KASU is the public radio service of Northeast Arkansas and as such has taken pride in its support of many different music genres that the audience may not find elsewhere.
The music of the Delta -the blues- is a good example of this. Programming for the blues has been a steady factor on KASU each Saturday night since 1991 when local blues musician “Hairy” Larry Heyl volunteered to produce a show called “Something Blue.” That commitment to the blues has expanded to currently include the programs “Beale Street Caravan,” “Blues from the Red Rooster Lounge,” “Blues After Hours” and “Blues Overnight” beginning at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday night and continuing through Sunday morning at 5:00 a.m. for a total of 10 hours.
It was only natural that this 100,000-watt public radio station would go one step further in promoting this music of the South. On January 4, 1999, KASU initiated the first of its live, monthly blues concerts called “Blue Monday.” Memphian Mikael Santana brought his band into a local restaurant, Potlicker’s Uptown Deli in Jonesboro, to a crowd of about 75 blues enthusiasts ranging in age from 19 to mid-60s. College students mixed with doctors and lawyers as they all enjoyed the free concert.
Blue Monday concerts are now held the second Monday night of the month at the Depot Diner in Newport and on the third Monday night at the Red Goose Deli in downtown Paragould.
KASU also offers Bluegrass Monday on the fourth Monday night of each month in downtown Paragould at Atkins Celebration Hall.
Music
Bluegrass, Blues, Celtic, Classical, Folk, Jazz, New Age, Opera
KASU's Details
Status:
Single
Zodiac Sign:
Taurus
KASU wants everybody to check out the Bulletin Space for an update on a VENUE CHANGE!!!! Posted at 7:41 PM Oct 15, 2008 view more
About me: Beginning as early as 1935, Arkansas State students found ways to get on the air via local radio stations. In that year, a small broadcast facility was constructed in Wilson Hall for students to create programming to be sent out through KBTM radio in Jonesboro. In 1951 Dr. Carl R. Reng became president of then Arkansas State College. He wished to offer classes in broadcasting and increase public awareness for the school. In 1953 John Ed Cramer was hired to head the effort and his task was not small. Although there was no facility or equipment, Cramer began organizing the new curriculum by copying the efforts of Northwestern University.
Twenty-one students enrolled in the first year of broadcasting classes. Students produced a play-by-play of an Arkansas State football game that same year. That game, as well as a quiz program, was broadcast by KBTM. Over the course of the next three years, music programs, newscasts and interviews became standard for students in radio classes. Although still broadcasting through a local radio stations donated time, Arkansas State began to seriously invest in the future of broadcasting. A new facility was furnished in Wilson Hall with donated equipment and an Associated Press teletype was installed.
John Cramer contacted the Federal Communications Commission in 1953 to find out if it would be possible to establish a radio station on the ASC campus. The call letters KASC were available and Cramer submitted a request. However, once the application was officially submitted to the FCC, Arizona State College had taken the KASC call letters. Dr. Reng believed that Arkansas State would one day achieve university status and therefore KASU would be more appropriate. The application was approved and KASU was assigned 91.9 FM.
On May 17, 1957 KASU signed on the air with the words, "Good afternoon everyone. KASU-FM, an educational non-commercial station, now begins broadcast operations on this day, the seventeenth of May, 1957." This opening-day broadcast featured a speech by Dr. Reng, a concert by the Arkansas State Band and interviews with students and faculty members. Though only broadcasting with 760 watts, the station would rapidly undergo advancements in the coming years. In 1958 area radio stations donated over 1,500 albums to KASU. At the time, students broadcast contemporary music of their liking, along with sports, dramas, political discussions and foreign language lessons.
Even though John Cramer moved on in 1958, he had created a source of pride for the college. With a diverse class offering in broadcasting, high student-interest in radio, and an Indian sports network that covered virtually all of Arkansas and southeast Missouri, Cramer created something special at ASC.
In 1961 the picture was much different. The station was not run professionally and rarely signed on. That same year saw the arrival of a new station manager, Charles Rasberry. His ideas turned the station and the broadcasting curriculum of Arkansas State around. Rasberry felt that KASU should be a broadcasting service for the university. The administration supported Rasberry and granted him the funds to construct a new facility, a new transmitting tower, and to hire another staff member. In 1967 Arkansas State College was granted university status, making KASU an accurate name for the station. In 1970 KASU received a grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and began remaining on the air throughout the summer. The next year KASU became an original member of a fledgling radio service called National Public Radio (NPR).
