KGBI-FM
Encyclopedia
KGBI-FM is a radio station
broadcasting a Contemporary Christian format. Licensed to Omaha, Nebraska
, USA, the station serves the Omaha and Lincoln, Nebraska
area. The station is currently owned by Pennsylvania Media Associates, Inc. and features programming from Salem Communications
.
as an extension of Oklahoma Bible Academy
in Meno, Oklahoma. Both institutions were affiliated with the General Mennonite Conference, and the addition of an Omaha school was intended to give a boost to enrollment by being based in a larger city with more employment opportunities for its students.
One of the outreaches of Grace that began during the early 1950s was a weekly radio program. The school had been offered free air time on KOIL
radio in Omaha, and on February 3, 1952, "Grace Notes" began to air. The half-hour weekly program was prepared by students with the help of the Grace music department. In 1953 this program moved to KFAB, a 50,000 watt clear-channel station with a much larger coverage area. Additionally, the program was carried on stations in other states, where there were alumni who were willing to help underwrite the costs of broadcasting.
During the 1960s, Grace's president was Waldo Harder
. With the support of students and the faculty, he began to campaign for an FM radio station that would be operated by Grace Bible Institute, to reach Omaha and the surrounding area with Bible teaching and inspirational music. Between 1963 to 1965, preparations were made to make the station possible, including the necessary FCC license and the city of Omaha for permits. Ward Childerston, a 1954 Grace alumnus, was hired as station manager. Built entirely with donations, KGBI-FM began broadcasting on May 17, 1966 from a station and antenna based on the Grace campus. It broadcast with a power of 30,000 watts, and the original broadcast day ran only from 3 pm to 10 pm. By October 1, 1966, the schedule had expanded to seventeen hours daily, and by January 1, 1969 the daily broadcast schedule ran from 6 am to midnight.
The original on-campus tower was 165 feet (50.3 m) in height. In 1973 KGBI-FM moved its tower to a new site fifteen miles (24 km) southwest of Omaha. The new 499 feet (152.1 m) tower allowed the station to broadcast a 100,000 watt signal in full stereo. "This comment may possibly need confirmation but I live in Omaha and I was to understand that the original tower on campus broadcast at 250 watts. That while the tower was on campus it was reported that men were hearing the broadcast from their electric shavers!"
As much as the taller tower had allowed KGBI-FM to extend its coverage area, by the late 1980s it was showing its age. After sixteen years of use and weather-related damage (it was struck by lightning more than once), a new tower was needed. This change was made more necessary by a new FCC mandate, which had then made it a requirement that all class C stations broadcast from at least a 1200 feet (365.8 m) tower, or risk being reclassified and potentially lose access to their current coverage area. The new 1200 feet (365.8 m) tower was brought into service on June 1, 1990, and expanded the coverage area to as far as 120 miles (193.1 km) away. The broadcast was also expanded by an hour, to run from 6 am to 1 am daily.
Grace Bible Institute itself continued to grow and expand. In 1976, the name was changed to Grace College of the Bible, to reflect its full status as a four-year institution of higher learning. The radio station also began a further expansion at this time. In May, 1976, the Board of Directors approved purchase of radio station KROA-FM
in Doniphan, Nebraska (between Grand Island
and Hastings
. With a 100,000 watt signal, KROA reached much of central Nebraska. The transfer of operations took effect in 1977, and much of the programming of KGBI-FM in Omaha was mirrored on KROA-FM.
By January 1979, it became possible to expand the programming of KGBI-FM to a full 24-hours-per-day.
In early 2010 KGBI started the KGBI Rock Block playing Christian rock music from bands such as Skillet
, Family Force 5
, Paramore
etc.
To balance this, in January 2005, Salem also purchased KCRO
660 am, another Christian broadcasting station in Omaha. KCRO, privately owned and commercial, rather than non-profit, had also programmed a mix of music and teaching programs, but had focused more heavily on the teaching programs, and also leaned heavily towards Pentecostal or charismatic preachers. With the ownership of two stations in the Omaha area, Salem moved many of the most popular teaching programs from the old KGBI-FM format to KCRO, and eliminated any remaining music programming. This change mirrored the direction of radio in general during the last decade of the twentieth century, with music playing predominately on stereo FM stations, and talk-type of programming playing on AM stations. KCRO focused on talk programming, and KGBI-FM focused on music.
At the time of the sale of KGBI-FM, the Grand Island operation of KROA-FM transferred ownership to a new organization, Mission Nebraska, which currently links to translator stations that cover much of the state.
", and "NightSounds with Bill Pearce". Over the next twenty years, as Contemporary Christian music increased in popularity, KGBI gradually changed its format to include more of the mellow sounds of CCM, and less of the older inspirational style of music it had played for many years.
By the 1990s, KGBI-FM played a combination of Christian music and teaching programs such as the venerable "Back to the Bible
", "Focus on the Family
", "Insight For Living with Chuck Swindoll
".
