Reports Of Our Demise... Though sold by Empire Broadcasting to EMF (CAT 3/23), KRTY/San Jose remains on the air until June 1 ... but that's not the full story. "We didn't sell the intellectual property, just the signal at 95.3," GM Nate Deaton tells Country Aircheck. "I'd be surprised if someone didn't take an underperforming FM signal in the market and put Country on it, and if another company wants our brand and people, we have the opportunity to tell listeners where they can find us." Whether KRTY finds a new signal or other platform – a digital-only product is also being discussed – staff will receive a retention bonus for staying through May, as well as severance based on years with the company. A handful who are shareholders will also receive a small portion of the sale price.

"When [owner] Bob Kieve passed, part of his wish was that the station be sold to its employees," Deaton says. "We worked with a couple of local groups trying to put together an ownership group, but because of the economy the last two years, it wasn't financially feasible." The station has Club Rodeo shows and songwriter nights at a local winery booked through October, which it is still promoting on-air. "For me and the staff, it's so flattering to see the tremendous outpouring of support and recognition from this industry," Deaton says. "We're very hopeful our reputation means there's still a place for country music and us in the bay area, and we're damned open to suggestions." Reach Deaton here.