KEENER 14

BILL MILLER

Once in a while I get these waves of nostalgia that the Internet lets me indulge — so I find old, REALLY OLD, radio programs to listen to.

If you've been around Battle Creek since the '60s, you'll no doubt fondly recall WKFR Keener 14.

I'm not talking about WKFR 103.3 FM which has been Kalamazoo-based for a long, long time. I'm talking BEFORE that. When it was here in Battle Creek. When it was a sister station to the legendary WKNR in Dearborn. When those stations and their music and their DJs defined what it meant to be cool.

It's the summer of '68, you're cruising down Michigan Avenue, just digging the tunes...

Thanks to the "classic radio" site airchexx.com, which also provides some chatter about the station and recordings from WKNR in Dearborn.

And if you're REALLY into WKNR, this is the page with scores of tapes from the '60s and '70s.

Oh, yes — the Enquirer file photo above is of WKFR-AM program director Rick D'Amico in 1975 at a "computerized bank of record tapes." For the past 21 years, he has been at the Fox TV station in Phoenix.

 

Comments

[Jim Richmond]

'Right on, Bill!' Que-up that Keener 45.

[John Dayton]

I do recall Keener 14. And am old enough to recall its forerunner, i.e. WELL. WELL was so called due to Battle Creek, with the San, being called the health city.

[Jay Moore]

My uncle "Dick DeYoung" worked for WKNR and WKFR when they in Battle Creek. What a great memory!

[Mark Ehle]

W-K-N-R, Keener 14! I can still hear that jingle in my head.

[Bill Miller]

Thanks, guys, for the comments.

Did you all click on "just digging the tunes..."?

That calls up an mp3 audio clip of Steve Clark from summer 1968 — and lots more clips.

If you have any more memorabilia from WKFR, please let me know and I'll post it!

[Sharon Batterson]

I knew this station well. Worked there 3 years and was a "keener correspondent" while in highschool. Lots of wonderful memories. Always wondered where some of my co-workers are now. Knew Rick D'amico was in TV. And Bill Gray is still in BC. Got to have lunch a couple of years ago with the office staff and Wally Ahlers. But where is Bob Nyles, Robert Rees, Scott White, or any of the others from 64-70? If anybody knows, let me know. They will remember me as "Wendy" Wilkey.

[Don Kinsley]

This story is FUN and the links are FUN! I currently work at WIN 98-5, and WKFR and WKNR were both infuential in my career choice. In fact I worked for both in the early '80's...and I remember working on that rack that's in the picture with Rick D'Amico...last I saw those tape decks and carosels were in a junk heap at the WELL studios in Marshall back in the 1990's! Thanks for printing this article and links...IT WAS FUN!

[Rick D'Amico]

Hi Bill!
I got an email today from someone in Battle Creek telling me about the story on Keener 14!

I've always considered Keener 14 and living in Battle Creek, one of the true highlights of my career.

I actually have an old Keener 14 Jingle in my computer here in the Fox-10 Newsroom, and I play it out loud every couple of weeks, just for fun.

And Keener 14 and Battle Creek come up in conversation regularly on our morning show here in Phoenix.

Thanks for the memories!

Sincerely,

Rick D'Amico
Fox-10 Arizona Morning
Phoenix

[Bill Miller]

Wow, this is great, we've got a thread going.

Good to hear from you, Rick. I wanted to email you but couldn't find an email address on your TV site.

I'm sure you don't remember, but I applied for a job there in the early '70s. I had worked in radio on and off around the country and since in was in high school — then got my degree from WMU and ended up here at the Enquirer.

But right before I started at the newspaper, I had a summerlong stint at the old WKZO TV station, summer of '74. I'll never forget watching the AP wire machine spitting out the news that Richard Nixon had resigned the presidency. In fact, I still have the printout (or whatever we called it then!)

[Bob Nyles]

OMG!! Sharon wilkey. Believe it or not I have thought of you often. Not much time now but we must catch up. My email is bobnyles@gmail.com.

Jay, your uncle Dick "CADY" DeYoung & I worked together there. I was there from 65-70.
Love to you all

[Rick D'Amico]

I joined Keener in 1970 as News Director and later became Program Director.

