Upon receiving this aircheck from Contributor Jeffrey Holland, I wondered to myself, was there REALLY a Country music station in the Los Angeles area called KIK-FM? Indeed, there was. Not only that, but there’s actually an information page online written by someone who was there. Most stations not considered ‘legendary’, its hard to find any info.
This aircheck was scoped by the contributor, although we did made a few edits to the original to fix the spot where the tape ended on side one and continued on side two.
Fans of what was, in the 80s, known as ‘New Country’ will note, 1982 was a VERY long time ago! Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Jerry Jeff Walker and other 60s & 70s staple artists are getting plenty of airplay. And while it SEEMS older than dirt, consider that these artists were all getting airplay across the country, at 1050 WHN New York, albeit with more ‘POP’ tunes sprinkled in.
Scoped, yes. But if you remember what Country radio sounded like going back two generations now, or if you remember KIK-FM in the Los Angeles area, this aircheck is most definitely for you!
Listen to more from Contributor Jeffrey Holland HERE.
Read more about KIKF Garden Grove, CA HERE.
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I grew up in Orange County during this time and I do remember KIK FM, I wasn’t into country music, but I know it was pretty popular back then. It was great to hear Lyle Kilgore on this airchexx, doing the news. He and Marv Howard were old newsmen for 93 KHJ Boss Radio back in the 60 and 70’s.
Not only Lyle, by Charlie Tuna did mornings on KIK-FM in the early 90s.
There’s a connection. The station is owned by Art Astor, who was sales manager at KHJ in the late 60s.
I was with KIK FM, during this time period. We had some great people run through this station. Rich Walcoff- 25+ yrs. morning sports KGO/S.F., Mary Price-KKGO-Go Country L.A., Steve Thomas (KHJ), Al Conners (KRTH/KHJ), Gene Price (KLAC), JD-The SAT Network, Charlie Tuna(KHJ/KRTH), Lyle Kilgore(KHJ/KNX), Shawn Par (KZLA/KKGO) and many others. We often beat KlAC/KZLA/KHJ in the OC Arbitron (which they had back then).
I worked as a part time on KIK FM as well! It was great fun! Ellen Walker
I worker there from 82-84 as an intern then got hired to help with the on the road again parties. Remember Chris the Cadillac Cowboy and Lester the owner. Was really fun working there because of all the free food and drinks at the road parties.
Hey Ellen, it’s Steve Thomas. I just ran across your post. How are you?