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Wyoming Public Radio celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2016. In 1966, students and staff in the Student Union gathered together to sign an application to become KUWR.

Don Woods - Former KUWR Chief Engineer & Morning Music Host

Don Woods served as the Chief Engineer and Morning Host for KUWR   (1984-2007). 

When I arrived in October 1984, the drives were once a year. My first two years at WPR (84-86) I did not participate in the fund drive, for I was the Chief Engineer and only air staff and students took part.

Lyle Mettler, was the second GM of the station's history, in charge when Beck and Gabriel were 
hired. I was the acting manager between Mettler and Schwartz, the longest five to six month of my life.
For I still pulled a board shift every day.
 
 
One of my first goals as Coordinator (or Director) of Programming and Operations was to
convert the station from student operators to professional staff, which was the trend across the country.
Lyle and myself found it hard to keep consistency on the air, for every 16 weeks we would start all over
again with a fresh bunch of kids. It paid off in those days, for we had less complaints and fund raising
became much improved.
 
 
The Morning Show started during the Summer of 1989, with mostly folk and singer songwriters.
On Tuesdays a half hour at 10:30 with New Music and Wednesdays with two hour All
Request show. Then in December 1991, Wednesdays became Free Form 9-11 am and Thursdays
Mostly Acoustic 9-11 am.
 
Then in the Spring of 1993 Morning Music with Don Woods ran Wednesdays thru Friday from.
9-noon. Autumn of 1993 Tuesdays were added to the line up.  From 1989 to my retirement in 2007 during my tenure at KUWR, I had interviewed over one thousand in-studio guests. I do not recall my last interview...but my first was the Subdudes, who stopped by several times during the early years.
 

michelle_shocked_interview.mp3
Don Woods' 2003 Interview with singer-songwriter Michelle Shocked

Credit UW Archives
Michelle Shocked performing at the University of Wyoming in 2003

All in all...it was fun. After spending 21 years in commercial radio working for ten stations from Aurora, II, Arlington Heights, II. (Chicago's first FM rock station) Sierra Vista, Ariz. & Tucson, Ariz. (Rocker), both while in the Army, Hastings, NE, and three station in the Boise, Idaho market. Then it was KLZ AM-FM in Denver, followed by Montrose, Delta and Sterling, Co. Nothing would compare the to the time spent in Laramie. It was home, the longest I have lived anywhere. But all things must end and it did. My two daughters left Laramie and made lives in the Denver area so we followed. My wife of 45 year this May made a commitment and moved back to the mile high city. Now with three grandsons ages 7 to 15 months, a correct chose was made....and no turning back with no regret. 

Don Woods 

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