When Jack Beasley set up the station (a sister to KLPR), he named it KJAK, after himself. There existed, briefly, a version of the current KATT cat logo with the KJAK call and the legend "THE CAT," although this disappeared once the FCC approved the new call.

There had been a station on 100.5 before Beasley, assigned the call KIOO, but that was before my time (at least here).

Give the man a see-gar. I thought at the time they would call it Radio Kojak, as they didn't start calling it The Katt until they had been on the air a couple of weeks with that format.

Rick

Ah, the KATT. Great thread. I remember it from day one; always listened back then. Still love heavy metal and now alternative; KATT never played enough of heavy for me, though. No one can believe someone as "old" as I would ever listen to music like that.

I had all the KATT stickers, a couple of calendars, tee-shirts, and a mug [I think it's around in a cabinet somewhere]. Remember going to two of the KATT store locations and buying things. I was a real KATT fan....but what I liked most was their "guest deejay" contests. I actually won TWICE and was on the air and played "my" favs. What a trip...twice [April of '88 and July of '91]! Of course I had to drive out to the studio in the darkest of night [the programs were on at midnight], which was a bit unnerving...especially since I had to stand outside the door until the deejay could get down there and let me in. However, being a high school teacher then, I won some real points with my students for doing the shows. Just too much fun!

Thanks for all the memories! :yourock:

[QUOTE=old okie;259682]Ah, the KATT. Great thread. I remember it from day one; always listened back then. Still love heavy metal and now alternative; KATT never played enough of heavy for me, though. No one can believe someone as "old" as I would ever listen to music like that.

I had all the KATT stickers, a couple of calendars, tee-shirts, and a mug [I think it's around in a cabinet somewhere]. Remember going to two of the KATT store locations and buying things. I was a real KATT fan....but what I liked most was their "guest deejay" contests. I actually won TWICE and was on the air and played "my" favs. What a trip...twice [April of '88 and July of '91]! Of course I had to drive out to the studio in the darkest of night [the programs were on at midnight], which was a bit unnerving...especially since I had to stand outside the door until the deejay could get down there and let me in. However, being a high school teacher then, I won some real points with my students for doing the shows. Just too much fun! That's Kool!! Okie..I really liked the KATT back in the day. Do you remember the Fresh air station (I think it was called) Maybe 104 out of Edmond around 69 or 70? FM was considered underground. I can remember listening one night when it went silent and about 10 mins. later the DJ went "WOW...I spaced out Man...Sorry.."

Do you remember the Fresh air station (I think it was called) Maybe 104 out of Edmond around 69 or 70? FM was considered underground. I can remember listening one night when it went silent and about 10 mins. later the DJ went "WOW...I spaced out Man...Sorry.."[/QUOTE]

I remember it!! Was it in Edmond or the station that was on N. Broadway in downtown OKC? "Here Comes the Sun" came on one night when I was "relaxing" at home by candlelight. Always think of that whenever I hear that tune today...:kicking:

I didn't know Jack Beasley had anything to do with KATT. I knew Jack Beasley from the advertising TG&Y did and of course being the salesperson he was he would promise you the moon. And, I thought being a Dee Jay would be so cool on a Country Station so one day I asked Jack for the "favor" he always promised. Let me try out for a D.J. Job. He did....I did.... and in his most eloquent voice he said "Don't quit your Day Job Boy".... Oh Well, I got the chance to try out (On air I might add)...

Does anyone remember a mourning show D.J. named Max?

I didn't know Jack Beasley had anything to do with KATT. I knew Jack Beasley from the advertising TG&Y did and of course being the salesperson he was he would promise you the moon. And, I thought being a Dee Jay would be so cool on a Country Station so one day I asked Jack for the "favor" he always promised. Let me try out for a D.J. Job. He did....I did.... and in his most eloquent voice he said "Don't quit your Day Job Boy".... Oh Well, I got the chance to try out (On air I might add)...

I think you had a gift for what you did on your day job. Remember Jack's liberal use of "that old hammerhead"?

Way back up the thread Trey Aven was mentioned - he did design the Katt logo as well as a lot of other iconic logos around OKC. I think he told me they never paid him. Of course he patterned the Katt after Fritz the Cat from the movies of the same name, so he may have been on shaky ground anyway.

