KWFS-FM

KWFS-FM (branded as 102.3 Blake-FM) is a radio station serving the Wichita Falls area with a Modern Country format. It broadcasts on FM frequency 102.3 MHz and is under ownership of Townsquare Media.

History

KWFS was originally known as KNTO (FM) and operated on 95.1 MHz. The letters stood for "North Texas and Oklahoma". KNTO went on air in August 1961, owned by a partnership of five local businessmen including Bob Lipscomb, Bill Thacker, and three others. KNTO operated from the Onaway Trail tower (same as today) with 3,100 watts horizontal only at 430 feet above average terrain. Studios were on Galveston Drive (near present I-44) before moving to the Onaway Trail building. The format was EZ listening/Beautiful Music.

The station was not an instant success. There was some income from Muzak brand background music played on the station's SCA channel.

Oilman Stephen M. Gose bought the station in 1965, and sold in 1968. The next owners were a partnership of Ralph C. Parker, Owner of Mobile Phone of Texas, Inc and Joe Edd Sweatt, a local General Contractor, who have recently built Mr. Gose's new residence. They hired a new manager Bill Spurgeon, who took the station to hard rock. The KNTO call letters stayed but the logo was modified to include a peace symbol. The station gained popularity with the younger generation, but not with advertisers. The format was changed to "Conservative Contemporary"). Local DJ's during the hard rock era for the station included Bill Daniels and Jerry Johnson.