The Story of KATT-FM Rock 100.5 the KATT

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The Story of Rock 100 The KATT:

KATT-FM, known as “Rock 100.5 The KATT,” is a prominent commercial radio station in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. It has a rich history that reflects the evolving landscape of rock radio in the region.

Origins and Early Years (1960–1976)
The station’s journey began in 1960 under the call letters KJAK, operating as a country music station owned by Jack Beasley’s Big Chief Broadcasting Company. It was co-owned with KLPR (1140 AM, now KRMP). In 1976, thanks to petitions started by local club owner John Dunning, the station transitioned from a part-time broadcast window to a progressive 24 hour rock oriented format debuting as “FM 100-The Cat” on September 16, 1976.

The official call sign change to “KATT” was authorized by the FCC on Christmas Day of the same year. This would also explain why the first KATT Kalendar was only 6 months long instead of 12 months. The station quickly gained popularity by offering an album rock music experience distinct from the pop-sounding Top 40 stations of the time, featuring artists like The Grateful Dead, Gino Vinelli, Fleetwood Mac, Poco, Black Sabbath, The Who, Linda Ronstadt and Bob Seger. The tendency to play full albums or album sides was popular pre-internet. Prime example would be the “midnight special” features and our original 7th day format. The format for AM1140 (with it’s own air staff too) was disco into the 1980’s and switched a simulcast of FM100, then to a business format and then finally call letters / format change to Soul KPRW before Perry Broadcasting purchased the station in the 1990’s.

In 1977, Dallas radio & tv executive, John S. Tyler formed Sun Broadcasting Company for the purpose of purchasing KATT 1140 AM/100.5 FM in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. This purchase was approved and Sun began operation of KATT-AM/FM in early 1978. During 1979, Tyler began to formulate a plan for a radio format that could be distributed via satellite using the unused sub-carrier of video transponders. In late 1980, Tyler brought together investor/operators to form Satellite Radio Network and Satellite Music Network. The same group who started Z-Rock in Dallas, Texas and the KATT’s sister station, KATM 100.7 “The KAT” Colorado Springs in 1986 with the hopes of launching more “KATT” radio stations across North America. Both stations would later be purchased by the Nichols family and operated as Caribou Broadcasting under the direction of Kent Nichols. Caribou would eventually be sold to Citadel Broadcasting and later Cumulus Media Inc.

The station’s iconic “cat” logo has become a recognizable symbol in Oklahoma City and across the southwest US, with bumper stickers and apparel featuring the logo being sought-after collectibles. The original cat character was designed by the late Trey Aven. You will notice a striking similarity between the male figure on the very first KATT calendar and Trey Avens’ physical appearance. Trey was a native resident of Okc and was active in the historic Paseo Arts District. Aven would eventually sue Sun Broadcasting over royalties and ownership of the design. An undisclosed settlement would eventually be reached before Trey moved abroad.

Air personalities in the early days included Stan Tacker, Traver Hulse, Jim Stafford (Jimbob), Linda (Gabby) Goldfarb, John Michael Scott, David Bell, Charlie Parker, and Danny Hopper. Stan, Traver, and Jim rotated morning drive time duties until Gabby came on board. Then it was Jim & Gabby for about one year. John Michael Scott handled middays, David Bell was on in the evenings. Hopper was the first overnight DJ, later followed by Parker. The KATT’s first promotions director was Debbie Poole. First Production Director was Karen Watts. First General Manager was Bill Lacey. The original studio was located off South Shields and hosted in studio appearances with Van Halen in 1978.

List of Program Directors:
Barbara Marullo – Served as the original program director when the station transitioned to a progressive rock format in 1976.
Ira “Eye” Lipson – While not officially listed as a PD, Lipson was the programming consultant during KATT’s early years. He also served as the program director at KZEW “The Zoo” in Dallas and played a significant role in shaping KATT’s identity.
John Michael Scott – A prominent on-air personality and program director in the late 1970s. He was featured in a 1978 photograph pulling an album from the station’s record library.
Jeff Freund aka Jeff Carrol – Hired Zoobeck. Would go on to program KLBJ Austin.
Dave Brewer-Morning show host with Shelly Dunn during the early 1980’s. Would later start Pollack Media Consulting.
Pat Welsh – Morning show host with Lisa Mirick during the mid 1980’s. Then became PD. Hired Rick Walker and Brad Copeland. Pat would go on to join Dave Brewer at Pollack Media Consulting
Scott Douglas Foster – KATT PD during the mid to late 80’s. Would later become National Director of Rock Virgin Records.
Doug Sorenson – Hired Jake Daniels before becoming OM/PD of KQRC Kansas City before passing away.
Brad Copeland – Interim PD for about a year after Doug left.
Guy Perry – KATT’s shortest tenured PD. Guy was also stadium announcer for OU football.
Chris Baker – KATT’s longest tenured PD. Baker responsible for rehired Bladerunner and Slammin’ Sam as well as starting our Rock Auctions, KATT Birthday Parties/Kattfest, Rick & Brad World Tour and Burger Day.
Jake Daniels – KATT’s second longest tenured PD. Keeper of KATT history and artifacts as well as started “KATT Record Show”. Also Jr. Engineer.

List of Morning Shows:
Jim & Gabby (Mid to Late 70’s)
Dave Brewer & Shelly Dunn (Early 80’s)
Pat Welsh & Lisa Mirick (Mid 80’s)
Rick Walker & Art Mehring with Wild Bill and Ranger Mike (Mid 80’s)
Rick Walker & Max Morgan (Late 80’s)
Joe Scar & Max Morgan (Late 80’s)
Joe Scar & Mike Adams (Early 90’s)
Howard Dean (Early 90’s)
Dave Milney & Bryan Rich (Early 90’s)
Rick & Brad (Mid 90’s to Present)

Growth and Format Evolution (1980s–1990s-2000’s)
In the 1980s, KATT-FM shifted from an “everything goes” free-form progressive rock format to a more structured album rock approach, focusing on the top tracks from the biggest-selling rock albums of the time. That decade in particular, KATT management started a streak of important hires of up and coming air talent that would go on to bigger things. Cindy Scull would leave KATT and head west to KNAC and then KEGL Dallas. Bladerunner with XM. Rick Walker with a stint in Philly. Brad had a stint in Arizona. Brad was also a front runner to replace Bob Coburn of “Rockline” in the 90’s. The station also has a rich history throughout the decades with extremely popular iconic promotions, such as a decades’ long run of “KATT World’s” at the Myriad Convention Center, “KATT Beach Parties” downtown and “KATT Rock Auctions” into the 1990’s and “KATTfests” into the 2000’s. Over the past decade, KATT-FM has expanded the brand beyond the radio dial and embraced technology by traversing into the digital space with a strong emphasis in streaming music and locally sourced content delivered globally via our website, dedicated KATT app and social media channels.

Current Programming and Branding
Today, KATT-FM operates under the branding “Rock 100.5 The KATT, Oklahoma’s Rock Station” and features an day parted active rock format. The station’s programming lineup includes popular shows such as the Rick & Brad Show, Steve Gorman Rocks, Greg Zoobeck, and Jake Daniels, among others. It also offers special programming like “Flashback with Matt Pinfield”, “Hard Drive with Lou Brutus”, John Clay Wolfe Show and in house produced Jake Daniels “Waxxed Ecstatic” Vinyl Hour, KATT Pure Rock 20 Countdown with Cameron Buchholtz and the “Local Talent Show with Jay Ramone.”