Whether you Knock AM radio for its lack of music or relentless static, this is where it all started. The beginning of the Twentieth century introduced the Dallas-Fort Worth area to its first radio stations: KFJZ which dates back to as early as 1917, WRR established in 1920, WFAA, WPA, and WBAP all established in 1922. What followed was history. At its early stages, AM was more of a freewheeling gamut of radio waves with some assigned frequencies. Music was primarily played on 618.6 kc and the news and weather were primarily broadcasted on 833 kc. At the time, there were literally no regulations allowing an equitable distribution of the dial for broadcasters. In 1922, the 5 DFW stations came to an agreement of timesharing on each frequency.
On 11th November 1928, the Federal Radio Commission brought some order to the dial and allocated committed frequencies to the best radio stations, sidelining the majority of small-time radio stations that did not take broadcasting seriously. The day was dubbed the National Frequency Allocation Day. Powerhouse WBAP was assigned a clear channel on the dial. In the United States, very few radio stations are allowed to blast their signal to forty-two states. In honor of the art of distance listening, also known as DX-ing, Wednesdays past 3 pm in the 1920s were designated silent nights. During Wednesdays, the low-powered radio stations would shut off their transmitters to allow high-powered radio stations to reach everybody’s dial.
At its infancy, AM radio in Dallas-Fort Worth, just like in other parts of the United States predominantly comprised of news programming and entertainment. However, its importance and value were secured during the Second World War as the information center for a concerned nation. In the 1940s, after TV was made accessible to the masses, the demise of radio seemed imminent. However, Gordon McLendon did not let this happen. In 1947 McLendon signed on KLIF with a music format and before long other radio stations followed suit bringing life back to local radio. The creation of the transistor and development of the portable, lightweight radios, as well as the relief of credit issues issues that plagued KLIF for years, made the reinvented band get new listeners in people who are on the move. Todd Storz and McLendon’s simultaneous 1950s discovery of the Top Forty presented a unique popularity with the young generation, KLIF, KFJZ, KLIF created formats to make the best out of the current music, particularly rock and roll. Soon, other local radio stations modified their formats to focus on Spanish, rhythm and blues, country, and news. While KLIF had amazing ratings in the Fifties and Sixties, others like WBAP and KRLD discovered successful programming niches best suited for older audiences.
Today, 1580 KGAF-Hometown Radio is one of the most loved stations in Gainesville, Texas. The radio station offers Sports Talk programs, Gold-Based Contemporary Music, and News. 1580 KGAF-Hometown Radio was established on 10-1-1947 and features a classic country format. It is also known as The Choice and Voice of Southern Oklahoma and North Texas. Some of the shows featured on 1580 KGAF-Hometown Radio include Rick Lock Show, NCTC Insider, KGAF Sportstalk, KGAF Pre-Game Show, KGAF Hometown Health, KGAF Hometown Radio Weather, KGAF Hometown Radio Sports, KGAF Hometown Radio News, KGAF Game Broadcast, Hometown Breakfast Club, GISD School Report, Coffee With The Mayor, and the Friday Night Football Scoreboard Show. 1580 KGAF-Hometown Radio hosts include Chip Yaggi, Steve West, and Doug Konkel.