History of KOMA radio

KOMA was born on Christmas Eve 1922 in Oklahoma City. The southwestern giant was only 15 watts of power under the original call letters KFJF. The station’s original purpose was to rebroadcast the programming of larger eastern stations. In 1932 the call letters were changed to the now internationally known KOMA. The studios were moved at this time, filling the 24th floor of the Oklahoma City Biltmore Hotel; an area they would occupy for over 30 years. KOMA then took on its familiar frequency when the FCC moved all AM radios stations 40 kilocycles up the dial. KOMA-1480 became KOMA-1520 and was operating at 50,000 watts. During the 50’s, television was forcing radio into a period of change. The old radio shows were quickly fading into the past. Something called “Top 40” with “Rock ‘N Roll” music was the latest trend in radio. KOMA became a true ‘rock’ radio station in 1958 when it was purchased by the legendary Storz Broadcasting Co. Storz, owned by Todd Storz and Gordon McClendon, developed the “Top 40” concept of radio and the format system employed by most successful radio stations in the country. The Storz chain of stations also include WDGY-Minneapolis as well as stations in Kansas City, New Orleans, St. Louis and Miami. Throughout the 60s and 70s, KOMA was the favorite of teens all across the western U.S. With the big signal and relatively few rocknroll radio stations across The Plains, it was the main station for the hits. KOMA could be heard on car radios, in homes and everywhere a kid could tune in.Often teens in New Mexico, Arizona, Wyoming, Kansas, Colorado, Nebraska and Iowa as well as other western states would eager await sunset when the mighty 1520 would come booming through with the newest hits of the day. They would sit in their cars on hilltops, turn it up at parties or fall asleep with the radio next to their beds as they listened to Chuck Berry, the Supremes, Paul Revere & the Raiders, and the Beatles. Soldiers in Viet Nam even reported tuning in KOMA to give them a little feeling of being back home. Led through the 60s by program directors Dean Johnson, Dale Wehba and Perry Murphy, some of the best-remembered deejays spun the hits each day and night. Charlie Tuna, Dale Wehba, Don McGregor, Paul Miller, John David, Chuck Dann, J. Michael Wilson, Johnny Dark, Buddy Scott, John Ravencroft and many others were among those who played the hits from the studios in Moore, Okla. Everyone remembers “Yours Truly KOMA” and the “kissing tone.” This was an era where radio was fun. It was more than just the music. It was a magical blend of personality, jungles, contests and fun mixed with the greatest music that defined the era. These were considered by many to be the best years of radio. And for baby boomers across the Midwest and Western US, KOMA was king. On Sept. 22, 1988, after a few years airing country and big band formats, KOMA returned to the Oldies format under the direction of Program Director Kent Jones. Through the 90s, KOMA hosted the Rock and Roll Reunion events that brought many local bands of the 60s back together for live concerts in front of thousands of fans. In 2004 the station hosted the “KOMA Fan Jam.” Many former deejays returned for the event and the weekend programming was full of memorable recordings from the 60s, serving as a tribute to the KOMA staff and listeners who made the AM station such a legend. The Fan Jam drew a capacity crowd of over 1000 fans to the Westin Hotel in downtown Oklahoma City. In recent years KOMA has twice been a finalist for the prestigious Marconi Radio Award for Oldies Station of the Year and Medium Market Station of the Year. Today KOMA continues to draw a loyal audience as listeners tune in for fun and memories of those great years when the station was an integral part of their lives while growing up.