Radio station
Radio broadcasting is a one-way wireless transmission over radio waves intended to reach a wide audience. Stations can be linked in radio networks to broadcast a common radio format, either in broadcast syndication or simulcast or both...
broadcasting a Contemporary Christian format. Licensed to Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha is the largest city in the state of Nebraska, United States, and is the county seat of Douglas County. It is located in the Midwestern United States on the Missouri River, about 20 miles north of the mouth of the Platte River...
, USA, the station serves the Omaha and Lincoln, Nebraska
Lincoln, Nebraska
The City of Lincoln is the capital and the second-most populous city of the US state of Nebraska. Lincoln is also the county seat of Lancaster County and the home of the University of Nebraska. Lincoln's 2010 Census population was 258,379....
area. The station is currently owned by Pennsylvania Media Associates, Inc. and features programming from Salem Communications
Salem Communications
Salem Communications is a U.S. radio broadcaster, Internet content provider, and magazine and book publisher specializing in evangelical Christian and conservative political talk radio. It owns 99 commercial radio stations, 65 of which are in the top 25 markets. Salem is the fifth largest U.S....
.
Station history
Grace Bible Institute began operation in 1943 in Omaha, NebraskaOmaha, Nebraska
Omaha is the largest city in the state of Nebraska, United States, and is the county seat of Douglas County. It is located in the Midwestern United States on the Missouri River, about 20 miles north of the mouth of the Platte River...
as an extension of Oklahoma Bible Academy
Oklahoma Bible Academy
The Oklahoma Bible Academy is an interdenominational Christian private school located in Enid, Oklahoma. OBA is the oldest coeducational private school in the state of Oklahoma.-History:...
in Meno, Oklahoma. Both institutions were affiliated with the General Mennonite Conference, and the addition of an Omaha school was intended to give a boost to enrollment by being based in a larger city with more employment opportunities for its students.
One of the outreaches of Grace that began during the early 1950s was a weekly radio program. The school had been offered free air time on KOIL
KOIL
KMMQ is a radio station licensed to serve Plattsmouth, Nebraska, USA. The station is owned by NRG Media and the license is held by Waitt Omaha, LLC.KMMQ broadcasts a Regional Mexican music format to the Omaha metropolitan area....
radio in Omaha, and on February 3, 1952, "Grace Notes" began to air. The half-hour weekly program was prepared by students with the help of the Grace music department. In 1953 this program moved to KFAB, a 50,000 watt clear-channel station with a much larger coverage area. Additionally, the program was carried on stations in other states, where there were alumni who were willing to help underwrite the costs of broadcasting.
During the 1960s, Grace's president was Waldo Harder
Waldo E. Harder
Waldo Elmer Harder was the sixth president of Grace University in Omaha, Nebraska, USA. He held an undergraduate degree from Wheaton College and M.A. and Th.M. degrees from Columbia Bible College and Seminary...
. With the support of students and the faculty, he began to campaign for an FM radio station that would be operated by Grace Bible Institute, to reach Omaha and the surrounding area with Bible teaching and inspirational music. Between 1963 to 1965, preparations were made to make the station possible, including the necessary FCC license and the city of Omaha for permits. Ward Childerston, a 1954 Grace alumnus, was hired as station manager. Built entirely with donations, KGBI-FM began broadcasting on May 17, 1966 from a station and antenna based on the Grace campus. It broadcast with a power of 30,000 watts, and the original broadcast day ran only from 3 pm to 10 pm. By October 1, 1966, the schedule had expanded to seventeen hours daily, and by January 1, 1969 the daily broadcast schedule ran from 6 am to midnight.
The original on-campus tower was 165 feet (50.3 m) in height. In 1973 KGBI-FM moved its tower to a new site fifteen miles (24 km) southwest of Omaha. The new 499 feet (152.1 m) tower allowed the station to broadcast a 100,000 watt signal in full stereo. "This comment may possibly need confirmation but I live in Omaha and I was to understand that the original tower on campus broadcast at 250 watts. That while the tower was on campus it was reported that men were hearing the broadcast from their electric shavers!"
As much as the taller tower had allowed KGBI-FM to extend its coverage area, by the late 1980s it was showing its age. After sixteen years of use and weather-related damage (it was struck by lightning more than once), a new tower was needed. This change was made more necessary by a new FCC mandate, which had then made it a requirement that all class C stations broadcast from at least a 1200 feet (365.8 m) tower, or risk being reclassified and potentially lose access to their current coverage area. The new 1200 feet (365.8 m) tower was brought into service on June 1, 1990, and expanded the coverage area to as far as 120 miles (193.1 km) away. The broadcast was also expanded by an hour, to run from 6 am to 1 am daily.
