KMEZ
Encyclopedia
KMEZ, is a radio station serving the New Orleans
area. The Cumulus Media
station is licensed to Port Sulphur, Louisiana
and broadcasts at 106.7 MHz with an ERP of 98 kW. At 3pm on 5/21/08, the station switched to a simulcast of KKND
, which lasted until July 1, 2008, when it chose a Rhythmic contemporary
format to air at the 102.9 frequency.
, Oldies
, Country
and Smooth Jazz
, was Modern rocker
"106.7 The End" from November 1996 to August 29, 2005, when Hurricane Katrina struck the area and took the station's transmitter off the air. Original jocks on The End were Laura Jones, Rod Ryan (now at KTBZ-FM
/Houston) and Jason Ginty (now at WRKN
/New Orleans). Some other notable air personalities to work on the station throughout the years were Denver Crabb, Darren Gauthier, Matt West and Wolfgang Velasco (now at 93.1 FM Miami).
On January 7, 2006, KKND returned to the air with its new format, "Rockin' Country 106.7", a move that angered the loyal fans and listeners of The End. During this time, Scot Spinnato was an on air personality during the day. He was a former member of the Rod Ryan morning show cast.
In early 2007, the station dropped the Rock variant of the format and became all-country, with the new slogan "New Country First." The station personalities were Trapper John, Darlas Rai, Chris Clare, Jim Patrick, Jason Peavy, and Chase Adams.
On December 26, 2007, KKND flipped to "Fresh Country Favorites" as "106-7 The Wolf". The last song as 106-7 KKND was Kenny Chesney's "No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems", while the first song as 106-7 The Wolf was Shania Twain's "You're Still The One." On May 20, 2008, the station dropped its Country format at 2:50pm, with the last country song being Sara Evans
' "Suds in the Bucket" and began simulcasting sister station KMEZ at 102.9 with the song "(Olivia) Lost and Turned Out" by The Whispers
. KMEZ moved over to the 106.7 signal from their former home at 102.9 in July 2008 after nearly two months of simulcasting. 102.9 would become Rhythmic contemporary
"Power 102.9."
The station has had many callsigns in its 20 year history including KQLD under the oldies format (1988-1993; the first FM Oldies station in New Orleans), KGTR under its first run as a country station as "106.7 the Gator", KLJZ as "Smooth Jazz 106.7", KKND under its complete Modern Rock and second runs as a country station, a short 13 day run as KXOS and its current KMEZ broadcasting a gold-based Urban AC format as "Old School 106.7".
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans metropolitan area has a population of 1,235,650 as of 2009, the 46th largest in the USA. The New Orleans – Metairie – Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population...
area. The 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...
station is licensed to Port Sulphur, Louisiana
Port Sulphur, Louisiana
Port Sulphur is a census-designated place on the West Bank of the Mississippi River in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 3,115 at the 2000 census....
and broadcasts at 106.7 MHz with an ERP of 98 kW. At 3pm on 5/21/08, the station switched to a simulcast of KKND
KKND
KKND better known as "Power 102.9" is a Rhythmic Contemporary outlet serving the New Orleans area. The Cumulus Media station is licensed to Belle Chasse, Louisiana and broadcasts its format at 102.9 MHz with an ERP of 4.7 kW...
, which lasted until July 1, 2008, when it chose a Rhythmic contemporary
Rhythmic Contemporary
Rhythmic contemporary, also known as rhythmic top 40, rhythmic contemporary hit radio or rhythmic crossover, is a music radio format that includes a mix of EDM, upbeat rhythmic pop, hip-hop and R&B hits. Rhythmic contemporary rarely uses rock music or country music in its airplay, but it may...
format to air at the 102.9 frequency.
History
KKND, whose previous formats were GospelGospel
A gospel is an account, often written, that describes the life of Jesus of Nazareth. In a more general sense the term "gospel" may refer to the good news message of the New Testament. It is primarily used in reference to the four canonical gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John...
, Oldies
Oldies
Oldies is a term commonly used to describe a radio format that concentrates on music from a period of about 15 to 55 years before the present day....
, Country
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...
and Smooth Jazz
Smooth jazz
Smooth jazz is a genre of music that grew out of jazz fusion and is influenced by R&B, funk, rock, and pop music styles ....
, was Modern rocker
Modern rock
Modern rock is a rock format commonly found on commercial radio; the format consists primarily of the alternative rock genre...
"106.7 The End" from November 1996 to August 29, 2005, when Hurricane Katrina struck the area and took the station's transmitter off the air. Original jocks on The End were Laura Jones, Rod Ryan (now at KTBZ-FM
KTBZ-FM
KTBZ-FM, also known as 94.5 The Buzz, is an alternative rock radio station licensed to Houston, Texas with studios located in Houston at 2000 West Loop South, Suite 300, and with transmitter facilities located in Missouri City, Texas.- History :...
/Houston) and Jason Ginty (now at WRKN
WRKN
WTKE-FM is a radio station broadcasting a sports/talk format. Licensed to Niceville, Florida, USA, the station serves the Fort Walton Beach area. WTKE-FM is owned by Qantum Communications and the station's broadcast license is currently held by Ft...
/New Orleans). Some other notable air personalities to work on the station throughout the years were Denver Crabb, Darren Gauthier, Matt West and Wolfgang Velasco (now at 93.1 FM Miami).
On January 7, 2006, KKND returned to the air with its new format, "Rockin' Country 106.7", a move that angered the loyal fans and listeners of The End. During this time, Scot Spinnato was an on air personality during the day. He was a former member of the Rod Ryan morning show cast.
In early 2007, the station dropped the Rock variant of the format and became all-country, with the new slogan "New Country First." The station personalities were Trapper John, Darlas Rai, Chris Clare, Jim Patrick, Jason Peavy, and Chase Adams.
On December 26, 2007, KKND flipped to "Fresh Country Favorites" as "106-7 The Wolf". The last song as 106-7 KKND was Kenny Chesney's "No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems", while the first song as 106-7 The Wolf was Shania Twain's "You're Still The One." On May 20, 2008, the station dropped its Country format at 2:50pm, with the last country song being Sara Evans
Sara Evans
Sara Lynn Evans is an American country singer and songwriter.Evans was one of the few traditional-styled singers to emerge from Nashville in the late 1990s, according to Allmusic. Since emerging in the late 1990s, Evans has made five No. 1 Country hits and Gold and Platinum-certified albums by...
' "Suds in the Bucket" and began simulcasting sister station KMEZ at 102.9 with the song "(Olivia) Lost and Turned Out" by The Whispers
The Whispers
The Whispers are a long-established R&B-dance vocal group from Los Angeles, California, with a consistent track record of hit records dating back to the late 1960s.-Career:...
. KMEZ moved over to the 106.7 signal from their former home at 102.9 in July 2008 after nearly two months of simulcasting. 102.9 would become Rhythmic contemporary
Rhythmic Contemporary
Rhythmic contemporary, also known as rhythmic top 40, rhythmic contemporary hit radio or rhythmic crossover, is a music radio format that includes a mix of EDM, upbeat rhythmic pop, hip-hop and R&B hits. Rhythmic contemporary rarely uses rock music or country music in its airplay, but it may...
"Power 102.9."
The station has had many callsigns in its 20 year history including KQLD under the oldies format (1988-1993; the first FM Oldies station in New Orleans), KGTR under its first run as a country station as "106.7 the Gator", KLJZ as "Smooth Jazz 106.7", KKND under its complete Modern Rock and second runs as a country station, a short 13 day run as KXOS and its current KMEZ broadcasting a gold-based Urban AC format as "Old School 106.7".