On September 23, 1959 the FCC granted a construction permit to build an FM station on 95.5 mc. in Portland OR to (I.G.M.) International Good Music, Inc. (Lafayette "Rogan Jones", President; David Mintz, Executive Vice-President). IGM, founded in 1958, was a builder of broadcast automation systems, headquartered in Bellingham WA, where the company operated KVOS AM-TV. In early October 1959 calls KGMG were assigned, standing for "Good Music", the format term for classical music.

On December 22, 1959 at 3:00 PM property on Healy Heights (4636 S.W. Council Crest Drive) was auctioned and sold to Tower Sites, Inc. (group owner: I.G.M., Inc.). KGMG license was changed to Tower Sites, Inc. shortly after. Winning bid was $45,500.00 for real estate, broadcast studio building and a 248 foot tower. This facility was previously KHTV Television. Channel 27 declared bankruptcy after it's 10-31-59 sign off. (KHTV launched on 7-6-59, property purchased on 10-22-58). Previous to this in 1947 the property was the transmitter site for the failed KPRA (FM) and later the second failed attempt as the first KWJJ-FM in 1949. By coincidence these stations operated on 95.5 mc. In 1950 the property became the site of the first broadcast test of Television in Oregon.

June 30, 1960 was announced as the target date KGMG would commence broadcasting with Marc Bowman, Station Manager & Ernie Harper, Chief Engineer. Power: 68.35KW. Antenna height: 920 feet above average terrain. Target date was moved to July 15, 1960. In August 1960 licensee name changed to KGMG, Inc. (Rogan Jones, President; C.W. Jones, Secretary; group owner: I.G.M., Inc.). By September 9, 1960 KGMG was testing intermittently.

On September 25, 1960 KGMG began regular operation at 7:00AM with it's IGM automation system. Mr. Bowman: "We will broadcast the great classics, lighter works, folk music, jazz & music from Broadway." KGMG broadcast 7AM to 1AM daily. Only selected commercials would be played. No singing jingles allowed. Newspaper Ad: "FM listeners can share the enjoyment of the worlds' greatest music. Heritage Music, programmed by a staff of musical experts. Selected from one of the largest music libraries in the world. 18 hours a day are now programmed for you. Music carefully balanced to the time and mood of the day." Slogan: Your Heritage station.

By this time "Heritage Music" programming was also heard on other IGM owned FM stations: KGMI 92.9 Bellingham, KGMJ 95.7 Seattle, KFMU 97.1 Los Angeles & KFMW 99.9 San Bernardino. In November 1960 KQFM moved it's transmitter & antenna across Council Crest Dr. to the KGMG facitity. In early 1961 KGMG power was reduced to 68KW. In October 1961 KPDQ-FM & Electromatic, Inc. also began leasing antenna space at the KGMG Tower site. By March 1962 KGMG was broadcasting the recorded "Heritage Concert" series. Slogan: Heritage Music FM.

On March 17, 1962 KGMG became the 2nd Portland station to broadcast in multiplex stereo. In July 1962 KGMG began leasing antenna space to Pacific Motor Trucking Co. for a 25 watt VHF transmitter. By October 1962 James L. Hamstreet was General Manager. He was based in Bellingham. Marc Bowman continued as Station Manager. By November 1963 William J. Trader was Station Manager. On April 20, 1964 KGMG switched to an automated MOR format from IGM. By mid 1964 KGMG was broadcasting 9AM to 11PM daily. By October 1964 John S. Mackwood was Station Manager & Chief Engineer with Virgina C. Kupfer as Program Director.

On May 13, 1965 the FCC approved the sale of KGMG, Inc. to Seattle, Portland & Spokane Radio, a joint venture of Dena Pictures, Inc. & Alexander Broadcasting Co. (Entertainer: Danny Kaye aka David Daniel Kaminsky, 80% & Lester M. Smith, 20% & General Manager) for $125,000. (transfer took place 6-18-65). KGMG moved studios to new AM sister KXL studios in Harmony, OR. (S.E. 82nd Ave. & Sunnyside Rd., numbered address not available, now site of Clackamas Town Center Mall, 12000 S.E. 82nd Ave.).

