Steve Keeney

Steve Keeney was one of the most influential radio executives in Denver during the final decades of locally dominant AM music radio and the subsequent consolidation of the FM industry.

Keeney joined KIMN in 1973 and became vice president and general manager in 1976 after working in station sales. His own broadcasting career had begun at WDAE in Tampa in 1959, giving him experience on the air before moving into management. At KIMN, Keeney inherited a heritage Top 40 station whose ratings had weakened from its historic peak and worked to rebuild its identity around strong personalities, promotions and community involvement.

Among the best-known products of the Keeney era were the KIMN Chicken mascot and personality Steve Kelley’s elaborate charity stunts. In 1984, Radio & Records devoted a major feature to KIMN’s 30th anniversary and credited Keeney’s management with helping maintain the station as a viable AM contemporary outlet even as FM listening grew.

Keeney also oversaw KYGO as KIMN’s sister FM station. On July 7, 1980, KYGO flipped to country, a decision that proved transformative. Keeney told the Denver Post that FM country was emerging in much the same way progressive rock had earlier migrated to FM. KYGO subsequently became one of Denver’s enduring country brands.

His later executive career included KHOW and senior management of major Denver clusters, including Infinity’s KXKL, KIMN and KDJM. Keeney retired from day-to-day radio management in 2008 after decades as one of the market’s prominent behind-the-scenes leaders.

Sources: Radio & Records, May 18, 1984 — KIMN 30th anniversary; Broadcast Pioneers of Colorado — KYGO Goes Country; Westword — Steve Keeney retires; Radio & Records, June 18, 2004 — Keeney and All Comedy Radio.