City Avon, Colorado Slogan "True. Local. Radio." First air date 1984 | Branding The Zephyr Frequency 97.7 MHz Format Alternative | |
KZYR (97.7 FM, "The Zephyr") is a radio station broadcasting an alternative music format. Licensed to Avon, Colorado, United States, the station is currently owned by Cool Radio, LLC.
The Zephyr appeared on the scene in 1984 as the "Brave New World " at 103.1 FM as a class A, FM station, the fourth radio station in the Eagle Valley. Studios were located in Avon, CO upstairs in the Benchmark building.
Created by Jerry Davis and programmed by Fred Moore, they developed a new format called Adult Album Rock and later was recognized by the record companies as Adult Album Alternative (AAA-Rock). Playing songs much deeper on the album, based on what they thought was the 'good stuff.'
Some notable KZYR names of that era were Fred Moore, Don James, Larry Woodside, Tony Mauro, Joanie Williams, Don Joseph, Kent Gubbler, Kate Collins, Frank Johnson, Rick Halterman and Greg Wright Mike Richter, Matt Shane, Gary Wolfe, and Kevin McPartland (who would become Kaptain Kevin on WRCN,WDHA and WBAB) to name but a few.
The DEAD AIR feature once drew an interesting letter from Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead on letterhead of his appreciation for the recognition.
THE MOUNTAIN
Things changed in the mid 1990s as a few different owners fiddled with the format and relaunched the Zephyr as an Alternative Rock station known not so creatively as The Mountain. In the winter of 2001, the station's new owners, Cool Radio, LLC, moved the station from 103.1 FM to its new home at 97.7 FM and relaunched the Zephyr.
The morning show is hosted by "The Voice of The Vail Valley", (Vail Daily Newspaper) Steve Leigh.
Leigh is a music aficionado who plays "only the good stuff."
The Zephyr features various programs like Fusion - a unique one of a kind show featuring music from around the world.
KZYR also features programs highlighting the many talented artists of Colorado, The Colorado Wave and E-Town. The Wave is the original homegrown music showcase while E-Town explores a variety of issues and sounds from and about the great state of Colorado. E-Town is a lot like the Zephyr because it is about music, ideas and community.
The Zephyr is extremely proud to present JAZZ AT ITS PEAK. A Sunday Jazz brunch show that is hosted by the infamous TONY G. Vail's premiere music entertainer highlights Jazz old and new every Sunday starting at 10 am.
One Love Music is the Reggae show airing on Wednesday nights. Hosted by DJ Weez. Playing the best Reggae around.
Every Monday on the Zephyr is New Music Monday; new artists and tracks are played all day and during the "6 o'clock" news, all the news songs from the day are played at once. Official website offers information about each new artist or CD played during New Music Monday.
True.Local.Deals [1] gives listeners deals on great stuff from around the Vail Valley.
Community Focus is the only show in the Eagle Valley to offer listeners both a chance to hear about local and national community related issues and watch guests on channel 18, every Wednesday night. Host by Ron Robbins.
Other KZYR highlights include: