Jonesboro’s KBTM-FM 101.9 is considered to have been the first FM radio station to begin broadcasting in Arkansas. It went on the air in 1947, 17 years after KBTM-AM 1230 officially began. Initially the AM was the primary station, serving a vital role in Jonesboro, while the FM was little more than a muzak-type easy listening service. But that changed as FM became dominant in the 1970s. So KBTM-FM 101.9 was upgraded and through various incarnations over the years, played rock and pop music. It eventually became a 100,000 watt powerhouse, broadcasting from an 1,100 foot tower with a signal reaching parts of five states. 

For most of its existence it was locally owned, but with deregulation and the corporate consolidation frenzy of the 1990s, it was sold and eventually ended up in the hands of Clear Channel.  In September 2010 the company killed the mighty signal so that it could put a lower power station on the air at the same frequency in Memphis, 70 miles away. Having worked there for a couple of years when it was known as Power 102 and knowing the rich history of both the FM and AM station, I couldn't help but feel sad about the loss of another local institution. 

Finding there was little looking at the history of the stations online, I decided to add this section to my web site. I've spoken at great lengths with those who ran the stations and former employees, using direct quotes of their experiences as much as possible to tell the story of the stations. I've also included photos from many sources and collected audio of airchecks and jingle packages, many of which were dubbed from dusty old reels dating back more than half a century ago. I've broken the history into five sections, with the final to eventually include the full interviews I recorded while putting this together. I welcome additional contributions, airchecks, photos or stories from any of the many people who worked in that building at 603 Madison Avenue or its later home next to KFIN. I also welcome any corrections to the information I've presented here.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

A lot of people came through over the years, with many going on to big careers in broadcasting. Many of those were, like myself, college students at Arkansas State University, willing to work for minimum wage while happy to get some real world experience. The photo above is one I took of the building in 1992. It housed the stations for more than half a century until corporate consolidation began. I'm happy to say the old building is still standing and today houses a law firm.

www.HibblenRadio.com