KDRF
Encyclopedia
KDRF is a radio station
in Albuquerque, NM. It is owned by Cumulus Media
and has an Adult Hits
format as "Ed FM" and uses the slogan "playing stuff we like". KDRF was originally launched on December 30, 2004 as "Fred FM" but in March 2005 XM Satellite Radio
claimed the name "Fred
" to be a trademark of their classic alternative station. The name was then shortened to "Ed" to avoid fighting a costly legal battle. The station has no DJs and has a wide playlist of Top 40 hits from the early '70s to the present. KDRF is also streamed online.
In April 2007 eD-FM enlisted Tom Dickson of Blendtec to do a Will It Blend?
version to promote the station. The three 30-second commercials show different styles of music CDs being blended, showcasing the station's variety format (of course... It Blends!). The commercials http://youtube.com/watch?v=nW3Frq6hhlM aired on all Albuquerque TV stations over a 4 week period. The commercials returned in Fall 2007 after the first campaign saw improved ratings for the station.
The 103.3 frequency signed on in 1987 as KIDI-FM with a Spanish-language music format. By 1992 it would switch to a country music
format as KASY-FM "Y-103/Cat Country" to challenge KRST
. In 1996 the FCC had approved a measure that allowed for a single company to own up to eight radio stations in a single market. Both KRST and KASY would be acquired by Citadel Broadcasting
at that time and by fall of that year KRST would keep the hot country format and 103.3 would become "K-Bull" KTBL-FM which would play classic country
. This gave Citadel complete dominance over the popular country music radio market in Albuquerque until 2000 when Clear Channel
launched KBQI-FM
"Big I 107.9". Citadel had then moved to challenge Clear Channels' hold on rock radio in Albuquerque.
103.3 The Zone
In February 2001, 103.3 would drop its classic country format and would be replaced with "The Zone" as KTZO-FM which originally had an adult alternative
music format playing in 20 song sets as a "quality rock" station. The Zone was designed to challenge Clear Channels' KPEK-FM
"The Peak" which was playing mostly "softer" alternative
bands at the time but still played a great deal of pop songs targeted at a mostly female audience. Like its eventual successor, KTZO would attempt to run without DJs until fall of 2001 when it had added an airstaff which would include former KTEG
morning host Micheal Moxey in morning drive. Other personalities included Don Kelly, Leah Black, Scott Souhrada, and later Forrest, Brian and Kit Missile. The format shifted to modern rock
in early 2003 adding hard rock acts like System of a Down
but also keeping bands like Coldplay
from its old format and also playing 90s alternative bands like Green Day
and Bush
as well as modern bands like The White Stripes
and later Modest Mouse
and The Killers which were not heard on other local stations. It also held an annual "battle of the bands" competition for local bands. The winner would receive regular airplay on the station. Soular gained a local fanbase after winning the first competition in 2002. Feels Like Sunday and Hollis Wake would win later contests. Although the format drew decent arbitron ratings, it was axed at the end of 2004 in favor of the adult hits format which was gaining popularity across the country. KTZO Call letters originated in San Francisco back in the 1980s
when James Gabbert owned the TV Station which is now KOFY-TV . Citadel merged with Cumulus Media on September 16, 2011.
Radio station
Radio broadcasting is a one-way wireless transmission over radio waves intended to reach a wide audience. Stations can be linked in radio networks to broadcast a common radio format, either in broadcast syndication or simulcast or both...
in Albuquerque, NM. It is owned by Cumulus Media
Cumulus Media
Cumulus Media, Inc. is the second largest Owner and Operator of AM and FM radio stations in the United States, behind Clear Channel Communications, operating 570 stations in 150 markets as of September 16, 2011. The company also owns Cumulus Media Networks...
and has an Adult Hits
Adult hits
Adult hits is a radio format, popular in the early 2000s, that does not adhere to a specific music genre, but instead draws from a wider playlist...
format as "Ed FM" and uses the slogan "playing stuff we like". KDRF was originally launched on December 30, 2004 as "Fred FM" but in March 2005 XM Satellite Radio
XM Satellite Radio
XM Satellite Radio is one of two satellite radio services in the United States and Canada, operated by Sirius XM Radio. It provides pay-for-service radio, analogous to cable television. Its service includes 73 different music channels, 39 news, sports, talk and entertainment channels, 21 regional...
claimed the name "Fred
Fred (XM)
Fred was the classic modern rock/alternative channel on XM Satellite Radio. It was the parent channel of both Ethel , which covered alternative music from the late 1990s through today; and Lucy , which played only the most popular alternative hits from the 80s through 90s...
" to be a trademark of their classic alternative station. The name was then shortened to "Ed" to avoid fighting a costly legal battle. The station has no DJs and has a wide playlist of Top 40 hits from the early '70s to the present. KDRF is also streamed online.
In April 2007 eD-FM enlisted Tom Dickson of Blendtec to do a Will It Blend?
Will It Blend?
Will It Blend? is a viral marketing campaign consisting of a series of infomercials demonstrating the Blendtec line of blenders, especially the Total Blender. In the show, Tom Dickson, the Blendtec founder, attempts to blend various unusual items in order to show off the power of his blender...
version to promote the station. The three 30-second commercials show different styles of music CDs being blended, showcasing the station's variety format (of course... It Blends!). The commercials http://youtube.com/watch?v=nW3Frq6hhlM aired on all Albuquerque TV stations over a 4 week period. The commercials returned in Fall 2007 after the first campaign saw improved ratings for the station.
