WYKS

WYKS (Kiss 105.3) is a commercial radio stations operating in Gainesville, Florida, broadcasting to the Gainesville-Ocala, Florida area on 105.3 FM. The station's format is Contemporary Hit Radio and Top 40 music, and the station has broadcast with this format and call sign since 1981.

History
The station began broadcasting in 1970 on 105.5 FM as WGVL, beginning as a country station but soon switching to album oriented rock. As an AOR station, WGVL was one of the most popular radio stations in Gainesville during the 1970s, often beating AM Top 40 stations WRUF and WGGG in its target male demographics.

After WRUF-FM abruptly switched from beautiful music to AOR as "Rock 104" in 1981, WGVL's management decided to take a new tack. On Christmas Day 1981, WYKS "Kiss 105" was born with a CHR format, signing on with Bob and Doug McKenzie's version of "The Twelve Days of Christmas." Kiss 105.3 has remained one of the most popular radio stations in the market since. The frequency changed from 105.5 to 105.3 in 1995, and although the station's effective radiated power remained at 3,000 watts, there was a slight increase in tower height, which improved the station's coverage area.

Notable Personalities
Douglas J. Gillen - President/Owner

Karl Kaufmann - Original Program Director and morning show host 1981 - 1985 (PD for WGVL '79-'81) Returned as Sales Manager 1992-96 Jeri Banta - Program Director/Morning Show Host - 1984 - 2003

Kevin Quinn - program Director/Operations Manager/ Morning Show Host - 2003 - 2010

Rebecca Kutchko- Business Manager - 2007 - 2018

Mark Page - Sales Manager

Christian Chase - Sales Manager

Joshua Drake - Account Executive

Matt Frey - House Account Manager/On Air Personality

Rondre Adams - Air Personality (Middays)/Production Director

Nick Vance - Air Personality (Afternoons)/ Assistant Program Director

Tom Collins - Air Personality (Nights)

Brett Douglas - Air Personality (Morning Show) (Current)

Ryan Dupree - Air Personality (Middays) and Production Director

JP Kruze (Mo' Bounce) - Air Personality (Nights)

Casey Layne - Air Personality (Morning Show)

Deena Hart - Air Personality (Morning Show)

Tyler Whitney - Air Personality (Morning Show)

Greg West - Air Personality

Todd Steele - Air Personality

Johnny Walker - Air Personality

Dave Fox - Air Personality

Shea Michaels - Air Personality Mark "Hi-there" Andrews - Air Personality Harold Minch - Air personality (arrived to WYKS from WRUF-FM) Jobe Wise - Air Personality Lou Patrick - Management & Air Personality (1984) Julie Spencer - Air Personality. Bob Micheals - Morning Show Air Personality Steve Russell - Sports / News, and "Rock Reflections" Jeri Banta - Mornings/ Program Director Harsha Ramayya - Afternoon Drive Jeff Phillips - Overnights/7-Midnight/Creator and Host of 'All Request Saturday Night' Tom Collett - Overnights & Account Executive Brandon O'Brien -APD/MD Afternoons

Brooke Taylor - Air Personality

Chris Adams - Air Personality (Afternoons)

Hollywood John Harlow - APD/Afternoons

Jennifer Page - Nights

Dean Kenzie - Mornings

Corey Foley - Mornings

Jeff Bachmeier - Mornings

Taylor Mayz - Middays

Andrew Garick (Chris Lewis) - Air Personality

Mike Masters (Michael Ramirez) - Air Personality 1991-1994 (Creator and original host of "The Perimeter" show)

The Toyman - Co-Host and Resident DJ "The Perimeter" 1999-2002 Steven Chadwick - Resident DJ "The Perimeter" / Air Personality 1999-2004

Joey G (Joey Greene) - Resident DJ and co-host of "The After Party" / Air Personality (Saturday Nights)

Casey Kasem/Ryan Seacrest - Weekends (American Top 40) 1987–Present

Frank "McVie" - Air Personality, weekends (afternoon and evenings) 1987-1989