Bill, remember tele-type machines? Everything on paper? Kenner had one. It also had a homemade control board in the newsroom, that when you opened the mike, it picked up the signal from WBCK, and broadcast WBCK on Keener 14!

I remember: Dick Cady (Dick DeYoung) now in San Diego in the audio visual business. Bill Gray, perhaps the funniest on air personality I ever worked with.(now at 'BCK) Matt Majeski, I think now in Houston.
Matt McLogan - was one of our news directors, was a Michigan Public Service Commissioner.

Suzann Geha, (WOOD-TV) one of the first women to be a radio newscaster in Michigan. I almost lost my job because I hired a woman!

I usually get a call from Wally Ahlers (number one sales guy) every year when he's passing thru Phoenix.

How could we ever forget Wendell Wilke!

And Jude in the front office?

Kent Kanaga, long time General Manager, retired to Tucson and passed away a few years ago.

So many memories - so many people: Bob Absher - Bob Roberts - Dave Thomas - John Gingas - Jim Hawk - Doak Breen - Mike Kinosean - Chuck Mefford (jr)
Mike Scott - and the list goes on.

So many people - so many memories.

Rick D'Amico

[Jan Rayfield]

Rick: I lived in Battle Creek for 28 years and my sister, Sharon Wilkey, worked for Kenner 14 in the late 60s. Keener was the bomb seeing how everything else in BC was a drag!

[Dave Ansel]

Found this blog today!! Always looking for information on the old Keener 14, particularly associated with the theme of Bob Nyles' Sunday Subway. Sure would like to know who did the third part of the theme, "Underground". Found Bob Nyles last Spring and he could not recall. Keener 14 listener from 1968 through early 1970s and have cassettes, mainly of the music.

[John Stange]

In the late 60's I shared an apartment with Randy Sly and Dave Thomas. Randy now lives in Virginia and has a communications business, writeviewllc.com. Bob Nyles did the Sunday Subway and played the part of Lance Phere, the WKFR janitor, in part of the program. Great memories.

[John Gooch]

Hello all,

I still find myself singing the "WKFR Keener 14" jingle from the 60's.
Would anyone have the original jingle mentioned above in MP3 or wave format? Or a website? Wow, it's quite interesting, if you were to ask a question like that back then, people would think you were from another planet!

Thanks,

John Gooch.

[Jim Richmond]

Rick D'Amico !

Remember him well.

On radio AND tv.

A real talent.

Not surprised he's in one of the sun states.

:-)

Jim Richmond

[Sharon Batterson]

I am trying to put together a database of former Keener 14 employees from the years of 1964-1975, for the purpose of a possible reunion in either 2009 or 2010. I've gotten a few from this blog, but if anyone has contact information you can forward to me, I'd greatly appreciate current e-mail addresses, real adddresses or phone numbers. forward to slbatterson@gmail.com. Thank you, Sharon (Wendell Wilkey) Battterson 1967-1970

[Bobby Todd & Gorf]

It is a wonderful thing you are doing Wendy Sharon. Thank you. I am anxiously awaiting the reunion. I will be there. Gorf will be there, too. hee hee.

I was so fortunate to be from Battle Creek and to be at WELL during the switch to Keener14. My entire career took off from there.

My best to everyone.

Bobby Todd PM Drive WKFR 1964-65

[Neil Thomas (on aIr name then)]

What a hoot to see this blog. Keener was the first rock station I ever worked at. I was there just a short time before going to South Bend and WRBR. WKNR was such a powerhouse back then and I was so wet behind the ears. Rick D'amico was a great guy and I always appreciated learning from him and Dick DeYoung. Every once in a while I hear spots with Dick's voice Here in Denver, CO. What a great station it was and it shot so many great talents to high places in broadcasting.

Best Regards!

[Sharon Batterson]

Hey Neil Thomas, send me your email address , so I can get info to you about upcoming reunion .. slbatterson@gmail.com

[Oftenbear]

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[Michael C Neumann]

Sorry i missed reunion, worked at Keener from 1972 to 74 on air mid mornings behind Matt Majeski....remember all of these guys listed. It was great fin.
Michaek C Neumann

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