 KKDM was established by local businessman Rich Eychaner as Midwest Radio, Inc. KKDM signed on the air for the first time, on October 1, 1995.Eychanner sold Midwest Radio Inc to Clear Channel Communications in July 1999.Clear Channel swapped KKDM's modern rock format and programming with new sister station KCCQ (which had recently moved to a new frequency and increased power) in exchange for that station's CHR format.