KDON-FM
 | |
| Broadcast area | Monterey/Salinas/Santa Cruz, California |
|---|---|
| Frequency | 102.5 MHz |
| Branding | 102.5 K-Don |
| Programming | |
| Format | Rhythmic Top 40 |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Clear Channel Communications |
| KABL, KOCN, KPRC-FM, KTOM | |
| Technical information | |
| Class | B |
| ERP | 15,000 watts |
| HAAT | 723 m |
| Links | |
| Webcast | Listen Live |
| Website | 102.5 KDON |
KDON-FM (102.5 FM) is a Rhythmic Top 40 station licensed to Salinas, California. They are owned by Clear Channel Communications .
History
In its early years, this radio station was KSBW, playing middle of the road and beautiful music.
KDON became a mainstream Top 40 station in the early 1980s with no disk jockeys, in stark contrast to other Top 40 stations at the time. This may have been a gimmick at the time as the fledgling station fought to gain a foothold in the market. As the years progressed, on-air personalities were added.
The format evolved into Rhythmic Top 40 by 1988 and since then has remained one of the highest rated stations in the Monterey/Santa Cruz radio market.
In the early nineties, Mancow Muller hosted a local morning show on KDON. Other talent that has come out of KDON include MTV's "Lucious Liz", Art Bell from Coast To Coast AM, and many others who have gone on to bigger radio markets working the early part of their careers at KDON.
KDON currently plays mainly Hip Hop and R&B, with some Pop, and Old School influence. Its signature yearly concert "The Freestyle Explosion" is one of the biggest events in Salinas each year. The station is known for its heritage, and strong signal which has been heard from King City to as far north as Santa Rosa. It is the strongest signal in the Monterey Market with full signal into the San Jose market, and covering many other parts of the Bay Area. (The latter can sometimes cause interference with Sacramento station KSFM, which has the same format -- and the same frequency, as their signals collide midway in the Bay Area).
In the past few years KDON has evolved into a very successful station consistently as most of the staff who previously worked at sister station KYLD/San Francisco have brought a major market "feel" to the medium Monterey market. KDON is widely recognized by its "Phone Jack at the 50" in the morning where jocks prank call people in different character voices. They are also known for having a very active Promotions team, and Mixshow roster which consists of DJs that are at all the local clubs. Each year KDON is involved in many community events from Food Drives, Raising Money for the Relay For Life foundation, and Christmas Tree deliveries.
The current DJ lineup includes: The Morning Madhouse with Sam Diggedy & Showbiz 6-10am Letty B 10am-2pm Eric the Funky1 2pm-6pm Visa on the Radio 6pm-10pm Night Moves 10pm-2am
Noteable Current Radio Personality
- Sam Diggedy
- Showbiz
- eric the funky 1
- Visa On The Radio
- Letty B
- Carolyn Monroe
- Ricky Danny
Notable Past DJ's
- Mancow Muller (Syndication)
- Luscious Liz (Power 106/MTV)
- Renee Taylor
- Lisa St. Regis
- Joe Breezy
- Steve Wall a/k/a "Monterey Jack"
- Rick Chase
- Bruce Maiman
External links
- 102.5 KDON's website
- Facility details for Facility ID KDON ({{{2}}}) in the FCC Licensing and Management System
- {{{2}}} in Nielsen Audio's FM station database