WKIS-740  AM
Orlando

Original Call Letters: WORZ                                                                                    WKIS logo Courtesy of Pete Simonson

Originally Licensed: Feb 8, 1947

Original City of License: Orlando  

Original Frequency: 740

Origin of Call Letters: 

Original Power: 50,000 watts 

Original Location: 790 N. Orange Ave.

Original Format: Adult Contemporary


Network Affiliation(s):

NBC
Associated Press
Mutual Broadcasting System
Keystone Broadcasting

Owner(s):

1947-
Central Florida Broadcasting Co.
1966-KIS, Inc.
1971-Susquehanna Broadcasting Co.
1988-Guy Gannett Broadcasting
1994-Paxson Broadcasting
1997-Clear Channel Communications 
2007-Aloha Station Trust, LLC, as Trustee

History Of  Call Letters and Formats:

WORZ
-1947-Pop
WKIS-1958-Adult Contemporary
WKIS-1971-MOR/Contemporary
WKIS-1973-Pop/Standard MOR  
WKIS-1979-MOR 
WKIS-1979-News/Talk  "NewsTalk 74"
WWNZ-1988-News/Talk
WQTM-2001-Sports Talk formerly on 540
WQTM-2007-Mexican Oldies "La Preciosa"  ("The Precious One")
WQTM-2008-Modern Spanish Pop 
WYGM-2009-Sports


History of WKIS

WKIS took to the air as WORZ on Feb. 8, 1947, with 1,000 watts of power as another NBC affiliate at 740 on the AM dial. Offices and studios were located at 790 N. Orange Ave., and the station's transmitter was on Old Winter Garden Road. In those  days, NBC had two radio networks, called the red and the blue networks. In 1949, you could listen to the Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis show on Friday evenings on WORZ. 
Martin & Lewis Show opening

WKIS Personalities


Bob Andrews
-1959
-Program Director
-Central Florida Broadcasting Co.  Biography
Happy Ison-1959-News Director/Special Events Director-Central Florida Broadcasting Co.
Ray Olech-1959-Farm Director-Central Florida Broadcasting Co.
Edith Entee-1959-Women's Director-Central Florida Broadcasting Co.
Glenn Smith-1963-Program Director-Central Florida Broadcasting Co.
Don McWhorter-1963-News Director-Central Florida Broadcasting Co.


Russ Wheeler
-1966-1969
-KIS, Inc./1972-1975-Mornings- Biography
Joe Francis-1966-Program Director-KIS, Inc.
Roy Scott-1966-News Director-KIS, Inc.
Steve Thompson-1968-News Director-KIS, Inc.
Pat Flynn-1970-1975-News-In an email from Pat he tells us about his time at WKIS. "...I did news at WKIS around 1970-1975 during the Gene Burns era. When I was in college at UCF, 69-73, I worked at WWQS (FM 105.1) doing classical music during the week, then news on weekends at "KIS".  After a couple of years of that, I left "QS" and worked fulltime at "KIS". I continued at "KIS", after college, until January 1975 at which time I moved to Houston and went to law school. I have been practicing labor & employment law here in Houston since 1977
Doris Ashwell-1970-1976-Talk show host-KIS, Inc.   Biography
Doris with Larry Shannon (Roberts) and Larry King (Bessler) on the WKIS mid-day show.      
Jim Boynton-1971-Program Director-KIS, Inc.

Gene Burns
-
1971-1985-1971-Operations Manager/1975-Assistant Manager -Susquehanna Broadcasting Biography
Interview with Radio Phenomenon Gene Burns

Jack Murphy-1971-Program Director-Susquehanna Broadcasting

Cal Rains-1971-News Director-Susquehanna Broadcasting



Larry Shannon
(Larry Roberts)-1971-1974-Afternoons/1973-Program Director-Susquehanna Broadcasting Biography
 

Jim Philips
-1972-1986
Biography Jul_14_001.jpg (25720 bytes)  


Frank Reed
-1972
-Air Personality/1973-Music Director
-Susquehanna Broadcasting Biography


Jerry Gordon-1972-1978-Middays/Afternoon Drive-Susquehanna Broadcasting

Jerry was also the voice of Disney for ten years.
Dave Arlington (David Swerdloff)-1972-1973-"KIS All Night Show"-Susquehanna Broadcasting
Richard King-1973-News Director-Susquehanna Broadcasting
Stan Savran-1973-1976-Sports Director-Susquehanna Broadcasting
Stan did a Sports talk show on Sunday nights from 7-10. Sports and news on the morning show with Russ Wheeler. Stan also did play by play for the Florida Blazers of the World Football League the one season
they were in existence in 1974.


