Resort Radio today flipped classic rock 98.5 “The Key” KEYG-FM Grand Coulee WA and its two translators 97.7 K249CV Omak and 98.1 K251AZ Malaga/Wenatchee to a simulcast of classic hits 106.3 “Sunny FM” KCSY Twisp and its network of six translators across north central Washington. KEYG-FM & country station “Key Country 1490” KEYG-AM are owned by Wheeler Broadcasting who entered into an LMA agreement with Resort Radio to program it’s two stations. “Key Country 1490” will continue with that format albeit with some tweaks to emphasize more new releases & will add some more local news, weather & info for residents of Grand Coulee, Coulee City, Electric City, Wilbur and the Grand Coulee Recreational area. Business Offices for both stations will be located and managed from the “Sunny FM” business offices, 10 South Mission Street, Wenatchee, WA. Wheeler Broadcasting’s Owner/GM Mark Wheeler will join the “Sunny FM” sales team handling accounts throughout north-central Wash. Resort Radio’s management team consists of GM/Partner David Herald and his experienced long-time partners, Kent Phillips and David Bauer.
Wheeler Broadcasting’s Owner/GM Mark Wheeler said “We are excited to enter into this agreement with Resort Radio, LLC . We’ve been trying to put together a deal for many years to maximize the impact and synergies of our stations, but the timing never worked out. “Sunny FM” GM/Partner David Herald stated: “This consolidated broadcast agreement will allow us to combine our sales and programming efforts affording an incredible marketing opportunity for advertisers to reach listeners all over Eastern Washington. “
For years I’ve had every vehicle and radio set for KEYG. Loved their, “Best radio by a Dam Site,” style. Great programming. Great Oldies.
Always felt there was something historical and special in the frequently mentioned on the air, “Grand Coulee,” connection. Over the last few days I knew something has gone wrong. No longer the special connection. I feel the station is now no better than most other generic, “mashed together,” stations so common now. “Sunny FM,” doesn’t mean a darned thing to me. Zip. Programming has gone down hill. I am really disappointed. Our area has lost a special style of broadcasting which, I suspect, will never return. Sad. Big business caves in to the mundane.
Dennis, Odessa/Ritzville.
Dennis – that’s disappointing to hear that KEYG-FM has lost some of it’s appeal. The company partnered with Wheeler Broadcasting is Resort Radio LLC & actually isn’t one of the large corporate broadcasters, but is owned locally in that region. I suspect the devastating blow radio has taken with the drop in ad revenues made it necessary to consider this partnership even though it means a loss of some local aspects for Grand Coulee listeners. The alternative would probably be going off air perhaps for good as so many other stations have been forced to do this year. I used to be a huge fan of KOHO-FM when it played jazz & an eclectic AAA format & was disappointed when it too caved in to ‘generic format radio’. How sad to know the former quality at “The Key” hasn’t been retained. I’ve listened to “Key Country 1490” a bit & also notice the lack of local flavor that existed on that station for many years now too. Hopefully, the owners of “Sunny FM” will improve the on-air product over time.
I had a feeling that there was some kind of connection with O,Day Broadcasting.
I have longed miss the oldies format they had in the 90,s I had a friend who worked there doing an all request Saturday night oldies show. I hear Wheeler is a nice guy.