Harte-Hanks Radio (a subsidiary of outdoor and direct mail company) Was the owner of both WRBQ, Q105 in Tampa, and KKBQ/KYND in Houston. Based upon his experience hearing John Lander in Tampa, Scott Shannon originally suggested the hiring of Lander for Houston, and Shannon deed indeed consult and help plan both 79Q, and subsequently, 93Q. The Q-Zoo was entirely patterned after the Tampa Zoo helmed by Scott Shannon and Cleveland Wheeler, and the two shows shared LOTS of bits and songs as well.

It was not until March of 1985, 14 months after the launch of the 93Q, that the sale of KKBQ to Gannett went through and Harte-Hanks got out of the radio business entirely, selling the other stations to Gary Edens (President of Harte Hanks Radio.)

John Lander was a very shrewd negotiator. Here’s a fun insider story:

It was no secret that Lander hated Harte-Hanks President, Gary Edens, and surprisingly in these days of early contracts, none of the 79Q or 93Q staff had contracts OR non-compete clauses. Knowing that Lander was largely THE reason behind the success of KKBQ, bankers would not loan Edens the money to buy KKBQ unless he could get Lander to sign a long term contract.

In this case, Lander had been handed a trump card, and steadfastly refused to sign one in order to make sure that Edens didn’t get his hands on the stations. Edens had no choice but to give up on KKBQ and purchase the rest of the Harte-Hanks group. But Edens had payback up his sleeve…

Due to a prior rivalry in Philly, Lander had no love for Jay Cook, then the President of Gannett Radio. Knowing this, Gary Edens called Jay and let him know that the KKBQ plum was available for picking. Gannett leaped at the chance to purchased the leading stations in a Top 10 market, giving Edens the last laugh…or not??

Without a non-compete, Lander played hardball with Gannett, and had arranged to take the entire staff and morning show across the street to KRBE (which had gone unsuccessfully tried to transition itself from CHR to a KVIL A/C clone,) if things fell apart. This move gave Lander unbeatable leverage, and Gannett, under duress, signed Lander to a lucrative 3 year “hands-off” deal, giving him complete creative control of the stations and their programming. Lander also negotiated huge raises for everyone on the staff, as was his way. He was a very generous man to work for.

I know WRBQ, KKLQ San Diego, and KOY-FM Phoenix were all owned by Edens Broadcasting around that time, but cannot find who owned KKBQ at the time of the change.

It would make some sense if Shannon or even Cleveland Wheeler (who later left WRBQ for KKBQ) were involved in the launch of 93Q had Edens owned the station.