On July 5, 1965 KGMG became KXL-FM and began duplicating KXL's "Good Music" format (all instrumental lush strings) 9AM to 9PM. Slogans: KXL & KXL-FM stereo, double your musical pleasure. Living stereo. Melvin M. Bailey, Program Director; John Salisbury, News Director & Bryce Howard, Chief Engineer. By September 1965 KXL-FM had a new pair of RCA BTF-20 transmitters to form the RCA BTF-40 E, 40KW transmitter. The new antenna was an RCA (dielectric) BFC-5, 5 bay circular pole mounted antenna.

On June 15, 1966 it was announced that Mel Bailey was now Station Manager. Les Smith continued as GM. In September 1966 KXL-FM staff began taping it's evening "Good Music" programming for syndicator IGM, now known as BPI (Broadcast Programming International) which provided the software to many FM stations nationwide. (IGM continued to build the hardware). In December 1967 KLIQ-FM began leasing antenna space at the KXL-FM Tower site. By January 1968 KXL-FM slogan: More good music, 24 hours a day. (KXL-FM simulcast hours: 9AM to 4PM). In September 1968 KJIB began leasing antenna space on the KXL-FM Tower. Rent for each station was $200.00 a month.

In 1969 KXL-FM raised power to 100KW and increased antenna height to 990 feet. By October 1969 Wayne Jordon was Program Director. In 1970 KXL-FM & sister switched to a "Popular Music" format. KXL-FM continued to simulcast 9AM to 4PM. Slogans: KXL-FM stereo, the beautiful music station. A beautiful music oasis. By October 1970 Les Smith was named Executive Director. By October 1971 Ray G. Watson was Station Manager & Robert Kellogg, Operations Manager. On June 29, 1972 licensee name changed to Alexander Broadcasting Co., Inc. & Dena Pictures, Inc., a joint venture, doing business as Kaye/Smith Enterprises. By October 1972 Ray Watson was General Manager & William Bise, Chief Engineer.

On July 27, 1974 retired KGW AM-FM C.E., Harold C. Singleton sold his home & property at 4646 S.W. Council Crest Dr. to KXL (Kaye/Smith Enterprises) for $98,000. This adjacent property to the KXL-FM Tower site was to become the new studio home of KXL AM-FM. The City of Portland did not approve this move since the property was not zoned for business use. At this point Mr. Singleton's former residence became a rental and KXL AM-FM the landlord. In Fall 1974 KBOO moved it's transmitter & antenna from the adjacent former Singleton properties 50 foot tower to the KXL-FM site. With this move came Consolidated Frightways Corp. VHF mobile base transmitter & antenna, two radio transmitters from Pacific Union Paging & Radio Cab Co. transmitter & antenna.

On October 21, 1974 Larry Wilson became Chief Engineer. (formerly KPOK AM-FM, KUPL AM-FM O.M. & C.E.). In 1977 KXL-FM & sister moved studios to the Buckman District of Portland (1415 S.E. Ankeny St.) after the Clackamas Town Center studio deal fell through. At this time KXL-FM's 50% simulcast was ended. By December 1977 Larry Roberts was Program Director. By December 1978 KXL-FM slogan: Stereo 95. On April 9, 1981 licensee name changed to Alexander Broadcasting Co., Inc. (group owner: Kaye/Smith Enterprises). Also by April 1981 slogan: KXL-FM 95, the place to relax. By February 1982 Howard Huntley was Operations Manager & Robert Kellogg moved to Production Director. KXL-FM was programming SRP's Beautiful Music Service. (James Schulke Radio Productions). Additional slogans: Easy Listening 95.5 KXL-FM. Beautiful KXL-FM.

