WZKX

WZKX (107.9 FM, "Kicker 108") is a hot country music formatted radio station based in Gulfport–Biloxi-Bay Saint Louis, Mississippi. The station is owned by Coast Radio Group, Inc., and it broadcasts with an ERP of 100,000 watts and is a Class C station. As of March 1, 2023 WZKX FM is now broadcasting in HD radio.

WZKX
Broadcast areaBiloxi-Gulfport, Mississippi
Frequency107.9 MHz (HD Radio)
BrandingKicker 108
Programming
FormatHot Country
Subchannels
Ownership
OwnerCoast Radio Group, Inc.
WGCM, WZNF
Technical information
Facility ID17477
ClassC
ERP100,000 watts
HAAT465.2 meters (1,526 ft)
Links
WebcastListen Live
Websitekicker108.com
thehypehdr.com (HD3)

History

In the early 1980s, WZKX (then at 107.1 FM) was one of the only AOR radio stations on the Gulf Coast. With the station located in Orange Grove--just north of Gulfport--many of the "redneck rockers" relied on Rock 107 to play heavier album tracks from Boston to Rush. A "Power Rock Song" at the top of the hour was the only requirement for most of the air personalities.

Just like the plot in the 1978 movie, FM, management brought in tapes and playlists. By 1982, freeform AOR disappeared (along with some talent like late night's DJ Jeff Davis, though Mark "In the Middle" McGraw remained.)

In early 1987, WZKX had moved to 107.9 FM and started broadcasting at its 1,400-foot (430 m) tower in McHenry, Mississippi. It became a Top 40 station (branded as Power 108) for South Mississippi. But in 1994, the station had switched to country (and branded as Kicker 108).

The original Power 108 airstaff was Brian Rhodes mornings, with the late Dave Melton, Sr. doing news, Mark McCraw doing middays (Mark in the Middle), P.D. The Real Rick James doing afternoons, and Mark ("The Top Gun") Gunn doing nights. Reverend Red (Collins Powell) did late nights.

As of March 1, 2023. WZKX is now broadcasting HD radio with three HD channels.

HD1: country (Kicker 108)
HD2: classic rock (The Quake)
HD3: hip-pop (The Hype)

Signal

WZKX's upgraded 1,500-foot (460 m) tower with a 100,000-watt signal can reach east to Mobile, Alabama, west to New Orleans, Louisiana, and north to Laurel, Mississippi. Also broadcasting in HD radio.


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