KRBZ

KRBZ

Broadcast area	Kansas City, Missouri Kansas City, Kansas
Branding	96-5 The Buzz
Slogan	"The Alternative"
Frequency	96.5 MHz
Format	Modern Rock
ERP	98,500 watts
Class	C0
Callsign meaning	Kansas Radio BuzZ
Owner	Entercom
Sister stations	KCSP, KMBZ, KMBZ-FM, KQRC, KUDL, KZPT, WDAF-FM
Webcast	Listen Live
Website	www.965thebuzz.com

KRBZ, FM 96.5 in Kansas City, is an Alternative rock station. The station uses the brand name 96-5 The Buzz. It is the Kansas City market's home for the syndicated program Loveline. The station is owned by Entercom Communications, and is based in Mission, Kansas.

History

KRBZ began broadcasting on September 3, 1959, as classical music station KXTR. On August 17, 2000, at 10 AM, KXTR was moved to 1250 AM, displacing sports talk station KKGM (now KYYS), and 96.5 began stunting with a ticking clock. At Noon, 96.5 flipped formats to a Top 40 format that emphasized on modern rock and leaned away from rhythmic content and boy bands (a trend in pop music at the time), taking aim at rival station KMXV, and was branded as "96.5 The Buzz." The first song played on "The Buzz" was "Learn To Fly" by The Foo Fighters. The station launched with 5,000 songs in a row, which concluded on Labor Day.

By 2002, the Buzz moved towards a Hot AC format, most likely due to low ratings with its "Rock 40" format. However, this failed, as the station sounded like KMXV, with pop acts dragging the station through the ratings. Later that year, the station refocused its brand, dumping anything that sounded like KMXV, whom they often parody in liners. However, ratings remained low, which nearly resulted in the station's demise.

On April 1, 2002 (April Fool's Day), the station stunted as an "all-gay" radio station known as "K-Gay 96.5", playing mostly dance music targeting the LGBT community. The next day, the station refocused as a Modern AC station, as well as introducing a new morning show (titled "The Kenny & Afentra Showgram"). This morning show lasted until July 2003, when Kenny left the show and Afentra began The Buzz's well-known morning show "Afentra's Big Fat Morning Buzz". By September of that year, the station completely shifted to a full-fledged modern rock format, which it continues with today. It returned the alternative rock format to Kansas City for the first time since 1999, when KLZR dumped alternative rock for contemporary hit radio and when KNRX (now KMJK) dumped its alternative format for urban oldies. KLZR later changed to an adult top 40 format when KRBZ dumped modern AC.

Also in 2003, KRBZ was nearly pulled off of the air when plans for sports station KCSP forced longtime country station WDAF to look for an FM home. Fans gathered to "Save The Buzz", showing a huge turnout and solidified the station's alternative format. Instead, WDAF moved to 106.5 FM, displacing KCIY, a Smooth Jazz station.

KRBZ has gone from the bottom of the ratings to one of the highest rated stations in the 18-34 demographic. In mid-2010, the station jumped in the ratings, garnering a 5.1 share in the latest Arbitron ratings report (February 2011). However, the station has gone back down in the Arbitron ratings, now placed at #17 with a 2.7 share.

In 2005, the station reduced the length of all commercial breaks to two minutes or less. This lasted until the fall of 2008, when the station reverted to longer stop sets. The station has been recognized by Billboard magazine for its ability to showcase new artists.^{[citation needed]} In 2004, the station focused heavily on registering young adults to vote. They were recognized by the "Rock The Vote" campaign for registering more new voters than any other radio station in the country. In April 2006, the station began broadcasting live over the internet.

On June 1, 2006, popular afternoon host/program director Lazlo announced that he was leaving the station to become program director of KNDD "The End" in Seattle, KRBZ's sister station. His wife, Afentra, host of morning show "Afentra's Big Fat Morning Buzz," worked her last day from the studios in Kansas City on August 4, 2006, but continued hosting mornings at KRBZ via satellite from her home in Seattle until November. Her co-hosts remained in Kansas City. Operations Manager Greg Bergen took over as program director in the wake of Lazlo's exit. On September 8, 2006, morning co-host Danny Boi announced plans to leave the show and the station. He was replaced as co-host by Slimfast.

On November 10, 2006, it was announced that Lazlo, Afentra, and SlimFast reunited on air for "The Church of Lazlo," which broadcasted from Seattle on KNDD and simulcast on KRBZ. On February 12, 2007, The Dick Dale show with Jessica Chase debuted as the new morning show. Less than a month later, Chase quietly departed the station. On July 9, 2008, the morning show was disbanded with Dick Dale being fired from the station.

