Fresno rock radio station KRZR (FM 103.7) was put to an early grave””and Clear Channel Communications dug the trench.

For more than 20 years, KRZR ruled the airwaves. The Wild Hare was pure rock. However, hard rock has been overthrown by 80s and 90s dance. On Oct. 6, 2010, Clear Channel made good on a rumor and dropped the rock.

FM 103.7 is now The Beat. Station management is calling the genre “Gen-X Rhythmic.”

In a news release, Steve Weed, the new operations manager for Clear Channel Radio Fresno, says the new format “fills a musical void in Fresno and the Central Valley.”

A void, I believe, was abandoned for a reason.

The Beat will have less competition with its new Generation-X format. Its only competitor would be Y101 (FM 101.1), a Peak Broadcasting station.

While KRZR rivaled The Fox (FM 95.7), The Blaze (FM 105.1) and New Rock (FM 104.1).

KRZR listeners can access to the rock lineup on high-definition radio.