What is "krfe"

KRFE is a radio station licensed to Lubbock, Texas, broadcasting on 580 AM. The station airs an easy listening music format.

KRFE AM was previously KDAV AM, KRLB AM and KJBX AM.

Formats have included Country, Pop, ABC Stardust, R&B/Rap, and Hot A/C

In 1953, KDAV was a 500 watt daytimer on 580 kHz that began at 66th and Quirt Avenue (today known as 6602 Martin Luther King). That station was founded by Elmore, Worley and David Pinkston. KDAV 580 became KRLB in 1979. It added an FM at 99.5 (KWGO-FM, then KRLB-FM, then KCRM-FM, now KQBR-FM HD1).

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. A couple of years later (1977) the other 51% was sold for another 60,000 dollars. The former 99.5 KWGO, now KQBR, was sold to KRLB, Inc (Ed WIlkes, owner of AM 580 KRLB) in 1980 for 380,000 dollars. In 1983 KRLB Inc. was sold to Ken Dowe. Dowe owned several stations throughout Texas, and had made himself a name in radio during 20 years with Gordon McClendon's KLIF 1190 in Dallas. Dowe continued co-ownership of KRLB AM/FM (KRLB AM LATER KJBX AM) until the mid '90s when it was sold to South Plains Broadcasting. At that time South Plains Broadcasting had no interest in AM 580 and would sell the station back to "Big" Ed Wilkes, who was a prior owner. Wade Wilkes is the current owner and general manager of KRFE AM Inc.