Cobblestone Ballroom Storm Lake, Iowa

Laura and Willard Lawrence, along with her brother Jake Figi formed a partnership in December of 1928 to operate a bathhouse and store on the shores of Storm Lake. There wasn’t much for the young people of the area to do in those days so the little store soon became the favorite gathering place for young couples. It was this situation that prompted the partners to build the first Cobblestone Inn. On New Year’s Eve of 1929 the first dance was held in the small hall that accommodated 50 couples. From those humble beginnings the famous Cobblestone Ballroom was born. It could hold upwards of 1500 people for dining and dancing. After Willard’s untimely death in 1936, Laura continued the partnership with Jake. A fire in 1945 completely destroyed everything but the main ballroom. The partners built a new main dining room with several private banquet rooms and a modern kitchen able to handle banquets of 1000 or more. Two years later, Laura’s three sons bought out Figi’s half of the business and joined their mother in operating what became one of the finest dining and dancing spots in the Midwest. They employed 39 people plus extras for special events. During the “Big Band Era” many nationally known bands appeared at the Cobblestone such as: Duke Ellington, Lawrence Welk, Tommy & Jimmy Dorsey, Jan Garber and Big Tiny Little. Laura Lawrence retired from active participation in the business in 1957, turning it over fully to Orville (Shorty) and Willard Junior (J.R. or “Junior”). They became the proprietors just in time for the rock and roll era to arrive. For the Cobblestone, that happened on Sept. 21, 1958 with CYO dances that started with records and turned into regular Sunday night Teen Hops with regional and national bands. That continued until the early 1980s. The ballroom’s datebooks reflect appearances by Myron Lee & the Caddies, Johnny & the Hurricanes, Bobby Vee, Jerry Lee Lewis, Conway Twitty, the Rhythm Aces, the Charades, the Fabulous Flippers, Spider and the Crabs, Dee Jay & the Runaways, The Senders, Red Dogs, Baby and the Rumbles among countless others. J.R. passed away in 1976 and his wife Geraldine (Jerry) took over his duties in the family business. Shorty died on 1987. The Cobblestone closed in November of 1986. The structure still stands and the city of Storm Lake has discussed preserving and possibly restoring the landmark.

Avalon Ballroom, Remsen, Iowa

The Avalon Ballroom of Remsen, Iowa. Remsen's Avalon Ballroom was built in 1937, making it 61 years old, and one of lowa's longest running ballrooms. The building was constructed on the former A.i. Duster parking lots just North of the American Legion. At the time that the building was built, it covered a ground space of 60'X 110' making it one the largest structures of it's kind in western Iowa. Then owners, Jake Raveling & Frederick Phillips set the grand opening for Labor Day of 1937 drawing over 400 dancers. Over the years The Avalon has played host to the likes of Lawrence Welk, The Velaires, Burch Ray & The Walkers, The Astronauts, The Trashmen and The Patch Of Blue with Tommy Bolin, to name just a few. After setting idle for a number of years, The Remsen Jaycees and their Remsen Community Action Club purchased The Avalon and is undertaking a significant remodeling of the ballroom to make it a beautiful, like new, and historic entertainment venue once again.

The Surf Ballroom, Clear Lake, Iowa http://www.surfballroom.com

The Surf has a fabulous music history from the big bands of the 30's and 40's, to big name rock artists of the 50's through the 90's, the Surf has had them all. The original Surf was built as a wooden frame structure and prospered as one of the most popular ballrooms in the Upper Midwest until an untimely fire caused her demise in 1947. The community of Clear Lake and dancers throughout the Midwest got behind the ownership of the Surf and it was rebuilt at its current location in 1948. In the 30's and 40's in order for a big band to make it's reputation nationally, it had to play the Surf. The likes of Count Basie, Duke Ellington, The Dorsey's all made regular stops at the Surf. The 1950's saw the dawning of rock and roll and then manager Carrol Anderson was quick to book into the Surf the hottest names in the business. This was the case on February 2, 1959 when Anderson brought in the famed Winter Dance Party featuring Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, The Big Bopper, and Dion. There isn't anyone who doesn't know the rest of the story as the fateful plane crash after the show took the lives of Holly, The Bopper and Valens. During the 50's and 60's the name rock acts kept playing the Surf. Artists such as Link Wray, Sam the Sham, Dion, The Everly Brothers, Jan and Dean, and Conway Twitty all took the stage at the Surf. In the early 70's, the Surf brougt in the likes of Santana, REO Speedwagon and Kansas, quite an impressive line-up. In 1975 the management of the ballroom was taken over by the colorful Darrel Hein, then later by Bruce Christensen. During the 90's the ballroom has undergone significant renovation by it's new owners, the Snyder family of Clear Lake.

Band Posters of the 1960's printed by Cawker City Ledger Litho.

