| City of license | Lubbock, Texas |
|---|---|
| Broadcast area | Lubbock metropolitan area |
| Branding | 99.5 The Bear |
| Frequency | 99.5 MHz |
| Format | Country |
| ERP | 100,000 Watts |
| Class | C1 |
| Callsign meaning | The BeaR (branding) |
| Former callsigns | KFYO (1948-1952), KWGN, KWGO, KRLB, KCRM |
| Owner | Townsquare Media (Townsquare Media Lubbock License, LLC) |
| Sister stations | KFMX, KFYO, KKAM, KKCL, KZII |
| Webcast | Listen Live! |
| Website | kqbr.com |
KQBR (branded as 99.5 The Bear) is a radio station broadcasting a country music format. Licensed to Lubbock, Texas, USA and broadcasting on FM frequency 99.5 MHz, The station is currently under ownership of Townsquare Media.[1]
99.5 (channel 258) was assigned to Lubbock. It was used in the late 40's and early 50's as KFYO-FM.
The channel was reactivated in 1964 as KWGN-FM in Abernathy, Texas. Power was 57,000 watts at 150 feet from a tower a few miles north of Abernathy (25 miles north of Lubbock). The station was put on by a partnership of Stephens brothers headed by Clyde Robert "Bob" Stephens. Bob Stephens had worked at KSEL radio, would work at KSEL-TV and KCBD-TV as TV weatherman.
In 1966 KWGN-FM was aproached by Tribune Broadcasting (WGN Chicago et al) about changing call letters. Tribune was in the process of acquiring channel 2 KCTO-TV in Denver, CO. They wanted to change to KWGN-TV. KWGN-FM changed to KWGO-FM in exchange for 28,000 dollars.
In 1970 the station moved it's transmitter to 98th and University in Lubbock. Power changed to 44,000 watts and height changed to 740 feet above average terrain. City of license changed to Lubbock, Texas. Studios moved to 17th and K in downtown Lubbock. In 1974 the tower at 98th and University was sold to Ray Moran who was putting 101.1 KTEZ on the air. KTEZ paid to move KWGO to a lower perch on the tower, using less feed line, allowing an increase to 46,000 watts at 630 feet. Studios moved to the Red Raider Inn on a traffic circle (roundabout) where avenue A, H, and Q came together between 66th street and 50th street.
Various partners came and went in the next decade. In 1975 Stephens sold 49% of the station to "Mexican American Services,Inc" for 60,000 dollars. A couple of years later (1977) Stephens sold the other 51% for another 60,000 dollars. KWGO was sold to KRLB, Inc (owner of AM 580 KRLB) in 1980 for 380,000 dollars. In 1982 KRLB Inc. was sold to Ken Dowe of KLIF 1190 Dallas Fame. Dowe owned several stations through out Texas. He continued co-ownership of KRLB AM/FM (KRLB AM LATER KJBX AM) until the mid 90's when it was sold to South Plains Broadcasting.
In 1985 the station moved to a shared tower spearheaded by KFMX, KFYO, and KLLL.
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