About
About American Media!
Welcome to American Media, where music, stories, and community come together to create something truly special. Founded in the heart of Music City, American Media is dedicated to bringing you a unique blend of inspiring tunes, thought-provoking conversations, and local voices that resonate with listeners from all walks of life.
Whether you’re tuning in for our curated playlists, live interviews, special events, or marketing, American Media are your go-to stations for authentic, meaningful content.
Our Team
Operations
Cathleen Pike
Julie Calendar
Beth Sandefer
Sales & Marketing
Terry Wood
Kris Bullard
Lauren Gilbreth
Grace Crowder
Alicia Cooper
Shelley Meeds
Jerod Norris
Digital
Krystal Albright
On-Air
Brandon Nivens
Melanie Messer
James McBee
Billy The Kid
Terry Conover
Bubba
Gary St James
Create. Promote. Amplify.
Our mission is to amplify the sounds and stories that matter. From showcasing up-and-coming artists to sharing heartfelt community narratives, we strive to foster connection and creativity through the power of radio.
Create
Develop a tailored marketing strategy that integrates digital and traditional channels, like custom jingles, radio ads, and branded videos, to craft a cohesive brand experience that drives engagement and sales.
Promote
Leverage American Media’s extensive reach across radio stations and digital platforms, including social media, Google, and YouTube, to share your brand message with thousands of potential customers in regions like Joplin, MO, Pittsburg, KS, and Texarkana, TX.
Amplify
Maximize your ROI by utilizing American Media’s buying power and expertise to optimize advertising across all channels, ensuring your brand stands out with high-impact campaigns and measurable results.
Our Owner
Gene Bicknell – Kansas native, National Business Entrepreneur with strong ties to regional entertainment and local radio. Gene has had a lifelong passion for business development; which is key to economic growth. Gene Bicknell was born in Picher, Oklahoma, his family moved to Kansas when he was a small child. He was 16 years old when he attended college at what is now Pittsburg State University. He worked his way through college while he obtained his degree in business. Gene returned to earn his MBA from Pittsburg State University where he later founded the O. Gene Bicknell Center for Entrepreneurship.
In 1962, while working for New York Life, Gene bought into the Pizza Hut system; becoming a franchisee for Pittsburg, Kansas and Joplin, Missouri. Working at night and staffing college students, Gene expanded his Pizza Hut franchises to include: Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Tennessee, Mississippi and Alabama thus making him the largest owner of Pizza Hut franchises.
Gene founded a pizza company in 1965 known as C.B. International. The company became Southeast Pizza Huts, Inc. in 1979. In 1984, Southeast Pizza Huts became a publicly held company and the name then changed to National Pizza Company. National Pizza Company, known as NPC International, Inc., went from a publicly held company to a privately held restaurant group in 2001 and currently consists of over 1100 Pizza Hut restaurants operating across the United States.
In 2006, Gene sold his interests in NPC International to Merryll Lynch and Associates of New York. Gene Bicknell has always had a passion for the arts, entertainment and media. In the early, 90’s the reformation/creation of Branson, Missouri as a major entertainment destination was in full force. Gene invested heavily in land/development and was a part of the group that created The Mansion Theater featuring the “Superstars” of Country Music.
Today, Branson is experiencing another major entertainment rebirth and Gene Bicknell has again restructured The Mansion Theater with cutting edge audio/video technology to make it the Premire Entertainment/Performing Arts facility in the Central United States. The Mansion Theater will be Branson’s home for “World Class” Entertaiment.
Gene’s love for radio started with the purchase of iconic radio station KKOW in1981 and expanded over the years.
American Media currently has 17 channels serving 6 states. Gene’s passion for business development and entrepreneurship continues…