Welcome to KTHO Radio, Local Talk, Classic Rock

Derrell Welcome (Darrell Wampler & Bill Kingmen)

Message from Darrell Wampler, President:

All of my life, I've sought this type of opportunity. Broadcasting to make a difference. While on the air in Los Angeles, the station was a different sort. Kind of wild, whacky, and on the fringe, you know, different. Wherever I've gotten involved, great things have followed. I think I have a nature to nurture good folks, and surround myself with people that we would all know, like, and trust. Taking KTHO live and local again will be a weighty project, which we will take in steps to bring radio back to the community. We're going to give lots of folks a chance for their voices to be heard and their talents stretched. We're going to promote local businesses and events. We're going to broadcast live from local events. Where people are, KTHO will be there as well. We appreciate your support and feedback. I can be contacted directly at DW@KTHORADIO.COM

Darrell Wampler Quick Bio:

Started in broadcasting in 1972 in Southern California: KEZY in Anaheim
Production Director for KAGB-FM, Los Angeles, 1974
Full Time on the Air KHNY AM/FM, 1975
Drake-Chenault Radio Syndication 1976
KROQ AM/FM Los Angeles 1976 ‚1982 PD, OD, On Air as "The Insane Darrell Wayne"
Don Martin Schools, 1982-1984 General Manager
TV Host of Leased Access ‚"Free TV" in the San Fernando Valley, CA 1986-1992
Bachelor of Science ‚Business Admin ‚1997
Masters Degree Business, Organizational Behavior ‚1999
Editor LaRadio.com 2005 to Present
Gold Coast Broadcasting, On Air at News/Talk KVTA-AM and Classic Rock KOCP-FM,
The Octopus in Ventura, CA 2005 to Present

Non-Broadcast:

Aerospace Executive 1985 - Present, held positions at the Director, Vice President, and President/Chief Executive level. Managed staff of up to 150 people, facilities of 100,000 sq. ft., and had P/L responsibility for $30-50 million in annual revenue.

Bill Kingman started his broadcasting career at KPPC, Pasadena, in 1959 A.D. In March of 1961, Bill moved to Lake Tahoe and since then has broadcast on and technically maintained every radio station at the lake, plus two in Carson City and one in Reno.

Paul Middlebrook is a 30 year resident of South Lake Tahoe. He started his career in radio in 1981. Paul was on-air for 8 years and was a station General Manager for 4 years. After 5 years as Publisher of the Tahoe Daily Tribune he started Middlebrook Media LLC, a full service Advertising Agency. Paul will act as a consultant and General Manager for KTHO.

Tom Singerline was born on the banks of the mighty Passaic River in Newark, New Jersey....you'll know it as soon as you hear him! Following broadcast school, Tom took his radio experience to the Virgin Islands and the Rocky Mountains and then to South Lake Tahoe. Tom has been in radio for over 18 years and has been a resident of South Lake Tahoe for 11 years. When not on the air, you can find him on the trail with his dogs, Tiki and Comet.

Bill Yale was born in, yes, Roswell, New Mexico, which most of us feel explains a great deal. Bill has been a resident of South Lake Tahoe for 36 years, leaving only to obtain a BA in theatre from California State University Sacramento and a teaching credential from Sierra Nevada College. Obviously he is the smart one and will be handling the news department. Bill lives here with his son Jonathan, daughter Elizabeth and, "Peanut the Wonder Aussie".

Ed Crook is a native of Pasadena, California and a graduate of the University of Southern California. He's the other smart one! Ed brings 40 years of radio experience to KTHO. Ed has been a former radio station owner and General Manager. He will be our Business and Operations Manager.

Curtis Fong, “The Guy From Tahoe” was the first on-hill photographer at Kirkwood Meadows Ski Area when they opened in the early 70’s. He then became the Advertising and PR Director for Kirkwood in the late 70’s-early 80’s before moving to the South Shore of Lake Tahoe where he worked with KTHO AM 590 and became the Station Manager of KZFR 103FM. In the Mid 80’s he served as the Director of Marketing for Sierra Ski Ranch, before returning to Lake Tahoe Radio as a Sales Manager.

The Weekday Wake-up Crew!

Jennifer Scanio is a long time resident of South Lake Tahoe and is a proud alum of South Tahoe High School – go Vikings! Having started a career in radio and newspaper during college at UCSB, Jennifer returned to radio a decade ago. When she is not having the time of her life at KTHO, Jennifer is an avid blogger and can be found spending time with her family and friends. Jennifer is one half of the Weekday Wakeup Crew and handles production, traffic and whatever else might come up as well.

Dan Thrift is a 17 year resident of South Lake Tahoe coming to the South Shore in 1992 to work at a local newspaper as a photographer and starting his own business, Dan Thrift Photography.com. Heavily involved in the disc golf community here, Thrift has helped develop, install and maintain several courses in the area including Bijou Community Park, Zephyr Cove Park and at Kirkwood Mountain Resort. Thrift is also a volunteer with Special Olympics Team Tahoe as swim coach and an assistant coach for the softball team. He lives with his girlfriend Rebecca and her son Zeb and their basenji/border collie mix Felony.