KWKH has a colorful history. It was founded by W.K. Henderson, owner of Henderson Iron Works and Supply Company, and native of Bastrop, Louisiana. Henderson signed KWKH on the air from his country estate at Kennonwood, north of Shreveport, in 1926 after selling his earlier venture into radio the year prior, which had also bore the call letters KWKH at the time. Henderson developed a celebrated on-air persona amongst the station's listenership, and a notorious reputation with government regulators. He often sparred with the Federal Radio Commission over his profanity-laced rants against chain stores and the United States government, as well as over his desire to operate the station in the manner he wished, using as much radiated power as he felt necessary. The broadcaster initially enjoyed the patronage of Governor Huey P. Long, Jr., whose son, Russell B. Long, was born in 1918 in Shreveport. Ultimately, the outspoken Henderson lost Long's support and his radio license as well. KWKH's future came into question in 1932 when Henderson filed for personal bankruptcy during the Depression. An article in the trade publication Broadcasting reported that the bankruptcy "may be made an issue at a hearing involving the KWKH license renewal to be held probably in February ." Bowing to this pressure and at the advice of his attorneys, Henderson sold the station in September, 1932 to International Broadcasting Corporation, a firm composed of local investors. At that time, KWKH operated nighttime on 850 kHz, the same frequency as WWL in New Orleans, Louisiana. WWL had applied for full-time status, and "a local insurance company" had applied for the 850 kHz frequency in Shreveport. Under this new ownership, KWKH became affiliated with the CBS network in 1934. On May 28, 1935, the Federal Communications Commission approved transfer of ownership of KWKH to the Times Publishing Company Ltd. of Shreveport. Broadcasting magazine reported, "KWKH is listed as being assigned to 850 kc. with 10,000 watts, but with special authorization to operate on 1100 kc. unlimited time." The company simultaneously became the owner of KWEA in Shreveport, which operated on 1210 kHz with 100 watts. In April, 1948, KWKH launched the Louisiana Hayride, a live country music show broadcast from the Municipal Auditorium in Shreveport. The successful show helped launch the careers of a number of important music artists. In the mid-1950s, KWKH was the first major radio station to feature the music of Elvis Presley on the Louisiana Hayride. Horace Logan, long-term KWKH Program Manager and originator of the "Hayride", and Frank Page introduced Presley on Hayride. Lloyd E. Lenard, later a member of the Caddo Parish Commission and a past president of the Americanism Forum, hosted the KWKH public affair program Party Line during the 1960s. He also spoke before various civic clubs and schools on themes of patriotism and history. Louise Alley hosted "Open House" for four hours weekdays on KWKH and also operated her own advertising agency. The station carried games for the Shreveport Steamer during the 1974 World Football League season. Larry King was the color commentator for the Steamer games. International Broadcasting Corporation sold KWKH in 1977 and the station's music format was changed to strictly country. Prior to the sale, KWKH maintained a full-service format- airing a variety of music, news, sports, farm reports, and other locally-produced programming. Barney Cannon was, until his death in 2009 at the age of fifty-three, the program director and morning deejay on KWKH. He was also considered a source authority on Country music. During Cannon's time at KWKH, the station carried America's Trucking Network, a program formerly hosted by Dale Sommers, KWKH was the last station to carry the show in syndication but dropped it in 2010. Danny Fox, co-hosted with Fabienne Thrash, his program director, Fabienne and the Fox. The two had first worked together in Texarkana, Texas, before they were transferred to Shreveport. Fox joined KWKH in 1990. He subsequently became a webmaster for GAP Broadcasting. A bass player, he also performed with many bands over the years. Fox's memorial service was held on June 1, 2014 on the back porch of KWKH, with his brother-in-law, Michael Madden presiding. Fox is survived by his wife, Kathleen; son, Sean, and a sister, Margie G. Madden. On May 31, 2012 KWKH changed its format to sports, branded as The Tiger. KWKH is a Louisiana State Relay of the Emergency Alert System, and is in charge of The Shreveport Area EAS operations.
