KAZR

For the Reno, Nevada low-power television station that held the call sign KAZR-CA at channel 46 from 2004 to 2009, see KRNS-CD.
KAZR
City Pella, Iowa
Broadcast area Des Moines, Iowa
Branding Lazer 103.3
Slogan Everything That Rocks
Frequency 103.3 MHz (also on HD Radio)
Translator(s) 104.5 K283CC (Des Moines, relays HD2)
First air date 1976 (as KPLL)
Format Mainstream rock
HD2: Talk "104.5, The Conversation Station"
ERP 100,000 watts
HAAT 227 meters
Class C1
Facility ID 28882
Callsign meaning K LAZeR
Former callsigns KPLL (1976-1980)
KXJX (1980-1986)
KFMD (1986-1988)
KDMG (1988-1992)
KFMG (1992-1996)
Owner Saga Communications
Webcast Listen Live
Website lazer1033.com
talk1045.com (HD2)

KAZR is an FM radio station licensed to Pella, Iowa, with studios in Des Moines, Iowa. It is part of the Des Moines Radio Group, along with KPSZ, KRNT, KIOA, KMYR, and KSTZ. Despite being an active rock reporter to Mediabase, they are a mainstream rock reporter to Nielsen BDS.

History

The station signed on as KPLL in 1976 with studios and transmitter located in Otley, near Pella, Iowa. It was owned by the Meyer family with a varied format of music and religious programming. The call letters changed to KXJX in 1980, KFMD in 1986, and KDMG in 1988. KDMG, owned by Beta Broadcasting, had a "gold" format until 1989 and then followed various "classic oldies" formats until late-1990. From January 1991 to April 1992, KDMG followed a AAA (adult alternative) "Where The Music Comes First" format similar to WXRT in Chicago or KBCO in Boulder before becoming KFMG in 1992. Nighttimes during the era of 1990-1996, 103.3 tended to be harder-edged, following an alternative/modern rock/new rock format.[1] KFMG's format consisted of modern/alternative rock, blues, and variety shows such as "The Grateful Dead Hour". Its owner and program director, Ron Sorenson, had previously operated a station with those call letters on 94.9 FM (now KGGO) in the early 1970s.[2] KFMG became KAZR in August 1996 after Sorenson sold the station to Saga Communications. In September 2013 Saga applied to have a KAZR translator relay on 104.5, originating from the KIOA tower in Altoona. The nature of the filing given the location seems to suggest that Saga plans to relay an HD2 format of KAZR on 104.5.

Personalities and programming

Current local personalities include Ryan Patrick - who in addition to hosting Mid-Days during the week between 10am and 2pm, is also the station's Program Director, Andy Hall - who hosts Afternoon Drive during the week between 2pm and 7pm, and is also the station's Assistant Program Director and Music Director, "Moose" - the morning show host, "B-Sox" - the morning show co-host, and Suzi - who hosts nights during the week between 7pm and Midnight. Other local part-time personalities include Sarah Greene, and "Gunner". KAZR also runs two syndicated shows - HardDrive, hosted by Lou Brutus, and House of Hair, hosted by Dee Snider of Twisted Sister fame. Both shows air on the weekend.

KAZR carried the syndicated Mancow's Morning Madhouse until March 16, 2007, when station management dropped the show due to a perceived decline in the show's quality.[3]

Lazerfest

On August 18, 2002, KAZR created and organized a music festival known as Lazerfest. The inaugural festival took place at Waterworks Park in Des Moines, Iowa, but was subsequently moved to the Indianola Balloon Grounds in Indianola, Iowa in 2003. In 2012 Lazerfest moved to its new home at the Central Iowa Expo in Boone, Iowa. Lazerfest 2010 was the first Lazerfest to completely sell out, selling 25,000 tickets.

See also

References

  1. ↑ DesMoinesBroadcasting.com. "Des Moines Station Timeline". Retrieved 2007-03-28.
  2. ↑ DesMoinesBroadcasting.com. "KFMG". Retrieved 2007-03-28.
  3. ↑ Munson, Kyle (2007-03-20). "'Lazer' ditches Mancow radio show due to slide". The Des Moines Register. p. 1E.

External links

Coordinates: 41°32′18″N 93°17′59″W / 41.5383°N 93.2996°W / 41.5383; -93.2996

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