D/FW Radio: Cumulus Media’s WBAP Celebrates 95-Years

Cumulus Media announces that its award-winning Dallas news/talk radio station, News/Talk 820 AM-WBAP celebrates 95 years on-air today, making it one of the oldest radio stations in Texas.

WBAP will celebrate its 95th birthday on-air and online today, airing its famous “Cowbell” ID and featuring old jingles and audio of news events covered over the years by the historic station. WBAP.com will feature extensive interviews and stories from the station’s many years informing and serving the community with excellence.

WBAP was founded by Fort Worth businessman Amon G. Carter, creator and publisher of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, and debuted on May 2, 1922, when stations in Texas were still given call signs beginning with a “W” instead of a “K”. The then-10 watt station now broadcasts at 50,000 watts and has the greatest daytime coverage of any radio station in America and as much coverage at night as any other U.S. radio station.

Until the mid-70’s, WBAP shared the 820 and 570 frequencies with then-WFAA Radio. Whenever WBAP would switch from one frequency to the other, the station would ring its now famous “Cowbell”, appropriate for being in cattle country. The ringing of the bell goes back to the 20’s, when a bell was rung when the station signed on the air in the morning.

Over the years, WBAP has won numerous Associated Press Awards, Katie Awards from the Dallas Press Club, Edward R. Murrow Awards – including one this year for Breaking News – and many others.

Dan Bennett, Regional Vice President, Cumulus Media-Dallas/Houston, said: “Our celebration of 95 years is not just an honor for our current staff but for the incredible talent that span 95 years on a signal that covers 38 states. WBAP is truly one of radio’s iconic brands and we look forward to the next 95!”

Freda Ross, WBAP News Director, said: “It’s an honor to work at a station with such prestige and history. Throughout the years WBAP has strived to give the listeners the information they want and need and that mission continues today.”

Click Here for May 2 In Radio History

For more information on the history of WBAP, visit: http://www.wbap.com/station-history/