In November 1982 Tim McNamara became Sales Manager. By February 1983 the KXL-FM booth announcers included: Howard Huntley 6AM-2PM (live mornings, voice tracked middays & O.M.), Joel Cole (Formerly on KUIK, KLIQ, KWJJ & KYXI) 2PM-10PM (live afternoons & voice tracked evenings), Mike Thissel 10PM-6AM (all voice tracked). In 1983 BPI (Broadcast Programming International, Inc.) became a property of Kaye/Smith Enterprises. In March 1984 KXL-FM switched to TM's "Beautiful Music" service & was playing 5 to 6 vocals an hour. By 1987 BPI had shortened it's name to BP and moved to Seattle. In February 1987 KKRZ moved it's antenna off the KXL-FM Tower to the KPDX TV Tower. In 1989 Ray Watson became VP & GM. KXL-FM was running Unistar's "Special Blend" satellite format with George Walker doing local Mornings.

In April 1990 KXL-FM changed format to Lite Favorites, also called Easy Favorites. Satellite music service except for drive times. Slogans: We're the new K-95.5. Light Favorites with less talk. I love my music, K-95.5 (jingle). In August 1990 KBOO, KGON & KPDQ-FM moved off the KXL-FM Tower, moving their antenna's to the new adjacent KGON Tower. In Fall 1990 Tom Parker became Operations Manager. (formerly on KGW, KFRC, KKLI, KMXI & KXL). By Summer 1991 the K-95.5 air staff included: Lee Gordon, Mornings; Randy O'Neil, Middays; Tom Parker, Afternoons & O.M.; Scott Curtis, Evenings & Claudia Marshall, News Director. In November 1991 KWJJ-FM moved it's antenna off the KXL-FM Tower to the KGON Tower. In 1992 Les Smith became Chairman, with Irv Karl, President & Tim McNamara, General Manager. KXL-FM slogans: Portland's more music station is Lite 95.5. Home of the guaranteed 45 minute music sweep. In September 1992 Dennis Kelly became Operations Manager. (formerly KXL N.D.). By this time KXL-FM had installed a "Broadcast Electronics FM-35 A" transmitter and continued to use one of the "RCA BTF-20" transmitters as backup.

On September 27, 1993 KXL-FM switched to a Hot A.C. format. Slogan: The new Star 95.5, no soft oldies, no kid stuff, just superstars of the 80's & 90's. Star 95.5 with another Star-set. 25 minutes of music non-stop. In July 1994 Dan Packard began weekends on KXL-FM. (formerly on KMJK, KYTE, KJR, KBSG & KWJJ). By or on October 24, 1994 KXL-FM switched format to "Music of The 70's". Slogans: Now there's a station that plays only the 70's, all day & all night, on Best of The 70's, the new FM 95.5. Best of The 70's, 95.5 KXL-FM. Jingles: Jam's "70's Station" Image voice: Ron Erak. The FM 95.5 air staff included: John Williams (as of 10-17-94, formerly on KTAC, KREM, KGW & KKSN-FM) with Gloria Johnson, News Director (formerly on KVAN, KGON & KKSN-FM) 5-9AM also with Captain Steve Sanders, Traffic & Tom Hunter, Producer; Randy O'Neil 9-1PM; Chuck Tyler 1-3PM; Shawn Taylor 3-7PM; Scott Forrest 7-12AM & Dan Packard began a succession of name changes during the hosting of the Saturday night "70's Dance Party". Pseudo names: Timothy, Timmy Martinez, Timmy T., Timmy Terio, T.K. Terio & Timmy Tornado by February 1995.

