Updated: 6/9/2009 3:53:34 PM
Several years after a Knoxville radio station went off the air, its former fans will be happy to know it's back. Sort of. There's a new station on the dial with a familiar name and format, but management admits that's partly an accident. 100.3 The River signed off the air almost six years, taking its popular morning show, Phil and Murphy, with it. Fans of the station say they missed it. "I remember being disheartened that they were closing one of my favorite stations down," said Katie McMillan. Elizabeth Wright was also sad. "I had it saved on my stations and than one day it was gone!" Now, that steady flow of music from the eighties, nineties and now is back. What was then 100.3 The River, is now 106.1 The River. "We wanted to create a family friendly radio station that the parents can listen to in the car and the kids aren't going to object," said Cindi Alpert, General Manager of the new River. The new owners, felt both the format and the name fit. "The geography of the area obviously makes sense but we had heard there was a river format years ago, but the formats being somewhat similar, that's just a coincidence." Now, once dissapointed listeners, are changing their tune. "I'd be excited, that's great news!!" It's a new business, based on a familiar sound and that's why owners say they're confident this River will keep rollin'. "I think it's a good radio market, radio is still alive. We're just excited to be here." said Alpert.
