For many years, especially in the 1960s and 1970s, KIST was a premier top 40 music station. Under the ownership of Joseph Patterson "Patt" Wardlaw, Jr., who purchased Western States Radio in 1960, KIST not only played the popular music of the day but also claimed one of the finest news broadcasting teams in the Santa Barbara area. The station won awards from the Southern California Broadcasters Association for its coverage of the Sycamore Fire in 1977.
KIST was a top-rated music station, particularly during the 1960s and 1970s, under the ownership of Joseph Patterson "Patt" Wardlaw Jr., who purchased Western States Radio in 1960. The station's success included popular music and a renowned news team for Santa Barbara. KIST received awards from the Southern California Broadcasters Association for its coverage of the Sycamore Fire in 1977.