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Happy Birthday Daddy! Bill Beaton & KNRY

  • May 20
  • 4 min read

KNRY Radio Station and William “Bill” John Beaton Jr. – A Historical Overview

1240AM tower on Cannery Row in Monterey, California
1240AM tower on Cannery Row in Monterey, California

Introduction


KNRY (1240 AM) is a historic AM radio station in Monterey, California, first licensed in 1935 as KDON. Over the decades, it changed call signs several times—KMBY, KESE, and finally KNRY—while serving the Central Coast community with a variety of music, news, and talk programming. A particularly meaningful chapter in KNRY’s history is the one shaped by the Beaton family—especially William “Bill” John Beaton Jr.—who operated the station during the 1980s as part of their family broadcasting enterprise.


My mother came up with the new call letters after Cannery Row and had this sign commissioned by a local artist
My mother came up with the new call letters after Cannery Row and had this sign commissioned by a local artist
mixing board
mixing board
Main doors to the station floor
Main doors to the station floor
dj viewing booth
dj viewing booth

Early History and Development


The station was originally founded as KDON in 1935, operating at 1210 kHz before shifting to 1240 kHz in 1941. In 1949, it became KMBY, a call sign meant to reflect the Monterey Bay area it served. During this era, the station became a training ground for rising talent, including Jack Paar, and served as a vital community hub for news and music programming.


The Bear Flag building. My father told me it used to be a brothel. Gross.
The Bear Flag building. My father told me it used to be a brothel. Gross.
In December 2019, my first time visiting in decades, the station was magically playing KNRY format. Hi 👋 daddy!
In December 2019, my first time visiting in decades, the station was magically playing KNRY format. Hi 👋 daddy!

The Beaton Era (1982–1992)


In 1982, the station was purchased by Southern California Broadcasting Company, founded by William J. Beaton Sr., a pioneer in California radio. His sons—Fred, Ron, and William “Bill” John Beaton Jr.—operated the company. Bill ran KNRY personally, bringing to it a unique vision, industry passion, and deep community commitment.


Under his leadership, KNRY adopted an oldies format branded as “The Heart and Soul of Rock and Roll.” It broadcast in AM stereo (C-QUAM), featured one of the largest music libraries in the area, and brought in top-tier air talent from markets like Los Angeles. Bill emphasized creativity, professionalism, and local engagement.


KNRY quickly became beloved on the Central Coast for its nostalgic yet expansive format. Bill ran the station with heart—not just as a business, but as a calling.





Staff Testimonies and Professional Validation


One of the strongest public validations of Bill’s leadership came from Mark Carbonaro, who served as Program Director and Assistant Chief Operator at KNRY between 1982 and 1986. He stated:


“I was PD and assistant chief operator at KNRY from 1982 to 1986, working for Bill Beaton Jr., when his family owned the station.”


Carbonaro remembered KNRY’s ambitious programming and Bill’s investment in both talent and innovation. The station, under Bill, sounded exceptional—technically and editorially. DJs were given room to shine, playlists were deeply curated, and the station brought joy to Monterey County.


Another radio professional noted:


“The elder Beaton did KNRY very well. I miss the old KNRY 1240 from the ’80s—it had a HUGE music playlist and top-notch air talent.”


These testimonies make it clear: Bill was not reckless. He was respected. He was a builder.


KNRY days
KNRY days
Program Director and Assistant Chief Operator at KNRY
Program Director and Assistant Chief Operator at KNRY
I hope that reunion happens in the meantime it’s happening right here
I hope that reunion happens in the meantime it’s happening right here
🫶
🫶
More praise on how my dad ran the station.
More praise on how my dad ran the station.

Legal Betrayal: The Inheritance Battle

Obituary for Beaton Sr
Obituary for Beaton Sr

After William J. Beaton Sr. passed away, an updated will that included Bill’s rightful share of the family estate mysteriously vanished. In the absence of this document, control of the inheritance—an estimated $2 million—was seized by Ron and Fred Beaton. They manipulated the estate and excluded Bill, despite his clear role as the most devoted and active family member in the business.


Evidence of their blatant misdeeds that was ultimately ruled in my father’s favor
Evidence of their blatant misdeeds that was ultimately ruled in my father’s favor

This betrayal not only deprived Bill of financial stability—it also stripped him of treasured personal items, like the teacup collection he had built with his mother.


His family took them to court and won. The lawsuit proved that Ron and Fred had stolen Bill’s rightful inheritance. Justice was served, but the emotional scars and irreparable damage to family trust remained.




Desecration of Legacy


Following the lawsuit, Ron and Fred attempted to cover their tracks by smearing Bill’s name. They told others he was reckless with money and couldn’t be trusted with the business. But these were lies—meant to justify their theft and preserve their own reputations.


The truth: Bill lived legally, ethically, and honorably. He paid taxes, honored contracts, ran KNRY with transparency, and gave back to his community. His brothers, on the other hand, were the ones whose behavior drew legal scrutiny and condemnation.


The internet is forever. I got you, daddy. May the truth be told here as it is in heaven. i’m so proud of you, daddy.
The internet is forever. I got you, daddy. May the truth be told here as it is in heaven. i’m so proud of you, daddy.
Setting the record straight.
Setting the record straight.

Just to put it into perspective also this is where my uncle Ron lived and still resides in Glendale. The other uncle had a giant ranch next door to Ellen DeGeneres while my dad had a very modest home in Pebble Beach. They literally took everything from us and left us for dead. I remember they would send Christmas cards from Cabo and it used to infuriate me how they were just wasting all that money and couldn’t care less what they did to their little brother and his family.

Ron’s estate in Glendale
Ron’s estate in Glendale
our tiny, three bedroom two bath for five people
our tiny, three bedroom two bath for five people


Later Years and the End of the KNRY Chapter


After selling KNRY in 1992, the station changed hands several times. It became a Catholic broadcasting affiliate, later returned to music formats, and eventually went silent in 2020. In 2022, it returned to the airwaves under Hanford Youth Services with the original KMBY call letters.



Bill’s Final Years


Bill later moved back to Florida, where he continued to work in media broadcasting and financial planning until his passing in 2007. He is remembered not only for his professional brilliance but also for his kindness, dedication, and integrity.

My father
My father

Legacy


The truth is now on the record. Bill Beaton was a builder. A visionary. A man of principle. Despite betrayal from within his own family, his impact on radio, his staff, and his listeners continues to resonate. Thanks to the voices of those who worked with him and those who now tell the truth—his legacy is finally being restored.





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