Today, the Living Legends Foundation celebrates Texas, paying tribute to the Black radio stations that helped define & elevate the culture.
Known as K104, KKDA-FM has long been an Urban Contemporary powerhouse in the Dallas–Fort Worth radio market. Currently owned by Service Broadcasting Corporation, the station’s on-air lineup blends high-energy talent with strong local personalities. The station is known for legendary hall of fame level morning show talent including Tom Joyner, who earned his name as the “The Hardest Working Man in Radio” a/k/a “The Fly Jock” for his daily commute between Dallas and Chicago in the late 80’s before becoming a nationally syndicated host, Skip Murphy, Skip Cheatham and now Dede McGuire, who is now syndicated in over 80 markets. The station also features Chris Cole, Bay Bay, Lil D & Cat Daddy, continuing its tradition of engaging, community-focused programming. K104 was home to powerhouse programmers Terri Avery, James Alexander and Skip Cheatham, who ushered in the new millennium with the highest ratings in the station’s history.
While KKDA-FM dominated the airwaves, its AM counterpart reinvented itself as Soul 730, adding new voices including Willis Johnson, Lynn Haze, and Warren Brooks. Soul legend Millie Jackson also brought star power to the station, hosting an afternoon drive show for many years. Sam Weaver served as Operations Manager.
KRNB signed on in 1996 as an Urban Adult Contemporary station. Now branded as Smooth R&B 105.7, the station’s lineup includes Steve Harvey, Lynne Haze, Keith Solis, and Janet G., continuing its tradition of delivering sophisticated R&B programming to the Metroplex.
Early adopters of Hip-Hop on the radio, local DJ Nippy Jones crossed over from community radio station KNON to bring hip-hop to the DFW airwaves before Greg Street (now of v103/Atlanta fame) became a household name because of his stints at KMJQ/Houston & K104.
In 1977, Earl Graves—publisher of Black Enterprise—purchased KNOK-AM & FM. The station featured popular personalities such as Dewayne Dancer and DJ Baron Bacon, with Michelle Madison serving as Program Director and Michael Spears as Music Director. The station later evolved into KDLZ, branded as Z107.5.
In 1988, radio pioneer Elroy Smith flipped KMEZ to KJMZ 100.3 Jamz, strengthening its presence in the R&B and hip-hop format. It was home to an all-star lineup of future radio stars that included Helen Little, Russ Parr and Alfredas, EZ Street, Neke Howse and home-grown high school talent Keith Solis. JAMZ & K104 would host a decades long radio war before JAMZ ultimately flipped to R&B and eventually left the format altogether.
In Houston, KMJQ (Majic 102.1), owned by Urban One, stands as one of the city’s highest-rated Urban Adult Contemporary stations. Its programming lineup includes The Rickey Smiley Morning Show, The Madd Hatta Show, and the beloved late-night Quiet Storm. In 2008, the station briefly carried Mo’Nique in the Afternoon through Urban One’s syndication division. Originally owned by the Amaturo Group, KMJQ flourished under General Manager Jim Maddox and longtime programmer Jeff Harrison.
Established in 1953, KCOH is one of the oldest radio stations in Texas and a historic voice in Houston’s Black community. Legendary personality Skipper Lee Frazier became synonymous with the station, hosting popular local shows while also emerging as a major music promoter. He managed Archie Bell & the Drells and the TSU Tornados, and he penned their signature hit, “Tighten Up,” cementing his impact on both radio and music history.
Houston’s KTSU 90.9 FM, The Vibe, remains a vital community voice. Operated by Texas Southern University, the station offers a wide variety of music and public affairs programming. KTSU was the first radio station in Houston to play Hip-Hop under its Saturday morning radio show “Kidz Jam”, anchored by legendary radio and records entrepreneur Lester “Sir” Pace. It still runs today & is the oldest hip -hop radio show in Texas.
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