. Reagan's national show on April 21 was broadcast nationwide from Lubbock's historic Cactus Theater. Then on April 22 Michael joined Jane Prince-Jones and Larry Combest for a special edition of the Jane Prince-Jones Show.

2004- April 23. KFYO's Jane Prince-Jones goes down to the Texas Capitol in Austin and broadcasts a special edition of her morning show during the Legislature's Special Session on School Finance. State Representative Carl Isett, Speaker of the House Tom Craddick, and Governor Rick Perry all make special LIVE appearances on her show.

2004- September 24. KFYO nationally syndicated talk show host, G. Gordon Liddy, come to Lubbock to do his radio show LIVE from the Cactus Theater. KFYO aired all 4 hours of Gordon's show that day. Texas Tech Basketball Coach, Bob Knight, made a special appearance at the Cactus Theater, being on the show for 40 minutes.

2005- April. KFYO is awarded two Honorable Mention Awards from the Texas Associated Press. The first award is Honorable Mention for 2004 Best Sports Play-by-Play (Division B), Texas Tech Lady Raider Basketball with Ryan Hyatt, Crystal Boles, and Kyle Schulein- Producer. The second award is Honorable Mention for 2004 Best Station Website (Division B).

2005- May. KFYO's Jane Prince-Jones, for the second consecutive year, goes to Austin to broadcast a special edition of her morning show with State Representative Carl Isett for his capitol office. Speaker of the House Tom Craddick also makes a special LIVE appearance on Jane's show.

2005- July 10. Lubbock's First Church of the Nazarene joins the KFYO Sunday Morning lineup. First Church of the Nazarene airs a special weekly sermon, Sundays at 8am.

2005- August. KFYO sells its old Collins 1,000 watt backup transmitter (a tube transmitter) to KMUL- Muleshoe. KMUL utilizes the transmitter to change its frequency from 1380 AM to 830 AM.

2005- November 21. Jane Prince-Jones changes stations, moving off of KFYO, to sister station 99.5 The Bear (KQBR-FM) to host The Bear's morning show. Jane rejoins former partner Rick Gilbert (whom she worked with at KLLL) for the morning show.

2005- November 27. KFYO debuts its new morning show, Lubbock's First News with Ron Grant.

2006- January 3. KFYO Program Director, Robert Snyder, takes over hosting Lubbock's First News. In February, Rex Andrew joins KFYO as Morning News Anchor & Reporter.

2006- April. KFYO is awarded two Honorable Mention Awards from the Texas Associated Press. The first award is Honorable Mention for 2005 Best Sports Play-by-Play (Division B), Texas Tech Lady Raider Basketball with Ryan Hyatt, Crystal Boles, and Kyle Schulein- Producer. The second award is Honorable Mention for 2005 Best Station Website (Division B). It's the second consecutive year, KFYO has been recognized for our news and sports.

2006- April 12. KFYO adds a local afternoon talkshow with former Lubbock County Republican Party Chairman Robert Pratt. Pratt on Texas replaces the Michael Reagan Show in the 5p-7p timeslot.

2006- May 30. Rex Andrew takes over hosting duties for KFYO's morning show, Lubbock's First News

2007- January 2. KFYO expands the timeslot for Lubbock's First News from 6a-8a to 6a-9a.

2007- April. KFYO is awarded an Honorable Mention Award from the Texas Associated Press. The award is for Honorable Mention for 2006 Best Station Website (Division B). It's the third consecutive year KFYO has been recognized.

2007- June 1. KFYO & its sister stations (KFMX, KKAM, KKCL, KQBR & KZII) are officially acquired by GAP Broadcasting

2007- September 17. KFYO adds Neal Boortz to the lineup, replacing G. Gordon Liddy

2007- September. KFYO celebrates its 80th Anniversary.

2007- December. KFYO beings streaming its on-air programming over the Internet. KFYO's webstream can heard through the station website at www.kfyo.com

2008- January 2. Chad Hasty officially joins the revamped KFYO morning show, Lubbock's First News with Chad Hasty. Rex Andrew stays on Lubbock's First News as a co-host and continues reporting for KFYO News. Lubbock's First News airs from 6am-9am, weekdays. Chad Hasty continues hosting, The Chad Hasty Show, Saturday evenings 5-7pm.

2008- August. KFYO staff finds out of the origins of KFYO starting in Texarkana, Texas in 1926, rather than in 1927 Breckenridge, Texas. Future anniversaries and commemorations will be corrected to reflect the 1926 birth of KFYO.

2008- October 31. Dale Harris becomes the new General Manager of GAP Broadcasting- Lubbock, which includes KFYO. He is the sixth General Manager in KFYO's history and replaces Scott Parsons.

2008- November 4. KFYO continued its decades old tradition of Election Coverage with special coverage of Election 2008. Local, state and national elections were covered, including the election of President Barack Obama

2009- January 20. KFYO's Robert Snyder broadcasts live from Centennial Plaza in Midland, Texas at the 'Welcome Home' celebration for George W. and Laura Bush. KFYO News airs George W. Bush's speech at the event live during Pratt on Texas. The speech was Bush's first as a private citizen as Barack Obama was sworn in as President earlier in the day

2009- March 25. Texas Governor Rick Perry comes to the KFYO studios for a live in-studio interview on Pratt on Texas. The interview lasts 30 minutes and is conducted by KFYO's Robert Snyder and Chris Winn.

2009- May 5. Robert Pratt continues a KFYO tradition by broadcasting his talkshow, Pratt on Texas, live from the state capitol during the Texas Legislative Session. Pratt interviews many legislators including State Rep. Carl Isett (Lubbock)

2009- May 9. KFYO News broadcasts coverage of May Election Date, which includes the historic vote of Lubbock County approving packaged beer, wine and liquor sales; and sale-by-the-drink throughout the whole county.

2010- February 8. Legendary Lubbock broadcaster Paul R. Beane joins KFYO. Beane will host a daily commentary at 8:30am during Lubbock's First News with Chad Hasty. During his career Beane has been on the air and/or had ownership interests in KSEL-AM, KSEL/KAMC-TV, KRBL-FM and KJDL-FM

2010- August 13. Gap Central Broadcasting is folded into Townsquare Media.

2010- December 26. The Lubbock Bible Class airs their final service during KFYO Sunday Morning. The Lubbock Bible Class held the Sunday morning 8:30am timeslot on KFYO for 37 years. Neil Davidson was the final leader of the Lubbock Bible Class, as they disbanded at the end of 2010.