On April 3, 1978, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) granted the Big Country Broadcasting Company, owned by Gaylon Christi and Ted Connell, a construction permit to build an FM radio station on 102.3 MHz in Merkel, where the two owned KBGG (1500 AM).

[6] The next year, he acquired KIXK, renaming it KFQX-FM; operations moved to Abilene and the station changed formats to adult contemporary.

[8] Esprit Communications bought KFQX-AM-FM in 1988 by assuming $1.05 million in debts; it then filed to sell the station to Ovation Broadcasting in 1989.

[10] The format flip, at a time when country music was surging in popularity, helped the station increase its ratings out of the gate.

[14] In 1997, KCWS reverted to its KFQX-FM designation and format with the blessing of KFQX television in Grand Junction, Colorado.