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Comment on Valley Radio!
There is something for
every listener with Texas Rio Grande Valley radio stations, from
canciones (tunes) from across the border in Mexico to Texas-style
country, current rock to oldies, and Christian to Metal. Noteworthy
diversity results from a variety of formats as well as a variety of
ownership, including Clear Channel Communications, Univision Radio,
the Living Water Radio Network, public radio, and Entravision
Communications.
KTEX 100.3 is the station
that “Sounds like Texas.” Clear Channel’s entry into the local
country market, KTEX plays hit-makers George Strait, Rascal Flatts,
Tim McGraw, Brooks & Dunn, Martina McBride and other top Country
artists from its physical location in Brownsville. DJs include Jo
Jo, Frankie D., Chris Michaels and Patches.
If your tastes run more
to Rock, then consider The Q 94.5 (KFRQ) in Harlingen. Entravision’s
station has a play list that includes Live, Ratt, 30 Seconds To
Mars, Buckcherry, Van Halen, Papa Roach, Bush, Iron Maiden, Pearl
Jam, Motley Crue, and Led Zeppelin, with an all-request 70-minute
“Lunch Hour” with DJ Keith West. Other shows are The Overnite Asylum
with Weslaco resident and hard rocker JoeyRocks, Big Al and
Charlie’s morning show, the longest running in the Valley, and
Mighty Mike Quinn all afternoon.
Then there is “The
Valley’s Party Station,” Wild 104 (KBFM 104.1), another Clear
Channel offering in Edinburg. The station has been around since
1974, but switched to Rhythmic Top 40 in 2004, a move which has paid
off with increased listenership. If you like Nelly Furtado, Akon,
Justin Timberlake, Outkast, Fergie, Ludacris, and Naughty by Nature,
this is your station.
If Mexican heritage is
where you are at, there is KGBT 98.5, physically located in McAllen,
Univision Radio’s Spanish language station playing “Solamente Exitos”,
only the latest hits in música norteña, corridas and rancheras.
During the day sister station La Tremenda 1530 AM offers a mix of
talk radio, sports and music, but in the evenings and on weekends
KGBT comes alive as local DJs “El Chicuelo” Beto Castillo, Eliud
Treviño and Romiro Olvera keep the music coming, while Mr. Ni Fu Ni
Fa (Hugo de la Cruz) wants to hear listener opinions on everything
under the sun.
Hot Kiss 106.3 (KHKZ-FM
106.3) is a station for the young or the rockin’ young at heart,
with songs by Justin Timberlake, Avril Lavigne, Nickleback, Fray,
Maroon 5 , Rickie Martin, and Carrie Underwood. Located in Mercedes,
Texas, this station’s DJs include J. Cantu, Amanda, Micky Gamez, and
the Hitman, with Hiram and Nicole Garcia covering the weekends.
KQXX 105.5, the “Oldies
Fan Club” in Mission, Texas, has been successfully exploring the
50’s, 60’s, 70’s and 80’s, from Elvis, Neil Sedaka and the Beatles
to Queen, Eric Clapton, the Doors, and Black Sabbath since its
format change in 2002. Owned by Clear Channel Communications, with
local DJs such as Billy Santiago and syndicated programs including
Dick Clark, The Beatles Brunch, and Charlie Tuna this is the show
for anyone who want a taste of the good old days of rock and roll.
Family-friendly and commercial-free,
McAllen’s KVMV 96.9 plays
the latest Christian hits along with talk programs such as James
Dobson’s “Focus on the Family” and Chuck Swindoll’s “Insight for
Living.” Part of the Living Water Radio Network, KVMV’s tag line is
“The Valley's Christian Radio.” In addition to weekly programming,
the station plays the top Christian music countdowns on Saturdays
and offers an on-air bible study Sundays.
Then for the classically
inclined, public radio is represented in the Valley by KHID 88.1 FM
Classical and KMBH 88.9 FM Classical in Harlingen. In addition to
such award-winning standards from NPR as Performance Today, local
programming includes Classic Oldies with Al Wasielewski, jazz and
blues On the Roadside with Chris Maley, Psych Rock 101 with Texas
Joe Valles exploring 35 years of psychedelic music, and the latest
classical releases on New Edition with Mario Munoz. All of these Rio
Grande Valley radio stations also serve the Valley community with
local news, community events, public announcements, and the most
up-to-date scores in high school sports.
By J.E.D. Seno
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