This Spotlight originally appeared in the Autumn 2023 edition of the 503. Magazine. Click here to read the entire edition online.
KBZY Owner Louis Risewick, with his mother, Joanne Risewick
Established in 1957, KBZY 1490 AM Radio has been a staple for classic hits and talk radio ever since. Louis Risewick and his wife purchased KBZY in 2020 after the previous owner, Roy Dittman, passed away. Concerned with the preservation of the station, Dittman’s widow, Gloria, was tasked with finding a new owner who would maintain KBZY’s core values and brand. With the support of his family, Risewick committed to doing just that.
One of those values is KBZY’s commitment to community growth. A constant and proud champion for the local business community, KBZY is an active partner and participant at a wide variety of events, including the Let’s Dance Series at Riverfront Park, Salem Art Festival, Marion County Fair, and efforts to support the Salem Police Department and Salem Fire.
“I cannot speak enough about the mission of the company to be focused on our community,” Risewick said. “Our success will be based on our values of respect, kindness, and love for our community. We are able to give back to them for the awesome support they show for us.”
The station has also been active in the Salem Chamber. Whether it’s attending weekly Greeters meetings or signature events, such as the 2023 McLaran Classic Golf Tournament, KBZY has long been a visible, present, and supportive partner to its fellow small businesses.
“I joined the Chamber because I want to be a part of the community,” Risewick said. “And a really great way to be seen is to be involved. I have really enjoyed the connections with Chamber staff and volunteers.”
Along with its community involvement, Risewick says the station remains focused on maintaining its legacy by continuing to offer exceptional content, entertainment, and the best classic hits from the 1950s to 1980s flowing over the airwaves.
“For my family and crew, we want to offer the best product out there for our listeners; from our morning show, to music, to community, and everything in between,” Risewick said. “And with the crew we have, we deliver that for sure. We all feel that for our business to succeed, we need to have strong community involvement. And we believe we are heading in that direction more every day.”
Tune the dial to 1490 on your AM radio to hear more from KBZY and visit KBZY.com to learn more and listen online.