KTKT DJ Hall OF Fame
1965
As 1965 opened the New Year brought a big surprise to KTKT. Jerry Stowe left Tucson to take a DJ job in Washington DC. Tucson listeners at the time were stunned by Jerry’s unexpected departure. KTKT replaced Jerry in the morning with Larry Wilson who had previously been at KLIF AM 1190 Dallas Texas. The harsh cold winter weather in DC may not have been to Jerry’s liking as he returned to Tucson and his KTKT morning program during the spring of 1965. Soon after Jerry returned KTKT heralded his return with an on the air stunt. Jerry came on the air at 6 am on a Friday morning and stayed on the air non stop – doing all the DJ shifts - until late Sunday evening. The next DJ change also took place during the spring of 1965. Dave Griffis departed KTKT. His 9 am to noon vacancy was filled by Dan Gates. Dan was also appointed program director at this time. Dan was no stranger to Tucson or radio. He brought lots of experience and working knowledge with him to KTKT having worked in several other southwest markets including stints at KDAY, KRLA and KFWB Los Angeles during 1959. Dan also served as a program director and helped open several stations for owner Dawkins Espy. Dan worked at KENO Las Vegas Nevada during 1960 taking that station to number one in a short time with a new top 40 format. Dan has also worked at KIKK and later on KWAC in Bakersfield California. Dan’s prior Tucson radio experience include having worked at KVOA during 1955, KTUC during 1956, KAIR during 1957 and a short stint as morning DJ for KTKT early 1958 before leaving to join Dawkins Espy in Bakersfield California.
June 1965
6 am – Jerry Stowe
9 am – Dan Gates
Noon – Tom Madison
3 pm - Frank Kalil
6 pm – Joe Bailey
9 pm – Ray Lindstrom
Midnight to 6 am – Dick Nelson
The next big change for both Tucson radio and KTKT occurred early fall of 1965 as Ray Lindstrom left to go to work for sister station KRUX in Phoenix. KRUX was owned at this time by Leland Bisbee - who also owned KTKT. Filling Ray’s vacancy at 9 pm was Marshall Darris. Marshall previously worked in other Arizona markets such as Safford and Flagstaff. In fact Marshall was in Tucson during the fall of 1962 on the staff at KFIF using the name Marty Marshall when that station had tried a short lived top 40 format that failed after only six or seven weeks.
Early Fall 1965
6 am – Jerry Stowe
9 am – Dan Gates
Noon – Tom Madison
3 pm - Frank Kalil
6 pm – Joe Bailey
9 pm – Marshall Darris
Midnight to 6 am – Dick NelsonKTKT would experience more change near the end of the year. Marshall Darris leaves KTKT to be replaced by Colin Gramatsky. Colin was previously a country and western in Las Cruces New Mexico using the name “tumbleweed”. Program director Dan Gates persuaded Colin to use his real name at KTKT and gave Colin a lot of on air fanfare and build up when he started on the air in the 9 pm to midnight vacancy. But even more disruption would occur to the DJ line up soon after Colin arrives as Joe Bailey would leave KTKT during November for several months due to military obligations.
Late Fall 1965
6 am – Jerry Stowe
9 am – Dan Gates
Noon – Tom Madison
3 pm - Frank Kalil
6 pm – Joe Bailey
9 pm – Colin Gramtsky
Midnight to 6 am – Dick Nelson
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