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| On the air in 1963 Edwin Blocher and Bob Spurrier on location |
Established in 1962 by two brothers, Bill and Jerry Thornton. Bill Thornton began his career as a DJ, continued his career in the United States Navy as an engineer, then graduated from Arkansas State with a degree in Journalism and a dream to build his own radio station.
On May 11, 1962, the first broadcast from KMAM AM 1530 began at 6 AM. The Bates County Broadcasting Company, located at 800 East Nursery Street in Butler, may be the last radio station in the country of its age, still under its original ownership.
The FM frequency was added on January 15, 1975 and KMAM/KMOE became two stations, simulcasting in FM and AM. In the beginning, the radio station could only broadcast during daylight hours. The station has gone from reel-to-reel tape, to cartridge tapes, then cassettes, and now there is full automation and no tapes required. Local broadcasters had to come to the radio station in person to perform and be on air. Music was on vinyl. Now programs can be recorded anywhere at any time and brought to the station to be aired at a scheduled time. From noisy teletype in a soundproof room, to satellites receiving programs from 24,000 miles in the sky, KMAM/KMOE-FM 92.1 brings the Kansas City Royals, ABC World News, Farm Market Reports and a variety of other shows to listeners. Bill and Louise Thornton still own the station, but they have retired from working there, and the General Manager is their daughter, Melody Thornton. Melody has been announcing since 1980 and she has made positive changes to the format and programs at the station. The station continues to move forward into a competitive and up-to-date venue of music, news, and entertainment for the ever expanding broadcasting area.
Bill Thornton – Owner
Bill is the Founder of KMAM-KMOE, the first radio station in Butler, Established in 1962 by two brothers, Bill and Jerry Thornton. Bill began his career as a DJ, continued his career in the United States Navy as an engineer, and then graduated from Arkansas State with a degree in Journalism and a dream to build his own radio station. On May 11, 1962, the first broadcast from KMAM AM 1530 began at 6 AM. The Bates County Broadcasting Company, located at 800 East Nursery Street in Butler, may be the last radio station in the country of its age, still under its original ownership. The FM frequency was added on January 15, 1975 and KMAM/KMOE became two stations, simulcasting in AM and FM. In the beginning, the radio station could only broadcast during daylight hours. The station has gone from reel-to-reel tape, to cartridge tapes, then cassettes, and now there is full automation and no tapes required. Local broadcasters had to come to the radio station in person to perform and be on air. Music was on vinyl. Now programs can be recorded anywhere at any time and brought to the station to be aired at a scheduled time. From noisy teletype in a soundproof room, to satellites sending programs from 24,000 miles in the sky, KMAM-KMOE now brings the Kansas City Royals, Kansas City Chiefs, ABC World News, Farm Market Reports and a variety of other shows to listeners. Bill and Louise Thornton still own the station, but they have since retired, their daughter, Melody Thornton now acts as General Manager. Melody has been announcing since 1980 and she has made positive changes to the format and programs at the station. The station continues to move forward into a competitive and up-to-date venue of music, news, and entertainment for the ever expanding broadcasting area.
Melody Thornton – General Manager
Melody has been announcing since 1980 and she has made positive changes to the format and programs at the station. The station continues to move forward into a competitive and up-to-date venue of music, news, and entertainment for the ever expanding broadcasting area.
Editor's note- Many thanks to Bill Thornton for hiring me in 1982. KMAM/KMOE FM nicely launched my career in broadcasting which included on-the-air work at KNEM/KNMO in Nevada, KOMB in Fort Scott and later 61 Country, WHB, KUDL and Oldies 95 in Kansas City. All of which could not have been done without a start right here in Bates County. -Doug Mager
-courtesy 921news.com
