Stream Weavers: Empire KRTY/San Jose PD/morning host Julie Stevens and morning personality Gary Scott Thomas were joined by GM Nate Deaton and on-air talents “Indiana Al” Breiten, Tony Michaels and Michael Moore this morning (6/17) to mark the station’s final day broadcasting on its 95.3 FM frequency. The signal is transferring to new owner Educational Media Foundation (CAT 3/24) as KRTY moves to its online-only presence at KRTY.com. The team spent the day recounting their favorite memories of working together; sharing how each came aboard and/or received their nicknames; and welcoming former staff, longtime contributors, artists and label executives to the show.

BMLG CEO/Chairman Scott Borchetta called in from the Indianapolis 500 Speedway to show support for the station and talk about what artist he’s excited about at the moment (spoiler alert: it’s Jackson Dean). Deaton also swapped stories with Borchetta about what they love about one another and how their partnership has evolved through the years. Borchetta also explained the origins of Big Machine and talked about signing Taylor Swift and Thomas Rhett, among others, as Deaton admitted to stealing Borchetta’s catchphrase, “When you make the rules, you can break the rules.”

The morning also included a playlist of the staff’s favorite songs as well as picks from those calling in, including Dean’s “Don’t Come Lookin’,” Blake Shelton’s “Playboys Of The Southwestern World” and Thomas Rhett’s “Vacation.” Just after 9am PT/11am CT, Thomas signed off saying, “Ladies and gentlemen, it has been our distinct honor to spend time with you for all of these years.” He promised he and Stevens would return Monday (6/20) for their live morning show. The final country song on the 95.3 FM frequency aired, Brad Paisley’s “Welcome To The Future,” at 9:03am PT as the station moved exclusively to its new home online.

The team returned to the mic as the stream booted up for the first time at 9:07am PT with Deaton taking a jab at recently launched Alpha Country KBAY/San Jose shortly thereafter. Blue Chair/Warner/WEA’s Kenny Chesney then became the first artist to call in to KRTY following the move. During the 18-minute interview with Thomas and Stevens, Chesney discussed his return to touring, post-pandemic, saying, “Music brings people together more than it divides us. I truly believe music is something we can all cling to, no matter your political beliefs, religious beliefs, or how you were raised.” The first song played on the new KRTY.com was Chesney’s “Everyone She Knows” at 9:33am PT followed by Eric Church’s “Doing Life With Me” and Old Dominion’s “No Such Thing As A Broken Heart.” Stream the station here.