KPRT Gospel 1590 AM

ON-AIR PERSONALITIES
- Debbie Dee
- K. Forte
- Reggie B
- Lady T
- Stacey Rhymes
- Ed Atkins




HISTORY

In 1950, Andrew “Skip”Carter began operating KPRS as the nation’s first black radio station west of the Mississippi River. At that time, it was still owned by former Kansas governor, Alf Landon. KPRS 1590 debuted as a 500-watt daytimer with a playlist that consisted of R&B and soul.

In 1951, KPRS opened its first studio at 12th and Walnut in Kansas City. The following year, Carter and Ed and Psyche Pate became business partners and purchased the station for $40,000 from the Johnson County Broadcasting Corporation and moved KPRS to a new site off of 23rd Streety.

In 1969,the Carters had controlling interest in the station. In 1971, KPRS moved to 103.3FM becoming Hot 103 Jamz and 1590 became Gospel 1590 KPRT.

The studios and offices moved to Crown Center and the Carters moved to Florida to open a new corporate headquarters. Four years later in 1975, KPRS Broadcasting Corporation (which was later renamed Carter Broadcasting Group) became one of the first fully automated radio stations in the in the country.

Ensuring the business would remain a family-run entity, Michael Carter - Andrew’s grandson - was named President of the company. One of his first moves was to take both stations back to a live formats and made Hot 103 Jamz a 24-hour station.

In 1989, Andrew Carter died at his Florida home. The black radio pioneer’s legacy lived on and moved forward. His widow Mildred became chairperson of the board, continuing the growth of the stations and to solidifying their standing in the black community.

In 1990, Gospel 1590 jumped from 8th to 5th in the Kansas City market. The Carter Broadcast Group celebrated its 45th anniversary in 1995,and had its highest ratings ever, reaching the number one slot for that year.

In 2000, the company celebrated its 50th anniversary and their 65th anniversary was in 2015.