History of KRBA

KRBA AM radio was the first licensed commercial radio station in the Angelina - Nacogdoches county area. The station was constructed under the direction of Darrell E. Yates and went on the air May 3, 1938 under license granted by the Federal Communications Commission to the Redland Broadcasting Association.

KRBA marked the introduction of electronic media to the deep East Texas area. Certainly, it was a good indication that the region was becoming more economically progressive. For the first time local businesses, churches, and other groups had the opportunity to take advantage of local airwaves to communicate their products, services and sermons. Citizens of the region were given their first exposure to locally broadcast news, entertainment, and local high school football received broadcast priority. KRBA exemplified the independent mentality identifying Texas and Texans, showing a great spirit of innovation in the youth of broadcast media.

KRBA began broadcasting May 3, 1938 with 100 watts of daytime only power at 1310 kilocycles on the AM radio band. The station increased its power to 250 watts daytime and nighttime power on July 13, 1939. During an industry wide frequency reallocation procedure on March 28, 1941, the station signal was moved by the FCC to 1340 kilocycles. On February 15, 1966, KRBA's daytime power was increased 1 kilowatt. The broadcast studios have been in three locations in KRBA history all downtown Lufkin. The original site was on the second floor above then Cash Drug Store which was later part of the Perry Building in downtown Lufkin. Cash Drug Store burned in 1941 causing Mr. Yates to move the studio to the location of the old Rogers Drug Store. In January, 1956, the studios moved to its current location on Cotton Square. The transmitting site and antenna has been located on the "Old Nacogdoches Highway", which is now Spence Street in Lufkin, since the construction of the station in 1938.

The KRBA programming format attempted to present something on the air for most everyone with an AM radio on a daily basis. From 1938 through the early 1940's, the station regularly broadcast news, dramatic programming, musical transcriptions of all varieties, and live preachers of various denominations. The 1950's and 1960's would continue a very varied format though dramatic programming would begin to fade, but more programs would be directed to housewives, farmers, and a direct request musical program "Song and Dance Parade" would lead the format in the direction of making rock-n-roll a major part of the station's legacy. KRBA's "Tunes and Tempos" played rhythm and blues and would introduce African American radio announcers to the local audiences in the 1950's and 60's. Spanish musical programming would be introduced for the first time in East Texas in 1968.

The 1970's saw KRBA move to a more consistent format. The programming became predominantly country and western with a continuation of the traditional gospel programs which had become a station trademark since 1938. 

The ownership of KRBA was passed on to the next generation when his son, Stephen, was born and spent every day with his parents and siblings at the studio.  In time, Stephen succeeded his father and began managing KRBA and a second station in 1978. Under the younger Yates’ management and eventual purchase of the stations from his parents, Stephen became a pioneer in his own right. 

Stephen Yates, with the same radio pioneering passion as his father, began broadcasting Spanish language programming on a dedicated AM signal he acquired specifically to fill the need for Spanish broadcasts in 1978.  As the success of the format increased, Yates moved the AM signal to a stronger FM which became Supermix 101.9FM. Yates honored his father’s tradition and broadcasts local Spanish language sermons on Sunday mornings.  In 2019, Supermix 101.9FM is still the only dedicated Spanish language station in nine counties and the most popular.  

Yates gave listeners what they were asking to hear in 2011.  He began by hiring a programmer with a country music background and connection to the Texas music scene.   Yates converted one of his first stations, KYBI 100.1 from Adult Contemporary to country and KYBI-FM became Y100 Your Country Choice.  That summer the stations flipped formats and began playing new Nashville, outlaw country, and for the first time including ground breaking Americana, Red Dirt, and Texas bands from Austin and the Hill Country.  The artists in these genres sing about Texas and touch all generations of proud native born Texans to the ones that heard the call and got here as fast as they could.

In 2014, Yates added an Urban format with Hot 96.3FM.  Controversial but popular, the beat of classic Hip Hop mixed with current Urban artists can be heard coming from speakers of cars on Main Street and the pickup trucks on the back roads of deep East Texas.  The music is progressive and relevant to a young adult audience.

Taking advantage of the FCC’s ruling to allow AM stations broadcast on FM signals, Yates obtained a construction permit and his application for a translator was approved.  The KSML 1260AM Sports station now broadcasts on both the 1260AM and the 103.7FM signal. Yates’ passion for radio and desire to remain competitive drives his vision for the future.

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