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Hall of Fame 1999Ken HeadrickVideo |
Ken Headrick grew up in Fremont with an interest in vocal and instrumental music as well as sports. He attended Midland College and the University of Nebraska seeking majors in music and journalism. During the Korean War, Ken won a broadcast slot on Armed Forces Radio in Tokyo.
Ken returned to Fremont and pursued radio at KFGT, quickly becoming Program Director. In 1955 he joined KFAB and started playing a key role in developing the station into one of the premier radio properties in the country. In 1956 Lyle Bremser became General Manager and shortly after promoted Ken to Program Director.
Ken helped establish KFAB's strong agri-business position with Nebraska's farming and ranching communities. In 1960, he developed the first stereophonic program in the Midwest using the facilities of KFAB and KFAB-FM.
In 1969 Ken was named Station Manager and KFAB continued to grow. In 1978 TV/Radio Age report that KFAB was first in the national on a share of market basis.
In 1983 when the station won exclusive rights to broadcast University of Nebraska football and basketball, Ken began building what would become a 48-station network.
When Lyell Bremser reitred in 1987, Ken was named to succeed him and remained as General Manager until 1989 when he retired, after 35 years.
Ken passed away in 1994, leaving his wife Lois, his children, and legacy of service to KFAB, to Nebraska and to the broadcasting industry.