KLOS(95.5FM,"95-5 KLOS" ) is acommercialradio stationthat islicensedtoLos Angeles,California,and serves theGreater Los Angelesarea. The station is owned byMeruelo Media.KLOS airs amainstream rockradio formatand has broadcast rock music in some form since 1969. Thestudiosare on West Olive Avenue inBurbank.

KLOS
Broadcast areaGreater Los Angeles Area
Frequency95.5MHz(HD Radio)
Branding95-5 KLOS
Programming
FormatMainstream rock
Subchannels
AffiliationsWestwood One
Ownership
Owner
History
First air date
December 30, 1947;76 years ago(1947-12-30)
Former call signs
  • KECA-FM (1947–1954)
  • KABC-FM (1954–1971)
Former frequencies
99.5MHz
Call signmeaning
"Los" Angeles
Technical information[1]
Licensing authority
FCC
Facility ID35078
ClassB
ERP63,000watts
HAAT954 meters (3,130 ft)
Transmitter coordinates
34°13′37″N118°04′01″W/ 34.227°N 118.067°W/34.227; -118.067
Translator(s)98.9K255BZ (China Lake)
Links
Public license information
Webcast
Website

Thetransmitteris atopMount Wilson.The station is rebroadcast onFM translatorK255BZ inChina Lake, California.[2]KLOS broadcasts usingHD Radiotechnology. The KLOS morningdrive timeshow,Heidi & Frank,is featured on thenationally syndicatedtelevision programDish Nationand is rebroadcast around the clock on KLOS-HD2. The HD3digital subchannelcarries a simulcast ofKIRN.

History

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Early years

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The station firstsigned onthe air on December 30, 1947;76 years ago(1947-12-30).The originalcall signwas KECA-FM,simulcastingthe programming ofAMsister stationKECA.The two stations were owned byABC Radio.In 1954, thecall lettersof the AM and FM stations were changed to KABC and KABC-FM, to reflect their corporate ownership. In 1960, KABC-AM-FM adopted anall-talkformat.

On January 1, 1968, due to newFederal Communications Commission(FCC) rules requiring FM stations to have separate programming from their AM counterparts, KABC-FM tried something new. It became the first station in Los Angeles with anall-newsformat. This experiment did not last long. KABC-FM dropped all-news programming on March 11, 1968, the same day thatKFWB980 AM switched to the format.

Rock formats

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In early 1969, KABC-FM adopted aprogressive rockformat known as "Love". Under the direction of Allen Shaw, head of ABC FM Special Projects, theautomatedprogramming aired on ABC's otherowned-and-operated stationsKGO-FMin San Francisco,KQV-FMin Pittsburgh,WABC-FMin New York City,WLS-FMin Chicago, andWXYZ-FMin Detroit.[3]The syndicated format wasvoice-trackedby Brother John Rydgren.

Not long after its debut, Love was dropped in favor of live, locally programmedfreeformrock music at KLOS and its FM sister stations. In 1971, the station adopted the KLOS call letters.[4]The switch was made to avoid confusion with its AM talk station.[5]In late 1971, the freeform progressive rock sound ended, as Shaw and KLOS program director Tom Yates launched the firstalbum-oriented rock(AOR) station in the United States. Under AOR, KLOS played only the top tracks from the best-selling rock albums and used the slogan "Rock 'N Stereo". The initial slate ofdisc jockeyson KLOS includes Jeff Gonzer,J. J. Jackson,Jim Ladd,and Damion. By 1972, KLOS had become the top-rated FM rock station in Los Angeles.[6]The station promoted an outdoor rock concert called "California Jam" held on April 6, 1974, at theOntario Motor SpeedwayinOntario, California.

