KATI CAVE….

KATI started its life in a small windowless room in the basement of a downtown Casper retail office.  It was called “The KATI CAVE.”  In the Spring it was wet, dank, dark and dreary but the men who broadcast-ed from that studio, known as the “KATI Cavemen”, had a way to cope with the conditions.  T. J. Lewis, an early DJ and the stations first really big-city Top 40 pro was always grousing about the basement station, when one night it flooded after a lot of rain.  T. J. created an imaginary mouse that floated in with the flood, called it “Hinnegar Ellegar” and it was his companion from then on; the way he talked to and about it made it seem alive and people of all ages developed a real affection for it.

THE LITTLE HOUSE ON McKINLEY….

KATI next moved on to studios and offices that were at least above ground in the early 60’s.  It was a 40-year old house that had been converted to Sales Offices and Broadcast studios.  While it was dry and at least had windows, the little house at 314 North McKinley was crampted and still not a proper studio.  For over five years, the KATI announcers, now called “Good Guys,” rocked and rolled from that little shack and entertained thieir listeners.

NEW DIGS – 1400 KATI LANE….

KATI’s proper home and broadcast facility finally came in 1966.  Designed from the ground up as a true radio station, the new home was located behind the Holiday Inn and next to the Platte River at 1400 KATI Lane.  It’s studios and equipment were designed and built by KATI’s longtime Program Director, Engineer and Announcer, Steve Broomell.  Working tirelessly and almost around the clock, Broomell built the broadcast console, wired the production and news studios and kept the station on the air.  KATI and later it’s FM sister, KAWY, remained it that building until both station’s demise in the late 80’s.

This is just a short history of the beginnings and endings of KATI radio.  The more complete history of the people who actually made KATI,”Casper’s Favorite Gal” appear in the links below.  This history is divided into five separate periods which is how KATI’s history broke out over the years.

CLINK THE LINKS BELOW AND ENTER THE WORLD OF THIS LEGENDARY CASPER RADIO STATION…..