Michael Howard Birdsong was a Colorado Springs FM programmer closely associated with KKFM‘s free-form/progressive-rock era in the 1970s.
Biographical records place Birdsong as manager of KCMS-FM/Manitou Springs from 1971 to 1973 and as Program Director of KKFM/Colorado Springs from 1973 to 1975. Contemporary music-industry publications independently confirm his KKFM affiliation. During 1974, the rock-radio trade publication Walrus repeatedly printed concert reviews and music reports credited to “KKFM/Colorado Springs — Michael Birdsong.” His reviews covered Colorado Springs appearances by artists including the Beach Boys, Jim Stafford, Rare Earth, Sugarloaf, REO Speedwagon and Wet Willie.
The surviving reports portray KKFM as deeply connected to Colorado Springs’ live-rock scene. Birdsong’s reviews discuss station concert promotion, audience reaction and performances at the Colorado Springs City Auditorium, providing unusually vivid contemporary evidence of KKFM‘s role in local rock culture.
A later biographical directory says Birdsong left KKFM after 1975, worked as entertainment director for L.T.D., Inc. in Denver from 1976 to 1978, later founded Innocent Bystander Productions in Dallas and worked as an announcer for The Nostalgia Network.
Southern Colorado stations: KCMS-FM, KKFM.
Documented KKFM role: Program Director, 1973–1975.
Sources: Walrus, multiple 1974 issues; Marquis Who’s Who-derived biographical record.
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Career Moments
1973: Michael Birdsong becomes KKFM Program Director
1973 — Michael Howard Birdsong becomes Program Director of KKFM after managing KCMS-FM in Manitou Springs. Birdsong's tenure falls within KKFM's free-form/progressive-rock period and lasts through 1975 according to biographical records.
1974: KKFM documents Colorado Springs’ live-rock scene
1974 — KKFM Program Director Michael Birdsong contributes a series of Colorado Springs concert reports to the national rock-radio trade publication Walrus. Surviving reviews cover shows including the Beach Boys and Jim Stafford, Rare Earth and Sugarloaf, and REO Speedwagon and Wet Willie at the Colorado Springs City Auditorium.
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