KLOS has sponsored ablood drivein conjunction with theAmerican Red Crossannually since 1982. Blood donation centers are set up throughout the station's listening area for several days, usually in the summer months, when donation levels are typically low.[7]In 2014, the blood drive collected approximately 7,900 units ofwhole blood,which can be separated into red blood cells and plasma. As a token of gratitude, the station has given donors rewards such as T-shirts and vouchers for concert tickets.[8]

In the spring of 1987, KLOS general manager Bill Sommers hired longtime rock radio programmer Charlie West to be the station's new program director. West hired Stephanie Mondello as music director for the station. By fall, West broughtthe Mark & Brian Show(Mark ThompsonandBrian Phelps) to KLOS for themorning drive.The station'sArbitronratings grew steadily under West's direction; by 1988, KLOS emerged as the leader among Los Angeles album rock stations, finishing fifth overall in the market with a 4.3share,up from a 3.6 in the previous rating period.[9]When West left KLOS in early 1989, Mondello assumed programming duties, directing all key decisions and overall revenue and ratings strategies. The station maintained its fifth-place ranking overall in the market and reached the number-one position in its target young maledemographics,defeating main rivalsKLSX,KROQ-FM,and the upstartKQLZ(Pirate Radio). Mondello left KLOS in late 1990.

By 1994, KLOS was facing increased competitive pressure from KROQ-FM with the rise of itsgrunge-basedmodern rockformat as well as KLSX andKCBS-FM(Arrow 93) which focused onclassic rock.The station altered its format in response, dropping its existing DJs and most of the classic rock music in favor of morealternative rockcontent.[10]This format and personnel change lasted about three years, after which most of the alternative music was jettisoned and classic rock returned. In 1997, KLOS hired John Duncan, previously atKYYSinKansas City, Missouri,as program director and took the station in an adult rock direction. As part of his efforts to turn around the station, Duncan brought back Jim Ladd and hired Garth Kemp and other longtime Los Angeles radio personalities. During this period, KLOS ran a billboard campaign with lines such as, "We lost our mind for a moment, but we're okay now". Within eight months, the station moved from number 18 to fifth place among Los Angeles adults ages 25–54, reclaiming its status as the market's top adult rock station. Duncan left KLOS in late 1998.

In 2005, classic rock rival KCBS-FM flipped toadult hitsas "Jack FM".[11]The switch made KLOS the market's only full-time classic rock station until the launch ofKSWD(100.3 The Sound) in April 2008.

In October 2006, KLOS restructured its daily lineup of radio hosts, Cynthia Fox, "Uncle Joe" Benson, and Jim Ladd saw each of their daily air shifts increase by one hour. However, this resulted in the temporary dismissal of former evening DJ Gary Moore; he returned in late 2007. Former overnight jock Mark Miller, previously from the long-defunct KQLZ, hostedThe Best of Mark & Brian Saturday Specialshows Saturday mornings. Miller's overnight shift was replaced with automated programming, billed as "KLOS After Hours". This show follows the usual classic rock format, though occasionally KLOS plays deep cuts and live versions of songs that are not usually played during the daytime.

In 2007, the station came under the ownership ofCitadel Broadcastingafter it merged withThe Walt Disney Company's ABC Radio.

Occasionally, KLOS abandoned its format to air an "A to Z" special, where songs from the KLOS library were played alphabetically by title. Running 24 hours a day (with breaks only forMark & Brianand Jim Ladd's show), it generally lasted about two weeks with no songs repeated. Unlike the station's regular playlist featuring primarily classic rock hits, the A to Z also included a large number of obscure album tracks. In its final years, the A to Z special aired around the Christmas holidays. Since the dismissal of program director Rita Wilde in 2009,[12]the A to Z countdown has not aired on KLOS. However, then-classic rock competitor KSWD, which hired Wilde, revamped the idea with a very similar, though shorter, compilation of familiar hits and deep tracks.

Cumulus era

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On September 16, 2011,Cumulus Mediapurchased Citadel, acquiring KLOS and sister stationKABC.[13]

On August 17, 2012, Mark Thompson and Brian Phelps appeared on KLOS for the final time, effectively endingThe Mark & Brian Showafter 25 years (including two years on previous stationWAPIinBirmingham, Alabama).[14]Three days later, on August 20, Cumulus announced that Heidi Hamilton and Frank Kramer, former hosts onKLSXand KABC, would host morning drive beginning September 4 asThe Heidi & Frank Show.[15]On August 15, 2016, Cumulus announced that Frosty Stillwell, with whom Hamilton and Kramer have co-hosted at the same two stations, would join the duo weekday mornings effective September 6.[16]

In February 2016, KLOS launchedHorns Up,a Saturday evening program hosted by Stew Herrera[17]that featuredheavy metal music.The show has since been replaced with a regular classic rock mix.

