Classic Rock KQRS-FM/Minneapolis has gone jockless and posted “Under Construction” signs on its social media platforms, hinting at a significant relaunch and potential rebranding scheduled for April 3, reports the Minnesota Star Tribune. The station, a long-time fixture at 92.5 FM, has stirred curiosity among its audience with promises of a new format led by morning host Steve Gorman, the former Black Crowes drummer who took over from Tom Barnard in 2023. Gorman’s co-host Ryder Rox (aka Ryder Bue) is also slated to return, though the future of other air personalities remains uncertain.

The move follows recent layoffs, including longtime KQRS host Brian Zepp and Andrew Wappel from sister station 93X (93.7 FM). After decades of leading the ratings, KQRS experienced a slip, hovering around the lower end of the top 10 among Twin Cities FM stations throughout much of 2024. The station’s on-air promotions tease the transformation with phrases like, “Pardon our dust, but build a new KQ we must.”

Speculation about the new KQ’s direction includes a possible shift to Sports/Talk, leveraging Gorman’s background in sports broadcasting, or a transition to an alternative rock format, reflecting a recent playlist tilt towards ’90s bands such as Nirvana and Green Day. However, with the relaunch date near April Fools’ Day, some insiders wonder if the announcement could be part of a larger stunt, though the potential impact on advertisers makes this less likely. The station encourages listeners to tune in on April 3 to discover what they have been “cooking up.”