KERB (AM)

KERB
City of license	Kermit, Texas
Broadcast area	Odessa, Texas
Frequency	600 kHz
First air date	June 1950
Format	Defunct (Religious)
Language(s)	Spanish
Power	1,000 watts (day) 91 watts (night)
Class	D
Facility ID	57519
Transmitter coordinates	31°50′05″N 103°08′10″W / 31.83472°N 103.13611°W / 31.83472; -103.13611
Owner	La Radio Cristiana Network, Inc.
Sister stations	KAYG, KDFM, KERB-FM, KIBL, KLDS

KERB (600 AM) was an American radio station licensed to serve the community of Kermit, Texas. Launched in June 1950, the station employed many West Texas musical figures before they were famous, including future Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Roy Orbison. The station's broadcast license was last held by La Radio Cristiana Network, Inc. Owner Paulino Bernal surrendered the license for KERB and five other stations to the Federal Communications Commission on Nov. 7, 2013.

Programming

KERB, like most rural American radio stations in the 1950s, had launched with an eclectic mix of music styles but became a solid country & western outlet through the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s.^[1]^[2]^[3]^[4] Most recently, KERB broadcast a Spanish-language religious radio format to the greater Odessa, Texas, area.^[5] The station shared some programming with former sister stations KAYG, KDFM, KIBL, KLDS, and KERB-FM as part of the La Radio Cristiana Network.

History

Early days

In 1949, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued a construction permit to the Kermit Broadcasting Company for a new AM radio station to broadcast with 1,000 watts of power, daytime only, on a frequency of 600 kilohertz.^[6] The station was assigned the call sign "KERB" by the FCC.^[7] The station signed on in June 1950 with George H. Cook as company president, Victor King as general manager, James Boultinghouse as program director, and James Radcliffe as chief engineer.^[8]

A new company called Radio Station KERB, Inc., purchased the radio station on November 23, 1955. H.V. Brinson served as both company president and the station's general manager until he sold the station.^[1] KERB Broadcasting, Inc., acquired the radio station in October 1, 1968. Floyd Shelton was company president and Ken Welch was general manager under the new ownership.^[2] In the 1970s, Jean Welch became the station's office manager and program director while Doug Welch served as chief engineer.^[9] In 1979, the Welch family purchased KERB Broadcasting, Inc., and Ken Welch added company president to his duties.^[4]

1980s and 1990s

To expand to 24-hour operation, KERB was joined in 1987 by a new FM sister station, licensed as "KERB-FM", not bound by the AM stations "daytimer" restriction. (A "daytimer" is licensed to operate only from local sunrise to local sunset to protect other radio stations from skywave interference.)^[10]

In March 1988, owners M.F. and Jean Welch agreed to transfer control of KERB Broadcasting, Inc., to Marlin D. Kuykendall. The FCC approved the transfer on April 12, 1988, and the move was consummated on May 1, 1988.^[11] Less than two years later, the station faced financial difficulties and in January 1991 the KERB and KERB-FM broadcast licenses were involuntarily transferred from KERB Broadcasting, Inc., to Ron White acting as receiver. The FCC approved the move on February 15, 1991.^[12]

In June 1991, the station applied for special temporary authority to remain dark while a new operator for KERB could be found. The FCC granted this authority on November 4, 1991, with a scheduled expiration date of March 4, 1992.^[13] In September 1991, receiver Ron White found a buyer for both stations and applied to transfer the broadcast licenses on Mesa Entertainment, Inc. The FCC approved the deal on November 4, 1991, and after extended complications the transaction was consummated on March 15, 1996.^[14]

In March 1997, Mesa Entertainment, Inc., made a deal to sell KERB and KERB-FM to La Radio Cristiana Network, Inc. The FCC approved the sale on May 20, 1997, and formal consummation of the transaction occurred on September 15, 1997.^[15]

