Negro station gets respectable ratings; Channel 13 starts talent show

January 1962 – [C. J. Skreen – Seattle Times]

Reports persist that Al Cummings, last seen driving a taxi cab, will rejoin one of the local rock ‘n roll stations. The rotund disc jockey’s irreverent jibes have been missed by many listeners…… Most startling aspect of the latest Hooper audience survey for December and January is the rise of Wally Nelskog KIXI in the standings. The new Seattle station, which abandoned rock ‘n roll when it shifted headquarters from Renton, is tied with KVI for runner-up spot in the afternoon ratings. KJR still holds a commanding lead both morning and afternoon…… KZAM FM which took the air November 20 as the Pacific Northwest’s first Negro FM station, has won a solid following among the Seattle-Tacoma areas 38,000 Negro population and has spurred sales of FM sets…… That fellow wearing a heavy rain coat and oversized cap who went unrecognized Tuesday noon while enjoying a snack at Andy’s diner in Seattle’s South End, was Danny Kaye, celebrated clown and occasional TV performer. Kaye stopped off briefly on his return from entertaining the troops in Korea over the holidays. The comedian also checked in at KJR, which he owns in partnership with Frank Sinatra, then flew out in his private plane to “conduct” a symphony orchestra concert in Oklahoma.
Local talent looking for TV exposure should contact Stan Johnson at KTVW TV Tacoma. Johnson is beginning at talent-show contest which will be presented each Wednesday afternoon at five o’clock on Channel 13……
Definition of a disc jockey: a man who lives on spins and needles.