In the early ‘00s, during an AC-leaning stretch that very much recalls Country’s late ‘10s pre-Morgan Wallen doldrums, two major-market stations took a more aggressive approach to the format, in terms of maintaining tempo, emphasizing active records and not following the charts. The recently rebranded KPLX (The Wolf) Dallas deserved its publicity of that era, but KEEY (K102) Minneapolis under PD Gregg Swedberg was equally responsible for keeping the format vital until the music improved in the mid-to-late ‘00s.
Since then, K102 has survived KNMB (The Wolf)’s attempt to position itself as the fresher Country outlet, KLCI (Bob 100)’s Classic Country flanker, and another downturn in the format. It remains healthy despite both direct competition and the travails of PPM market Country outlets, not all of which seem to have benefited from Country’s Wallen-era resurgence. In September, K102 was up 5.1-5.8; (it was at a 4.7 in April).
Swedberg, now iHeart Minneapolis SVP/programming, has been the constant. On Oct. 15, he announced his transition to a strategic advisor role for iHeart, relinquishing PD duties to Rich Davis, PD of Top 40 sister KDWB and iHR VP/Top 40 programming after 34 years. (Swedberg last appeared in these pages in August, discussing the balance between streaming and callout stories in calculating Country’s hits.)
Here’s a Fresh Listen to K102 with middayer Amy James. Besides its national $1,000 “Cash Cow” contest, the station was also promoting ticket giveaways to Lainey Wilson, Cole Swindell, and the upcoming Secret Show #5 on Dec. 2. Here’s K102 at 10 a.m.:
- Hardy, “Favorite Country Song”
- Zac Brown Band, “Toes”
- Chris Janson, “Me & a Beer”
- Carrie Underwood, “Blown Away”
- Russell Dickerson, “Happen to Me”
- Keith Urban, “Long Hot Summer”
- Shaboozey & Jelly Roll, “Amen”
- Dierks Bentley, “Drunk on a Plane”
- George Birge, “It Won’t Be Long”
- Thompson Square, “Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not”
- Lainey Wilson, “Somewhere Over Laredo”
- Jordan Davis, “Bar None”
- Sam Hunt, “Take Your Time”
