In October 2007, Salem Folklore Community applied to the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for a construction permit for a new broadcast radio station. The FCC granted this permit on August 12, 2008, with a scheduled expiration date of August 12, 2011.[4] The new station was assigned call sign "KMUZ" on September 23, 2008.[5]
In May 2011, Salem Folklore Community entered into an agreement to transfer the assets and permit for KMUZ the Willamette Information News & Entertainment Service in return for $1. The FCC approved the sale on July 7, 2011, and the transaction was completed on July 15, 2011.[6] After construction and testing were completed in August 2011, the station was granted its broadcast license on August 23, 2011.[7]
On September 5, 2011, the station fell silent while officials from Marion County, Oregon, reviewed the building permit and zoning variance for the station's transmitter facilities. The station used this downtime to slightly modify its broadcast antenna and signal coverage area. On December 20, 2011, the FCC granted the KMUZ special temporary authority to remain silent. This authorization is scheduled to expire on June 17, 2012.[8]