I was a regular listener to KOMA during the 1970s. If (local station) 15/KSTP played a song I didn’t like, I’d turn my dial just barely to the right and “Oklahoma City” would come in. I cried in disbelief on September 12, 1980 when KOMA droped their Top 40 format and flipped to Country. Two years later, I “forgave” them enough to aircheck KOMA Country as part of my routine dial scan.
I grabbed this from Apple Valley, MN, using a Pioneer SX-3900 receiver and longwire antenna. The recording was made using a Technics stereo cassette deck and Scotch Dynarange tape.
#1 by Yah Shure on November 25, 2009 - 2:23 pm
Quote
I was doing PM drive on KOMA at the time, and that’s Olen Wells on this aircheck, who followed me from 7-midnight.
KOMA used to do “interstate weather” summaries at night, and when I heard Olen give the particulars for “Bismarck, South Dakota” one night, I immediately headed for the control room. Olen was absolutely convinced that Bismarck was the capital of South Dakota, so I asked him what North Dakota’s capital city was.
“Bismarck.”
Once we got the Bismarck vs. Pierre deal straightened out, it was on to part two: “It’s pronounced ‘Pier’, not ‘Pee-AIR’.” He looked at me like I was from Mars at that point.
An Oklahoma native, Olen had arrived at KOMA from WIBW-FM/Topeka, and later worked at OKC’s KEBC and KKNG.
#2 by Drew on November 25, 2009 - 7:57 pm
Quote
I wish I had more on tape. As I said, I wasn’t too fond of KOMA after they “went Country” on me. Now that I look back, I’m surprised they held on with Top 40 as long as they did. KATT and KOFM had to be rockin’ on FM by 1980, right?
#3 by Olen Wells on August 12, 2010 - 3:46 pm
Quote
(I’ll try this again. My response yesterday appears to have vaporized)
Wow! Holy $@*!…..I can’t believe this exists. Imagine my surprise when a co-worker yells from 2 cubicles over “hey Olen, see if you recognize this guy” and he plays this clip. And unbelieveably, undenialably it was me! (sorry no spell check) Damn, I’ve spend hundreds of dollars on saddle soap, linament, bees wax and various forms of spyware trying to cover up my past. Then just when I thought it was safe to live above ground again, this turns up. Whats an old jock to do….(lol)
Olen Wells
Tyler Media Production Director / Okla. City
KKNG / KJKE / KTLR / Radio Disney