Imagine being around 100 years old. You have lived through the Great Depression, World War II, the Vietnam War, 9/11, and the coronavirus pandemic. The history, changes, and experiences in life could fill many books. On Jan. 25, KDLR-AM radio will celebrate being on the air for 100 years.

To celebrate being on the air for 100 years, the station will be hosting an open house from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Jan 24. There also be surprise giveaways. Visitors will get to see archival photos, old radio equipment, and inside the radio station that has graced the airwaves for 100 years.

The DLJ talked to Lake Region Radio Works general manager Curt Teigen about this momentous milestone.

Teigen has been overseeing KDLR since 1989 when it was bought by Radio Works, which also owns KZZY, KQZZ, and KDVL.

“KDLR has a colorful history,” Teigen said.

In addition to 100 years, there is another historical detail for the station. St. Olaf Lutheran Church was one of the first churches in the U.S. to use radio to broadcast services. The program has run on KDLR since Oct. 1925. The “Grand Old Opry,” had their first broadcast in Nov. 1925 which is the longest-running radio broadcast in the U.S.

“We’ve never pursued that with Guinness,” Teigen said.

The first studios were in the house of KDLR founder Bert Wick. The first music programming was made by playing a phonograph in front of a makeshift microphone made from a telephone. Instrument recitals, soloists, small orchestras, and poetry readings were the programming of the day.

While initially only an AM station, KDLR added an FM station in and then started streaming online.

“It’s a part of everyday life for everyone growing up here. It’s interesting to be a part of that history,” Teigen said.

Despite all the technological ups and downs that could affect radio, Teigen doesn’t see the medium disappearing.

“I don’t think we’ll go away for a while. A lot of people listen online. The new tabletop radio is your computer,” he said.

When the radio started broadcasting online, there were “some challenges especially going online.” The issues are mainly related to copyright. KDLR is a country music station and music copyright is some of the most complicated.

Unfortunately, many of the recordings of past programs haven’t survived over the years. When Teigen was one day looking back in the archives in 2005 for the 80th anniversary, he came across some old recordings. They were recordings from World War II. A reporter was sent to Honolulu to interview soldiers returning from the Pacific Theater.

“We aired them on KDLR,” Teigen recalled. “Shortly after we aired one of them, an old gentleman came into the studio and said ‘That was me.’”

Teigen also came across an old commercial for the restaurant that was at the airport from 1938. The commercial advertised chow mein and steak.

What does he credit for the success of KDLR? “To be a radio station, it has to be connected to the community,” he said.

Radio stations are now adopting AI to use instead of DJs, something Teigen said takes away a connection from listeners.

“I don’t think AI is capable of that connection yet. It’s capable of entertaining but the connection won’t be there.”

Some of the historical events KDLR has been here for were 9/11 and the coronavirus pandemic.

“All stations were scrambling to get information,” Teigen recalled about 9/11. “When it suddenly became apparent it was an attack, we scrambled to get information on the air.”

When the coronavirus pandemic shut down most of the world, KDLR, like many stations still operated.

“We were just getting out the information as best we could,” Teigen said. The station broadcast Gov. Doug Burgum’s weekly addresses regarding public health matters.

With all the media that people can consume and interact with, what makes KDLR important?

“Because it’s local,” Teigen said. “It’s like a companion.”

As for what may be in store for the next 100 years, Teigen joked “I don’t plan on being around.” But he hopes that KDLR will still be there for the listeners new and old. “I hope they continue that connection to the community… Thank you to everybody who has supported and advertised and been on this crazy ride.”