3 Versions of The Sensational Showmen

Just to clarify any confusion of the versions of The Sensational Showmen bands, there were 3 versions. The original group, hosts of this blog, were from Concordia, Clifton & Clyde, Kansas. The other two versions came about after the disbanding of the original group in 1967. The other two versions of the band hailed from Chanute, Parsons and Pittsburg. All the groups were affiliated with Mid-Continent Entertainment, John Brown, out of Lawrence, Kansas.

Mike Fitzsimmons, lead guitarist of The Sensational Showmen (Parsons/Pittsburg) passes

< Michael T. “Mike” Fitzmorris, 61, of Parsons, passed away at 6:39 p.m., Wednesday, October 29, 2014 at his home where he had resided his entire life. He was born March 4, 1953 in Neodesha, Kansas to Dennis and Rosemary (Patchin) Fitzmorris. He grew up in Parsons where he attended school and was a 1971 graduate of St. Patrick’s High School. He then attended Pittsburg State University where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in music education and vocal performance. Music was his passion. He worked as a professional musician, gave guitar lessons, taught music at Labette Community College, and entertained during the evening hours at the Parsons Country Club by playing the piano. He also had worked at the M-K-T Railroad, the Parsons State Hospital and Training Center, and Class LTD where he was founder and director of the Class LTD choir. In earlier years, he toured with several bands including The Gang Band, The Sensational Showmen, The Fitz Band, and Trouble Maker. In 2008, he and The Sensational Showmen were honored by being inducted into the Kansas Music Hall of Fame. His hobbies included photography, astronomy, and metal detecting. He especially enjoyed spending time with his family and jamming with his friends who fondly called him “Fitz”. In 1990, he and Gretchen Wheelan were married at the Calvary Baptist Church in Joplin. They later divorced. Survivors include two sons, Erin Fitzmorris and Eric Fitzmorris and his wife, Jill, all of Lawrence, KS; three grandchildren, Lily Ann Kaiser, Brenya Rose Fitzmorris, and Ridley Michael Fitzmorris, and one granddaughter, Cambria Kay Fitzmorris, “on the way”; two brothers, Larry Fitzmorris, McPherson, KS, and Dennis Fitzmorris, Owasso, OK; and lifelong friend, Marvin Foreman, Parsons, KS. He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Norman Fitzmorris; and one sister, Lynda Hedgepath. Memorial services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, November 1, 2014 at the Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons. The family will receive friends from 6-8:00 p.m., Friday, at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the Michael Fitzmorris Memorial Fund. These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS 67357.

The Rising Suns being inducted into the 2014 South Dakota Rock and Roll Music Association

Old photo of Playmate Blues Band

2014 Kansas Music Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

KANSAS MUSIC HALL OF FAME 2014 INDUCTION CEREMONY Saturday, March 1st, 2014 All Ages // 6:00pm Doors // 6:30 Ceremony Start // 7:00pm Show FACEBOOK EVENT PAGE TICKETS: All Tickets Are General Admission $30.00* General Admission All seating is available first come, first served For more information, contact kansmusic@aol.com or ksmusichalloffame.org. 2014 Kansas Music Hall of Fame Inductees Beast Bon Ton Soul Accordion Band Clif Major Glow Jimmy Dee & Fabulous Destinations Junior Brown Sanctuary Wichita Linemen Ed Down (Audio House) Director's Award Donnie and Diane Bob Hapgood Award

King Midas and the Mufflers - late 90's

L to R top: Mike Hill, the late Bob Hapgood, Richard Collins, Ron Foulk bottom: the late Dennis Frans, Ralph Brown

The Innkeepers 1965

Mau Maus - 1965 Abilene, Kansas

Seeds of Friar Tuck and the Monks - Ron Bowell, Ron Fitch, and Richard France, the heart of Friar Tuck and the Monks came out of this 1965 band called the Mau Maus. Shown here at the Abilene, Kansas City Auditorium in the summer of 1965.

Soul Arrangement

Soul Arrangement. 1969? Main Stage at KS State Fair. Left to right Kenny Rice, Jr. Bowen, Bruce Huss, Ron Trelk,Willie Cheeks, Mike Bighart, Mike Lucas, Bill Spece.

Concordia, Kansas hot spots

Played Pop's Pizza many times. DJ's came later. Many excellent concerts at both venues.