KASU became a full-power station in 1973, broadcasting at 100,000 watts. That same year a tornado ripped through Jonesboro. From that point on, Rasberry was determined to provide weather information no matter the time or date. On Christmas Eve of 1982, Rasberry and Operations Director Richard Carvell began weather coverage as tornadoes again threatened the area. For their efforts KASU was awarded a citation for meritorious service from the American Legion and the citizens of Jonesboro also presented the station with a special award of appreciation.
Through the eighties the station continued to expand its program offerings and began broadcasting eighteen hours a day, later expanding to twenty-four. In the nineties KASU dropped sports coverage and focused more on diverse music and news programs. In the mid nineties KASU installed an automation system which allowed the station to run for short periods of time without staff present. KASU also became listener supported during this time due to rising programming costs.
The twenty-first century looks bright for KASU. In 2007, we celebrate KASU's 50th year of broadcasting and pledge to present quality programming to our audience for decades to come.
Thanks for the add, and We'll be at the Hot Springs Blues Festival Sept 2009 Details at Blues Guitar News www.bluesguitarnews.com From Mike, Guido, Brad and Fraz - Keep on jammin' them blues, it's music to our ears. Come on out and join us at the Thusday Jam Session - Odie's House of Blues on Central Ave, Hot Springs
Buy, Sell, Trade, Consign, New, Used, Vintage Guitars & Amps. 501-625-ROCK Check out our web site: www.bluesguitarnews.com/HotSpringsMusic.html Our shop is a musician's hang out. For musicians, by musicians.
THANK YOU FOR THE ADD - - Guido Ciardetti - Bass Player in the Cruzie Brothers, and owner of Hot Springs Music.
Drop on by the guitar shop where working musicians are treated with respect. I guarantee it.
Thank you for being my friend. Please check out the great guys I play with in the Cruize Brothers; Guido, Brad & Mike at www.mikedollins.biz If you got a gig lead anywhere in the south here, this is our SonicBid link; : www.sonicbids.com/MichaelDollinsCruizeBros“Have Band, Will Gig.”
Keep on jammin’ them blues, it’s music to my ears.
Mike Dollins & The Cruize Brothers @ the Hot Spings Blues Festival Sept 4th www.myspace.com/hotspringsbluesfestival At Rumors, Hot Spings AR Sept 5th Odie's House of Blues Sept 3,10, 11, 12, 13, 17, 24 www.mikedollins.biz In Fayetteville, AR for Bikes, Blues &... BBQ weekend, playing for the Ozark Blues Society Bikes, Blue & Hot Rods concert on the AMP stage. Sept 26 www.bikesbluesandhotrods.com King Biscuit Festival, Helena, AR Oct TBA
See you at Odie’s House of Blues, Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas. Home to the blues, and the Thursday night open mic BLUES JAM SESSION. A lot of mighty fine blues going on at Odie’s, and details at Blues Guitar News www.bluesguitarnews.com Come on out and join the friendly atmosphere, great food and drink, plus super blues jamming every Thursday night starting at 8:30 PM. Open to all jammers.
The House is a Rockin’ at Odie’s House of Blues. The premier all blues club of Arkansas. Featured blues shows, fine food, happy hour with Larry Womack and a hot open jam session with Mike Dollins & The Cruize Brothers every Thursday www.mikedollins.biz. You can get all the details at www.bluesguitarnews.com and www.bluesguitarnews.ning.com check out the slide show of all the jammers that are join in the blues jam sessions every Thursday.
Keep on jammin’ them blues, it’s music to my ears. The House is a Rockin’ at Odie’s House of Blues with host band Mike Dollins & The Cruize Brothers every Thursday Check out www.bluesguitarnews.ning.com an all blues network to list your gigs, videos and photos. See who has joined in the blues social network, and join the fun.
Hey, Thanks for add! Stoppin by and saying HI. Always nice to hear from friends. Hope life's treating you well but most of all I hope you’re smiling! Come see who you know and say Hi to all!!!
Take care and KEEP ROCKIN. Shoot for the moon!
BTW I have a question, going to throw it out there. But..... Do you think you can list me on your top friend list so other artists, bands, writers can see about the music world? Either way, I glad to have you. I won’t hold it against you if you don't! ***Smile*** Pass the word.
Don't be a stranger. Stay In Touch!
Thank You ***Smile*** Amy Littlebit Promotions INC
Keep on jammin' them blues, it's music to my ears. Proud to have you as one of my top friends here on MySpace. www.mikedollins.biz BLUES GUITAR NEWS www.bluesguitarnews.com
Please help support the blues and give us your votes. We are the only blues band and the only band from Arkansas in the contest. Please help us out. Thank you!
Thank you, thank you very much! We had a blast at the Blue Monday at Red Goose Deli, look forward to seeing you in Newport in June! Peace and Love from Charlotte Taylor and Gypsy Rain XOXOX
