KBTR Tribute Page

Denvers'

KBTR/71

"Home of the All Americans"



710 AM Denver's Seven-One-Oh. Featured the "All Americans", and was a worthy opponent of KIMN for a relatively brief time.

KBTR featured DJ's like "King" George Michael before his Philadelphia and Sports days, Johnny Williams before KHJ and "Boss Radio" and late night manic man Bud Ballou who later left his imprint on Boston Top 40 radio.

All American Survey-1964, Left, 1965, Right

KBTR was originally KMYR, signing on in 1941 on 1340am before the eventual move to 710. About 1960 it became KICN, a Top 40 station which was a shirt tail cousin of Don Burdens' "Star Stations" which included KOIL in Omaha, WIFE in Indianapolis and KISN in Portland.

KICN became KBTR in 1964, as the radio affiliate of KBTV, Channel 9, owned by Mullins Broadcasting.

Unidentified in KBTR news studio, circa 1966 (Jerry Reed collection)

And then... one morning we turned our transistor radios on to 710 and caught the news. But the news wouldn't shut up. It just went on and on and we eventually learned the truth:

KBTR switched to All News in September 1967 and later switched to country as KERE in 70's. The frequency is now back to news/talk as KNUS.

So cool they had their own newspaper! September '65



The KBTR Media Kit
Here are a few selected pages from the KBTR Media Kit, including the programming line-up and rate card. A big All American Thanks to Jerry Reed (KBTR-News 1968-69) for this treasure!


A reminder that tobacco companies not only advertised heavily on radio in years past, but on radio targetted at the youth market, no less!


The KBTR All Americans!


Following are the known KBTR on-air Personalities, News people, Managers and Program Directors. Last known whereabouts are listed as well. If you have corrections or updates, please write us!

Ted Atkins 1964 Now retired in Pittsburgh
Bud Ballou 1966-67 Deceased
Danny Clayton 1966
Dave Diamond 1964 Now teaching in Spearfish, SD
Dale Dorman 1966 Kiss 108 WXKS-FM Boston
Thom Dwyer 1966
Jay Elliott 1966
Bill Fortune 1966
Tom Griffiths 1966
Jay Mack 1965
"King" George Michael 1961(KICN)-66 Now: Sports anchor WRC-TV, Washington and doing George Michael's Sports Machine
Ron Mitchell 1962-64 Now retired in Aurora
Norm Seeley 1964-65
Lee Shoblom 1964-67 Now retires Lake Havasu City, AZ
Todd Wallace 1966 Publisher and Editor of Programmer’s Digest
Don West 1966
Johnny Williams 1964-65 President, 440 International Inc
J. Michael Wilson 1964-66 Last known in Sandusky, OH


Johnny Mitchell "King"
George Michael
Danny Clayton Dale Dorman
Bill Fortune Lee Shoblom Johnny Williams Todd Wallace
Jay Elliott Thom DwyerTom GriffithsDon West
Al Flanagan (GM)Bud Ballou Randy BrockDave Diamond
Ev Wren (GM)


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