Heftel Broadcasting shifted Variety Hits “The Drive” 94.9 KHRQ Baker and 96.9 KHDR Lenwood/Barstow CA to Active Rock just after Christmas.
The stations, which serve the I-15 corridor to Las Vegas, previously was Rock until quietly moving to Variety Hits in 2018. The new format is being overseen by cluster VP/Programming ‘Gonzo Greg’ Spillane and featuring a mix of currents from Foo Fighters, Greta Van Fleet, and Royal Blood and 90s/2000s gold from the likes of Nirvana, Green Day, and Metallica. Spillane has had a long career in Rock radio with stints at stations including KNAC Los Angeles, WRZX Indianapolis, WMMR Philadelphia, and KVGS Las Vegas.
The new year has brought new rock back to the High Desert of Victor Valley in Southern California and across the Mojave. At the stroke of midnight on December 26th, Heftel Broadcasting’s Highway Radio Network officially declared the “silent night” over with AC/DC’s “It’s A Long Way To The Top (If You Want to Rock ‘n’ Roll)” and launched into “Everything That Rocks”, which concisely sums up the exciting new sound of DRIVE 96.9/94.9, KHDR and KHRQ FM. Now blasting out new rock from Foo Fighters, Greta Van Fleet, and Royal Blood, backed up with a solid 90’s-based library of bands like Nirvana, Green Day, and Metallica, DRIVE 96.9/94.9 reaches the rockers of Victorville and Barstow, as well as those on the road to and from Vegas and Laughlin.
Explaining the sudden, unexpected increase in decibels, Highway Radio VP/Programming “Gonzo” Greg Spillane, observed, “After some recognisance from around the Victorville, Barstow, and Baker FM dial, it became clear that we needed to combat the deep-seated, Adult Hits – Classic Rock industrial complex … and bring non-Jurassic rock music back to the High Desert. We’re looking forward to not only liberating and connecting with the disenfranchised and downtrodden rock audience of the high desert, but also with the millions of monthly, Vegas-bound travellers seeking an appropriate road-trip soundtrack on their way through the Mojave.”
Heftel Broadcasting Owner/CEO Richard Heftel added, “Highway Radio is dedicated completely to the residents and travelers of Southern California and Southern Nevada. This progress really is the result of requests from our awesome listeners.” Then, flashing the venerable rock ‘n’ roll, hand-horns salute, Heftel closed with an energized, “ROCK ON!”
