I am searching for pictures and stories of the old KRJF radio station in Miles City prior to it becoming KATL. I would like to get a studio picture or anything. In the 40s a group called the "Twilight Boys" performed on a regular basis. Has anyone heard of this group? Any feedback appreciated.

Mike Koffler

Um, I have a photo of the Miles City orchestra c.1943 taken in the old KRJF studios. In the 1951 Stars, Nov. or Dec. I think, I ran across an article about the station while doing Stardust. The place hasn't been remodeled all that much, which is part of the reason why they are moving out this spring. Flat roofs are not a good idea in a snow load climate.

Twilight Boys I haven't heard of but I can ask around.

--Amorette

I sent Larry a photo of the exterior of the KATL building. Now if only I could get him to post it. (Hint, hint.)

Send me an email if you'd like me to email a copy to you.

- Dave

And who else remembers going to the radio station to participate in the on the air "Book Quiz" run by one of the librarians?
Ken Z

I finally (!) got David's picture of the KATL building posted. You can find it in the Gallery area in a new section called "User Contributions: After 1975".

Regards, Larry
MilesCity.com Webmaster

If you are looking for old pictures of krjf, you might contact Jim Elliot in Miles City. His dad was the engineer the helped build the radio station and keep it on the air back then. I believe his dad is now living in Bozeman. His name was Ian. Jim is a local ham operator and if you happen to be a Ham you might be able to track him down that way.

Thanks! I'll look Jim Elliot up. Appreciate your help.

Mike

Would love to have a copy (digital ok?) of your picture. You could email me with picture as attachment.

Thank you. Mike Koffler

[email protected]

Yes, Dave! Please send your picture to my work email.

[email protected]

Thank you very much.

Mike Koffler

Ok, Dave, I now see the picture in the gallery section. That used to be KRJF, correct?

Mike

Actually I am not 100% certain that the KATL radio building is the same building that KRJF used. I suspect that is the case. Can anyone else confirm that KRJF was in the same building that's used by KATL today?

- Dave

My dad confirmed to me that the KRJF radio station was indeed in the same building as KATL currently is (on Haynes Avenue with the cool circular drive). According to my dad, before the Interstate went in during the 60s, the radio station was rather "out there all by itself" and there was a high radio tower there too.
-Bonnie

[This message has been edited by Bonnie Russiff (edited 4/12/2002).]

I noted that in the "M.C. Star and KATL Radio moving to Main St." thread that Amorette Allison said:

"Years ago, when my mother first started working for the Star in the early fifties, KRJF, the predecessor to KATL, was in the same building as the newspaper. So this is a return to the good old days."

So, unless the Star was in that tiny KATL building too then I suspect at some point in time before KRJF moved into the Haynes Ave. location they were located someplace else. Which means that when the "Twilight Boys" were singing for KRJF they were probably someplace besides the Haynes Ave. location.

- Dave

Our search for the truth goes on and on! Nice bit of detective work Dave.

It seems to me that the MC Star was in the building on 6th Street in the "40's. My grandmother lived in a little house at 609 Pleasant, where the Carr law firm is now, so I spent a lot of time in the area.

I always remember KRJF in the little building out on Haynes avenue, at the foot of Carbon Hill (which we hiked to and climbed many times). And I do remember participating in the book quiz or book review on the radio and believe the host was the children's librarian, Mrs. Slosser.

Mary Pat

My name is Vikki Elliot Bohlman. Don't know if you are still looking for KRJF information. I have my grandfather's (Ian Elliot's) old scrapbooks, pictures, and other information on KRJF and KATL in my possession. I can try to find some information, but things are not in order, or labeled with a lot of names. More information you give the better and I can try.

My Grandfather became station manager in 1950, he did work there in 1941 when it started as an Engineer, but left in 1946, to come back in 1950. So don't have anything before 1950. Not tons of pictures, but lots of articles.

[This message has been edited by Vikki Bohlman (7/6/2014)]

Do you have any info on the South Brothers? They played on the radio there in Miles City many times. Probably late 1940s to mid 1950s?

My father George Keller played there in the early to mid fifties as well.Had a radio show from there on Saturday nights. Played with Buck Konkright Lindy Ness and a few others I can't remember. The station was out on Haynes Av. but nothing else was out there at that time.

The Elk's golf course was out behind the station.