Station alumni

Rockabilly pioneer Charline Arthur worked as a singer and a disc jockey at KERB from 1950 until 1953 when she was "discovered" by Colonel Tom Parker.^[16] Parker signed her to a recording contract with RCA Records.^[17] She would later star on the Big D Jamboree, perform throughout the 1950s and 1960s, and be inducted into the Rockabilly Hall of Fame.^[18]
American singer-songwriter Roy Orbison began performing on KERB in 1951.^[19] He formed a band, The Wink Westerners, with several friends from high school. In 1953, the band began their own weekly radio show on KERB.^[20] Orbison would later be signed to Sun Records, become a music legend whose career spanned four decades, and be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.^[21]

References

1 2 "Directory of AM and FM Radio Stations in the U.S.". 1961-1962 Broadcasting Yearbook. Washington, DC: Broadcasting Publications, Inc. 1961. p. B-168.
1 2 "Directory of AM and FM Radio Stations in the U.S.". 1970 Broadcasting Yearbook. Washington, DC: Broadcasting Publications, Inc. 1970. p. B-199.
↑ "Directory of Radio Stations in the United States and Canada". Broadcasting Yearbook 1976. Washington, DC: Broadcasting Publications, Inc. 1976. p. C-195.
1 2 "Directory of Radio Stations in the United States and Canada". Broadcasting Yearbook 1980. Washington, DC: Broadcasting Publications, Inc. 1980. p. C-225.
↑ "Station Information Profile". Arbitron. Retrieved April 11, 2012.
↑ "Directory of AM, FM, and TV Stations of the United States". 1950 Broadcasting Yearbook. Washington, DC: Broadcasting Publications, Inc. 1950. p. 294.
↑ "Call Sign History". CDBS Public Access Database. Federal Communications Commission Media Bureau. Retrieved April 11, 2012.
↑ "Directory of AM and FM Stations of the United States". 1952 Broadcasting Yearbook. Washington, DC: Broadcasting Publications, Inc. 1952. p. 280.
↑ "Facilities of Radio: Directory of Radio Stations in the United States and Canada". Broadcasting Yearbook 1978. Washington, DC: Broadcasting Publications, Inc. 1978. p. C-214.
↑ "AM Station Classes: Clear, Regional, and Local Channels". Federal Communications Commission, Audio Division. Retrieved April 11, 2012.
↑ "Application Search Details (BTC-19880302EA)". FCC Media Bureau. May 1, 1988. Retrieved April 11, 2012.
↑ "Application Search Details (BAL-19910125EE)". FCC Media Bureau. February 15, 1991. Retrieved April 11, 2012.
↑ "Application Search Details (BLSTA-19910612AAA)". FCC Media Bureau. November 4, 1991. Retrieved April 11, 2012.
↑ "Application Search Details (BAL-19910920EB)". FCC Media Bureau. March 15, 1996. Retrieved April 11, 2012.
↑ "Application Search Details (BAL-19970331EA)". FCC Media Bureau. September 15, 1997. Retrieved April 11, 2012.
↑ "Women Who Rock". Welcome to the Club. PBS. 2002. Retrieved April 11, 2012.
↑ "Rockabilly Timeline". Welcome to the Club. PBS. 2002. Retrieved April 11, 2012.
↑ "That Kitty Who Wanted to be an Original". Rockabilly Hall of Fame. Retrieved April 11, 2012.
↑ "Roy Orbison - Biography". Sun Records. Retrieved April 11, 2012.
↑ "History Maker". The Official Roy Orbison Site. Retrieved April 11, 2012.
↑ "Roy Orbison". Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Retrieved April 11, 2012.