Grace Bible Institute itself continued to grow and expand. In 1976, the name was changed to Grace College of the Bible, to reflect its full status as a four-year institution of higher learning. The radio station also began a further expansion at this time. In May, 1976, the Board of Directors approved purchase of radio station KROA-FM
KROA
KROA is a radio station broadcasting a religious radio format. Licensed to Grand Island, Nebraska, USA, the station serves the Grand Island-Kearney area. The station is currently owned by Mission Nebraska, Inc.....
in Doniphan, Nebraska (between Grand Island
Grand Island
-Places:In Canada:*Grand Island in Balsam Lake In the Falkland Islands:* Grand Jason Island, sometimes known as "Grand Island"In the United States:*Grand Island, California, community in Colusa County...
and Hastings
Hastings, Nebraska
Hastings is a city in and the county seat of Adams County, Nebraska, United States. It is the principal city of the Hastings, Nebraska Micropolitan Statistical Area, which consists of Adams and Clay counties. The population was 24,907 at the 2010 census...
. With a 100,000 watt signal, KROA reached much of central Nebraska. The transfer of operations took effect in 1977, and much of the programming of KGBI-FM in Omaha was mirrored on KROA-FM.
By January 1979, it became possible to expand the programming of KGBI-FM to a full 24-hours-per-day.
In early 2010 KGBI started the KGBI Rock Block playing Christian rock music from bands such as Skillet
Skillet (band)
Skillet is an American Christian rock band formed in Memphis, Tennessee in 1996. The band currently consists of husband and wife John and Korey Cooper , along with Jen Ledger and lead guitarist Seth Morrison. The band has released eight albums, two receiving Grammy nominations: Collide and Comatose...
, Family Force 5
Family Force 5
Family Force 5 is a Christian crunk rock band from Atlanta, Georgia. They consist of Solomon "Soul Glow Activatur" Olds, Jacob "Crouton" Olds, Joshua "Fatty" Olds, Nathan "Nadaddy" Currin, and Derek "Chap Stique" Mount...
, Paramore
Paramore
Paramore is an American rock band from Franklin, Tennessee, formed in 2004. The band consists of lead vocalist Hayley Williams, bassist Jeremy Davis, and guitarist Taylor York...
etc.
Change of ownership
As a non-profit outreach of Grace University, KGBI-FM supported itself with an annual on air fund raiser they referred to as a "share-a-thon". This continued to annually more than meet the financial needs of the station. By late 2004, however, an opportunity arose for Grace to sell KGBI-FM to Salem Communications, which would make available to the University a significant amount of funding for other purposes. In January 2005 the transfer of ownership took effect, and the station began broadcasting Salem's "FISH" format of Contemporary Christian music, with none of the former teaching programs that played on the station.To balance this, in January 2005, Salem also purchased KCRO
KCRO
KCRO 660 AM is an Omaha, Nebraska area Salem Communications - owned Christian radio station that can be heard during the day as far south as Missouri and Kansas and North into parts of Minnesota and South Dakota. KCRO airs national programs hosted by such people as Hank Hanegraaff, Jay Sekulow,...
660 am, another Christian broadcasting station in Omaha. KCRO, privately owned and commercial, rather than non-profit, had also programmed a mix of music and teaching programs, but had focused more heavily on the teaching programs, and also leaned heavily towards Pentecostal or charismatic preachers. With the ownership of two stations in the Omaha area, Salem moved many of the most popular teaching programs from the old KGBI-FM format to KCRO, and eliminated any remaining music programming. This change mirrored the direction of radio in general during the last decade of the twentieth century, with music playing predominately on stereo FM stations, and talk-type of programming playing on AM stations. KCRO focused on talk programming, and KGBI-FM focused on music.
At the time of the sale of KGBI-FM, the Grand Island operation of KROA-FM transferred ownership to a new organization, Mission Nebraska, which currently links to translator stations that cover much of the state.
Programming
The original programming of KGBI-FM included inspirational music and programming. In the mid-1970s, typical programs included "Haven Of Rest", "Back to the BibleBack to the Bible
Back to the Bible is an international Christian ministry based in Lincoln, Nebraska, United States, using radio, the internet, television, and other media...
", and "NightSounds with Bill Pearce". Over the next twenty years, as Contemporary Christian music increased in popularity, KGBI gradually changed its format to include more of the mellow sounds of CCM, and less of the older inspirational style of music it had played for many years.
By the 1990s, KGBI-FM played a combination of Christian music and teaching programs such as the venerable "Back to the Bible
Back to the Bible
Back to the Bible is an international Christian ministry based in Lincoln, Nebraska, United States, using radio, the internet, television, and other media...
", "Focus on the Family
Focus on the Family
Focus on the Family is an American evangelical Christian tax-exempt non-profit organization founded in 1977 by psychologist James Dobson, and is based in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Focus on the Family is one of a number of evangelical parachurch organizations that rose to prominence in the 1980s...
", "Insight For Living with Chuck Swindoll
Chuck Swindoll
Charles Rozell "Chuck" Swindoll is an evangelical Christian pastor, author, educator and radio preacher. He founded Insight for Living, currently headquartered in Plano, Texas, which airs a radio program of the same name on more than 2,000 stations around the world in 15 languages...
".