KSTN (AM)
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| KSTN | |
| City of license | Stockton, California |
|---|---|
| Branding | Power Oldies 1999-2005 |
| Frequency | 1420 kHz |
| First air date | November 27, 1949 |
| Format | Classic Hits |
| ERP | 5,000 watts day / 1,000 watts night |
| Class | B |
| Callsign meaning | StockToN |
| Owner | San Joaquin Broadcasting. |
KSTN is an American Radio station licensed as a Class B station broadcasting at 1420 kHz in Stockton, California with a power of 5 Kw Daytime and 1 Kw Night time.[1]
The station commenced broadcasting on November 27, 1949 at 6:AM. KSTN's first General Manager was Dave Greene and the original power was 100 watts. It was owned by the late Knox LaRue until his death on December 22, 2004.[2]. The current owner is San Joaquin Broadcasting.
The transmitter site is located at 2171 Ralph Avenue.[3]
[edit] Format history
At its inception, KSTN's programming was Big Band/Swing, with some Country Western Music in the afternoons with Dusty Duncan as the host. Other early KSTN on air personalities include Bill Elliott and Paula Stone.
The station switched to a Top 40 format in 1957. In 1962, station owner Knox LaRue contracted with [Top 40] radio programmer Bill Drake to program KSTN.
KSTN hired John Hampton for weekends on September 24 1980, the airshift previously held by Jay Richard (aka Tom Richard). John was promoted to full-time in 1981 and was made program director in September of 1981. In 1981, KSTN switched from Rhythmic Top 40 to Pop Top 40. In 1984, KSTN switched back to Rhythmic Top 40. In the late 1980s and the 1990s, while many other radio stations on the AM dial changed to news/talk formats, KSTN continued its music broadcasts. In 1995, John Hampton was moved to mornings.
In 1999, KSTN changed its format to a Variety Hits Oldies format it called Power Oldies 1420. KSTN played may types of music including Doo Wop Oldies of the 50's, Top 40 of the 60's and 70's, 70's Disco, Classic Rock of the 70's and 80's, punk, Alternative Music of the 80's and 90's and an occasional touch of Country. In 2005, KSTN finetuned its format to Classic Hits, which is a format more common for the FM dial. KSTN no longer brands itself as "Power Oldies 1420". KSTN has also added Sports to its schedule such as the Oakland A's baseball. KSTN is the former home of the Stockton Ports minor league baseball.
On February 13, 2006, KSTN replaced John Hampton's Morning Show with the syndicated "Mancow's Morning Madhouse" from Chicago via satellite.[4] This is the first time KSTN has placed a syndicated show in its daily lineup.
