The Lincoln-based radio company issued a press release Tuesday, exclaiming "Lincoln's Music Station, 1480 KLMS is back!"

The new format, which will include music by such artists as the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Elton John, The Eagles and more, went on the air Tuesday, but officially kicks off at 10 a.m. Wednesday.

The new format will target adults 35 and older.

KLMS has been a sports talk station -- Lincoln's only one -- since 1997 and an ESPN affiliate since 2000.

Before 1997, the AM station featured music and was extremely popular in Lincoln in the 1960s and '70s, turning such folks as Lee Thomas, Jay Marshall Stewart and the morning duo Gary and Judy into household names.

"Those great days of the past are back on the radio again with KLMS," general manager Joy Patten said in a press release. "We are so excited to be bringing back a radio station that so many folks in Lincoln grew up with."

Patten did not return phone calls, but said in an e-mail Lincoln Stars hockey games will remain on KLMS.

The station also is in discussions with Nebraska Game and Parks Commission about finding a new time and place for "Nebraska Outdoors," the Saturday morning local outdoors show.

The release did not mention if the new format will feature any local talent. It also didn't give a reason for the change, although KLMS' ratings recently have not been good, including among its target audience of men ages 25 to 54.

The station did not finish in the top 10 among listeners ages 12-and-older during the 6 to 10 a.m. and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. time periods in the spring 2009 survey, according to Arbitron. The fall survey is due out this week.

KLMS finished eighth during the 3 to 7 p.m. time frame thanks to its locally produced talk show, "The Spread."

Three Eagles began moving KLMS in a new direction in early December when it fired program director Jeff Wilkerson.

At the same, it terminated "The Spread," which featured Wilkerson and former Nebraska football player Jason Peter.

ESPN programming such as "Mike & Mike in the Morning" and "The Herd with Colin Cowherd" can be heard at Omaha station 1620 The Zone (KOZN 1620 AM) or online at ESPNRadio.com.

Sports talk show host Jim Rome can be head at Omaha station Big Sports 590 (KXSP 590 AM).

But reception in Lincoln is sketchy for both stations.

NRG Media-owned station KLIN (1400 AM) is now the only station in Lincoln with any sports talk programming.

KLIN is part of the IMG Husker Sports Radio Network and carries "Sports Nightly," the weeknight sports talk show focused on University of Nebraska-Lincoln athletics.