Welcome Zoo Freak!

Thank you for visiting our website. My name is Michael "Wildcard" Wilson. I am the founder of Camelback Web Architects here in Dallas. We created an awesome website platform called liveSite. Although you might not be in need of an awesome website for your business, I decided to advertise on THE ZOO anyway, simply because I am a lifelong fan and I wanted to toss in my support for this awesome station.

I'd also like to share a few of my own personal memories of THE ZOO. You may have had similar experiences, so I hope these bring a smile to your face too...

Back in the late 70s when I was just a young man in Big D, album rock was at it's peak in popularity. At the top of the heap was this low budget but powerfully-unique FM radio station in the DFW metroplex, KZEW, affectionately called THE ZOO. They played deep cuts from a wide range of artists, while mixing in irreverent personalities to create a truly amazing listening experience. I was hooked. I even got involved volunteering at ZOO events. I think the most fun I had was when I worked "security" at ZOO World. What a trip that was!

If you were a ZOO Freak back in the day, you where probably at one of the TEXXAS JAMs at the Cotton Bowl. I attended the first three (1978, 1979, 1980). Tickets were only $13 and we thought that was expensive for a concert! I still recall the severe sunburn and dehydration my friends and I endured at the first one. The fire hoses they sprayed us down with didn't seem to do much but make us hot and wet. We were packed in like sardines. I'll tell you what though, we'd do it again if we had the chance. It was our little slice of Woodstock. What a scene!

I remember hearing THE ZOO spin up the Stones' Some Girls album for the first time. My father liked it so much we drove over to Peach's Records & Tapes to snag him a copy. He drove a converted panel van which was popular at the time. You know the kind, with the teardrop panel windows and shag carpet from floor to ceiling. He wore that 8-track tape out in that van! Funny the small things we remember.

Listening to THE ZOO again is a real treat. Even some of the personalities are back. So are the old commercials which are priceless. It's amazing to think of the impact this one radio station made on Texans like me. Looking back, this was a radio station that grew to dominance in a major market with little support from it's corporate ownership. It was true. The animals where running the zoo. But it worked. It really just goes to show you that if you have passion for something, and revenue is not your primary goal — great things will happen.

I don't think we will ever see the same level of loyalty and devotion to a radio station again so please join me in supporting VOKAL and all of it's sponsors so we can keep THE ZOO on the air for others around the world to enjoy.

Michael "Wildcard" Wilson / CEO
Camelback Web Architects
simply innovative.