On July 17, 2008, Lazlo, Afentra, and SlimFast announced plans to end The Church of Lazlo's run on KNDD. This came shortly after the announcement that former KRBZ Program Director Mike Kaplan would take over programming duties at KNDD.

On August 25, 2008, both "Afentra's Big Fat Morning Buzz" and "The Church of Lazlo" returned live to Kansas City. Afentra's original producer, Scoops, returned to the show in May 2009.

On August 4, 2010, Scoops quit on the air after being confronted by Afentra about being two hours late to work. On the morning of August 16, 2010, Danny Boi returned to "Afentra's Big Fat Morning Buzz" in place of Scoops.

On August 23, 2010, Jason Ulanet, longtime midday host and music director, was released from the station. Ulanet was replaced by Jeriney, who also hosts Homegrown Buzz.

Airstaff History

• Mornings: Valorie Knight (2000), Ryno's Morning Madhouse (2000–2001), Todd and Val (2001), Doc Reno and the Buzz Home Team (2001–2002), Chris Phoenix (2002), The Kenny and Afentra Showgram (2002–2003), Afentra's Big Fat Morning Buzz (2003–2006), My List Mornings (2006–2007), The Dick Dale Show (2007–2008), My List Mornings (2008), Afentra's Big Fat Morning Buzz (2008–Present)

• Middays: Theresa (2000), Valorie Knight (2001–2002), Misty Mundae (2002–2003), Todd Violette (2003), Jason (2003–2010), Jeriney (2010–Present)

• Afternoons: Todd Violette (2000–2003), The Church of Lazlo (2003–2006), Slimfast's After School Special (2006), The Church of Lazlo (2006–Present)

• Nights: Stash (2000–2002), Lazlo (2002–2003), Danny Boi (2003–2004), Travis (2004), Brian (2004–Present)

• Late Nights: Loveline (2003–Present)

Annual festivals

• Afentra's VD Party
  • February 14, 2005: Tegan and Sara, and DJ C-Vaughn
  • February 14, 2006: Straylight Run, Blackpool Lights, and Vibrolux.
  • February 13, 2009: Living Things, Girl in a Coma, innerpartysystem
  • February 13, 2010: OK Go, Company of Thieves, Crash Kings, Paper Tongues
  • February 11, 2011: The Limousines, Awolnation, Fitz & the Tantrums
  • February 10, 2012: Middle Class Rut, The Lonely Forest, Chain Gang of 1974, O Giant Man

• Buzz Prom
  • April 5, 2006: The Dresden Dolls, The Zeros and DJ Bucho
  • April 7, 2007: The Zeros
  • April 5, 2008: The Zeros
  • April 10, 2009: The English Beat, Iglu and Hartley, and The Zeros
  • April 2, 2010: When in Rome, Gene Loves Jezebel, and The Zeros
  • May 13, 2011: The Dan Band, She Wants Revenge, and Beautiful Bodies

• Buzz Beach Ball
  • July 5, 2005: Weezer, Cake, Story of the Year, Straylight Run, Embrace, and in Lazlo's VIP tent The Fray.
  • July 29, 2006: 311, Dashboard Confessional, Soul Asylum, Yellowcard, Hawthorne Heights, 30 Seconds to Mars, Matchbook Romance, Damone, Morningwood, People in Planes, Eagles of Death Metal, Pepper, and Rock Kills Kid. Also scheduled was Elefant who did not appear due to weather related flight delays. Special VIP Guest performance by Kill Hannah.
  • August 19, 2007: LifeInJersey, Plain White T's (Canceled due to weather related flight delays), Shiny Toy Guns, Satellite Party, and The Used.
  • 2008: No Show
  • September 4, 2009: Weezer, Blink-182, Taking Back Sunday, The Von Bondies, Chester French, Company of Thieves, Matt and Kim, Republic Tigers, Stellastarr, Billy Boy on Posion, and DJ Mac Lethal.
  • September 25, 2010: The Smashing Pumpkins, Cake, Beautiful Bodies, Six Percent, Civil Twilight, A Silent Film, Anberlin, The Limousines, Dreams Are for Rookies, AM Taxi
  • August 19, 2011: Jane's Addiction, Incubus, Bush, Awolnation, The Nightwatchman, Neon Trees, Middle Class Rut, Beautiful Bodies, Quiet Corral, Givers

