Look for an official launch today, according to a posting on the New Mexico Board of Radio-Info.com last Thursday, February 9. It appears the new format will happen on an AM + FM Translator combination. The AM is KOAZ, Isleta, NM at 1510. It has a very weak night signal of just 25 watts, and it will apparently be simulcast on a recently-moved translator. The translator, owned by Don Davis, was previously in the non-commercial band at 91.1, but has been relocated to 103.7, and that will be the branding of the smooth jazz outlet. Currently, 1510 KOAZ Isleta, New Mexico is stunting with a loop of Smooth Jazz artists and promos for a new format debuting at 12 noon on Valentines Day, February 14.
At that time the station will become “103.7 The Oasis” simulcast on K279BP Albuquerque. A Facebook page for the new station is up and already active. KOAZ had previously been simulcasting “K-Mine Country” 980 KMIN Grants, NM as KMYN. 1510 operates with 5kW daytime and 25 watts at night. The translator, which has just completed its upgrade from 10 watts on 91.1 to 250 watts on 103.7. The sites elevation at almost 5000 feet gives the translator coverage of all of greater Albuquerque.
KOAZ is an AM broadcast station licensed to Martha Whitman (dba Isleta Radio Co.) Isleta Pueblo, New Mexico. The station signed the air as KABR by the Alamo Navajo School Board. When applying in October 2007 to start KABR-FM, the Alamo Navajo School Board pledged to divest itself of the AM station upon receiving its license for the FM station. The FCC granted the license for KABR-FM. In 2010, the FCC granted the application to assign KABR (AM) to Martha Whitman and the construction permit to serve Isleta Pueblo by moving KABR (AM), making it part of the KTBL antenna system. The ownership reassignment has since been consummated. Throughout 2011 it simulcasted a country music format from KMIN AM out of Grants, New Mexico branded as "K-Mine" with callsign KMYN.
Love the Jazz, but this music format has been tried here in Albuquerque twice before and has each time Failed. When I listen to the current version I hear all of the past. It seems that nothing has changed. Will you be doomed to fail once again since it is the same as in the past? I think that Jazz can stand alone and does not need to be mixed with the soft R&B. I think even your DJ's sound like the past. I would hate to see it fail again. Love the JAZZ. Will
ReplyDeleteTotally agree with "Will." Jazz needs to be "jazz." The mix of so many vocals, a lot of outdated soul, needs to be re-visited. You advertised yourself as identifying and capturing the sophisticated audience. Don't continue with those "oldies." Really, "Enya" on a predominately jazz station? I love all kinds of music, but stick to your original promo format and keep the "sophisticated" audience captured.
ReplyDeleteI love the station. It calms me down and lifts my mood. I listen everyday. N
ReplyDeleteI just wanna say thank you for bringing back smooth jazz. my hip hop group Enigma would freeystyle to this music that would eventually end up being written into a song using the concept from the freeystyle.
ReplyDeleteSo HAPPY that we have smooth jazz on the radio!!! I've been here for 2 1/2 years really missing the it! THANK YOU and long live JAZZ!
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so happy to have smooth jazz back in Albuquerque. now i can leave my radio on all night..... please don't go away again.....!!!!
ReplyDeleteGreat to have some good old smooth jazz once again in the Albuquerque/Santa Fe area! Thank you! I like the tunes; it's such a great mix. I listen to the station most of the day and while I'm in the car. Please stick around, and good luck. We want you to stay!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely LOVE this station! I never listen to anything else. It's perfect!
ReplyDeleteI wish it would play ACID JAZZ, and a little more variety ... I could deal with the soft jazz if I heard some real jazz, some lounge, deep house, a real Steely Dan tune instead of a softer cover, something with a bit more soul. Really miss Blue 102.
ReplyDeleteI'd listen a lot more often if it had a little more variety there: real jazz, dance music, lounge, ACID JAZZ, soul, deep house, a Steely Dan song instead of a soft cover, soul ... really miss Blue 102 ....
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