KRFE AM 580

KRFE (580 AM) is a radio station licensed to Lubbock, Texas, airing a news/talk radio format. It dropped its long-time format of easy listening and pop music on October 24, 2016. Previous formats included full-service Country, Pop, ABC Stardust, R&B/Rap, Hot A/C, and a hybrid of Easy Listening Music (reminiscent of KAAM's former format in Dallas/Ft. In 1953, KDAV was a 500-watt daytimer on 580 kHz. Studios, transmitters and towers have always been near 66th and Quirt Avenue (today known as 6602 Martin Luther King). That station was founded by Dave Elmore, David Worley and David Pinkston. KDAV ended up playing a significant role in Buddy Holly's career. He was a teenage disc jockey for KDAV and also used its studios to record 20 acetates (records) from 1953 until 1957. As of 2024, KRFE's offices and studio are still in its original location at 6602 MLK Blvd. and the room Buddy Holly recorded songs in, is preserved. KDAV 580 became KRLB in 1979. It added an FM at 99.5 (KWGN-FM, then KWGO-FM, then KRLB-FM, then KCRM-FM, now KQBR-FM). Ownership of this station changed many times over the decades, various partners came and went. In 1975, 49% of the station was sold to "Mexican American Services, Inc" for 60,000 dollars.