Pete Forgione
-1973
-Mid-days/1979-Program Director
-Susquehanna Broadcasting Biography
Mark McKibben-1974-1977-Susquehanna Broadcasting
From Mark's email: "...I started out doing the all night show.  After a couple of years on air, I shifted over to become Gene Burns' engineer. In the spring of 1977, we worked 90 straight days without a day off to help boost the station's ratings during the sweeps. Bob Poe was Gene's producer in those days.  He later went on to become the GM. I enjoyed working with Gene tremendously. He is a fantastic talk show host.  We were a great team.  We used to celebrate from time-to-time at Freddie's Steak House in Fern Park. Gene loved good food and he taught me a lot about wine. Another person that helped make WKIS successful was John Loving. John was the Chief Engineer of the station and he became my mentor.  It's because of John that I was able to make the transition to engineering. I left WKIS in 1977 to work as Chief Engineer of WRMF-FM 98.1 in Titusville.  I was only there about a year and then moved to WPLP-AM 570 in Pinellas Park.  While at WPLP, I was "discovered" by Ray Rask of the Mutual Broadcasting System.  I moved to Washington in 1979 and took over as the "Assistant Director of Satellite and Corporate Engineering."

Steve Mitchell
-1974-1975-Weekends/Fill-in-Susquehanna Broadcasting
  Steve Mitchell with Guests Shari Lewis and Kirby "Sky King" Grant-1974 
Courtesy of
 Steve Schiffman 
   
Buzz Lawrence-1974-Program Director. From Steve (Mitchell) Schiffman; "...His sign off was:  "Buzz Off, Kiss On". 
I heard that Buzz died sometime after leaving WKIS-radio ("Open the door, to '74, Orlando)
Rod Hemphill-1974-1979-News Director-Susquehanna Broadcasting
Steve Kane-1977-Susquehanna Broadcasting 
Steve was a theater arts professor at Rollins College when he began as a fill-in host at WKIS in 1977. He eventually took over late nights. His program called "Talk About Life Klub" (T.A.L.K.). card carrying members would meet at the Golden Corral restaurant. He would leave WKIS and take his program to WLOF-AM 950. Today Steve Kane is heard on South Florida radio. 
Pancho O'Hara-(Chico Ramos)-1977-1978, 1979-1984--Susquehanna Broadcasting
Pancho was a regular caller to local talk shows in Orlando. He was a gardener and painter by trade. WKIS found him so entertaining (or obnoxious) they offered him a job. 
Part of an email from Pancho. "...I was hired by Gene Burns (one of the greatest talk hosts in the biz) in February of 1977. In July of 1978 I was fired for being " irresponsible" saying things  that offended "minority groups." All I said, was "some minority folks are too pushy" and I meant it. Then in Jan 1979, I was rehired. I lasted until 1984 or so, before Jim Philips was hired to replace Dick Norman a helluva nice guy who died  while trying to leave a convenience store in Tampa..."


Roger Stallard
-1978-1981-Midnight-6AM/Program Director-Susquehanna Broadcasting  Biography


Clive Thomas
- 1979-Susquehanna Broadcasting Biography


Don Gould-1979-Afternoon Drive News Anchor-Susquehanna Broadcasting Biography
Shelton Adams-1980-Susquehanna Broadcasting
Adams was an Orlando city councilman, who lost the 1980 Mayoral election to then Mayor, Bill Frederick (Frederick was Orlando's mayor from 1980 to 1992)
Pat Flannigan-1980-Pioneer female talk host-Susquehanna Broadcasting     
Bob James-1982-"The Real Bob James"--Susquehanna Broadcasting
Bob came to Orlando from WGAR in Cleveland (where he left in 1979). Prior to his stop at WKIS he was involved in production work and wrote for TV's "Entertainment Tonight". He also did some acting with small roles in "The Deer Hunter" and "Those Lips, Those Eyes". Bob replaced Steve Cannon. Bob is currently a professor of broadcast journalism at Middle Tennessee State University.
Harry Cup-1982-7PM-11PM-Susquehanna Broadcasting Biography 
Harry's program would go statewide in 1983 on the Florida Radio Network. FRN was owned by WKIS' parent company. Cup was heard from 7-11Pm on; WKIS, WIPC-AM 1200, Winter Haven, WEZY-AM 1350, Lakeland,  WNDB-AM 1150, Daytona Beach, and WWFL-AM 1340, Clermont 
In Memory
Wayne Trout-1983-1990-News Director-Susquehanna Broadcasting Biography In Memory
                   
Wayne on George W. Bush


Dick Norman
-1984-9AM-Noon/
3PM-6PM
/Operations Manager-Susquehanna Broadcasting Biography 
In Memory
Dr. Marilyn Mason-1984-1985-"Practical Psychology"-Noon-2PM--Susquehanna Broadcasting
Dr. Mason began a similar radio-psychology in 1980 at KSTP-AM in Minneapolis. Her commitment to psychology stemmed from a tragedy. Mason's husband, a student at the University of Texas at Austin, was killed in 1966 by 

