After a weekend of playing songs with the word “Freak” in their title, iHeartMedia debuted “97.1 The Freak” KEGL at 3pm (CT) on Monday, Oct. 3. The station is described as “Hot Talk” and “a broad-based personality radio station that connects in a personal way with the DFW audience.” Each of the three primetime dayparts announced so far, covering 7am -7pm, features a three- or four-member personality team.
“The Speakeasy,” with Jeff Cavanaugh, Kevin “KT’ Turner, Julie Dobbs, and Matt Cather, will be heard in morning drive (7-11am). Cavanaugh previously hosted afternoons on Audacy crosstown sports “105.3 The Fan” KRLD; Turner has been heard on Dallas radio since 2010, including on “The Fan,” and is an NFL Draft analyst for The Athletic DFW. Dobbs is a former host at Cumulus Media sports “The Ticket” KTCK-AM/FM. Cather hosts a weekend talk show on iHeart talk sister KFXR Dallas (1190) and is a radio producer for the Dallas Mavericks.
“The Ben & Skin Show” is heard in middays (11am-3pm) with Ben Rogers and Jeff “Skin” Wade. Wade is a former “97.1 The Eagle” host who remains with the station. Krystina “K-Ray” Ray and Michael “Grubes” Gruber are also part of “The Ben & Skin Show.”
The debut also marks the return of “The Old Grey Wolf” Mike Rhyner, the longtime host at Cumulus Media sports “The Ticket” KTCK-AM/FM (1310/96.7) Dallas, who abruptly retired in January 2020. Rhyner hosts “The Downbeat,” which is heard from 3-7pm and also includes former “Ticket” host Mike Sirois and Michael “Grubes” Gruber.
“We're beyond excited to introduce 97-1 the Freak - the level of talent is insurmountable, and we're thrilled for the opportunity to further connect with Dallas Fort Worth,” Patrick Davis, Regional Senior Vice President of Programming Dallas, said in the announcement.
Rock “97.1 The Eagle” signed off on Friday as midday host Alan Ayo played Johnny Cash’s version of “Hurt,” “Everlong” by the Foo Fighters, and “Fade to Black” by Metallica.
A four-song loop of “Get Ur Freak On” by Missy Elliot, “Super Freak” by Rick James, “Freaks Come Out At Night” by Whodini, and “Le Freak” by Chic played over the weekend, interspersed with a sweeper that asked “What the freak is going on at 97.1? Find out Monday at 3.” On Monday ahead of the flip, Tom Petty’s “The Waiting” was playing in a continuous loop, while sweepers directed listeners to KEGL-HD2 and classic rock sister “Lonestar 92.5” KZPS to get their fill of rock music.