KKUS

KKUS (104.1 FM) is an Alpha Media radio station, licensed to Tyler, Texas, United States, paired with FM translator K279CI (103.7 FM) and KYKX-HD2 (105.7 FM), both licensed to Longview, Texas, and serving the Tyler-Longview market with a classic country format. The Ranch studio is located on Broadway Avenue in downtown Tyler. The transmitter site for KKUS is located near County Road 434, west of Hideaway, Smith County, Texas; K279CI transmits from the KYKX tower located near FM 1844 and SH 300 in Upshur County, Texas.

KKUS

Tyler, Texas
Broadcast area	Tyler-Longview area
Frequency	104.1 MHz
Branding	104-1, 103-7 The Ranch
Programming
Language(s)	English
Format	Classic country
Affiliations	Compass Media Networks
Ownership
Owner	Alpha Media LLC (Alpha Media Licensee LLC)
Sister stations	KTLH KOOI KOYE KYKX
History
First air date	December 7, 1989 (1989-12-07) (as KGKB)
Former call signs	KGKB (1989–1990) KTMJ (1990–1992)
Call sign meaning	"US 104" (former branding)
Technical information
Licensing authority	FCC
Facility ID	68651
Class	C2
ERP	50,000 watts
HAAT	150.0 meters
Transmitter coordinates	32°29′33″N 95°28′52″W
Repeater(s)	105.7 KYKX-HD2 (Longview)
Links
Public license information	Public file LMS
Webcast	Listen Live
Website	theranch.fm

On-air line up

The on air staff includes the syndicated Big D and Bubba in mornings, Chris Wayne during mid-day, Charlie O' in the afternoon shift, and Diane Day at night. "The Original Country Gold" with Rowdy Yates (Josh Holstead) is featured on Saturday and Sunday evenings.

Tom Perryman

Tom Perryman was East Texas' only true radio legend. In the late 1940s, Tom started his career at 1400 KEBE "The KEBE Corral" in Jacksonville, Texas. In the mid-1950s, Tom was at KSIJ (now KEES) 1430 in Gladewater, Texas. It was at KSIJ that Tom brought Elvis Presley to East Texas, and gave Elvis some of his first work. It was also at KSIJ that Tom met Jim Reeves, Floyd Cramer, and Johnny Horton. Then Tom went on to host the Opry Star Spotlight on The Air Castle of the South 650 WSM in Nashville, as well as becoming one of the most famous Opry announcers of all time. Before leaving WSM he hired his replacement, Ralph Emery. Tom and Jim Reeves then bought KGRI AM/FM in Henderson, Texas. Later, Tom and Mary Reeves bought WMTS AM/FM in Murfreesboro, TN. The Perryman's and Mary Reeves sold WMTS AM/FM in the early 1980s, and Tom went into retirement. Tom was convinced to come back to East Texas by Dudley Waller (former owner of KKUS) and Rick Guest (former GM of Waller and Access.1/East Texas Radio Group), to boost the ratings of the fledgling classic country station (The Ranch). Tom agreed to join the Ranch, and kept "The Ranch" consistently at the top of the ratings. He died January 11, 2018.

History

December 7, 1989, 104.1 signed on the air as KGKB Tyler. The original licensee of 104.1 was radio executive Rick Reynolds. On April 16, 1990, the station changed its call sign to KTMJ and switched to a "Magic" format. October 1, 1992, 104.1 changed to the current KKUS, and became "US 104" playing top-40 country, in an effort to compete with KNUE and KYKX. In 1998, KKUS was sold to Sun Group of Dallas, which in turn became Sunburst. In 2000, KKUS along with KYKX, KFRO, and KFRO-FM was sold to Waller Media of Jacksonville. Dudley Waller and Rick Guest (former GM of Waller Broadcasting) changed the format to the now highly successful classic country format. Waller and Guest added Tom Perryman, and by adding Tom turned 104.1 into one of the most successful stations in East Texas. On January 7, 2005, Waller sold KKUS, KOOI, KOYE, KYKX, and KFRO to Access.1 of New York/East Texas Radio Group.

Alpha Media LLC purchased KKUS and eight other stations in Texas and Louisiana from Access.1 effective April 14, 2015, at a price of $13.75 million.

External links

• Facility details for Facility ID 68651 (KKUS) in the FCC Licensing and Management System
• KKUS in Nielsen Audio's FM station database