Old Vette's, Clifton, Kansas poster from 1963 era

These were the very early stages of our musical venture of playing in public. No recollection of what we sounded like but I am sure it was very simple and amateurish, but at least it was a start. Making handmade posters using Magic Markers and colored construction paper. As you can see, we were not very artistic but were creative. After making the posters, then we had to hand deliver them to places that would gladly display them in their store windows or bulletin boards. After all the expense, we probably made nothing at the gig! Those were the days!!! Phil Pfister and Larry Jackson left the Vette's to launch The Sensational Showmen

Old Newspaper Clipping for the Vettes, Clifton, Kansas

Battle of the Bands , Concordia, Kansas

2014 Inductees to the Kansas Music Hall of Fame

The voting is over and the results are confirmed. Next March 1 the following will be inducted: Beast, Bon Ton Soul Accordion Band, Junior Brown, Jimmy Dee & Fabulous Destinations, Glow, Clif Major, Sanctuary and the Wichita Linemen. The Directors Award inductee will be Ed Down of Audio House, and the Bob Hapgood Award winner will be Donnie & Diane.

Great Documentary of Bud Ross- Kustom Electronics of Chanute, Kansas

"watch.ktwu.org/video/2365121470/"

Pop's Pizza Parlor, Concordia, Kansas

A great location for kids to gather, eat pizza and listen and dance to the many bands that played the venue. Too bad it has been shuttered for years. Even though it is empty now, it contains a lot of memories of teenagers from north central Kansas.

Concordia, Kansas National Guard Armory

Great acoustics. Jam packed dances in the 60's,

KOMA kissing tone

2013 KMHOF poster

The Tempests - Hays, Kansas - 2013 KMOF Induction

Gary "Igor" Crawford

He traveled with many a band in his days with Mid Continent

Spider and the Crabs pictures

Thank you to Wes Strowig,former trombone player from Salina, Kansas. He played with the Kopi Kats from Manhattan, Ks and versions of Spider and the Crabs and the Rising Suns 1968-1970.

Playmate Blues Band pics from the past

Salina Journal writeup on The Devastating Dinks induction

"http://www.salina.com/news/dinks-3513"

Old Hollyhock Ballroom poster

Old Rides Soul Express and Spider & the Crabs

The Blue Things "Doll House"

The Rising Suns

The RISING SUNS (Coffeyville version) formed in Lawrence, Kansas in the mid 1960’s under contract and being promoted by Mid Continent Entertainment, a booking agency started by John Brown and Mike Murfin, that booked the band throughout the United States performing thousands of venues from Texas to Canada, and California to New York. The “SUNS” were known as the band to see and packed the venues they played. Known for producing great music, they were also known for putting on a great show with the ability to draw in the crowd and get the rock and roll, adrenalin flowing. Their music focused on artists such as James Brown, Otis Redding, Ray Charles, Joe Cocker, Earth Wind and Fire, Chicago, Tower of Power and many more. The dance concerts were advertised through the famed 50,000 watt KOMA radio station based in Oklahoma City, which reached approximately three million listeners per night throughout the western and central US. Through the contract years of 1966 through 1974 there were 23 different musicians that traveled the nation. One of the longest playing bands under contract with Mid Continent, the band would play three nights a week during the school term, and seven nights a week the rest of the year. Thirteen of those members reunited in 2006 to continue producing that good ole rock and roll, rhythm and blues sound discovering that their old fans, as well as new younger fans are enjoying that “SUNS” sound. The RISING SUNS were inducted into the Kansas Music Hall of Fame in January 2007, and the Lions Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in October of that same year. They are scheduled for induction into the Iowa Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Labor Day weekend, September 5, 2010 The “SUNS’ Members that reunited in 2006: Isy Martin Jr. Guitar; vocals Anaheim Hills, CA Bill Snow Bass; vocals Tulsa, OK Butch Neese Bass; vocals Afton, OK Mike Floyd Guitar; vocals Wichita, KS Randall Grundy Keyboard; vocals Vista, CA Steve Datson Drums Coffeyville, KS John Keith Saxophone Coffeyville, KS Jim Jensen Saxophone Birmingham, AL Jack Rawlins Saxophone Ponca City, OK Richard McBride Trombone Caney, KS Doug Bundy Trombone Edmond, OK Steve Alter Trumpet Jenks, OK Doug Rike Trumpet Parsons, KS Gene Tucker Road Manager Coffeyville, KS

