DAVE
DONAHUE Dave
Donahue’s career included several legendary Country
stations as Program Director, Operations Manager, Consultant
and Radio Syndicator. His first radio job was in 1954,
as host of a daily one hour show “Teen Time” in
Homer, LA.. He then worked at KALT, Atlanta, TX, KTHT,
Houston, TX, WNOE, New Orleans, LA and WFUN, Miami,
FL. After serving in the US Air Force he resumed his
career in 1960 at KTIX, Pendleton, OR, where he played
Country music for the first time. In 1961, he became
the night personality at KRLA, Los Angeles, CA, while
Associate Producer of radio syndication at Stars International.
Donahue then went to work in film at Desilu Productions.
He returned to radio in 1965 as Program Director of
KALE, Tri-cities, WA. The following year, he was at
KISN, OR, and the year after that at KSND and KING,
Seattle, WA. In 1969, he joined Ken Draper Consultants
and became National Program Director for the thirteen
stations in the Midwest Family. In 1970, he moved into
Country radio at WITL, Lansing, MI. In 1974, he turned
WHK, Cleveland, OH to Country Music. He then moved
to KHAK, Cedar Rapids, IA (1976-1979). In 1980, he
turned WRRD, Minneapolis, MN to Country. Donahue then
joined WWOK, Miami, FL, and took the station to top
five ratings in the market. He then left radio to form
his own maritime underwater salvage company. He returned
to radio at WSM as an air personality (1984-1991).
Donahue then joined KVOO, Tulsa, OK (1991-1995). In
1999 he joined WFDI, Wichita, KS, and the following
year worked at WCTH-FM (Thunder Country 100.3) Florida
Keys, FL. In 1973, Donahue had served as the first
Country Radio Seminar Agenda Chair. Dave Donahue was
inducted into the Country Music D J Hall of Fame in
2000.
