KZYR 97.7 is The Zephyr, the Vail Valley’s homegrown rock station. It signed on in 1984 at 103.1 as “Brave New World,” playing album rock from studios in Avon’s Benchmark Building. It was only the fourth radio station in the Eagle Valley.
After several ownership changes, Jerrell K. Davis took control in 1991. Gardiner Broadcast Partners switched it to modern rock as “The Mountain” in 1994. In the winter of 2001, Cool Radio, LLC moved it to 97.7 and renamed it “The Zephyr.” Cool Radio sold it to Rocky Mountain Radio Group for $1 million in 2017. In 2021 longtime morning host Steve Leigh, on the air there since 1992, bought the station himself.
Station information
- Frequency: 97.7 MHz (103.1 MHz until 2001).
- City of license: Avon.
- Signed on: 1984.
- Branding: The Zephyr (since 2001); The Mountain (1994–2001); Brave New World (1984–).
- Format: Modern rock.
- Owner: KNS Broadcasting, LLC (Steve Leigh).
- FCC facility ID: 57335.
People
- Steve Leigh — morning host since 1992; owner since 2021.
References
STATION FILE
FROM THE TIMELINE
Moments in KZYR-FM History
“Brave New World” 103.1 signs on in Avon
1984 — The Eagle Valley's fourth radio station signed on at 103.1 from Avon's Benchmark Building, playing album rock as “Brave New World.” It's known today as KZYR, The Zephyr.
Vail Valley’s rock station moves to 97.7 as The Zephyr
Winter 2001 — Cool Radio, LLC moved the Avon modern-rock station from 103.1 to 97.7 and renamed it “The Zephyr,” KZYR. Morning host Steve Leigh, there since 1992, came along.
Morning host Steve Leigh buys KZYR
2021 — After nearly 30 years hosting mornings, Steve Leigh bought KZYR The Zephyr from Rocky Mountain Radio Group through his company, KNS Broadcasting. Rocky Mountain had paid $1 million for it in 2017.
People Who Worked Here
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