The Buzz about KOMA

On Christmas Eve of 1922, a 15-watt radio station in Oklahoma City went on the air. KFJF Radio slowly increased their power and original programming as they broadcast on AM 1480, reaching 5,000 watts and two 120-ft towers by the end of 1928.

The next year, KJKF became affiliated with the Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS). When the original station owner, Dudley Shaw, retired in 1932 so did the original call letters. The station changed to KOMA; at the same time, the station was moved to the 24th floor of the Biltmore Hotel in OKC and their frequency was bumped up by the FCC. KOMA-1520 was now on the air at 50,000 watts! Since it was a CBS affiliate, it carried their full line-up of shows, news, sports, and big band music.

Band Promoting Heliotrope Flour at KOMA Radio in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, [1940..1949], Oklahoma Historical Society.

The station went through several innovations and evolutions in subsequent years: the first direct teletype wire service for United Press, sports coverage filled with Curt Gowdy’s play-by-play for the University of Oklahoma, partnership with Channel 9 news, and more. In 1958, KOMA cut their ties with CBS and soon became independent. It was during this transition that KOMA started broadcasting rock and roll music.

Through the 60s and 70s, KOMA was known throughout the western United States for rock and roll. Sounds from the studio in Moore, Oklahoma were heard as far away as Vietnam and their programming became a beloved part of Oklahoma culture. Billboard magazine named KOMA their medium market Station of the Year in 1974.

In 1980, a new era began when KOMA transitioned to country music. Five years later, the format changed again to adult standards and the phrase “40 Years of Favorites” was born. The first song they played? Route 66, of course.

Radio & Records magazine article from November 1985.

1988 brought another change: KOMA embraced the “Oldies” label and became a flagship for the University of Oklahoma football broadcasts. The sound of classic rock and roll once again flowed from the radio when it was tuned to KOMA-1520.

An FM sister station, KOMA 92.5, started simulcasting in 1992. Internet broadcasting was added to the mix in 1999. Alas, the coming of the 21st century would bring yet another change to KOMA-1520, bringing an end to their musical days. Although the 92.5 KOMA-FM station kept right on broadcasting the Oldies the station was known for, 1520 AM became news radio in 2003. To further separate the two stations, KOMA-1520 changed their call letters to KOKC.

Cover art from our first Historic Route 66 Cruise, courtesy of Don Mullenix.

KOMA has been a supporter of Oklahoma Route 66 since the Association was founded. On October 21, 1989, just five days after the Association officially came into being, they hosted a car show and 1950s-themed festival at Remington Park in Oklahoma City to benefit Route 66 revitalization. The money they raised helped get the very first Historic Route 66 signs installed on the road – in ANY state! KOMA also sponsored the earliest Route 66 cruises put on by the Association.

When the opportunity came to save a piece of their history, the Oklahoma Route 66 Association stepped up. A neon sign that once hung in their studio was saved by one of our previous Presidents and installed in a custom metal cabinet for preservation. For about 20 years, it sat in storage in Chandler.

In 2022, our long-time Executive Director stepped down and the office we had been occupying inside the Route 66 Interpretive Center was no longer available. All of the Association’s materials were moved to Tulsa; during that journey, the old power cable for the sign cabinet simply disintegrated. Thanks to a site visit by Encino’s Signs, the cable was replaced and the inner workings were reviewed to make sure everything was in good order. The sign was plugged in and it lit right up!

The KOMA neon sign, lit once again.

The Oklahoma Route 66 Association will proudly display this piece of Oklahoma history in our new office on 11th Street in Tulsa once it is open to the public. We’ll have more news about an Open House soon — stay tuned!