MARYSVILLE, Kan. — One of Northeast Kansas’ most enduring voices is celebrating a major milestone this month. KNDY Radio marks its 70th anniversary on July 10, commemorating seven decades of informing, entertaining and connecting listeners across Marshall County and the surrounding region.
KNDY officially signed on the air on July 10, 1956, beginning a broadcasting tradition that continues today. Just days after the station’s debut, The Marysville Advocate devoted an entire newspaper page to celebrating the community’s new radio station, declaring, “1570 Comes to Life – KNDY Is On The Air.”
The special edition described KNDY as a locally owned station built to serve Marshall County with hometown programming and dependable local service. From the beginning, station leaders emphasized that local news, sports, weather, markets and community information would be the foundation of the station’s mission.
The newspaper introduced listeners to the station’s original staff, including Station Manager Andy Grauer, Chief Engineer Gary Vadnais, Sports Director Al Hunter, and engineer Roye Giles, whose work helped bring the new facility to life. The publication highlighted the installation of modern RCA broadcast equipment, a new radio tower that changed the Marysville skyline, and an ambitious plan to keep KNDY on the air throughout the day with independent local programming.
One article noted that KNDY was quickly embraced by the community. During its first days of operation, the station was reportedly swamped with phone calls from listeners across North Central Kansas who were excited to hear their hometown station broadcasting for the first time.
The newspaper also described the station’s commitment to public service, promising extensive local news coverage, agricultural reports, weather forecasts, sports coverage, church programming and features centered on the people and businesses of Marshall County. Local merchants welcomed the station as a new way to reach customers, reflecting the important role radio would play in the area’s economy.
Seventy years later, many of those same principles remain at the heart of KNDY’s operation. While broadcasting technology has evolved from tube transmitters and analog equipment to digital streaming and mobile apps, the station continues to provide local news, high school sports, severe weather coverage, community events and country music to listeners throughout Northeast Kansas and Southeast Nebraska.
KNDY’s longevity reflects not only advances in broadcasting but also the enduring importance of local radio. For generations, the station has been there to announce school closings, report breaking news, celebrate community achievements and bring neighbors together during both triumphs and times of need.
As KNDY celebrates its 70th anniversary, the station honors the vision of those who signed it on the air in July 1956 and the countless employees, advertisers, community partners and listeners who have made seven decades of hometown broadcasting possible.
From its first words over 1570 AM on July 10, 1956, to today’s broadcasts on 95.5 FM, 1570 AM, 94.1 FM and online, KNDY continues the tradition that began 70 years ago: serving its community with local radio that matters.