Charles Whitman
, the student who climbed into the University of Texas tower and began a shooting rampage that killed 15 and wounded 31. 
Chris Russo-1984-1987-"Sports Talk"-6PM-8PM-Susquehanna Broadcasting
Chris graduated from Rollins College in Winter Park in 1982. Before Orlando he worked at WEXI and WOKV in Jacksonville. Chris would move to WMCA-AM 570 in New York in 1987. Now known as the "Mad Dog" on WFAN-AM 640 in New York City.  
8-14-08-After 19 years at WFAN-AM 660, New York Chris leaves and joins Sirius 
Leslie Brewington-1986-Producer for Clive Thomas-Susquehanna Broadcasting Biography
John Martin-1986 to 1991-Writer/Reporter/Anchor/Producer/Co-host with Lynn Levine-Susquehanna Broadcasting.
Craig Eicher-1987-1991-Overnights/Weekday Anchor/Reporter-Susquehanna Broadcasting 
Craig became a news reporter/anchor at Channel 6, Orlando for ten years.
Jeff Alan-1987


Marty Stebbins
 
Biography


Bob Barnes
Biography
Lynn Levine (Moira of the "Philips Phile" on WTKS-FM 104.1) News anchor and host of “At Your Service” from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Lynn also co-hosted the Morning News on WWNZ-AM 740 with Wayne Trout in 1988.  (Note: Program Director Kaye Barone made Lynn the host of "At Your Service". Lynn hade been a "street reporter".  


Bud Brewer
Biography


Don Smith
Biography

Carole Nelson
 
Biography
Hal Murray
Tony Gerard
Phil Hendrie
Sandy Bernard-8PM to Midnight
Frank Vaught-Sports
Lon Wagner
Peter Rocchio-Peter is an attorney and gourmet chef
Larry (Bessler) King-Production In Memory      
Ken Presti-Reporter late 90's
Winnifred King
Kathy Putnam
Wayne Deschambeau
John Anthony-Morning sports 
Barbara McClure-overnight news late 90s 
Harvey Doyle-Production
Dave Lawrence-Overnights  
Dan Tressler
Tom Haley-Noon-4PM Biography
Sam Gilkey
Jim Boynton-Mid-days/Program Director 
Dave Elliott
Bev Smith
Al Dunaway-6AM-9AM
Mike Schiano Biography
Patricia Madden
Linda Coleman
Adrian Charles
Jay Jeffries (Jeff D'Aurora)-4PM-7PM
Clay Daniels-9AM-Noon                                                                                   courtesy of Larry Flegle
Tom McCloud (Tom Locke)-Sky One traffic plane
Michael Cooper-Sports

Bill
Bauman  


Alan Spector

 
John Martin
Biography                                                        
70's Bumper sticker
                                   Courtesy of Pete Simonson
Terry Deck-News
                      
   Left to right; Pat Beall, Wolfman Jack and Dan Robertson

                         courtesy of Dan Robertson
    
                        
Pat Beale-News
Mike Ruble-Producer


Jeff Allen
(Cassell)-1982-1986
Biography
Myron Stein-"The Auto Doctor"-Saturdays-10AM-Noon
Peter Lane-"Wine Line"-Saturdays-2PM- 3PM
Greg Galloway-1974-1975 Biography



Gene Witt
-
1983-1986-"Skywatch 1" Traffic Plane Pilot-Susquehanna Broadcasting Biography

Gina Jordan Biography

Steve Hall-Sports

Lee Hillyard-News
Pat Beall-News
Roger Williams-News
Michelle Simos-News
Sal Tamburo-Gardening expert. Regular guest on the Doris Ashwell show.
Tom McCubbin-Gardening expert. Regular guest on the Doris Ashwell show.
Win Pendleton-author and lecturer known as "The Sage of Windermere". Regular guest on the Doris Ashwell show
 
                              Wolfman Jack and Pancho share a laugh
                                            
courtesy of Dan Robertson


Other Names in WKIS History          

Naomi Murell-1959-President/General Manager-Central Florida Broadcasting Co. 

W.C. Murell, Jr.-1959-Secretary-Treasurer/Assistant Manager-Central Florida Broadcasting Co.
William Forsythe, Jr.-1959-Commercial Manager-Central Florida Broadcasting Co.
Stephen Wesley-1959-Promotions Director-Central Florida Broadcasting Co.
W.R. Miller-1959-Chief Engineer-Central Florida Broadcasting Co.
Jack Collingsworth-1960-Chief Engineer-Central Florida Broadcasting Co.
Lou Bennett-1963-Promotions Manager-Central Florida Broadcasting Co.

