THE  HISTORY  OF

 KLIF  1190  

DALLAS RADIO

Created and maintained by

STEVE  EBERHART

HISTORY OF KLIF BREAKING NEWS...

DON KEYES HAS DIED IN DALLAS.

DON KEYES, 74, of Garland has died after battling emphysema.  He was hospitalized for a week and a half at Medical City Hospital, according to his family.
 
Don began as a disc-jockey in Wichita Falls in 1951, later moving to Dallas to work at the legendary KLIF 1190. He became the highest rated DJ in the history of Dallas radio according to Hooper Ratings Service in the Spring of 1956.  He was Program Director of KLIF in Dallas and KILT in Houston. Don was a mover and shaker in the radio broadcasting industry, serving as National Program Director for Dallas' McLendon Corporation of radio stations throughout the 1950's and 60's, Don was also Vice President of Programming for McLendon overseeing stations KLIF Dallas; KILT Houston; KTSA San Antonio; KEEL Shreveport; WAKY Louisville KY; KABL San Francisco; WYNR/WNUS Chicago; WYSL Buffalo, KOST Los Angeles; and XTRA Tijuana Mexico.  He also served as Assistant to Gordon McLendon.
 
Don purchased and operated radio stations WNYN in Canton, Ohio and WTAL Tallahassee, Florida.  
 
Keyes wrote the lyrics for "The Ballad of the Thresher" recorded by the Kingston Trio, was host of nationally syndicated radio programs and author of several books, as well as voiceover talent for numerous programs and commercials.  He appeared in the classic B movie produced by Gordon McLendon "My Dog Buddy".  
 
Don graduated from high school in Dallas at Woodrow Wilson High School, attended Syracuse University in New York and graduated from Southern Methodist University in Dallas.  He was an Eagle Scout and a Sergeant and Drill Instructor in the United States Air Force with duty in the Korean Conflict in the 1950's.
 
Don was widowed after 41 years of marriage to wife Sally, the father of two children, son Brian of Orlando Florida and  daughter Kathleen Pool of Longview, Texas.  He married Betty Eaton in 2002.
 
Don was inducted into the Texas Radio Hall of Fame in 2002 for his contributions to Texas radio programming.
 
In broadcasting, Don was a giant.  His innovative style and grace were unmistakable.  His talent on the air as a disc-jockey was amazing, surpassed perhaps only by his passion for how to help others be better.  He had a unique ability to take an idea from the greatly imaginative mind of Gordon McLendon and find a way to not only make it reality, but make it work to the benefit of listeners and more importantly, the specific radio stations ratings.  His knowledge and expertise in coaching talent drew upon his vast knowledge and experience, often resulting in making a known and popular personality perform beyond even their own expectations.  He also had a knack for finding the undiscovered talent and shaping them into stars.
 
He is credited in Dallas for bringing Ron Chapman to KLIF in 1959.  Don once described how he coached Chapman and his various partners from the "Charlie and Harrigan Show" at KLIF.  "They'd do our morning program and grab the tape of the broadcast and join Gordon McLendon and me.  We'd  play the tape, break by break, analyzing and critiquing their every word and idea.  It was pretty intense, but the results were incredible.  It very quickly became the number one rated morning program in Dallas radio, where it remained for a long time."