External links

Query the FCC's AM station database for KERB

Radio-Locator Information on KERB

Query Nielsen Audio's AM station database for KERB

Radio stations in the Odessa-Midland, Texas market

By FM frequency	88.1 88.7 89.5 90.5 90.9 91.3 92.3 93.3 94.1 94.7 95.1 96.1 96.9 97.9 98.3 99.1 99.9 101.3 101.7 102.1 103.3 104.7 105.5 106.3 106.7 107.9

By AM frequency	550 810 920 1070 1150 1230 1330 1360 1400 1510

NOAA Weather Radio frequency	162.400 162.475

By callsign	K269FG KACD-LP KACT KACT-FM KBAT KBMM KCHX KCKM KCRS KCRS-FM KERB-FM KFLB KFRI KFZX KHKX KIUN KLPF KLVW KMCM KMMZ KMND KMRK-FM KNFM KODM KOZA KPTX KQLM KQRX KTXC KTXO KVDG KWEL KXOI KXWT KZBT WXK32 WXK37

Defunct stations	KPBJ (90.1 FM) KRIL (1410 AM) KWTR (104.1 FM) KERB (600 AM)

Nearby radio markets Big Spring–Snyder Carlsbad Fort Stockton–Alpine Lubbock Roswell San Angelo See also List of radio stations in Texas

Spanish-language radio stations in the state of Texas

Stations	KABA – Louise KAIQ – Wolfforth KAMA – El Paso KAMA-FM – Deer Park KBDR – Mirando City KBIB – Marion KBIC – Raymondville KBNA-FM – El Paso KBNL – Laredo KBNR – Brownsville KBOC – Bridgeport KBRN – Boerne KBRZ-FM – Victoria KBZD – Amarillo KCHX – Odessa KCOR – San Antonio KCUL-FM – Marshall KCZO – Carrizo Springs KDFM – Falfurrias KDFT – Ferris KDXX – Lewisville KEPX – Eagle Pass KERB-FM – Kermit KESO – South Padre Island KESS-FM – Benbrook KEYH – Houston KEYU-FM – Amarillo KFLC – Fort Worth KFTG – Pasadena KFZO – Denton KGBT – Harlingen KGBT-FM – McAllen KGVL – Greenville KHHL – Karnes City KHRO – El Paso KIBL – Beeville KINE – Kingsville KINT – El Paso KIRT – Mission KJAV - Alamo KJNZ – Hereford KJOJ-FM – Freeport KLAR – Laredo KLAT – Houston KLBD – Premont KLDS – Falfurrias KLEY-FM – Jourdanton KLIT – Ranchitos Las Lomas KLJA – Georgetown KLOL – Houston KLQB – Taylor KLTN – Houston KLTO – Del Rio KLVL – Pasadena KLZT – Bastrop KMFR – Pearsall KMJR – Portland KMPA – Pittsburg KMVK – Fort Worth KMXO – Merkel KNOR – Krum KNTE – Bay City KNVO-FM – Port Isabel KOIR – Edinburg KOVE-FM – Galveston KOYE – Frankston KOZA – Odessa KPMB – Plainview KQBO – Rio Grande City KQLM – Odessa KQQK – Beaumont KQUE – Houston KRCM – Shenandoah KRDY – San Antonio KRGE – Weslaco KRGX – Rio Grande City KRIO – McAllen KRIO-FM – Roma KROB – Robstown KROM – San Antonio KRVA – Cockrell Hill KSAH – Universal City KSAH-FM – Pearsall KSJT-FM – San Angelo KSML-FM – Huntington KSTV – Stephenville KSVE – El Paso KTAE – Austin KTAM – Bryan KTJM – Port Arthur KTNO – University Park KTNZ – Amarillo KTTU-FM – Brownfield KTXC – Lamesa KTXZ – West Lake Hills KTYR – Trinity KUBR – San Juan KUNO – Corpus Christi KUVA – Uvalde KVER – El Paso KVFM – Beeville KVIV – El Paso KVJM – Hearne KVJY – Pharr KVOZ – Del Mar Hills KVVO-LP – Abilene KVVT – Sulphur Springs KWEL – Midland KWMF – Pleasanton KWOW – Clifton KWRA-LP – Waco KXBJ – El Campo KXOI – Crane KXPL – El Paso KXVR-LP – Corpus Christi KXYZ – Houston KXZX – Juilliard KXZY-LP – Waco KYLP – Greenville KYST – Texas City KZDC – San Antonio KZNX – Creedmoor KZXM – Bullard KZZA – Muenster