Cindy Skull - anyone remember her?

Geek of the week award - they played a song called "Pencil Necked Geek" when they did this spot every week.

The dead air space metioned on the "Fresh Air" station may have been Bill Riddle - he was fond of thumbing his nose at managment, but he was a truly gifted DJ.

Cindy Skull - anyone remember her?
You can listen to her online right now (7-Midnite) on 97.1 The Eagle (http://www.kegl.com/main.html) out of DFW, she is back there again.


Here is her website: CindyScull.com (http://www.cindyscull.com/)

I know this is a KATT thread but Lisa Mirick of KRXO fame died in Georgia tuesday. Had trouble with drugs and the bottle for several years. Won't know cause until autopsy.

I know this is a KATT thread but Lisa Mirick of KRXO fame died in Georgia tuesday. Had trouble with drugs and the bottle for several years. Won't know cause until autopsy.

Lisa was the best thing that happened to KRXO in my opinion when her and spinozi and toof were a group, now the morning show there just sux. She had it pretty rough the last few years with the divorce and all. It is just sad all the way around, may she rest in peace.

When Jack Beasley set up the station (a sister to KLPR), he named it KJAK, after himself. There existed, briefly, a version of the current KATT cat logo with the KJAK call and the legend "THE CAT," although this disappeared once the FCC approved the new call.

There had been a station on 100.5 before Beasley, assigned the call KIOO, but that was before my time (at least here).

wow, youve got a goldmine of info there. perhaps you may even know when KATT was "born"?. I know it had to be sometime around Valentines Day of 1976. The reason I say this is cause when they announce "your 30 year home of pure rock", .."your 25 year home of pure rock", etc..the accumulative year amount seems to always gain a new number around my bday, jan 27th.

I phoned the station up one time to ask them, and no one working seemed to know the exact date either.

does anyone here know the exact day the KATT was born (i.e. acquired its call letters from FCC), but more specifically, the first time the KATT call sign was broadcast over OKC airwaves?

Red Rider?

yeah thanks. i finally figured that one out too. it is in fact, Red Rider.

I love their song, "Lunatic Fringe"

when i went to vo-tech in high school, they had apple pcs set up with the game Lunatic Fringe...it was addicting to play, even by todays video game standards.

left side: two cats=STRAY CATS
cowboy in red: RED RIDER
on the table, metal pan with meatloaf=MEATLOAF
on the table, slice of bread=BREAD
on the table, coffee cup=CREAM

left side, clear bottle with white skull & crossbones=POISON

left side, bottom corner rat=RATT

left side, bottom corner..gun imprinted with .38 =38 SPECIAL

wooden blocks=U2

left side, rabbit emerging from hat = CHEAP TRICK

right side, potted plant in bob pot= ROBERT PLANT

right side, u.s. map with kansas highlighted = KANSAS

right side, lower corner..heart= HEART

man wearing crown= B.B. KING

girl wearing crown= QUEEN

man with bandage on face = PINK FLOYD

THATS ALL I WILL SOLVE, IF ANY ONE ELSE WANTS TO TAKE A CRACK A SOLVING THE REST OF THE BANDS ON THE CALENDAR, BE MY GUEST.

**( i tried posting the url from above for here, but when i copied and pasted it, it indicates the page has moved..however, the above url works fine...so youll have to scroll up and use that url )

I think you had a gift for what you did on your day job. Remember Jack's liberal use of "that old hammerhead"?

Way back up the thread Trey Aven was mentioned - he did design the Katt logo as well as a lot of other iconic logos around OKC. I think he told me they never paid him. Of course he patterned the Katt after Fritz the Cat from the movies of the same name, so he may have been on shaky ground anyway.

Cindy Skull - anyone remember her?

Geek of the week award - they played a song called "Pencil Necked Geek" when they did this spot every week.

The dead air space metioned on the "Fresh Air" station may have been Bill Riddle - he was fond of thumbing his nose at managment, but he was a truly gifted DJ.


