KARW
| File:KYZZ-FM.png | |
| Broadcast area | Santa Cruz Monterrey Salinas, California |
|---|---|
| Frequency | 97.9 (MHz) |
| Branding | Jammin 97.9 |
| Programming | |
| Format | Rhythmic Top 40 |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Buckley Broadcasting |
| History | |
First air date | 1997 |
| Technical information | |
| Class | A |
| ERP | 3,000 watts |
| Links | |
| Website | www.jammin979.com |
KYZZ is a commercial radio station in Salinas, California, broadcasting to the Santa Cruz-Monterrey-Salinas, California area on 97.9 FM.
KYZZ airs a rhythmic Top 40 music format branded as "Jammin 97.9".
History of "KYZZ"
Original calls were assigned to D.H. Carver Corporation based in San Angelo, Texas in 1995. A movement to bring a full-time "Tejano" format was realized by a local group and Dwight Carver, a radio engineering veteran. The 100.1 FM MHZ station first broadcast Tejano and mainstream country beginning in August of 1995 with only an 18 hour broadcast day at 3,000 watts ERP. In 1998, management changed programming to strictly "Tejano", a south Texas-based blend of German Polka, cumbia and latin ryhthms. Past program directors include Gerardo Trevino, Edward Contreras, Celestino Garcia and Jason Meza.
Between 1998 and 2000, control was transferred to sister Audrey Carver Luna following the deaths of both Dwight and his wife Carolyn Carver. Subsequently, power was boosted to 35kw. Under this direction, the station flourished in attempts to unite Hispanics in the Concho Valley and became well known for service to the public including opera broadcasts, local sports broadcasts, music festivals and community programming.
In 2004, the station was sold to Foster Communications in San Angelo, Texas under a deal that kept the station "Tejano". Studios were moved to 2824 Sherwood Way, transmitter was relocated and power boosted to 100kw. After an unsuccessful flight of one year, the station was flipped to KCLL "Cool 100" and "KYZZ" was relinquished.
Notable past DJ's include: El Lobo, Farrah "La Reina", C.J.D, Juan Vela, Teresa Luna, B-Town Boy, Roland Ybarra, Tony "G", Nikki B. Martinez, Jesse "G-Man" Garces, Tejano Kidd, "Fast" Eddie, "Speedy J", "Jumpin" Jerry Trevino, Mike Garcia, Abel "Tiger" Tarin.
History of 97.9 FM
97.9 FM was owned by Wolfhouse Broadcasting until late 2005. Under Wolfhouse's tenure, 97.9 had many formats. Originally, the programming was Spanish contemporary music.
In July 2002, 97.9 became "97.9 En Fuego" - a Latino-leaning CHR/Rhythmic station. Included was music by Lil' Rob, Nightowl, N.O.R.E. and other Latino hip-hop artists. Voiceovers were by Angie Martinez; the slogan was "Blazin' Hip Hop y Mas" (Blazing Hip Hop and More). The format was launched prior to the Raggaeton phenomena, and subsequently did not have enough variety or promotional power to compete with crosstown heritage CHR/Rhythmic KDON-FM.
In 2003, the station switched back to Spanish contemporary.
In July 2005, the station switched again - this time to "EXA-FM... The Orange Station." "EXA" is short for "Exitos" or Hits in Spanish. The station featured a bilingual CHR/Rhythmic mix with Raggaeton, Mexican artists such as Fey and Moenia, and American hip-hop tracks. The format was also not very successful, and morphed into a more Raeggaeton-leaning station by Fall 2005.
In Late 2005, 97.9 FM was sold to Buckley Broadcasting, owners of crosstown KWAV-FM and KIDD-AM. Prior to the sale, all EXA-FM programming was moved to Wolfhouse's 93.9 FM frequency.
On January 3, 2006, 97.9 FM began broadcasting as CHR/Top 40 "Z-97.9" with new calls KYZZ. It became the first Mainstream Top 40 radio station in the Monterey Bay since the early 1990's. Artists included All-American Rejects, Green Day, Fort Minor, Nelly Furtado, Pussycat Dolls, James Blunt, Juelz Santana, Kelly Clarkson, Nelly, and Gwen Stefani. Also included were more Latino-based artists such as Pitbull, Frankie J, and Daddy Yankee. Programming on the station was under the direction of Freeze.
After several unsuccessful ratings books, "Z-97.9" flipped to CHR/Rhythmic "Jammin' 97.9" in Early November 2006. Program Director Freeze was let go, but much of the airstaff was retained. The new format is again Latino-leaning, and also includes numerous "Hyphy" songs by E-40, The Federation, The Team, and Mistah F.A.B. Current ratings show an increase in listeners over the former CHR/Top 40 format.