KGRC
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| City of license | Hannibal, Missouri |
|---|---|
| Broadcast area |
Quincy, Illinois Hannibal, Missouri Keokuk, Iowa |
| Slogan | "Real Life, Real Music" |
| Frequency | 92.9 (MHz) |
| Format | Top 40 (CHR) |
| ERP | 100,000 watts |
| HAAT | 153 meters |
| Class | C1 |
| Callsign meaning | Great River Country |
| Owner | STARadio Corporation |
| Sister stations | KZZK, WQCY, WCOY |
| Website | http://www.real929.com |
KGRC (92.9 FM) is a CHR (Top 40) format radio station in the Quincy, Illinois, region owned by STARadio Corporation.
History
The station was started by STARadio Corporation in early 2004 to compete with KRRY (Y101), which was dominating the Quincy-Hannibal-Keokuk market. No other Top 40/Hot AC station was in the region. Now it is one of the most listened to station in the market, especially by young adults.[citation needed]
Great River Country welcomed KGRC to life in 1968. It was the brain child of Mel Elzea, the stations first GM, and partner Frank Laughlin. They helped create Great River Communications, Inc., and signed the FM giant on air with the Fifth Dimension pop hit, “Up, Up and Away.” The station went on to become the dominant aural medium in the market in the 70’s. Highlights of the early years include a gold record for first airing, “Indian Reservation,” by The Raiders, (Paul Revere and the Raiders featuring Mark Lindsay) and Missouri Broadcasting awards for flood coverage from up, up in a plane with Elzea and Program Director Mark Mathew.
KGRC covered many formats through the 70s and 80s, primarily drifting between some form of Adult Contemporary and Top 40.
The station sponsored Explorer scout "Troop 929" in the early 1970s. Scouts included John Wingate, a long-time television journalist and now a Minneapolis communications consultant and writer, Dan Matticks, a longtime radio broadcaster, video producer Louie Schaefer, IT professional Larry Schaffer, Ken Abbath, and Paula Dean.
The early 1990s brought the "Hot AC" boom, and a switch to the nickname "Variety 93".
By the year 2000, the station had become "92.9 The River". KGRC currently plays a Top-40 format, and is known as "Real 92.9". Since it plays a mix of hit music such as a Hot Adult Contemporary, but adds hip-hop and Rhythmic Contemporary product to its rotation at night like a Top 40 (CHR), thus it could be considered an Adult Top 40.
Prominent air talent from KGRC's past include:
Mark Matthew
Mel Elzea
Chuck Yates
Kirk McAllister
Larry Wayne
Mike Daak
Glenn Bill
John Rinne
Alan Mossman
Jeff Meyers
Betsy Bean
David P. Norman
Jeanne Robinson
Jim Dewey
Jeff Holliday
Michael O'Conner
Rick O'Shea
Bryan Myles
Reggie Coleman
Deena West
Kirk McAllister and Chuck Yates died during 2013.
Signal/Coverage
KGRC is one of the primary radio signals of the Tri-State region. The station has 100,000 Watts of power so it covers a wide audience. The station's signal goes from Macon, Missouri, to Jacksonville, Illinois and Troy, Missouri, to Fort Madison, Iowa.
Programming
The Bob and Sheri Show
The Bob and Sheri Show is the daily morning show on Real 92.9 and is a syndicated program from North Carolina which also is broadcast on other stations throughout the country.
Retro Lunch
The Retro Lunch starts at Noon and features Retro hits of the '80s and '90s. The program lasts about 90 minutes and is usually hosted by DJ Quaid.
Nine @ Nine
The Real Nine at Nine is a program that airs every weekday at 9:00 p.m. and features the Tri-States' 9 most requested songs.
Backtrax USA
Every Saturday morning, KGRC airs the nationwide radio show Backtrax USA, which airs music popular from the 1980s and 1990s. The show is also filled with trivia and famous quotes of the particular eras.
See also
- List of media outlets in Quincy, Illinois
External links
- Query the FCC's FM station database for KGRC
- Radio-Locator information on KGRC
- Query Nielsen Audio's FM station database for KGRC
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Coordinates: 39°43′48″N 91°24′18″W / 39.730°N 91.405°W