October 4, 1987 – Victor Stredicke –South county listeners can this week begin tuning in such features as “Rock Chronicles,” “Future Hits,” “Dr. Demento” and “Musical.” Each is a two- or three-hour package of music and information designed for listeners of different ages.
Previously KENU had been an adult-contemporary format, with “crossover” country _ that is, “for example, Willie Nelson’s most popular songs.”
The format description holds, but there are new blocks of special-interest programming. For example, after 3 p.m. weekdays, the title is “School After Hours,” and includes network-supplied rock-concert segments and a chance to talk by phone with a music-world celebrity. There will be five-minute reports from each high school in the station’s coverage area.
Weekday mornings, a buy-and-sell segment titled “The Marketplace” will expand into an hour women’s show _ according to Mike Dean, station manager, “produced by women, for women.” Dean said topics will include fashion, family health, food preparation.
Saturday programming might be described as for the musical archivist. Starting with a 9 a.m. “Dr. Demento”, followed by “The Top 30 Countdown” and rambling through “Rock ‘n’ Roll Never Forgets,” a program composed of radio airchecks from the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s.
Sunday afternoons are for old duffers _ or people who would like “Musical” ‘s three-hour weekly survey of Broadway and Hollywood show tunes, and “Encore,” a two-hour dose of big band and nostalgia from Jim Lange.
Gary Starr, previously morning personality, has moved to the afternoon teen slot, and Mike Dean’s air-alternative Dean Michaels, is new morning personality.
The manager said the station’s coverage area ranges from Federal Way, through Kent and Black Diamond. The station signs off at 6 p.m.
Former radio columnist for the Seattle Times (1964-1989).
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“Rock ‘n’ Roll Never Forgets,” a program composed of radio airchecks from the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s. — Sounds like a nifty radio program.