MN: Station Sale Silences KNXR-FM

KNXR Console

For half a century, KNXR 97.5 FM in Rochester, MN has been filling homes and cars with the timeless tunes of the 50s, 60s and 70s. And KTTC-TV reports Friday night was the station's last time on air, and the man who started it all spent the day looking back at the last 50 years.

Nearly 50 years ago, Rochester native Tom Jones returned home with the dream of setting up his own radio station, but even in his wildest dreams, he never knew KNXR-FM would stand the test of time and come to hold a special place in countless people's hearts.

For 50 years, whether you were in Rochester, Minn. or Mason City, Iowa, 97.5 FM has provided a steady stream of everything from popular show tunes to vocals. A vibe summed up in one sentence. "Relax and be with a friend," Jones said.

He describes his career as an opportunity to serve others, and to be there when they needed it most. "It gave me the chance to uplift other people's spirits with the power that is the universal language and that's called music," he said.

KTTC Rochester, Austin, Mason City News, Weather and Sports

On it's last day, 97.5 was as busy as ever with phones ringing off the hook from avid listeners all demanding the station's revival as soon as possible.

"We want you to get the Internet version of the radio station going as fast as you can," Jones described the callers' urgency.

This spring, Jones hopes to have the station up and running in April on a website to reach listeners worldwide.

97.5 FM (100 Kw) Red=60dBu Coverage Area

Gregory Jensen's Albert Lea-based Hometown Broadcasting has bought the station. The company owns other country and classic rock stations.

According to NorthPine.com,  the deal includes paying Jones $100,000 for one year of consulting services, with duties including programming, engineering, and selection of a new studio site. Jones also heads Rochester Public Radio, which owns non-commercial Classic Rock outlet KRPR/89.9 (Rochester). Jensen also owns KQAQ/970 (Austin) and KQPR/96.1 (Albert Lea).