Wow! In the five years I’ve been writing All Around Arkansas and sharing Arkansas-related stories on my social media pages, I’ve never received the amount of attention that my recent story and related posts about KAAY 1090 AM have generated.
The response has truly been incredible. My posts have been liked and shared hundreds, if not thousands, of times. It’s about as close to “viral” as any subject I’ve ever covered, and I sincerely want to thank each and every person who helped make that happen.
What has been so fascinating is realizing just how far the reach of KAAY extended. It wasn’t simply a radio station located in Little Rock (Pulaski County), no, it was a part of people’s lives. KAAY became a soundtrack for countless childhoods, teenage years, road trips, late nights, and special memories. The station connected with listeners in a way that few forms of media ever have.
Over the past several days, I’ve received countless Facebook messages, emails, and comments from people sharing their own memories of “The Mighty 1090.” I’ve heard from people across Arkansas, throughout the United States, and even from listeners around the world who remembered tuning in.
Some of the stories have been especially meaningful. I’ve heard from veterans who fondly remembered listening to KAAY while serving overseas. For them, the music and voices coming through the radio weren’t just entertainment, they were a reminder of home during a difficult and uncertain time.
I’ve also heard from listeners in places like Cuba who remembered hearing American music coming across the airwaves. That’s a powerful reminder of the unique influence radio once had. Before the internet, streaming services, and social media connected the world instantly, a powerful AM signal could cross incredible distances and bring people together.
Perhaps the most meaningful part of this entire experience has been hearing from so many people who thanked me for helping keep the story and legacy of KAAY alive through my syndicated newspaper column and social media posts.
That is exactly why I started All Around Arkansas in the first place.
Every week, my goal is to tell the stories of the people, places, and moments that helped shape our state. Sometimes those stories are about forgotten communities, historic landmarks, famous Arkansans, or pieces of history that deserve another moment in the spotlight. At other times, they are about things like a radio station that may no longer exist in the same form, but whose impact continues to live on through the memories of the people who experienced it.
KAAY is a perfect example of that. The station may have changed over the years, but the memories remain. The songs, the voices, the personalities, and the feeling of hearing that familiar signal are still alive in the hearts of thousands of former listeners.
To everyone who has taken the time to share a memory, send a message, leave a comment, or share one of my posts — thank you. I have enjoyed reading every story, and I’ve learned just as much from all of you as I hope you’ve learned from me.
If I’ve helped bring back even a few great memories of “The Mighty 1090,” then I’ve accomplished exactly what I hope to do each week with All Around Arkansas.
History isn’t just found in books or museums. Sometimes it’s found in an old photograph, a familiar song, or the sound of a radio station that once meant something special.
Thank you for allowing me to help preserve those memories. I’m truly grateful.
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