Canadian radio personality and comedy writerGreg Beharrelljoined KLOS in January 2017 as a weekend host and social media content producer.[18]He moved to weeknights in January 2019.[19]

On February 8 and 9, 2018, KLOS was one of 14 Cumulus-owned rock radio stations to take part in the "St. Jude Rocks" nationwide fundraising campaign. KLOS listeners contributed more than $725,000 toSt. Jude Children's Research HospitalinMemphis, Tennesseeas part of the over $2 million total raised by participating Cumulus stations.[20]

Meruelo Media era

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On April 15, 2019, Cumulus announced the sale of KLOS toMeruelo Mediafor $43 million. This brings KLOS under common ownership withrhythmic top 40stationKPWR,classic hip-hop outletsKDAYandKDEY-FM,andregional MexicanstationKXOS(which itself would be purchased by Meruelo over a month later; it is nowSpanishrhythmic contemporary-formatted KLLI, "Cali 93.9" ), as well as two Spanish-language television stations,KBEHandKWHY-TV.Meruelo began operating KLOS under alocal marketing agreementbeginning on April 16;[21]the transaction closed on July 17.[22][23]The sale of KLOS to Meruelo comes shortly after the sale of the former sister stationWPLJin New York City, as both stations were initially owned by ABC. Under the aegis of Allen Shaw, both stations were given the "Love" format followed by, in 1971, the live-and-local AOR format, together retaining the latter for 12 years (WPLJ flipped to top 40 in 1983; it became a non-commercialChristian musicstation as "K-Love"in 2019).

Further changes came to KLOS over the next year. On September 6, 2019, the station shifted its format to classic rock full-time, eliminating post-1990s modern rock tracks. On September 30, at 12:01 a.m., KLOS began broadcasting from its new studios at the Meruelo Media building inBurbank,leaving behind its previous location on Lindblade Street inCulver City(to which it and KABC relocated from their longtime La Cienega Boulevard studios in December 2016). The station also marked the return of the classic rock format to Los Angeles for the first time since KSWD flipped to the "K-Love" Christian music network in November 2017 asKKLQ.In late January 2020, KLOS switched back to mainstream rock and changed its slogan to "Southern California's Rock Station"; the station reintroduced post-1990s rock into the playlist while still maintaining a heavy focus on classic rock tracks. In a cost-cutting move prompted by theCOVID-19 pandemic,Meruelo dismissed several members of the KLOS staff in mid-2020, including Frosty Stilwell, Gary Moore, and Frazer Smith;[24]Frosty, Heidi & Frankreverted to its previous titleHeidi & Frank.

On August 3, 2020,The Greg Beharrell Showenterednational syndication,with KLOS serving as the flagship station.[25]

On October 3, 2020, the nationally syndicatedJohn Clay WolfeShowjoined KLOS on Saturday mornings.

FormerKROQ-FMmorning personality Kevin Ryder, half of the iconic duoKevin & Bean,joined KLOS in the afternoons on February 18, 2021. Co-hostingKevin & Sluggo,he reunited with Doug "Sluggo" Roberts after having worked together previously at KROQ andKZZPin Phoenix.[26]Kevin and Sluggo were given their walking papers on September 6, 2024.[27]

HD Radio

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KLOS broadcasts inHD Radiowith threedigital subchannels:

  • KLOS-HD1 is a digitalsimulcastof the analog signal.
  • KLOS-HD2 features atalkformat called "KLOS2". Meruelo Media officially launched the channel on March 4, 2021, but the station has been broadcasting under the new format since September 2020. KLOS2 is operated jointly with Toad Hop Entertainment, a company owned by KLOS morning co-host Frank Kramer who serves as program director for the new service. Programming consists of continuousHeidi & Frankrepeats, with plans to add original shows later.[28]
  • KLOS-HD3 airs a simulcast ofKIRN.It originally aired anArmenian musicformat branded as "SoCal Armenian" until around 2021.
Previous HD3 logo

Notable personalities

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Throughout its history as a rock station, KLOS has been home to many prominent progressive rock and AOR DJs.

