Radio KEEN Named BARHOF Legendary Station for 2025

KEEN Legendary Station featured image

The Bay Area Radio Museum and Hall of Fame is proud to announce that San Jose’s historic Radio KEEN (1370 AM) has been named its Legendary Station for 2025. KEEN went on the air in 1947.  It operated under local ownership until 1992.

For most of its history, KEEN was known for its country music format.  With on-air stars like Cactus Jack, Red Murrell, Cottonseed Clark, Blackjack Wayne, and Cal Smith, KEEN quickly developed a deep connection between its listeners and top country performers.

Broadcasting magazine June 16, 1947 (Image)
“Broadcasting” magazine June 16, 1947

KEEN’s first broadcast took place on June 21, 1947. With studios at San Jose’s Hotel De Anza, the station’s original transmitter site was in an orchard on Old Oakland Highway.

The station was owned by United Broadcasting, a company formed by San Francisco radio veterans George Snell, Jr. and B. Floyd Farr. A key founding investor was restaurant owner George Mardikian, an Armenian freedom fighter who became a naturalized United States citizen and would later be awarded the nation’s Medal of Freedom. The three co-founders remained partners until their deaths.

In addition to country music, KEEN was known for a solid local news department and play-by-play coverage of sports including the Oakland A’s, the California Golden Seals of the National Hockey League, and both San Jose State University and University of Santa Clara teams.

In announcing the honor, Bay Area Radio Museum and Hall of Fame chairman Stan Bunger said, “Radio KEEN stood for many years as a shining example of what radio has always done best: serve its audience and community with distinction.”

Steve Snell, former morning DJ, Program Director and General Manager said, “We are honored to be this year’s Legendary Radio Station. Thank you Bay Area Radio Museum and Hall of Fame for highlighting the 45 years of Radio KEEN, which brought great Country Music to San Jose, along with lots of history and good times. United Broadcasting, the original Station Executives, the late George Snell, Floyd Farr and one of our main investors George Mardikian will all be celebrating with you in spirit.”

Plans for a public event honoring Radio KEEN’s Legendary Station status will be announced at a future date. KEEN joins the list of annual Legendary Station honorees (found here) dating back to 2009.

 

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