KXLO

Infobox Radio station
name = KXLO


city = Lewistown, Montana
area = 50 mile radius
branding =
slogan = "Todays Country"
airdate =
frequency = 1230 kHz
format = Country music
power = 1000 Watts
erp =
haat =
class = C
facility_id =
coordinates = coord|47|04|13|N|10|24|26|W
callsign_meaning =
former_callsigns =
owner = Kxlo Broadcast.| licensee =
sister_stations =
webcast =
website = [http://www.kxlo-klcm.com/ kxlo-klcm.com]
affiliations =

KXLO (1230 AM) is a radio station broadcasting a Country music format. Licensed to Lewistown, Montana, USA. The station is currently owned by Kxlo Broadcast.. Rick Rydell, radio talk show host, started his radio career here.

"Classic and Modern Country, and the Friendly Voice Of Central Montana" best describes the featured music on KXLO, and music is only part of the story. KXLO (AM) is committed to INFORMATION encompassing live and network news, weather, agriculture, and sports. There are three live segments where announcers use hands-on control of the equipment, thereby creating a unique and one of a kind program style. If the demands of the day warrant instant attention to important, late-breaking public affairs, news, or public service announcements - the demands are met on a live basis.

KXLO maintains a broadcast heritage that has gained respect throughout the Central Montana community and broadcast industry. KXLO is known for dedication to sporting events including high school, college and professional football, basketball, and related tournament games.

History

KXLO AM was the creation of brothers, George and Russell Bennitt, owners of the Lewistown Democrat News Newspaper and the Argus Farmer Newspaper. The Bennitts sold their newspaper interests to Ken Byerly in 1947, but retained their radio construction permit. They are credited with bringing radio to Central Montana under the banner of the Capitol Broadcast Company.KXLO at 1230 kHz started broadcasting with 250 watts of power with a Western Electric Transmitter. Designated a “local” channel by the Federal Communications Commission, the power was increased, with FCC permission, in approximately 1961. A power increase allowed the station to serve Central Montana with 1000 daytime watts. FCC rules required it be reduced at night to 250 watts. A few years later, most local stations were allowed to broadcast with 1000 watts full time.

Several ownerships have guided KXLO over the years. In 1950, the Bennitts sold the station to William G. Kelly under the corporation name of Montana Broadcasting Company. Three years later, Marlin G. Obie of North Dakota joined Kelly, and incorporated as Central Montana Broadcasting Incorporated. The station’s license and corporation was sold in 1958 to Asger Mikkelsen. Obie, along with Leroy Tappe and David L. Sather purchased the station, changing its corporate name to KXLO Broadcast, Incorporated. Obie and Tappe sold their interests in 1960 to Sather, William Yeager and Lewis G. Boucher. Seven years later, Sather and Boucher bought out Yeager’s interest.

Fred Lark, Beulah G. Lark, and Luann T. Lark, all of Boone, Iowa, purchased controlling interest in KXLO Broadcast, Incorporated in 1973. Beulah Lark’s interest reverted to the corporation following her death a year later. Boucher sold his interest to Fred Lark and Luann Lark in 1982. In February 2007, Bethany Lark and Melody Lark were brought into ownership by Luann (Lark) Fortenbery. Fred, Luann, Bethany and Melody continue their ownership and operation at the time of this writing.

KXLO has broadcast country music since its start date in 1947. KXLO’s special music has been actively sought by the various owners including a weekly classical “concert hall” program, which lasted for more than twenty years. In the 1970s the concert hall was changed to a Beautiful Music format Sunday mornings.

KXLO has always had a strong agricultural profile. For many years the major agriculture programming was done with in-station talent. In 1973, Denver based farm broadcaster and Inter-Mountain Network (IMN) affiliate, Evan Slack, provided early morning “farm and ranch” coverage. The station has enjoyed a strong friendship and faithful relationship with Slack ever since.

Later in 1973, the Northern Ag Network, headquartered out of Billings, established a reel-to-reel taped network, and eventually a land line network with Conrad Burns. During the 1980's, Taylor Brown stepped into control of the NAG when Burns was elected to serve in the U.S. Senate. A few years after Brown became owner/manager, the network changed its land-line format to satellite. The NAG has constantly improved its facilities and programming while remaining an important segment of our daily commitment to the agriculture and standard radio audiences.

Looking back over the years, KXLO, in particular, has subscribed to several other network and wire services - Mutual, ABC, ABC - Information, Inter-Mountain Network, United Press International News Service, and the Associated Press. KXLO and KLCM both utilize specialty programs form ABC, CBS, Westwood One, and ESPN. Lark joined the National Board of Directors for the Associated Press in 1992 and has served for several consecutive terms.

In September 2004, The BE Automation System was replaced with a Smartcaster/SMART Pro automation system. This upgrade made extensive use of the Linux OS with the Production Computers using Windows XP OS and networked with an interface program. The Smartcaster system allowed for Voice Tracking, better production abilities, and 24/7 operation.

In October 2005, KXLO began to broadcast 24 hours a day, and 7 days a week. Several upgrades were made to the transmit equipment to facilitate notification of on-air silence or power failure using the Sine System product. This system notifies the in-house engineer 24/7 including unmanned hours.

In February 2007 KXLO partnered with Abacast Streaming Solutions and began to stream the broadcast signals (minus contractual restrictions with ABC and other affiliates) on the internet at www.kxlo-klcm.com.

External links

*AM station data|KXLO