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Classic country music fans may be tuning into some changes next year.
Brooke Communications, a local company, announced Wednesday the purchase of the 1490 AM radio station KRNR, the first radio station licensed in Douglas County.
The transactions with the Federal Communications Commission should close in January 2005, according to a press release.
Faye Johnson, KRNR's owner, said the station is the only old-fashioned station left in the county -- disc jockeys still play songs live, with no satellite music lists.
"There's a lot of history here," she said. "I'm sure they'll keep some of it."
KRNR first aired in 1935. Johnson's late husband, Jimmy Johnson, bought the station in 1960, and she joined him when they married in 1963. She has operated the station by herself since he passed away in 1984.
"It's time for me to move on and spend some time with my grandchildren," she said.
Johnson said she has no immediate plans for the future.
Brooke Communications President Pat Markham said in a press release that the company is looking forward to the addition and hoping to build on KRNR's heritage and importance to the county.
He said the plan is "to operate KRNR as is" -- classic country music played the old-fashioned way -- for a period of time, before making any decisions to change.
Along with the station, Brooke Communications purchased the four-acre property on Garden Valley Boulevard where KRNR is located and where the tower stands.
"Eventually we would like to develop the property which will mean moving the tower," Markham said. "That will certainly be a challenge, but the property is too valuable to be used as a tower's site in today's environment."
KRNR is Brooke Communications' fifth radio station. The company also owns KISS FM, AM 1240 KQEN, COOL FM and Best Country 103.
* You can reach reporter Juliana Renno at 957-4230 or by e-mail at jrenno@newsreview.info.
Brooke Communications, a local company, announced Wednesday the purchase of the 1490 AM radio station KRNR, the first radio station licensed in Douglas County.
The transactions with the Federal Communications Commission should close in January 2005, according to a press release.
Faye Johnson, KRNR's owner, said the station is the only old-fashioned station left in the county -- disc jockeys still play songs live, with no satellite music lists.
"There's a lot of history here," she said. "I'm sure they'll keep some of it."
KRNR first aired in 1935. Johnson's late husband, Jimmy Johnson, bought the station in 1960, and she joined him when they married in 1963. She has operated the station by herself since he passed away in 1984.
"It's time for me to move on and spend some time with my grandchildren," she said.
Johnson said she has no immediate plans for the future.
Brooke Communications President Pat Markham said in a press release that the company is looking forward to the addition and hoping to build on KRNR's heritage and importance to the county.
He said the plan is "to operate KRNR as is" -- classic country music played the old-fashioned way -- for a period of time, before making any decisions to change.
Along with the station, Brooke Communications purchased the four-acre property on Garden Valley Boulevard where KRNR is located and where the tower stands.
"Eventually we would like to develop the property which will mean moving the tower," Markham said. "That will certainly be a challenge, but the property is too valuable to be used as a tower's site in today's environment."
KRNR is Brooke Communications' fifth radio station. The company also owns KISS FM, AM 1240 KQEN, COOL FM and Best Country 103.
* You can reach reporter Juliana Renno at 957-4230 or by e-mail at jrenno@newsreview.info.