On November 1, 1994 Chuck Tyler became KXL-FM Program Director. By January 1995 Ruby Blake was doing 7-Midnight with Glenn Nobel 2-6PM Saturdays & Noon-6 Sundays. In March 1996 KXL-FM & sister moved studios to the John's Landing area. (0234 S.W. Bancroft St.). On April 15, 1996 KXL-FM modified it's 70's format to include the 80's. Slogans: Some stations think music from the 80's has been lost. Tell'em we've found it. The greatest hits, music radio, 95 KXL. More than just the 70's. The greatest hits of the 70's & 80's, 95 KXL. Jingles: Jam's "The Retro Point". Mike Dirkx, Operations Manager; Scott Tom, Music Director & Marie Dodds, News Director. The 95 KXL air staff included: Scotty & Marie, 5-9AM (Scott Tom & Marie Dodds, formerly KXYQ-FM Mornings) Tom Hunter, Producer; Randy O'Neil 9-2PM, John Williams 2-7PM, Ruby Blake 7-12AM & Barbara Voight 12-5AM.

In Fall 1996 KXL-FM modified it's format again to 80's & 90's music. Slogans: Music Radio 95 KXL-FM. Portland's best mix of the 80's & 90's, 95 KXL. By December 1996 Ray Watson was Senior Vice-President. In March 1997 KXL-FM switched to a new slogan: 100,000 watts of power, crystal clear stereo, Portland's best mix of the 80's & 90's, has a new name, Mix 95.5. It's a maximum music mix exclusively from Mix 95.5. Jingles: Jam's "Breakthrough". Image voice: Ron Erak. In March 1997 John Williams moved to KEX and Glenn Nobel took Afternoons 2-7PM.

In December 1997 Carl Widing was hired as Program Director of KXL-FM (formerly KINK P.D. for 12 years). In February 1998 KXL-FM switched to an Adult Album format. Slogan: 95.5 FM. Air staff included: David Shult & Marie Dodds, N.D. 5-9AM, Ruby Blake 9-2PM, Scott Tom 2-7PM, Terri Magnuson 7-12AM & Barbara Voight 12-5AM. In August 1998 KXL-FM moved off it's 39 year old tower to the adjacent 4700 Tower (formerly called The KGON Tower) 4700 S.W. Council Crest Dr. Antenna height was raised from 302 meters to 386 meters. (Jampro JTC-3 antenna). A new "Broadcast Electronics FM-35 T" transmitter was installed. The old "B.E. FM-35 A" was moved to the site as the backup transmitter. The KXL-FM Tower site was now unoccupied.

It's curious how KHTV would declare bankruptcy after less than 4 months on the air. I thought a station had to have enough funds to operate for 3 years in order to get a license. I'd love to know the difference between KXL's popular music format and preceding good music!

On November 3, 1998 KXL-FM was sold to Rose City Radio Corp. (Paul G. Allen, Owner & C.E.O.; Renne Rank, Chairman & Marketing Director) for $55 Million (price included AM sister). FCC approval on 11-30-98. On March 26, 1999 at 5:20 PM KXL-FM switched to a Rhythmic Contemporary Hit format. (Rap, Hip-Hop & R&B). First song played was "Changes" by 2Pac. KXL-FM slogans: Jammin' 95.5, Portland's new hit music station. For people who like to dance and can. John Christian, Program Director (formerly KWIN Stockton P.D.).

On April 30, 1999 KXL-FM became KXJM. Call slogan: JaMmin'. The Jammin' 95.5 air staff included: The Breakfast Party 6-10AM (Ebro & Christina with Doug Zanger, Producer), Alexa 10-2PM, Mario Devoe 2-6PM, Louie Cruz 6-10PM (formerly on KWIN), Pretty Boy Dontay 10-2AM & M.D. (formerly on KWIN), Doug Zanger (Board Op) 2-6AM. In mid 1999 BP (Broadcast Programming) was acquired by Jones Media Networks Limited and merged with Jones Radio Networks (JRN). In October 1999 Mark Adams became KXJM's Program Director.