The Fabulous Flippers-Where are they Now

So where are The Fabulous Flippers now? (As of 1998 article) Dennes Frederick, bass guitarist, lives in Nashville and works as a chemist. Doug Crotty, sax player, practices law in Garden City. Jerry Tammen, drummer, is an investor in Larned. Gary Claxton, sax player, is in the insurance business in Bella Vista, Ark. Terry Wierman, lead guitarist, is a carpenter in Hays. Danny Hein, vocalist, guitarist and keyboardist, is in the real estate business in Bella Vista. Roger Lewis, lead trumpet player, is a band director at Butler County Community College in El Dorado. And Loewen, after moving to Nashville and pursuing a career in contemporary Christian music, is now a property manager in Lawrence.

Rising Suns poster

South Dakota Rock and Roll Music Association 2013

SIOUX FALLS — Tyndall’s Groveland Park is among the 2013 inductees to the South Dakota Rock and Roll Music Association Hall of Fame, the association announced Tuesday. The April 13 induction at the Ramkota in Sioux Falls will include 10 bands from South Dakota, Iowa and Minnesota, three venues, and four individuals who were early contributors to the enjoyment of rock ’n’ roll music in South Dakota.Playing at the 2013 induction are The Hursmen and Ma’s Boys, from Sioux Falls; Nickel Bag of Soul, from Flandreau; Outer Limits, from Madison; Burch Ray & the Walkers, from Spearfish; Lads of Sherwood, from Sisseton; and The Roselles Brothers, from Lead. Also performing will be two Iowa bands, The 7 Sons and The Velaires, from Sioux City. The Trashmen of “Surfin’ Bird” fame have also agreed to perform.The Trashmen, from the Twin Cities, became world famous with the release of the 1963 song “Surfin’ Bird,” a medley of two songs by the Rivingtons, “Papa-Oom-Mow-Mow” and “The Bird’s the Word.” Most recently, the song again hit No. 3 in the United Kingdom in 2010 after a Facebook promotion. The association also recognizes venues — dance halls, popular lounges and other facilities — that were instrumental in bringing people together to enjoy rock ’n’ roll. Inductees for 2013 include the White Eagle Ballroom, of New Effington; Horatios, of Brookings; Tyndall’s Groveland Park; and Lyal’s Music Store, of Lake Preston. Individuals to be honored in 2013 are Promoter Dick Matousek, from Sioux City, and DJ Ray Durkee, from Aberdeen, with Dennis Brown, aka Jim Rose, Aberdeen, winning the Lifetime Achievement Award and the late Lloyd Nerland, Huron, winning the Spirit of the Music Award. Now in its fifth year, the induction ceremony annually sells out to a crowd of 1,600 people. Details, tickets and VIP tables are available for reservations online at SDRRMA.com.

Dark Horse Inn, Hays, Kansas

2013 Kansas Music Hall of Fame Inductees

The 2013 Kansas Music Hall of Fame inductees have been announced. The induction ceremony and concert will be held March 2, 2013 at Liberty Hall in Lawrence. The new inductees are: Devastating Dinks, Salina Exceptions, Topeka Ray Hildebrand, Prairie Village Kerry Livgren, Berryton/Topeka Chuck Mead, Lawrence Mystic Number National Bank, Kansas City Playmate Blues Band, Hays Tempests, Hays Steve Werner, Kansas City Wizards From Kansas, Lawrence Sherman Halsey, Independence (Directors Award) Clyde Bysom and Junkyard Jazz, Lawrence (Directors Award) Larry Emmett & Sliders, DeSoto (Bob Hapgood Award) So far the Devastating Dinks, Ray Hildebrand, Playmate Blues Band, Tempests and Clyde Bysom & Junkyard Jazz have indicated that they will perform at Liberty Hall March 2. It’s important that we pack the place, so please spread the word about the show and make plans to attend.

The Devastating Dinks flyer