Owner of KUOA retires, sells station
Posted on Thursday, July 3, 2008
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/bcdr/News/63388/
SILOAM SPRINGS — Galen Gilbert, president of Classic Country KUOA 1290-AM, announced his retirement Tuesday after more than 60 years in the radiobroadcasting business.
Gilbert decided to sell the Siloam Springs-based radio station to Jay Bunyard of DeQueen.
The deal is expected to close in early August.
“ It was an unsolicited offer, ” Gilbert said.
Hog Radio Inc., which owns stations in Berryville, DeQueen, Mena, Arkadelphia and Camden, will be KUOA’s new owner, Gilbert said.
“ The buyer is offering to continue employment to most of the employees, ” Gilbert said.
Grant Merrill will be the station manager.
The Federal Communications Commission must approve the deal before the station is sold, Gilbert said.
“ This is the last station I have interest in, ” he said.
Gilbert purchased the 5, 000-watt radio station in December 2005.
He and his wife, Elnora, met at the station in the late 1930 s when John Brown University owned it.
The station, known as Arkansas’ first radio station, started as an experiment by the University of Arkansas in the 1920 s.
The University of Arkansas sold the radio station to JBU in 1935 for $ 16, 000.