I remember Cindy...she was at KZPS in Dallas...she might still be. I have a friend that worked for Clear Channel - was the afternoon guy there, and did weekends and remotes and stuff. I went to the station with him a few times on the weekends and met Cindy. They flipped the station and got rid of a lot of "real" dj's - most everyone is recorded now...my friend lost his job :(

don't know if Cindy is still there or not.

does anyone remember Lisa Mirick? she died last week.

I know this is a KATT thread but Lisa Mirick of KRXO fame died in Georgia tuesday. Had trouble with drugs and the bottle for several years. Won't know cause until autopsy.

If anyone is interested Lisa Mirick's obit is in today's Sunday Oklahoman. There will be a memorial service for her Saturday, Dec. 5, 2:00 p.m. at Smith & Kenke.

Back in high school my radio never left the KATT. Every song was good and you never heard the same song twice unless you were listening all day long (morning-night).

Zoobeck's noon show is a small sample of what made the KATT great. Today it is just a mindless chatter and overplayed top 40 rock.

Back in high school my radio never left the KATT. Every song was good and you never heard the same song twice unless you were listening all day long (morning-night).

Zoobeck's noon show is a small sample of what made the KATT great. Today it is just a mindless chatter and overplayed top 40 rock.

Is it not amazing how a song you really like when you first hear it becomes one of anger and dread because it's played every 15 to 30 minutes?

We've discussed the KATT radio station and memories...So, I'll throw in a plug for KLPR....in it's day they were the Only Country Station in the area.....Now there are more Country stations than Hard Rock.....You know, My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys.....Gene, Roy, Tex, Lash, Cisco. Hopalong.....and so on....

Old Jack Beasley had channel 14 in OKC, too. He used the term "hammerhead" to describe about anybody. I liked "To Sell 'em, Tell 'em" - his motto for getting ads.

Is it not amazing how a song you really like when you first hear it becomes one of anger and dread because it's played every 15 to 30 minutes?

they sure played a lot of metallica in the early 90s, but then again, metallica was uber huge back then. even kjyo was compelled to play metallica since they are a top 40 station and metallica was def in the top 40s then. "enter sandman" was being played ALL THE TIME on many different stations.

the most annoying back-to-back playback i ever heard on any station ever, is when kjyo played vanilla ice's "ice ice baby" about 15 times back-to-back, because according to them, he had taken the top 15 spots on the billboard charts that week.

man, how times have certainly changed.

they sure played a lot of metallica in the early 90s, but then again, metallica was uber huge back then. even kjyo was compelled to play metallica since they are a top 40 station and metallica was def in the top 40s then. "enter sandman" was being played ALL THE TIME on many different stations.

the most annoying back-to-back playback i ever heard on any station ever, is when kjyo played vanilla ice's "ice ice baby" about 15 times back-to-back, because according to them, he had taken the top 15 spots on the billboard charts that week.

man, how times have certainly changed.

but you can say the same about WKY and KOMA during the 60's and 70's. I think the only one that did not was an "underground" station out of Edmond.

but you can say the same about WKY and KOMA during the 60's and 70's. I think the only one that did not was an "underground" station out of Edmond.

97.7 KWHP. The station had two homes in its KWHP days. Both were also the home of the owner, Bill Payne. The studio was in the garage. The call letters were his initials: William Haydon Payne

Dear KATT, Please for the love of God stop playing Shinedown... I dont know if you guys are trying to lose listeners but you have damn near lost all of my friends... Yeah keep running half assed songs into the ground... Geezous

I think the only one that did not was an "underground" station out of Edmond.


97.7 KWHP. I used to love that station. They played songs the other stations wouldn't/couldn't play.

I listened to it all night. What was the name of the late night DJ? (Poison Ivy?)

97.7 KWHP. The station had two homes in its KWHP days. Both were also the home of the owner, Bill Payne. The studio was in the garage. The call letters were his initials: William Haydon Payne

Yep, and Bill was an ego-maniac.

I used to love that station. They played songs the other stations wouldn't/couldn't play.

I listened to it all night. What was the name of the late night DJ? (Poison Ivy?)

They played "The Pusher" before anyone else would. Great station while it lasted.

but you can say the same about WKY and KOMA during the 60's and 70's. I think the only one that did not was an "underground" station out of Edmond.

