After leaving iHeartMedia Country “Big I 107.9” KBQI Albuquerque last April after nineteen years at the station, Bev Rainey is joining Cumulus Media’s 92.3 KRST Albuquerque as Program Director and 9am-12pm host.
Rainey will succeed Kris Abrams as KRST Program Director, with Abrams remaining in place as Operations Manager for the cluster’s music stations.
Rainey worked on-air and in production at 94.1 KZRR, 100.3 KPEK, and 104.1 KLSK before joining KBQI at its launch in 2000. She rose to MD of the station in 2008 and PD in 2012 as well as serving as Regional Director of Production and PD of Classic Country “98.1 The Bull” K251AU/KBQI-HD3 during her time with iHeart.
With the addition of Rainey, midday host Bobby G moves from 9am-2pm to 12-3pm and afternoon host Juan Velasco to 3-7pm. KRST also carries the syndicated Ty Bentli Show in mornings and Nights with Elaina.
In the December 2019 Nielsen Audio ratings KRST was eighth in the market with a 3.7 share, however KBQI was fourth at 4.6.
CUMULUS MEDIA announces that it has appointed Bev Rainey as Program Director of 92.3 KRST, New Mexico’s Number One Country. Rainey joins KRST after 20 years at cross-town Country station KBQI, where she has been Program Director for the past 7 years. In addition to Program Director responsibilities, Rainey will serve as On-Air Host for KRST, airing weekdays from 9AM-Noon.
Jeff Berry, Vice President/Market Manager, Cumulus Albuquerque, said: “KRST provides the very best in Country music and entertainment for our listeners and unmatched results for our promotional partners. I could not be happier to have Bev join this fantastic team. She is known and loved by the audience and respected by the industry. This is a great day for one of America’s great Country brands.”
Kris Abrams, Operations Manager/Music Brands, Cumulus Albuquerque, said: ‘With KRST back in the top five P25-54, adding Bev to the talented team of market vets like Juan Velasco (now 3-7PM) and Bobby G (Noon-3PM) is a game changer. Having her at the helm of KRST will only further solidify its dominance.”
Rainey added: “I’m thrilled to join a powerhouse brand like KRST. Having long admired the leadership of Greg Frey, Jeff Berry and Kris Abrams as their competitor and after nearly two decades of working alongside the KRST team with our Country community, I already feel like part of the family. It’s going to be epic!”