Defunct	KMUL – Farwell KPDB – Big Lake

See also adult contemporary classic hits college country news/talk NPR oldies religious rock sports top 40 urban other radio stations in Texas See also Classical Jazz Religious Spanish Smooth Jazz Other

Religious radio stations in the state of Texas

KHCB Radio Network	KHCB-FM – Houston (English) KHCB – Galveston (Spanish) KHCH – Huntsville (Spanish & Asian) Satellite Stations KANJ – Giddings KHCJ – Jefferson KHCP – Paris KHIB – Bastrop KHKV – Kerrville KHML – Madisonville KHPO – Port O'Connor KHTA – Wake Village KHVT – Bloomington KKER – Kerrville KRTG – Carthage

EWTN Radio affiliates	Guadalupe Radio Network: KLPF – Midland KATH – Frisco KBKN – Lamesa KBMD – Marble Falls KJMA – Floresville KVDG – Midland (Spanish) KJON – Carrollton (Spanish) KWMF – Pleasanton (Spanish) Other affiliates: KDJW – Amarillo KOLF-LP – Plainview KPIA-LP – Huntsville

Other religious stations	KABA – Louise KACB-LP – College Station KACD-LP – Midland KAFR – Conroe KAGC – Bryan KAMY – Lubbock KANI – Wharton KAQD – Abilene KATG – Athens KAVO – Pampa KAVW – Amarillo KAVX – Lufkin KAYK – Victoria KBAH – Plainview KBBW – Waco KBCX – Big Spring KBJS – Jacksonville KBMM – Odessa KBNR – Brownsville KBRZ-FM – Victoria KBUB – Brownwood KCAS – McCook KCKT – Crockett KCRN – San Angelo KCRN-FM – San Angelo KCTA – Corpus Christi KDAE – Sinton KDEI – Port Arthur KDKR – Decatur KDRY – Alamo Heights KDSH-LP – Borger KELP – El Paso KEOE-LP – Lufkin KEPI – Eagle Pass KFGG-LP – Marble Falls KFLB – Odessa KFLB – Odessa KGLY – Tyler KGOD-LP – Tenaha KGWP – Pittsburg KHSP – Killeen KIBL – Beeville KIJN – Farwell KIJN-FM – Farwell KIXL – Del Valle KJAK – Slaton KJHV – Killeen KJRN – Keene KJRT – Amarillo KKHT – Winnie KLBW – New Boston KLDS – Falfurrias KMAT – Seadrift KMEO – Mertzon KMOC – Wichita Falls KNNK – Dimmitt KNRB – Atlanta KOIR – Edinburg KOKE-FM – Thorndale KPAS – Fabens KPDR – Wheeler KPXI – Overton KQUE-FM – Bay City KRBG – Umbarger KRCM – Shenandoah KRIO-FM – Roma KRYH – Temple KSGR – Portland KSLR – San Antonio KTAA – Big Sany KTEK – Alvin KTER – Rudolph KTMR – Edna KTMR – Converse KTMU – Muenster KTXB – Beaumont KTYR – Trinity KVJS – Arroyo KVMV – McAllen KWAS – Borger KWRD-FM – Highland Village KXAI – Refugio KXOI – Crane KXVX-LP – Sulphur Springs KYFB – Denison KYFP – Palestine KYFS – San Antonio KYJC – Commerce KYZQ – Mount Pleasant KZFT – Fannett

Defunct	KKVI – Overland

See also adult contemporary classic hits college country news/talk NPR oldies religious rock sports top 40 urban other radio stations in Texas See also Classical Jazz Religious Spanish Smooth Jazz Other

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