Chris Carterhosts a locally produced version ofBreakfast with the Beatleson Sunday mornings. Prior to landing at KLOS, Carter was heard onKACD-FM(Channel 103.1) in 2000 when it playedadult album alternative(AAA) music. He is also the former bass player and producer forDramaramaand produced and supervised the music for the filmMayor of the Sunset Strip,a rock documentary about influential Los Angeles DJRodney BingenheimerofKROQ-FM.

Bob Coburn(1980–1994), a former program director inChicagoand an assistant program director atKMEThosted the syndicated programRockline.He later worked atKLSX,KCBS-FM(Arrow 93), andKZLAbefore returning to KLOS. Coburn died of lung cancer on December 17, 2016, at age 68.[29]

Marc Coppola,who moved on toKGB-FMinSan Diego,was on KLOS in 1977 and reappeared when it airedWestwood One'sRock 'N Roll Never Forgets.Damion andSteve Downesboth co-hosted with Marc from 1986 to 1990.

Dion hosted late nights on a part-time basis for several years. He also hosted atKLSXduring its classic rock era. In 2005, Al Ramirez, another longtime late-night DJ at KLOS, died of natural causes at the age of 54.

Cynthia Fox, former KMET and KLSX personality hosted the weekday showIn Tune at Noon,featuring a daily celebration of events in rock and roll history and the news. She left KLOS in July 2013 and eventually joined rival classic rock stationKSWD.[30][31]

Jim Laddpresented his shows in a freeform manner, interrupting the regular classic rock format during his show middays and Sunday evenings. Ladd picked the music personally, often based on listener requests, and played it in thematic sets. On Thursday mornings at midnight, Ladd devoted an hour to "Headsets", which combines music with a slightly more "sonic" quality (designed to be heard with headphones, or with no background noise interfering), spoken-word poetry, and audio clips from movies and television. On Sundays, Ladd presented "Theme of Consciousness", with all songs within a three-hour window devoted to a singular word or "theme" and chosen entirely by the listening audience.[32]In addition to his work with KLOS, Ladd also appeared onKNACduring its progressive era, KMET, and KLSX. Often dubbed "The Last DJ", after theTom Pettysong that was written about him,Ladd was allowed unusual latitude in selecting the music for his program. His show was routinely the number-one music-based show in its time slot. Ladd left KLOS in October 2011 and joinedSiriusXMthe following January, hosting daily on theDeep Trackschannel.[33]

Jerry Longden, who worked as a DJ from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. from 1972 to 1977, worked with Jim Ladd at KNAC 105.5 FM, Long Beach, California from 1969 to 1972. Longden won Billboard Magazine's 1971 Air Personality Award for Progressive Rock and the KLOS Station of The Year award in 1974. Longden and Ladd produced the successful 1974–1975 public service radio public service announcement program voiced by many prominent Rock recording artists of the day regarding hard drug abuse awareness, "Get Off" and "Get Off II", including thirty TV PSAs, (now in the Library of Congress) and were founders of The National Association of Progressive Radio Announcers. Longden was also the announcer for ABC's "In Concert" rock simulcast shows 1974-5 as well as the announcer forRock Concertfrom 1973 to 1980. Longden worked evenings at KWST-FM, mid-days at KROQ-FM, and afternoons at KGIL-FM.

Joe Reiling (1977–1981, 2003–2009) started theLocal Music Show(later renamedLocal Licks). Most of Reiling's time away from the station found him hosting his own alternative rock show worldwide on AFN (American Forces Network,formerly AFRTS, Armed Forces Radio and Television Services). He was also involved in managing, producing, and programming the in-flight audio entertainment for many domestic and international airlines as well asAir Force One.Joe died on October 7, 2017.[34]

Frank Sontaghosted a public affairs call-in talk show that aired Sunday nights and early Monday mornings. He was part of theMark & Brianmorning team and ran the control board, also contributing to the show at times. Sontag left the station in 2009; in 2013, he became the host of aChristian talk and discussionprogram,The Frank Sontag Show,onKKLA-FM.[35]

Mark ThompsonandBrian Phelpswere the titular co-hosts ofMark & Brian,a morning drive sketch comedy show that aired from September 8, 1987, until August 17, 2012. Highlights from the show aired on weekdays for one hour before each regular weekday program. A recap edition, featuring the best ofMark & Brianeach week, aired Saturday mornings.

Shana Livigni (1952–2015) was one of the first women to break into major market rock radio in the mid-’70s. She started at KLOS in 1980. She took over the morning drive on KLOS, the first woman to do that.[36]

Other former KLOS personalities include Geno Michellini, "Uncle" Joe Benson, Steve Downes, and full-time fill-in Lynda Clayton. Denise Westwood (2000–2016), formerly at KMET, was heard on KLOS handling weekends and fill-in shifts. During her last few years at KLOS, Westwood also hosted the Sunday morningpublic affairsshowSpotlight on the Community.Former program director Rita Wilde, who later went on toKSWD,had been choosing the music on KLOS for decades;[12]afternoon DJ Joe Benson also left for KSWD.

Awards and nominations

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Since 1991, KLOS has won twoMarconi Radio Awards,as well as threeCrystal Radio Awardsfor its community service efforts.

Year Awards Category Recipient Result Source
1991 NAB Marconi Radio Awards Major Market Personality of the Year Mark & Brian Won [37]
Major Market Station of the Year Nominated [38]
AOR/Classic Rock Station of the Year Won [37]
NAB Crystal Radio Awards Won
1999 NAB Crystal Radio Awards Won
2005 NAB Crystal Radio Awards Won
2006 NAB Marconi Radio Awards Legendary Station of the Year Nominated [39]
Network Syndicated Personality of the Year Mark & Brian Nominated [39]
NAB Crystal Radio Awards Nominated [40]
2021 Gracie Awards Host Non-Morning Drive (Music DJ/Personality) Major Market, Radio – Local Marci Wiser Won [41]

