Have You Heard?

WICHITA — Alan Jackson may still sing “she’s gone country,” but KFTI, 1070-AM, will no longer play it.

The station has now gone oldies, with a format that will include pop and rock from the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s.

The new call letters are KLIO.

For years, when radio listeners thought of classic country in Wichita they thought of KFDI, 1070-AM — later renamed KFTI — and powerhouse personalities like Johnny Western and the late Mike Oatman.

Western retired last month.

No one with Journal Broadcast Group could be reached for comment.

In a prepared statement, Eric McCart, vice president and general manager of the Wichita operations explained the switch to oldies.

“There is a gap in the Wichita market that needs to be filled,” he said.

There was no mention of the classic country station’s storied history.

Of all the prima donna musicians out there, Alan Jackson doesn’t appear to be one.

So says Hartman Arena manager John Nath.

Instead of crazy food requests and ridiculous dressing-room demands, Nath says the needs of Jackson and his band and crew were simple.

Jif creamy peanut butter, Smucker’s raspberry preserves and loaves of white and wheat bread were about as particular as the stipulations got.
One line in his rider even said, “Do not go to the expense of renting furniture.”

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