• Buzz Under The Stars
  • Summer of 2001:
    • May: Uncle Kracker
  • Summer of 2002:
    • June: Michelle Branch, Course of Nature
    • July: 311, 2 Skinny J's
  • Summer of 2004:
    • May: Dashboard Confessional, Thrice, The Get Up Kids
  • Summer of 2007:
    • May: The Killers, Hot Hot Heat
    • July: Incubus
    • August: Modest Mouse, Band of Horses, Love as Laughter.
  • Summer of 2008:
    • May: Death Cab for Cutie, The Kooks, Rogue Wave, and The Morning Benders
    • July: Gnarls Barkley, The Black Keys, The Ting Tings (canceled the week before due to "routing conflicts")
  • Summer of 2009:
    • May: The Offspring, Taking Back Sunday, The Used, Alkaline Trio, Anberlin
    • June: 311, Ziggy Marley, The Expendables
    • July: Incubus
  • Summer of 2010:
    • June: Weezer, Coheed and Cambria, Manchester Orchestra, American Bang
    • July: Sublime with Rome, Matisyahu, The Dirty Heads
    • July: Ben Folds, Silversun Pickups, Devo, Against Me!, Crash Kings
  • Summer of 2011
    • June: Mumford & Sons, Cake (band), Nathaniel Rateliff, Matthew & The Atlas
    • October: Death Cab For Cutie, Telekinesis (band)

• Halloweenie Roast
  • 2002: Good Charlotte and SR-71.
  • 2003: Pete Yorn (acoustic), Kill Hannah, Billy Talent, and The Elevator Division.
  • 2004: The Dresden Dolls and Sonic Youth. Also scheduled was PJ Harvey who canceled due to flight delays.
  • 2005: Bloodhound Gang, Stellastarr, and Morningwood.
  • 2006: Social Distortion, She Wants Revenge, Placebo, Blackpool Lights, and The Architects.
  • 2007: HIM, Lovers In Transit, Beautiful Bodies, Mercury Mad and the Plastic Bitches.
  • 2008: TV on the Radio, Dirt Bombs, Shiny Toy Guns, Beautiful Bodies.
  • 2009: Jet, The Raveonettes, A Flock of Seagulls, Black Joe Lewis, White Rabbits
  • 2010: Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, Ra Ra Riot, Middle Class Rut, The Grisly Hand, 4th of July
  • 2011: Social Distortion, The Hold Steady, Viva Brother, The Architects

• The Night the Buzz Stole Christmas
  • 2002: Jimmy Eat World, Good Charlotte, OK Go, SR-71 The Distillers, and Anything But Joey. (Known as the "Happy Birthday Jesus Show")
  • 2003: Jane's Addiction and Story of the Year.
  • 2004: Jimmy Eat World, G Love and the Special Sauce, The Donnas, Elefant and The New Amsterdams.
  • 2005: Death Cab for Cutie, The Psychedelic Furs, Hot Hot Heat, Alkaline Trio, Against Me!.
  • 2006: Angels & Airwaves, Pete Yorn, Sparta, Conner, Josephine Collective.
  • 2007: Jimmy Eat World, Coheed and Cambria, Pinback, The Life and Times.
  • 2008: Jack's Mannequin, Eagles of Death Metal, Anberlin, Gaslight Anthem, The Airborne Toxic Event, Vedera (Vedera cancelled due to an auto-related incident the night before)
  • 2009: The Bravery, Spoon, Metric, Hockey
  • 2010: Night One: Jimmy Eat World, Dirty Heads, Cage The Elephant, Free Energy
  • 2010: Night Two: My Chemical Romance, A Day To Remember, InnerPartySystem, Beautiful Bodies
  • 2011: Night One: Florence + The Machine, Two Door Cinema Club, Cowboy Indian Bear
  • 2011: Night Two: 311, The Naked & Famous, Surfer Blood, Soft Reeds
  • 2011: Night Three: Flogging Molly, Matt & Kim, Company of Thieves, Antennas Up (Flogging Molly canceled due to personal issues, the show went on with the opening bands for free)

• The Night Afentra's Big Fat Morning Buzz Stole Christmas
  • 2005: Coheed and Cambria, Living Things, The New Amsterdams and Flee the Seen.

• Red, White and Blow It Out Your Ass
  • June 19, 2009: Ida Maria, The Limousines. Miike Snow, Pilot Speed.
  • July 3, 2010: 311, The Offspring, Pepper

• Rock the Vote Free Show
  • 2004: The Presidents of the United States of America and Authority Zero
  • 2008: Ludo, Carolina Liar, The Wombats, Waiting for Signal, and The Belated

External links

• Official Website
• Query the FCC's FM station database for KRBZ
• Radio-Locator information on KRBZ
• Query Arbitron's FM station database for KRBZ