What about KOCY-FM, "96.1 megahetrz under Oklahoma City"? They were on the air with a progressive format before K-Whip.

What about KOCY-FM, "96.1 megahetrz under Oklahoma City"? They were on the air with a progressive format before K-Whip.Maybe KOCY is the station I listened to all night instead of KWHP. It would have been around 1967 because it was the first time I heard Arlo Guthrie's songs Alice's Restaurant and The Motorcycle Song. They also played the really long versions of Iron Butterfly's In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida and a couple others.

Heh, gotta sudden urge to dig out those old songs... Be right back... :busterbun

Maybe KOCY is the station I listened to all night instead of KWHP. It would have been around 1967 because it was the first time I heard Arlo Guthrie's songs Alice's Restaurant and The Motorcycle Song. They also played the really long versions of Iron Butterfly's In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida and a couple others.

Heh, gotta sudden urge to dig out those old songs... Be right back... :busterbun

One of the guys I went to High School with was a DJ on the old KOCY FM - Charlie Seay. He was there WHILE we were still in H.S. I was very envious. I have always wanted to be in radio.

What about KOCY-FM, "96.1 megahetrz under Oklahoma City"? They were on the air with a progressive format before K-Whip.

Was KOCY located on N. Broadway. I remember the first time I listened to the station. Dark room, only a burning candle, an altered state of mind, and they played Here Comes The Sun by the Beatles. What a great introduction to a new site that played "movies" for your ears.....

Was KOCY located on N. Broadway. I remember the first time I listened to the station. Dark room, only a burning candle, an altered state of mind, and they played Here Comes The Sun by the Beatles. What a great introduction to a new site that played "movies" for your ears.....

The first thing I heard on KOCY-FM was in early ?'69? "Song for Susan" by Country Joe and the Fish. I already had the album (Fixin'-to-Die) and thought it was so cool that a radio station would play such a subtle, repetitive song.

The first thing I heard when I finally got my own FM radio was either "Epitaph" from the first King Crimson album or "Several Species of Small, Furry Animals Gathered Together in a Cave, and Grooving With a Pict" from Umma Gumma by Pink Floyd. I remember they were both played in the same set, can't remember which was first.

Thank God I was NOT in an altered state when I heard the Floyd cut.

When I answered KWHP it was because he specifically said "out of Edmond." But yes, KOCY-FM was a year or so ahead of KWHP with the "underground" stuff that was the rage of FM at the time. Had a better signal too. KOCY-AM (1340) had come off huge success in the fifties to finally cede the Top 40 format to WKY and KOMA. KOCY-AM was one of the last true "MOR" (Middle of the Road) stations in Oklahoma City, they had Mutual Network offerings overnight (and top-of-hour news) and a quality local news operation. I wish I could remember the name of the announcer in the evenings on KOCY for years through the 70's. Deep voice, very "MOR" but he sure did it well. And yes, on MOR they called them "announcers" or even "presenters." KOCY also broadcast CBS programming as well if it wasn't picked up by the local affiliate. The CBS Radio Mystery Theater was on KOCY when it first began. Great old radio station, I still miss it.

The first thing I heard on KOCY-FM was in early ?'69? "Song for Susan" by Country Joe and the Fish. I already had the album (Fixin'-to-Die) and thought it was so cool that a radio station would play such a subtle, repetitive song.

The first thing I heard when I finally got my own FM radio was either "Epitaph" from the first King Crimson album or "Several Species of Small, Furry Animals Gathered Together in a Cave, and Grooving With a Pict" from Umma Gumma by Pink Floyd. I remember they were both played in the same set, can't remember which was first.

Thank God I was NOT in an altered state when I heard the Floyd cut.

Umma Gumma & Atom Heart Mother are the two best Pink Floyd albums made....

97.7 KWHP. The station had two homes in its KWHP days. Both were also the home of the owner, Bill Payne. The studio was in the garage. The call letters were his initials: William Haydon Payne
I had a KWHP button at one time, in fact it still may be in my parents attic.

I had a KWHP button at one time, in fact it still may be in my parents attic.

Is it one of the old red and white oversized buttons with a K looping under the WHP in an almost flower power kind of typography?

It was a smaller (probably about 3/4") but was red/white. I may have to see if my parents found it along with the Nixon Now buttons.