History
Early historyThe 103.3 frequency signed on in 1987 as KIDI-FM with a Spanish-language music format. By 1992 it would switch to a country music
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
format as KASY-FM "Y-103/Cat Country" to challenge KRST
KRST
KRST is a commercial radio station located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, broadcasting to the Albuquerque-Santa Fe, New Mexico area on 92.3 FM. KRST airs a country music format.- Album Oriented Rock, Out - Country, In :...
. In 1996 the FCC had approved a measure that allowed for a single company to own up to eight radio stations in a single market. Both KRST and KASY would be acquired by Citadel Broadcasting
Citadel Broadcasting
Citadel Broadcasting Corporation was a Las Vegas, Nevada-based broadcast holding company. Citadel owned 243 radio stations across the United States and was the third-largest radio station owner in the country...
at that time and by fall of that year KRST would keep the hot country format and 103.3 would become "K-Bull" KTBL-FM which would play classic country
Classic country
Classic country is a music radio format that specializes in playing mainstream country hits from past decades.This genre generally follows one of two formats: those specializing in hits from the 1920s through the early 1970s, and focus primarily on innovators and artists from country music's Golden...
. This gave Citadel complete dominance over the popular country music radio market in Albuquerque until 2000 when Clear Channel
Clear channel
A clear-channel station is an AM band Radio station in North America that has the highest protection from interference from other stations, particularly concerning night-time skywave propagation. Usually known as class A stations since 1982, they are occasionally still referred to by their former...
launched KBQI-FM
KBQI
KBQI is a radio station in Albuquerque, New Mexico, owned by Clear Channel. It has a contemporary country music format. It takes its name from the I-40 and I-25 interchange near downtown Albuquerque that is locally known as "the Big I"...
"Big I 107.9". Citadel had then moved to challenge Clear Channels' hold on rock radio in Albuquerque.
103.3 The Zone
Adult alternative
Adult alternative may refer to:*Adult album alternative, a radio format*Modern adult contemporary, a radio format*Smooth jazz, a radio format...
music format playing in 20 song sets as a "quality rock" station. The Zone was designed to challenge Clear Channels' KPEK-FM
KPEK
KPEK is a commercial radio station located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, broadcasting on 100.3 FM. KPEK airs a hot adult contemporary music format branded as "The Peak".-History:...
"The Peak" which was playing mostly "softer" alternative
Alternative rock
Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
bands at the time but still played a great deal of pop songs targeted at a mostly female audience. Like its eventual successor, KTZO would attempt to run without DJs until fall of 2001 when it had added an airstaff which would include former KTEG
KTEG
KABQ-FM is a radio station broadcasting a Classic Country format. Licensed to the suburb of Bosque Farms, New Mexico, it serves the Albuquerque metropolitan area. It first began broadcasting in 1985 under the call sign KHBN. The station is currently owned by Clear Channel Communications.-104.7...
morning host Micheal Moxey in morning drive. Other personalities included Don Kelly, Leah Black, Scott Souhrada, and later Forrest, Brian and Kit Missile. The format shifted to modern rock
Modern rock
Modern rock is a rock format commonly found on commercial radio; the format consists primarily of the alternative rock genre...
in early 2003 adding hard rock acts like System of a Down
System of a Down
System of a Down, also known by the acronym SOAD and often shortened to System, is a rock band from Southern California. The band was formed in 1994. It consists of Serj Tankian , Daron Malakian , Shavo Odadjian and John Dolmayan...
but also keeping bands like Coldplay
Coldplay
Coldplay are a British alternative rock band formed in 1996 by lead vocalist Chris Martin and lead guitarist Jonny Buckland at University College London. After they formed Pectoralz, Guy Berryman joined the group as a bassist and they changed their name to Starfish. Will Champion joined as a...
from its old format and also playing 90s alternative bands like Green Day
Green Day
Green Day is an American punk rock band formed in 1987. The band consists of lead vocalist and guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong, bassist and backing vocalist Mike Dirnt, and drummer Tre Cool...
and Bush
Bush (band)
Bush are an alternative rock band formed in London in 1992 shortly after vocalist/guitarist Gavin Rossdale and guitarist Nigel Pulsford met in a London nightclub. Realising they shared a love for such diverse artists as the Pixies, Bob Marley, The Jesus Lizard, MC5, Nirvana, Hüsker Dü, and Big...
as well as modern bands like The White Stripes
The White Stripes
The White Stripes was an American rock band, formed in 1997 in Detroit, Michigan. The group consisted of the songwriter Jack White and drummer Meg White . Jack and Meg White were previously married to each other, but are now divorced...
and later Modest Mouse
Modest Mouse
Modest Mouse is an American indie rock band formed in 1993 in Issaquah, Washington, by singer/lyricist/guitarist Isaac Brock, drummer Jeremiah Green, and bassist Eric Judy. They are based in Portland, Oregon. Since their 1996 debut album, This Is a Long Drive for Someone with Nothing to Think...
and The Killers which were not heard on other local stations. It also held an annual "battle of the bands" competition for local bands. The winner would receive regular airplay on the station. Soular gained a local fanbase after winning the first competition in 2002. Feels Like Sunday and Hollis Wake would win later contests. Although the format drew decent arbitron ratings, it was axed at the end of 2004 in favor of the adult hits format which was gaining popularity across the country. KTZO Call letters originated in San Francisco back in the 1980s
when James Gabbert owned the TV Station which is now KOFY-TV . Citadel merged with Cumulus Media on September 16, 2011.