Highsmith Makes Moves On Spokane & Tacoma

September 30, 1984 – KXA signs off tonight, and will remain silent until October 8, as the transmitter is moved to a new location on Pigeon Point. When the station returns to the area it will also have a new name, KKMI AM. Morning portions will be simulcast with KKMI FM, but other dayparts will have a distinctive love song format.

Highsmith Broadcasting has received permission to acquire KREM FM, Spokane.. a slight format change and new call letters accompanied the move. Gary Taylor, station manager said the format on the FM station changed from album-oriented rock to contemporary hit radio. The new call letters are KZZU. “We call it 93 Zoo,” he said. That pits the new KZZU against the established contemporary hit station, KHQ.
Highsmith broadcasting, a new firm, also is awaiting permission to acquire KRPM, Tacoma.

John Murphy, morning man at KNBQ, Tacoma, has taken a new job at a radio station in Washington, D. C. R. P. McMurphy has moved into the KNBQ morning slot, with Jeff Randall filling in McMurphy’s old afternoon slot, and Jay Philpott, a new arrival from Minneapolis, taking over the all-night shift.

Sean Lynch, program director at KNBQ, resigned last week for what he said would be better career opportunities. Lynch said he would relocate if he found a good opening. Don Hoffman, operations director, said a new program director is being sought.

David Klein, news director at KPLU, Tacoma, has left broadcasting to become a stockbroker. He is studying for a master’s degree in business administration at PLU.

Rick Shannon and Suds Coleman, morning team, were let go at KZOK, and John Langan and John Posey, have moved into the morning slot. Marty Reimer assumes the afternoon time slot.