The Infinite Dial

In the late '90s, KKNG (King Country) Oklahoma City took the market by surprise with a successful, locally-owned Country Gold format that pushed its way into a very crowded market. At a time when Classic Country was thought of more as an AM music format or a niche at best, King Country managed to be No. 1, not only in the format but in the market. Then, faced with the same demo pressures as most, King Country evolved further and further toward mainstream country, allowing Clear Channel's KXXY to move into the gold-based Country position.

So it's worth noting that King Country segued back to a yesterday-and-today Country format in the fall. The story is still being written, but King did win the last month of a three-way Country battle in the winter book, and, unlike the station it once was, is posting 25-54 numbers in the same range as its 12-plus numbers. It's a story that we're proud to have been part of. And it's also encouraging that a yesterday-and-today Country format can still work, even as the format's all-ages coalition starts to splinter.

Here's KKNG at 11 a.m. today:

Toby Keith, "Who's Your Daddy"
Gene Watson, "Pick The Wildwood Flower"
Tim McGraw, "I Like It, I Love It"
Alan Jackson, "Country Boy"
Alabama, "Mountain Music"
Blake Shelton, "I'll Just Hold On"
Kenny Chesney, "She's Got It All"
Carrie Underwood, "I Told You So"
Steve Wariner, "All Roads Lead To You" (a staged triple-play)
Steve Wariner, "I Got Dreams"
Steve Wariner, "The Weekend"
Joe Diffie, "If The Devil Danced In Empty Pockets"
Faith Hill, "It Matters To Me"
Brooks & Dunn, "Ain't Nothin' 'Bout You"