Does Amarillo Have Better Radio Than Dallas?

By Darryl Smyers Tue., Jun. 30 2009 at 4:19 PM

Categories: Music News

Making my way back to Big D after a week spent camping in Utah and Arizona, I stumbled upon KWTS 91.1 FM out of Amarillo. Broadcasting from the West Texas A&M University campus, this little oasis of deep indie rock kept me locked in until the signal finally diminished just outside of Wichita Falls.

For those couple of hours, though, and on a Sunday afternoon, no less, my family and I were serenaded by the likes of Los Camesinos!, The Ting Tings, Benjy Ferree, Vetiver, Mates of State, Woodpigeon, The Bird and Bee and lots more.

Not a bum song for 120 minutes ain't bad at all, my friends. Sure saved me from a dreary drive staring at flatlands and oil fields.

Once I was back in town, I scanned the dial listening vainly for a local station that had half the balls of that distant panhandle paradise. Thankfully, I found that KWTS broadcasts online, so I've been checking out the weekly programming as well. And guess what? It's all fantastic.

Who knew such greatness was hidden away in the bleak terrain of Northwest Texas?

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KWTS, radio

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Im trying in my own little way on sunday nights. there is good stuff out there in Dallas, but you do have to look for it no real flagship stations for local music, yet, but there is always hope
that's (sadly) true about the ticket. davey and danny always have some good shit on their saturday show. is wilonsky still doing that late night saturday gig?
I used to do the morning show on 91.1...so, thank you for the kind words...and awesome adjectives...ha ha. My former co-host and I were talking the other day, and we decided (not in vanity but in truth) that our show content could've been matched up against much of the nationally syndicated crap, and furthermore could body slam the h out of larger markets and their programming! Thanks again for recognizing good radio when you hear it!! Katie
Its pretty sad when 1310 the ticket plays the best music on Dallas radio.
I agree everyone has better radio than Dallas. People need to understand about Sunday radio - its the day when they dump all programming that couldn't possibly make any money. That's why almost all local shows are Sunday evening. (KNON may be the exception) When generic Big Four (the four companies that control the music industry) music is on Sundays, and great indie and local music is on the rest of the week, then you'll have good radio. How long will Dallas put up with the boycott of local music on radio? If these stations only want to play Hollywood music, why don't they go there? Why are they here if they hate Texas music so much? Long live the revolution in the arts.
I concur with ymereJ... everyone has better radio than Dallas although I do like the sweet 70's groove coming out of Mesquite (88.5) when I am in the mood. It's too bad KTCU can't bump up their signal strength to cover Dallas. And the thing is... I am happy to support commercial-free, publicly-funded radio. I have been a long-time donator to KERA, KEXP and SomaFM. I am looking forward to what KERA will have to offer when they ramp up their new music station in the Fall. Until then it is internet radio at work/home and mp3s in the car.
Oh yeah, and by the way...[cue the chest pounding]....for the record....it was my idea to change to that format, and i programmed that station with its new format for 2 years, before graduating. so your compliment rings a little closer to my heart. Glad you liked it. BillyD in full effect
KWTS - formerly known as Power91 - is the first place i talked hard. When i started, there was AOR - all over the road - format with no sound philosophy. That awesome "oasis of deep indie rock" was a format that i and my colleagues (who found your post and directed the alumni to) established in 1991. It gives me great pleasure to hear that format still rocking - and still entertaining as far away as Witchita Falls (in my day we barely got to Amarillo on a clear sunny day, cranking out 3000 watts of pure power). Thank you for that indirect compliment. I know i'm not the only one who is proud of KWTS [Power 91]. BillyD in full effect
I think DFW may be one of few areas in the country that doesn't have a stong signal indie station. 102.1 only dedicates 1 hour a WEEK to local music. Thank God we have internet podcast dedicated to local music or else bands would have no outlet to have their music heard. A radio station dedicated to indie and local music is very much needed.
Everyone has better radio than Dallas. On a recent road trip to North Carolina I found better listening in Asheville NC, Jackson TN, Memphis TN/AR, and Little Rock. I was hopefull when "Quality Rock" emerged, but after giving it way too many chances I've come to the conclusion that they must have stolen some youth minister's ipod and have it on shuffle.