I had a KWHP button at one time, in fact it still may be in my parents attic.My little brother won a motorcycle from KWHP around 1974.

It was a smaller (probably about 3/4") but was red/white. I may have to see if my parents found it along with the Nixon Now buttons. That's what we need: "Nixon Now".

I have always wanted to be in radio.

theres a little college out in del city on 29th street that will help you accomplish that goal.

I still love the KATT and I listen to Rick and Brad all the time while driving to work. They're still awesome, funny and relevant. Quite an accomplishment for guys that have been around as long as they have.

I still love the KATT and I listen to Rick and Brad all the time while driving to work. They're still awesome, funny and relevant. Quite an accomplishment for guys that have been around as long as they have.

Whenever I hear Brick and *** I have these horrible visions of Hee Haw:k-bunny:

What were the call letters for the "FreshAir" channel?

What were the call letters for the "FreshAir" channel?

104.1 FM "Fresh Air" KOFM. This was the last incarnation of KOFM before it went to personality Adult Contemporary. It then went Top-40 from 1978 till around 1983, then remade itself with less personality, but hard AC, as Star 104. Then to satellite programming. Things really changed in '89/'90 with the call letter change to KMGL, back to live personalities, and the still uber-successful "magic" AC format as "Magic 104, KMGL."

104.1 FM "Fresh Air" KOFM. This was the last incarnation of KOFM before it went to personality Adult Contemporary. It then went Top-40 from 1978 till around 1983, then remade itself with less personality, but hard AC, as Star 104. Then to satellite programming. Things really changed in '89/'90 with the call letter change to KMGL, back to live personalities, and the still uber-successful "magic" AC format as "Magic 104, KMGL." Thanks, Mike.. I think I first started listening to KOFM in 1968. Do you know when they first started their broadcast?

104.1 FM "Fresh Air" KOFM. This was the last incarnation of KOFM before it went to personality Adult Contemporary. It then went Top-40 from 1978 till around 1983, then remade itself with less personality, but hard AC, as Star 104. Then to satellite programming. Things really changed in '89/'90 with the call letter change to KMGL, back to live personalities, and the still uber-successful "magic" AC format as "Magic 104, KMGL."
They do have some "live personalities" somewhere, most of the programming is satellite feed there as well. I hear the same shows down here on our "Magic" station as well. I am a fan of "local radio" on terrestrial and not the homogenization of AM or FM. I have Sirius for various reasons but mainly I had pretty much quit listening to terrestrial radio years before XM or Sirius came into being. To me if I am going to listen to national broadcasters I might as well not have to jump around the dial when traveling like I did when I was commuting to Dallas weekly, that was what pushed me to get Sirius and I can listen to OU games on it.

About the only thing that I remember about 104 was Lester "Boogie Man" Michaels.

They do have some "live personalities" somewhere, most of the programming is satellite feed there as well. I hear the same shows down here on our "Magic" station as well. I am a fan of "local radio" on terrestrial and not the homogenization of AM or FM. I have Sirius for various reasons but mainly I had pretty much quit listening to terrestrial radio years before XM or Sirius came into being. To me if I am going to listen to national broadcasters I might as well not have to jump around the dial when traveling like I did when I was commuting to Dallas weekly, that was what pushed me to get Sirius and I can listen to OU games on it.

About the only thing that I remember about 104 was Lester "Boogie Man" Michaels.

The only syndication on Magic 104 is Delilah at night; it's otherwise all live or, at least, tracked by local personalities. One amazing thing about Magic 104 is the same morning show since 1990. 20 years is a long time for a show on AC radio.

Oh, yes...Les Michaels. I think he is in Lawton now.

Yes, I hear you about XM/Sirius... I no longer have it, but I mostly listen to my MP3 player in the car. The music I want, audiobooks, podcasts. I do miss some of the news/talk and sports on satellite.

The only syndication on Magic 104 is Delilah at night; it's otherwise all live or, at least, tracked by local personalities. One amazing thing about Magic 104 is the same morning show since 1990. 20 years is a long time for a show on AC radio.
Maybe the Austin station has more of the national feed stuff than the OKC version.



