KQRC-FM

KQRC-FM

Leavenworth, Kansas
Broadcast area	Kansas City metropolitan area
Frequency	98.9MHz(HD Radio)
Branding	98.9 The Rock!
Programming
Language(s)	English
Format	Mainstream rock
Affiliations	Compass Media Networks United Stations Radio Networks
Ownership
Owner	Audacy, Inc. (Audacy License, LLC, as Debtor-in-Possession)
Sister stations	KFNZ KFNZ-FM KMBZ KMBZ-FM KWOD KYYS KZPT WDAF-FM
History
First air date	1962(1962)
Former call signs	KCLO-FM (1962–79) KTRO (1979–82) KZZC (1982–87) KCWV (1987–89) KRVK (1989–92)
Call signmeaning	"Rock"
Technical information
Licensing authority	FCC
Facility ID	74101
Class	C0
ERP	100,000watts
HAAT	335 meters (1,099 ft)
Transmitter coordinates	39.022°N 94.514°W/39.022; -94.514
Links
Public license information	Public file LMS
Webcast	Listen live(viaAudacy)
Website	www.audacy/989therock

KQRC-FM(98.9MHz,"98-9 The Rock" ) is aradio stationlicensed toLeavenworth, Kansasand serving theKansas City metropolitan area.Its studios are located inMission, Kansas,and the transmitter site is in South Kansas City. The station is owned byAudacy, Inc.

History

1962–1979: KCLO-FM

The 98.9MHzfrequency shuffled betweenformatswhen it first went on the air in 1962. Licensed toLeavenworth,the station began as KCLO-FM, a religious/MORoutlet simulcasting with its AM sister station on 1410.

1979–1982: KTRO

In 1979, it became acountrystation as KTRO.

1982–1986: KZZC

Mark and Connie Wodlinger, the former owners ofTop 40outletKBEQ-FM,bought KTRO in late 1982. In December of that year, KTRO began targeting the larger Kansas City market by flipping to a Top 40 format as "ZZ 99", KZZC.KZZC competed heavily against KBEQ by emphasizing on newer music in comparison to KBEQ's oldies lean. The station also was home to Kansas City legendary DJ Randy Miller in morning drive. During this time, the station's transmitter was relocated to a site nearBasehorinWyandotte Countyto improve coverage. On August 25, 1986, due to financial trouble, the station flipped to a syndicatedoldiesoutlet as "98.9 Gold" with the KZZC call letters still in place.In August 1987, the station's transmitter moved again, this time to theKCTV Tower.

1987–1989: KCWV

On September 24, 1987, at Noon, "98.9 The Wave" debuted with anew age(a precursor to thesmooth jazzformat) andeasy listeningformat, competing with a multitude of AC stations. The call letters were also changed to KCWV.In May 1989, Wodlinger Broadcasting sold the station toJournal Broadcast Groupfor $6 million.

1989–1992: KRVK

On October 27, 1989, at 5:37 p.m., the station flipped tosoft rockas KRVK, "98.9 The River".The station was largely automated with very low-key on-air personalities.

1992–present: KQRC

On April 3, 1992, at 5 p.m., after playing "The River" byGarth Brooks,the station flipped to its current format as "98.9 The Rock", which debuted with Kansas City bandShooting Star's "Hang On For Your Life".The current KQRC call letters were adopted on April 20, 1992. The Rock has lived up to its name in the stability of its format, surviving a rock format shuffle in 1997 that claimed Kansas City's (then) longest-surviving (23 years) FM rock station,KYYS.

Journal sold KQRC toSinclair Broadcast Groupin 1997, withEntercombuying the station in 2000.

In 2002, the station's transmitter would be relocated to its current location near East 56th Street and Bennington Avenue in South Kansas City.

Programming

98.9 The Rockbroadcasts aMainstream Rockformat consisting ofHard rockandHeavy metalacts. They tend to play heavier rock thanmodern rock/alternative rocksister stationKRBZwith such artists asDisturbed,Godsmack,StaindandShinedownmixed with older rock acts likeBlack Sabbath,Guns N' Roses,AC/DC,Def LeppardandVan Halen.Metallicais frequently played, including a featured "Mandatory Metallica" with three consecutive songs by the band aired nightly. The station's morning show, hosted byshock jockJohnny Dare,is regularly ranked atop the localArbitronratings. The Rock airs two nationally syndicated shows on Sundays—The House of Hair with Dee Snider,and the rock news showHardDrive with Lou Brutus.

On September 26, 2010, KQRC was the first FM radio station in the country to release an app for the iOS operating system (Apple mobile devices) that offered an events list with Google Mapping, and push messaging.

After sister stationKRBZannounced it would end its alternative rock format in August 2024, KQRC would pick up their former afternoon program,The Church of Lazlo,in the same timeslot; as a means of transition, the two stations would simulcast the show until KRBZ's move took place.

Rockfest

For many years, KQRC hostedRockfest,the largest single-day music festival in North America.Past headliners includeDisturbed,Godsmack,Staind,Seether,Stone Temple Pilots,andKorn.

External links

• Official website
• Facility details for Facility ID 74101 (KQRC-FM)in theFCCLicensing and Management System
• KQRC-FMinNielsen Audio's FM station database
• FREE JOHHNNY DARE (The Johnny Dare Morning Show Website)
• Rockfest Website