Streaming Inland Empire Radio History Back to Life

Key Takeaways

• Former KMEN disc jockey Bruce Chandler partners with fan Mike Kunert to launch a dedicated digital tribute station.
• The platform preserves 1960s top-40 hits and features original station jingles and historical audio liners.
• Colton native Suzie Horton provides custom audio segments tied to Jimmy Webb classic songs.
• The project highlights a broader resurgence of AM radio interest alongside federal legislative support.

Introduction

Longtime listeners of the Inland Empire will remember the intense 1960s and 1970s radio rivalry between KMEN and KFXM. Those stations defined the region music scene long before top-40 formats became national standards. Now former KMEN DJ Bruce Chandler is helping preserve that legacy through a dedicated digital platform.

Digital Preservation Effort

Kunert initiated the project by asking Chandler to record brief voice lines for kmen129.com. The collaboration quickly expanded as Chandler shared access to a personal collection of three thousand CDs and extensive computer archives. Together they aim to build a playlist exceeding sixteen hundred tracks. The station operates without live disc jockeys but maintains authentic programming elements. Listeners will hear original jingles interspersed between songs along with periodic story intros. The goal is to deliver continuous sixties hit music without repetitive playlists.

We started with three hundred songs and we have been slowly adding them with a goal of more than one thousand six hundred. Hopefully you will never know what is coming up next.

Local Nostalgia and Audio Archives

The tribute station leans heavily on regional nostalgia. A notable feature involves audio clips from Suzie Horton who spent her early career in Colton. Horton served as the inspiration for composer Jimmy Webb and appears on recordings introducing his iconic compositions like MacArthur Park and Didn't We. These localized details ground the digital archive firmly in Southern California heritage.

Broader Broadcasting Trends

AM radio once served as the primary medium for breaking news and emergency alerts across the United States. Federal lawmakers recently advanced legislation to mandate AM receiver availability in new vehicles reflecting renewed recognition of the band utility. Major automakers also reversed course after public backlash threatened to remove smartphone integration from future models. These industry movements create a favorable environment for digital AM tributes and heritage broadcasting projects.

Conclusion

The KMEN online tribute successfully bridges mid-century broadcasting with contemporary streaming technology. Residents and expatriates of the Inland Empire can access the platform through kmen129.com or the Live365 application. The initiative proves that regional audio history remains vital when adapted for modern audiences.

Sources and Materials

• ocregister