Our site of Electric Power Tools has many offers from the companies worldwide, located in following categories: Relays, Contactors, Insulation Materials and Elements, Wires, Cables, Cable Assemblies. Our site of Garden Supplies has many offers from the companies worldwide, located in following categories: Needlework, Bath and Toilet, Household Textile Product, Pet and Products. Our site of Holiday Lighting has many offers from the companies worldwide, located in following categories: Wall Lamps, Commercial Lighting, LED Flashlights, Residential Lighting. Our site of Luggage and Travel Bags has many offers from the companies worldwide, located in following categories: PDA Bags and Cases, Digital Gear and Camera Bags, MP3 Bags and Cases, Eyeglasses Cases and Bags. Our site of Asbestos Products has many offers from the companies worldwide, located in following categories: Metal Waste, Plastic Pipes, Cast and Forged, Metallurgy Supplies. Our site of Computer Desks has many offers from the companies worldwide, located in following categories: File Folder, Copiers, Digital Photography, Telephones and Parts. Our site of Label and Tag has many offers from the companies worldwide, located in following categories: Envelopes and Mailers, Food Packaging, Packaging Boxes, Films. Our site of Magazines has many offers from the companies worldwide, located in following categories: Satellite Receiver, Internet Service, Transfer Paper, Printing Plate. Our site of Fire-fighting has many offers from the companies worldwide, located in following categories: Security Product, Bodyguard, Working Gloves, Safety Products. Our site of Go Karts has many offers from the companies worldwide, located in following categories: Weight Lifting, Camping, Football and Soccer, Sport Products. Our site of Fiber Optic Equipment has many offers from the companies worldwide, located in following categories: Video Phones and Parts, Exchanges, Mobile Phones, RF/Microwave/Wireless Component. Our site of Embroidery and Crafts Textile has many offers from the companies worldwide, located in following categories: Linen/Ramie/Hemp, Cotton Fabrics, Industrial Fabrics, Textile Accessories. Our site of Eyeglasses Frames has many offers from the companies worldwide, located in following categories: Jewellery Cases/Boxes, Clocks, Necklaces, Pearls. Our site of Infant Toys and Games has many offers from the companies worldwide, located in following categories: Toy Cars, Dolls, Plastic Toys, PVC Ball. Our site of Cargo and Storage has many offers from the companies worldwide, located in following categories: Truck and Parts, Boats and Ships, Roadway Safety, Others.

Our site of poultry and livestock has many offers from the companies worldwide, located in following categories: Irrigation and Watering, Agriculture Product Stocks, Garden Tools and Equipment, Plant Seeds. Our site of pants and trousers has many offers from the companies worldwide, located in following categories: Infant Garment, Apparel Designing and Processing, Belts and Accessories, Shirts and Blouses. Our site of special transportation equipment has many offers from the companies worldwide, located in following categories: Motorcycle Parts, Auto Electronics, Motorcycle Accessories, Security and Safety Products. Our site of travel has many offers from the companies worldwide, located in following categories: Telecommunication Postal Services, Advertising, Exhibitions and Fairs, Regional Trade Agents. Our site of plastics and products has many offers from the companies worldwide, located in following categories: Organic Chemical Materials, Chemical Additives, Auxiliary, Fodder, Feed Additives, Rubber and Products. Our site of printers and scanners has many offers from the companies worldwide, located in following categories: Computer Cables and Connectors, Consumables, Earphone and Headphone, Software. Our site of slate, sandstone and limestone has many offers from the companies worldwide, located in following categories: Flooring and Tiles, Apartment, Villas, Bath and Toilet Appliances, Construction Machinery. Our site of power transmission equipment has many offers from the companies worldwide, located in following categories: Radio and TV Equipment, Contactors, Generators, Communication Cables. Our site of electronics production machinery has many offers from the companies worldwide, located in following categories: Thyristors, Active Components, PCB and PCBA, Multilayer PCB. Our site of crude oil has many offers from the companies worldwide, located in following categories: Vaseline, Fuel Oil, Coal Gas, Others. Our site of mineral water equipment has many offers from the companies worldwide, located in following categories: Chemical Waste, Noise Reduction Device, Non-ferrous Metal Scrap, Water Treatment. Our site of food stocks has many offers from the companies worldwide, located in following categories: Toy Stocks, Agriculture Product Stocks, Home Supplies Stocks, Telecommunications Stocks. Our site of canned food has many offers from the companies worldwide, located in following categories: Health Food, Aquatic Product, Frozen and Dried Fruit, Noodles. Our site of commercial furniture has many offers from the companies worldwide, located in following categories: Wooden and Panel Furniture, Folding Furniture, Hospital Furniture, Living Room Furniture. Our site of antique imitation crafts has many offers from the companies worldwide, located in following categories: Natural Crafts, Antiques and Collectibles, Glassware, Promotion Gifts. Our site of bath has many offers from the companies worldwide, located in following categories: Medical Equipment, Massager, Nail Care, Personal Care. Our site of air-conditioner has many offers from the companies worldwide, located in following categories: Ultrasonic Cleaners, Air Purifier, Kitchen Appliances, Washing Machine. Services are to be held Saturday January 28, 2006 at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church located at 1200 North Shilo Road in Garland, Texas.

Listen to DON KEYES ON KLIF