While the Los Gatan often shines a light on the rich history of our wonderful town, let me take you next door to San Jose and revisit a local legend that made such a difference in my life. It might just resonate with your own memories, too.
Picture this: it’s June 21, 1947, on a Saturday evening at 8pm. Though I wasn’t around yet, this moment marked the birth of something truly special—Radio KEEN.
Hundreds gathered outside the downtown De Anza Hotel, buzzing with anticipation for the first broadcast of a 24-hour country music station. The buzz was so significant that even Red Skelton and then-Mayor Al Ruffo joined the celebration. For 27 remarkable years, the De Anza Hotel served as the home of KEEN, a station proudly owned locally until it signed off in 1992.
United Broadcasting, the company behind KEEN, was the vision of radio veterans George Snell Junior, B. Floyd Farr and George Mardikian. Mardikian’s story is inspiring in and of itself. He was an Armenian freedom fighter who became a naturalized US citizen; he was even honored with the Medal of Freedom. The three co-founders remained partners until their deaths. Later, brothers Kit and Steve Snell took the reins, even stepping behind the microphone as Don West and Steve Scott, “The Country Commander.” Steve eventually became the general manager of sister station KBAY, which became my own radio home for three decades of morning shows.
Radio KEEN wasn’t just about the twang of country tunes (and the voices of beloved original disc jockeys like Cottonseed Clark, Cactus Jack, Black Jack Wayne and Red Murrell). Radio KEEN is where Ray Benson, from Asleep at the Wheel, and Huey Lewis would hang out before they made it big. Country music legend Lacey J. Dalton says she owes her success to KEEN. It was also the soundtrack to our community’s biggest moments. KEEN hosted the farewell party for the cherished Frontier Village and the Grand Opening bash for Great America. It pioneered the first Toys for Tots display at Christmas in the Park, truly embodying the spirit of local connection. The station fostered love, friendship, care and generosity through countless events.
I vividly remember when the Loma Prieta Earthquake shook our world. KEEN, one of the few local stations to stay on the air, became a lifeline. My morning show partner at the time, John Bettencourt, bravely fired up the generator, ensuring we could keep our community informed during those uncertain days. We were more than just an AM station; KEEN was a family affair, connecting generations—grandparents, parents and children all tuned in. Our tagline said it all: “KEEN, 1370 on the AM dial. We’re too damn country for FM!”
KEEN Radio became my professional home in 1988, when I joined United Broadcasting, working at both KEEN and KBAY. I can remember the annual bus/train trips with listeners to Reno and the weekend campouts at Lake Del Valle. For four years, I navigated a fascinating duality, delivering morning show humor on one and news on the other. A simple toggle switch allowed me to seamlessly transition between the country drawl of KEEN and the polished announcer voice of KBAY—a transition I somehow never fumbled. Those 30 years were the best a radio enthusiast could ask for. Even those early 2:30am wake-up calls were worthwhile for the chance to share my life with listeners and—dare I say—make their commutes a little brighter.
The Snell family instilled in me the true meaning of community, fellowship, friendship and unwavering commitment to others. In fact, I often forgot I was an employee and not family. That’s why I’m incredibly proud that the Bay Area Radio Museum and Hall of Fame, an organization I’m honored to be a part of, has named Radio KEEN as the “Legendary Station of the Year.”
Join us on June 8 at History Park in San Jose, as so many of us “old timers” gather to reminisce and, yes, probably shed a few happy tears. We’ve lost Kit, but Steve Snell is still very much a part of my life—and will be front and center that day. We’d love you to celebrate with us. Dust off your cowboy boots and jeans and come party like it’s the golden age of KEEN, from 1947 to 1992.
For more information: bayarearadio.org/featured/keen-tickets