References

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  1. ^"Facility Technical Data for KLOS".Licensing and Management System.Federal Communications Commission.
  2. ^"K255BZ-FM 98.9 MHz - China Lake, Etc., CA".Radio-locator.com.Retrieved2018-05-08.
  3. ^"ABC Radio sends its 'Love' to FM"(PDF).Broadcasting.Broadcasting Publications Inc. 1969-02-17. p. 77.Retrieved2019-06-12.
  4. ^"Vox Jox".Billboard.83(15): 27. 1971-04-10.Retrieved2011-01-04– via Google Books.
  5. ^"Yates: Freeform on way out".Billboard.84(10). 1972-03-11.Retrieved2011-01-04– via Google Books.
  6. ^"Background: The history of" Free-form "FM Radio in L.A."Michael Bloom Photography.
  7. ^Hayes, Dade (1996-08-08)."3-Day Blood Drive Will Begin Today".Los Angeles Times.Retrieved2018-06-28.
  8. ^"33rd Annual KLOS Blood Drive A Huge Success".All Access.All Access Music Group. 2014-08-01.Retrieved2018-06-28.
  9. ^Goldstein, Patrick (1988-07-24)."KLOS Rides the Big Retro-Rock Wave".Los Angeles Times.Retrieved2018-05-08.
  10. ^Maxwell, Cyndee (1994-11-25)."The Format's Brave New World"(PDF).Radio & Records.p. 19.Retrieved2019-07-15.
  11. ^Jacobson, Adam (2005-03-25)."Infinity/Los Angeles fires 'Arrow', hires 'Jack-FM'"(PDF).Radio & Records.p. 1.Retrieved2018-06-18.
  12. ^ab"Rita Wilde Exits KLOS, Bob Buchmann Takes The PD Chair".All Access.All Access Music Group. 2009-01-22.Retrieved2019-06-17.
  13. ^"Cumulus now owns Citadel Broadcasting".Atlanta Business Journal.2011-09-16.Retrieved2011-09-16.
  14. ^"Mark Thompson & Brian Phelps Retire From KLOS".RadioInsight.RadioBB Networks. 2012-08-17.Retrieved2018-05-08.
  15. ^"Heidi & Frank Take Mornings At KLOS".RadioInsight.RadioBB Networks. 2012-08-20.Retrieved2018-05-08.
  16. ^"Frosty Rejoins Heidi & Frank At KLOS".RadioInsight.RadioBB Networks. 2016-08-15.Retrieved2018-05-08.
  17. ^"Third 'Ride For Ronnie' Rally Raises $40k For 'Ronnie James Dio Stand Up And Shout Cancer Fund'".All Access.All Access Music Group. 2017-05-30.Retrieved2019-06-12.
  18. ^"KLOS/Los Angeles Adds Night Version Of Frosty, Heidi & Frank, Taps Greg Beharrell To Join Staff".All Access.All Access Music Group. 2017-01-10.Retrieved2020-08-06.
  19. ^"KLOS/Los Angeles Moves Greg Beharrell To Evenings".All Access.All Access Music Group. 2019-01-08.Retrieved2020-08-06.
  20. ^"KLOS/Los Angeles Helps Raise Over $725K For St. Jude Rocks".All Access.All Access Music Group. 2018-02-15.Retrieved2018-06-28.
  21. ^Venta, Lance (2019-04-15)."Cumulus Media Sells KLOS to Meruelo Media; Swaps Bridgeport to Connoisseur for Allentown".RadioInsight.RadioBB Networks.Retrieved2019-04-15.
  22. ^"Done Deals: Meruelo Media Closes On KLOS, KXOS/Los Angeles".All Access.All Access Music Group. 2019-07-17.Retrieved2019-07-17.
  23. ^Venta, Lance (2019-07-17)."Meruelo Media Closes On KLOS & KXOS; Makes Staffing Announcements".RadioInsight.RadioBB Networks.Retrieved2019-11-04.
  24. ^"KLOS/Los Angeles Morning Co-Host Frosty Stilwell No Longer On FHF Morning Show; Others Exiting Airstaff Include Gary Moore, Frazer Smith, Jim 'JD' Daniels".All Access.All Access Music Group. 2020-06-01.Retrieved2020-08-03.
  25. ^"Yea Networks Signs The Greg Beharrell Show".All Access.All Access Music Group. 2020-08-03.Retrieved2020-08-06.
  26. ^Venta, Lance (2021-02-16)."Kevin Ryder To Team With Doug 'Sluggo' Roberts In Afternoons At KLOS".RadioInsight.RadioBB Networks.Retrieved2021-02-16.
  27. ^Michael Schneider (2024-09-06)."KLOS-FM Fires Afternoon Hosts Kevin Ryder and Doug 'Sluggo' Roberts, Latest In Stream of Cuts at Owner Meruelo Media".Variety.Retrieved2024-09-08.
  28. ^Venta, Lance (2021-03-04)."Meruelo Media Launches Talk KLOS 2".RadioInsight.RadioBB Networks.Retrieved2021-03-04.
  29. ^Barrett, Don."Los Angeles Radio People, C".LARadio.com.Retrieved2018-05-08.
  30. ^"KLOS Midday Icon Cynthia Fox Exits".All Access.All Access Music Group. 2013-07-12.Retrieved2018-07-02.
  31. ^"KSWD (100.3 The Sound)/Los Angeles Puts Cynthia Fox In Afternoons".All Access.All Access Music Group. 2016-09-28.Retrieved2018-07-02.
  32. ^"Legendary DJ Jim Ladd is out at KLOS".Orange County Register.2011-10-26.Retrieved2011-10-26.
  33. ^"Jim Ladd To Join SiriusXM".All Access.All Access Music Group. 2011-12-02.Retrieved2018-07-02.
  34. ^"Former KLOS/Los Angeles Personality Joe Reiling Passes".All Access.All Access Music Group.Retrieved2018-05-08.
  35. ^"Frank Sontag Joins KKLA".All Access.All Access Music Group.Retrieved2018-05-08.
  36. ^"Female radio pioneer Shana LiVigni dies – Daily News".Los Angeles Daily News.22 July 2015.
  37. ^ab"Big Guys Win Big At Marconis"(PDF).Radio & Records.1991-09-20. pp. 1, 36.Retrieved2019-06-24.
  38. ^"NAB Announces Nominees For 1991 Marconi Awards"(PDF).Radio & Records.1991-06-14. pp. 1, 39.Retrieved2019-06-24.
  39. ^ab"NAB Announces Marconi Nominees".All Access.All Access Music Group. 2006-07-17.Retrieved2019-06-24.
  40. ^"NAB 2007 Crystal Awards Finalists Named".All Access.All Access Music Group. 2007-03-12.Retrieved2019-06-24.
  41. ^Venta, Lance (2021-06-09)."Alliance for Women in Media Foundation Announce 2021 Gracie Award Winners".RadioInsight.RadioBB Networks.Retrieved2021-06-09.
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