On February 22, 2000 "The Playhouse" debuted on Jammin' 5:30-10AM with PK, Scooter, Ebro & Sonie (Doug Zanger, Producer). By June 2000 KXJM slogan: Portland's party station. Also in 2000 Larry Wilson became Director of Engineering for Rose City Radio Corp. The City of Portland declared the old KXL-FM Tower "abandoned" after two years unused and ordered it dismantled. The 4700 Tower name changed to The Stonehenge Tower, named for new owner Stonehenge investor group of Seattle. In March 2001 BP became JBP (Jones Broadcast Programming).

On December 20, 2001 Kent Randles became Chief Engineer. Also by December 2001 James Derby was KXJM Operations Manager. In January 2002 Alexa became Jammin's Music Director. In October 2002 the old KXL-FM Tower was dismantled. On November 1, 2002 the KXL-FM Tower property and adjacent former Singleton home & property were sold to Gray Frierson Haertig. Mr. Haertig is remodeling the KXL-FM transmitter building into an apartment for rent. On July 18, 2003 Larry Wilson became Chief Engineer of KXJM & sister once again & continued as Director of Engineering for Rose City Radio Corp. KXJM slogans: Jammin' 95.5, Portland's Hip-Hop station. There's only one Jammin' 95.5.

A Special Thanks To: Alexa, Joel Cole, Mario Devoe, Marie Dodds, Gray Frierson Haertig, Glenn Nobel, Dan Packard, Tom Parker, Kent Randles, Scott Tom, John Williams, Larry Wilson & Doug Zanger for their invaluable assistance in this radio history.

Thanks, Craig! Another excellent job of researching and posting. It's appreciated...

Wait if Renne Rank is the "Chairman" how can this still be true as she has left Rose City Radio and I think is now with Widmer Brothers.

What ever happened to KXL-FM's Scott Curtis and Ruby Blake?

Saveitnow: In the last ten years or so the Broadcasting Yearbooks do not list who operates the companies under station listings or Group Ownerships. I can not check for changes any longer, other than listing who purchased the station at the time from newspaper microfilm.

Update: Sent Grey Frierson Haertig an E-Mail about the history being finished & posted here. He sent me back an update on the old KXL-FM Tower site property since November. I also neglected to mention his extensive radio background in the history. Thought the best way to do all this would be to post his E-Mail.

From: Gray Frierson Haertig
To: Craig Adams
Date: 2/1/04 2:49PM
Subject: Re: 95.5 KGMG / KXL-FM / KXJM History

Good work Craig!

You might add that I am the former chief engineer of KBOO, KVAN (1480 days), and KRRC. I also worked for Ackerley Communications (KGON) as Project Manager/Engineer for the KGON tower and that I am currently a consulting radio engineer.

It appears that Joe E. King, Infinity Asst. C.E. will be the first tenant in the old KXL transmitter bldg.

And that I intend to remodel and live in the Singleton house. (The fact that the legs from the old KGW tower that came down in the Vanport flood are used as part of the foundation might be of interest.)

Thanks!

Gray

Telecommunications Engineering
Gray Frierson Haertig & Assoc.
820 North River Street Suite 100
Portland, Oregon 97227


Yes that's right! The legs in the basement of the old Singleton home were from the KGW tower that toppled during the Vanport flood. Harold Singleton was the C.E. of KGW AM-FM during that time and salvaged them for this new home he would build in 1950. Grey was kind of enough to give me a tour of the transmitter building being remodeled and a look at the old KGW legs in the Singleton basement. A real treat for a radio historian!

I.G.M.'s KGMG / KXL-FM To KXJM
(Top floor penthouse to the garbage can)

How flattering 62kgw.

The above was a comment on the music/programming changes on 95.5 FM.
As usual Craig Adams' history writing is excellent!

still equally as flattering.

This just in. KGMG's original transmitter was a Gates FM10A. It would become the back up transmitter for KXL-FM in 1965 and later become the first KJIB transmitter in September 1968.

This information from Don Wilkinson, KOMO-TV Digital Television Conversion Consultant & former Director of Engineering for KOMO-TV & KATU Chief Engineer.