Yes, I hear you about XM/Sirius... I no longer have it, but I mostly listen to my MP3 player in the car. The music I want, audiobooks, podcasts. I do miss some of the news/talk and sports on satellite.
I have a 160gb iPod with about 80gb of music on it, I actually use it in the car now that I have an iPod interface for the factory BMW stereo. My F150 was just a couple of years too old to have that ability.

My former husband and I used to get the KATT calender every year but finally stopped being able to around 2002 or so. He gave me the collection after it survived the tornadoes in Little Axe back in May which wiped out his home. I am wondering if someone could either help me find the years I don't have or would have any interest in buying the ones I do have??? Thanks!!

I know this guy was not on the KATT , but he was on 103.0 back when I was in high school and he sounded like wolfman jack. He went by Lester "boogie" Michaels. Anyone heard of him or where he is now?

The KATT was the station to listen to when I was in high school, though 96X was a close contender (I graduated from PC Original in '77).

I remember the 100 cent concerts, and then the 96 cent ones that 96X countered with. I saw Meat Loaf and Crawler in about '78 (Meat Loaf's first tour) for which I believe the tickets were a buck.

I had a friend who was a KATT dj back in 78,79 or 80. Her name is Barbara. Does anyone remember her? I've lost track of her.

I love hearing local bands that I know play on the KATT.
Still Breathing being one of those bands.

It's always great that the KATT gives these musicians a chance to shine :)

The KATT was the station to listen to when I was in high school, though 96X was a close contender (I graduated from PC Original in '77).

I remember the 100 cent concerts, and then the 96 cent ones that 96X countered with. I saw Meat Loaf and Crawler in about '78 (Meat Loaf's first tour) for which I believe the tickets were a buck.
I forgot all about 96X they would come to Grant and hand out there stickers and throw a party in the courtyard from time to time. You wont see a radio station getting to do that these days!


I had a friend who was a KATT dj back in 78,79 or 80. Her name is Barbara. Does anyone remember her? I've lost track of her.

I do remember her, but I have not heard of her in years!

I remember the 100 cent concerts, and then the 96 cent ones that 96X countered with. I saw Meat Loaf and Crawler in about '78 (Meat Loaf's first tour) for which I believe the tickets were a buck.

I think I remember that concert, but I thought it was Meat Loaf and Whitesnake. Bat Out of Hell had just been released that week and we were going to go to that concert, but a sudden snow storm kept us at home pursuing other entertainment options while listening to Bat Out of Hell.

Bat Out of Hell released: 1977
Whitesnake formed (in England): 1978
Crawler: Never heard of 'em . . . Until now.

Why does the KATT not use their cat mascot in advertising anymore. Back in the 70s and 80s you'd see KATT billboards around town, KATT stickers/memorobilia etc. It was so cool to have those call letters and their marketing department was good in the beginning. But somewhere along the way they decided they didn't need their mascot to advertise anymore.

Also, does anymone remember a night time DJ for the KATT back in the early 80s who had a quiet, velvety smooth voice? I always loved his voice. It was so calming. But it belied the kind of music they played. His voice probably would've been more at home on an AC station or some such.

Greg Zoobeck is the only one that I can remember doing nights there.

The only DJ i can recall other then zoobeck back in the day is Lisa Myrick. Also remember they used to have something called KATT FEST at the Myriad back in the 80s.

Greg Zoobeck is the only one that I can remember doing nights there.

It's definitely not Zoo that I'm thinking about. They guy I'm thinking of had a totally different voice than him.

I thought that KATT-FM was the best thing since sliced bread when I first moved down here in '74.
It served as a replacement for KIMN ("Kim"): "The Denver Tiger" . . .

Now my listening tastes are more in the direction of what is available on "Public Radio".
But that is in no way to be misinterpred as a "diss" in the direction of "The" KATT. More like a "meh".

Sure wish there was a station here that played "Classic Celtic 24/7" interspersed with "Dropkick Murpheys" to provide variety. =)

KATT-FM 100 was the only station that I had locked-in on my radio dial . . .
Back in The Day. (well . . . KATT and KOMA (news/talk) . . . it was KOMA, wasn't it? maybe WKY? Oh! Wait!: KTOK!)