Ernie Legge-1963 In Memory

T.K. "Tom" Cassel-1966-President-KIS, Inc.
R.B. Smith-1966-General Manager-KIS, Inc.
Bob Keith-1966-Commercial Manager-KIS, Inc.



John Loving-1966
-Chief Engineer
-KIS, Inc./1971-Chief Engineer-Susquehanna Broadcasting

Bo Mitchell-1968-Executive Vice President-KIS, Inc.

Tom Marshall-1968 In Memory

R. Brockway "Bocky" Smith-1969-General Manager-KIS, Inc.
Paul Knepper-1971-Commercial Manager-KIS, Inc.

A. W. Carlson-1971-1981-Vice President-Susquehanna Broadcasting

H. M. Levin-1971-1981-Executive Vice President-Susquehanna Broadcasting

Bill Kirk-1971-Sales Manager-Susquehanna Broadcasting

H.M. Levin-1972-Executive Vice President-Susquehanna Broadcasting
Dale Moudy-1973-Genearl Manager/1975-Vice President/General Manager-Susquehanna Broadcasting

Bob Nocero-1973-1980-Susquehanna Broadcasting  

Jim Tillery-1975-Sales Manager-Susquehanna Broadcasting

Steve Wein-1976-Board operator for Gene Burns-Susquehanna Broadcasting

Dan Robertson-1978-1980-"...was Gene Burns engineer for a while at WKIS, along with Clay (Daniels) and Al (Dunaway) and Roger Stallard-Susquehanna Broadcasting

Chuck Agostinelli-1978-1980-Producer for Gene Burns-Susquehanna Broadcasting

Robert Dempsey-1979-Vice President/General Manager-Susquehanna Broadcasting
Larry Kindel-1979-Commercial Manager-Susquehanna Broadcasting
Dorothy Kuhlman-1979-Promotions Director-Susquehanna Broadcasting

Mike Cooper-1980-Producer for Gene Burns-Susquehanna Broadcasting

Steve Fluker-1983-Assistant Engineer-Susquehanna Broadcasting



Steve Johnston-1984-1985-Assistant Chief Engineer-WKIS and the Florida Network-Susquehanna Broadcasting

Bob Poe-1985-Gene Burns Program Producer/General Manager-Susquehanna Broadcasting                       

Kay Barone-1986-Program Director-Susquehanna Broadcasting



Pete Simonson

George Crossley

Herb Craft                                                          

Steve Craig

Mike Gaier-General manager                                                                             

Sandie Biddle-Copywriter and production director. Was the voice behind "Mrs. Roger Holler" spots for Holler Chevrolet. 

Scott Santos-Producer

Jim Casey-Program  Director

Steve Kane

Randy Molnar-Production Director

Don Grider

Tranny Jackson

Lawrence Kahn-Producer for Gene Burns

Bob Christoper

Bob Bierkentoll-Fill-in Producer

Pete Raymondetta-Engineer for Steve Kane 

Robin Reiger-Producer for Steve Kane


Other Programs in WKIS History

NBC's Monitor    listen to the Monitor beacon

 CBS Radio Mystery Theater-1982


Ray Durkee's "Sunday at the Memories"
 
Chuck Harder-"For The People"                                                                                       WKIS beer
Sally Jesse-Raphael (NBC TalkNet)                                                                             Thanks to Dick Camnitz 
Jim Bohannon
Robert Vincent Sims-"The Garden Rebel"
Jack Nelson-"Dollars and Sense" 
Tom Olson-1988-"Olson on the Law"
When Radio Was
Dining Around-Saturdays-Noon-2Pm-Hosted by Gene Burns and alternately, Peter Rocchio 

                           Reed&Shannon1.jpg (402440 bytes)                                             Russ Wheeler1.jpg (146517 bytes)
                                  Click for full sized view                                            Click for full sized view        
                Pete Simonson sends along this photo of Frank Reed and Larry Shannon at Disney's Grad night
                                                  and a promo for the Russ Wheeler morning show

                  
                                                                                          
30th Anniversary-1978.JPG (450524 bytes)

This full page ad appeared in the Orlando Sentinel Star on April 14, 1978 celebrating the 30th anniversary. It was more the anniversary of the frequency because the call letters WKIS were new to the station in the 1960's. The party was held at the "Rainbow Ranch". 
                   


Thanks to Jeff D'Aurora for the photo

Click photo for full sized view







WORZ-WKIS Winter Garden studios_2-Jeff D'Aurora.jpg (126562 bytes)
                       

This building on Winter Garden Road was built to house WORZ-AM 740, WORZ-FM 100.3 as well as  a planned TV studio as WORZ was granted a license to transmit on channel 9. Seems they ran out of money and channel 9 became WLOF TV.  The area in the back of the station which housed the Sales dept. was to be the TV studio

                                                              Click photo for full sized view
                                                   Thanks to Jeff D'Aurora for the photo


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