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) (2004-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 John Gillen - Account Executive Robbie Sparks - - Air Personality Frank "McVie" - Air Personality, weekends (afternoon and evenings) 1987-1989