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Innovations and radio legends are not limited to just major metro areas like New York or Los Angeles. The San Bernardino/Inland empire region had a couple of their own in the 1960s: KFXM and KMEN.

In 1962 the jock lineup included Chuck Clemens, Donn Tyler, Dean Webster, Bill Watson, Brian Lord, George Babcock, William F. Williams, Jim Markham and Gary Price.

In February 1964, KMEN started an Abigail Beecher lookalike contest, inspired by a popular tune of the time. There was a great response. Don't underestimate non-metro stations: KMEN sponsored a concert on Independence Day 1967, featuring The Doors -- and a balloon used to promote the station was an inspiration for the Fifth Dimension song Up, Up And Away!

On July 4, 1973, they had an all-female DJ lineup featuring TV and recording stars. Ken Rayzor hosted a weekend air shift from 1981 to 1982. Kelli Cluque was there in the mid-1980s. R. Henry Chacon worked there as Brother Ben McCoy from 1971 to 1973. A man who went my the name Harley Davidson had a good association with the station.

Management tried a sports format in the early 1990s. Jeff Pope was one of the announcers then. Chester the Arrester did weekends. Princess, who has held various media jobs, worked there. In 1994, music came back to the station (oldies). Mel Maddox did mornings. The oldies format ultimately failed.

On June 23, 1997, KMEN became KMRZ, but changed calls less than fifteen months later to KKDD, a Radio Disney outlet. It then went Spanish, then Contemporary Christian, and is now part of the Relevant Radio Network, which is Catholic centered.

The KMEN calls moved up to an FM station in Mendota -- which is rather appropriate.