Sirs: I’m a regular KPIG listener. I live in Tacoma, WA, and listen to the internet stream. I’ve been a regular listener pretty much since KPIG went live online. In the 70’s, I lived in the Santa Cruz area and was a big fan of KFAT. I’d like to register a protest concerning Mapleton’s decision to do away with live DJ’s at KPIG on the overnight shift. KPIG is the last of what sadly is a dying breed – a radio station run by actual human beings, rather than programmed by computer-generated playlists with voice-over’s from talent located on the…
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At right, Laura Ellen With Jay Boy Adams at KFAT. On Memorial Day, Laura Ellen Hopper passed away due to complications from cancer. This truly is the week the music died. Laura Ellen was the Program Director of KPIG radio – 107 oink 5, in Freedom, California. Before that, she was the Program Director of the legendary and infamous KFAT radio, located in Gilroy, California, the garlic capital of the world, from 1975 through 1983. I didn’t find out Laura Ellen had passed away until today, because in a fit of nostalgia, I’d been listening to the KFAT stream for…
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I just lucked into the neatest thing the other day: I found that they’re streaming vintage KFAT broadcasts on the web! Here’s the link: click here What you say, is KFAT? Just the best damned radio station that ever existed. From 1975 to 1982, KFAT broadcast on 94 1/2 FM from Gilroy, the garlic capitol of the world. The broadcast area ran from Monterey and Salinas, up to Santa Cruz and San Jose – maybe San Francisco on a really good day. While ostensibly a country station, KFAT distinguished itself mostly by having no play list at all. None. The…