Business Profile: KMMR - A Caring Community

“The best sound around, KMMR,” and the only sounds locally on the air waves, KMMR is more than your average radio station.

The station is the voice of Phillips County, stretching across the northeastern prairies and bouncing off gopher holes, fence posts, and an occasional large lava rock…wherever the wind and currents takes the waves.

Many know the owner, Greg Kielb, and his lovely (and some say patient and resilient) wife, Claude, for their work at making the most out of a day from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. and occasionally longer. Many more know the voice of Greg as the Voice of KMMR across Montana at sporting events. He’s hobnobbed with the elite and told stories and hunted geese with some of the best. Kielb is still looking for someone to do artwork for his book, “Ten After Seven Never Comes!”

This little tidbit is printed to be added at some point when the Kielb’s look at retirement. Greg has been on the air in Malta since 1974, when he worked for KLTZ. He got KMMR up and going on the airwaves in 1980.

Kielb has had DJ’s, secretaries, bookkeepers, ad sales staff, and sponsors over the years. Mostly he’s had a fanfare of faithful followers.

The teams have changed names, though the towns remain the same, the mascots have taken on new names and it’s all been one heck-uva ride!

He’s been through the communities with support following fires, floods, deadly freezing artic blasts, wind storms and even pothole season. He’s managed to arrange his schedule to take off some much needed time to attend to his health and bounced back with just a wee bit less energy….but he came back!

Now in his 49th year of radio business, Greg has listened to his bride and is in the process of selling KMMR and will hand over the keys to the new owner soon.

What was mentioned last week at the radiothon for Corrine Hould, who is heading to Salt Lake City in her continuing search for answers in dealing with the West Nile she has battled for three years, was an interesting fact.

Greg stated the first radiothon he put on was in the 1980’s for Nancy Boothe, who was afflicted with MS. Now, some 40 years later, KMMR hosted Corrine’s. The Boothe’s and Hould’s are cousins. Sometimes…it is a small world. What are the odds?