KWKH - History

History

KWKH has a colorful history. Its founder, William Kennon Henderson, Jr., a native of Bastrop, Louisiana, often sparred with the Federal Radio Commission over his profanity-laced rants against chain stores and the United States government. Henderson's family came to Shreveport in the 1890s. The broadcaster initially enjoyed the patronage of Governor Huey P. Long, Jr., whose son, Russell B. Long, was born in 1918 in Shreveport. Ultimately, the outspoken Henderson lost Long's support and his radio license as well.

In the mid-1950s, KWKH was one of the first radio stations to feature the music of Elvis Presley on its long-running Louisiana Hayride program at the Shreveport Municipal Auditorium. Frank Page (1925-2013), long-term KWKH broadcaster, introduced Presley to the Louisiana Hayride, a Country music program presented from 1948 to 1960.

W.K. Henderson's son, William Carter Henderson, was one of the founders of KSLA-TV, the CBS affiliate in Shreveport. W.K.'s grandson, William C. "Bill" Henderson (January 30, 1940–March 10, 2010), was active in real estate management for his family's Henderson Properties Company.

Prior to 1952, the station had been owned by the family of newspaper publisher John D. Ewing of Shreveport.

The station carried games for the Shreveport Steamer during the 1974 World Football League season. Larry King was the color commentator for the Steamer games.

Lloyd E. Lenard, later a member of the Caddo Parish Commission and a past president of the Americanism Forum, hosted the KWKH public affair program Party Line during the 1960s. He also spoke before various civic clubs and schools on themes of patriotism and history.

Barney Cannon (1955–2009) was until his death at the age of fifty-three the program director and morning deejay on KWKH. He was also considered a source authority on Country music. During his time there, KWKH carried America's Trucking Network on the overnights, stemming back to when the show was hosted by "the Truckin' Bozo." KWKH was the last station to carry the show in syndication, and dropped it in early 2010.

On May 31, 2012 KWKH changed their format to sports, branded as "The Tiger".

Station's Former Lineup (under previous country format) Monday-Friday: Howard 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. Rollin' Home with Danny Fox 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Weekends Saturday Best of Times Radio Hour 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Elaine 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Chris Dee 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday Gospel Go Around with Harold Harville 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. Chris Dee 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.