The National Association of Broadcasters has announced the finalists for the 2015 Marconi Awards, which will be handed out Oct. 1 during the NAB Marconi Awards Dinner & Show taking place during the 2015 Radio Show in Atlanta.
As the 2015 Radio Show approaches, Radio World takes at some of the stations that were named finalists for the Marconi Awards. This week we look at Legendary Station award finalist KRMG(AM/FM) from Tulsa, Okla., talking with Levi May, director of branding and programming.
Radio World: Briefly describe your station’s history, current ownership and format.
Levi May: KRMG went live in 1949, and was put on air by oil company partners Robert Kerr and Dean McGee of Kerr McGee. It was really put on the map in 1974 when Tulsa was hit by several tornadoes. KRMG somehow managed to stay on air and helped guide those through the severe weather. Fast-forward to today, KRMG is still Tulsa’s “Severe Weather Station.” Living in an area with such volatile weather, KRMG prides itself on being one of the best in the country providing severe weather coverage. Today, KRMG is 100% simulcast on AM 740 and 102.3 FM. We are formatted for news/talk and owned by Cox Media Group.
RW: Why do you think KRMG was among the finalists in the Legendary Station category; what makes it stand out from the others?
May: The incredible high bar that has been set for this station, the history that KRMG has made within the community, and the legacy each “chapter” has left behind.
KRMG has been tightly woven into the fabric of this community, and we still stand by that today. While living in “Tornado Alley,” our entire staff is on call 24 hours a day. We don’t know any different when it comes to “breaking content” because our coverage truly does save lives.
RW: What would you say the “radio culture” is like at the station, what words would radio people who work there use about it?
May: Our ethos comes from respecting our people — top to bottom. We compete with our products, and we win with our people. Cox Media Group has an incredible culture, and it shows here at KRMG.
RW: What’s the most unusual thing the station has done lately that typifies its personality or mission?
May: KRMG cannot be typecast. We are a station that is blended with many distinctive personalities, likes, theories, hobbies, etc., which translates into many different avenues of programming, culture, clients and events.
That is what makes us so deeply tied into our community — we have something for everyone.
RW: Who are the key station leaders?
- GM/VP Dan Lawrie
- Director of Operations Steve Hunter
- Director of Branding & Programming Levi May
- Director of Sales Randy Smith
- General Sales Manager Tracie Poe
- Director of Engineering Wayne Smith
- Marketing and Promotions Director Kim Dallow
- Local Solutions Manager (Digital) Heather Boethin
KRMG previously won a Marconi Award in 2013 for Medium Market Station of the Year.
See more station profiles of 2015 Marconi Award finalists here.
