FERRIDAY, La. – When Desiree Smith, general manager of KFNV-FM, traveled to Arkansas to see her mother, she had no idea that the trip would result in a format change for the station.

&uot;I was driving through Pine Bluff and happened to come across the signal of a station that had that format, and I&160;really liked it,&uot; Smith said. &uot;I had been thinking of changing over for about a year.

&uot;When I got back, I&160;called the manager at that station, and it turned out that they were with the same network I’m affiliated with. All I&160;had to do was push a button to change our format.&uot;

And two weeks ago, KFNV did make that change – from oldies to &uot;cool rock,&uot; a mix of rock tunes from the 1960s through today.

&uot;We had done oldies here for eight years, and I&160;just felt I&160;had done everything I could do with it. This is a format that really expands on some of the music that’s good today&uot; while still keeping some oldies music, Smith said.

Smith does admit that after the switch, the station got some calls from listeners who wanted the station to keep its oldies format.

&uot;We got calls from our oldies listeners saying ‘I can’t believe you’re not going to play oldies any more’,&uot; Smith said.

But she believes KFNV’s new sound appeals to a wider range of listeners and advertisers, judging from calls the station has received in support of the new format.

&uot;This is something that is good for the office … and something that teenagers and their parents can listen to together,&uot; Smith said.

&uot;I&160;have a 20-year-old at home, and we play music he likes, too.&uot;

In fact, that is something that hasn’t changed – Smith and morning host Sam Jones still trade jokes and spin tunes on the station’s morning show.

The station has also received more requests for station personalities to conduct live remotes from businesses and events throughout the Miss-Lou. The station’s first remote since the format change will be at this weekend’s Natchez Bluff Blues Festival.

&uot;We’re booked up for quite a while,&uot;&160;Smith said.