KQMO at 97.7 MHz signed on August 17, 1981, simulcasting sister AM station KGHM during the day and airing its own programming until midnight.[3] Two years later, however, KGHM-KQMO went silent and remained so for a year until the station was sold by Hampro Wireless to Dwight and Carolyn Carver in 1984.[4] The resumption of operations of both stations was delayed into 1985 by FCC requirements.[5] After the sale, both stations changed call letters: KGHM became gospel station KGNG, while KQMO relaunched as KZBK with an adult contemporary format.
Best acquired KGNG-KZBK in 1993. The two stations became KZBK-AM-FM, simulcasting Best flagship KZZT in Moberly.[6] The simulcast of KZZT ended in 1995 when Best completed construction of a new KZBK-FM facility at 96.9 MHz, and the two stations began carrying their own programming.