KERA Arts Story Search



Looking for events? Click here for the Go See DFW events calendar.

KERA's New Station Gets Name, Launch Date, Music Lineup


by Anne Bothwell 16 Sep 2009 7:38 AM

Tired of what you hear on commercial radio? Ready for some locally programmed music? Then mark 7 a.m. Nov. 9 on your calendar. That’s the day KXT 91.7 launches – a station devoted entirely to music. In addition to the new station’s name, launch date and call letters (KKXT), KERA is also announcing some details […]

CTA TBD

Tired of what you hear on commercial radio? Ready for some locally programmed music? Then mark 7 a.m. Nov. 9 on your calendar.

That’s the day KXT 91.7 launches – a station devoted entirely to music.

In addition to the new station’s name, launch date and call letters (KKXT), KERA is also announcing some details today about what you’ll hear. Here’s what we know:

  • There will be nine to 11 hours of local programming each weekday, starting at 7 a.m.  KXT Morning show airs 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. Mon, Thursday and Friday, 7 a.m. to noon on Tuesday and Wednesday. KXT Afternoon show airs 3 to 6 p.m. weekdays and KXT Evening follows from 6 to 8.
  • KXT Texas Mix features musicians with ties to our state from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday.
  • On Saturday and Sunday, you’ll hear KXT Weekend. And The Paul Slavens Show will move from KERA to KXT on Sunday night.
  • KXT will have its own Web site, kxt.org, with all the goodies you’d expect – podcasts, video, live streaming.

Here’s the KERA radio story:


Still to come is news about the local hosts for these shows, the program features and the special performances that will be set up to kick off the new station.

A variety of national public radio programming will complement the local productions.  Below are names and descriptions of the programs. And you can check out a program grid laying out all the show times for the new station.

  • Acoustic Café with host Rob Reinhart is an international showcase for new and classic acoustic music. The playlist features exceptional songs from some of the best singer-songwriters in the business, live interviews and performances with newer talents. Acoustic Café is independently produced by RDR Radio, Ann Arbor, Michigan.

  • American Routes presents a broad range of American music – blues and jazz, gospel and soul, old-time country and rockabilly, Cajun and zydeco, Tejano and Latin, roots rock and pop, avant-garde and classical. The show involves listeners in exploring the shared musical and cultural threads in these American styles and genres of music and how they are distinguished. The program is distributed by American Public Media. Texas ties: Nick Spitzer, the producer and host of American Routes, received a Ph.D. in anthropology from the University of Texas and worked as a DJ on the legendary progressive country station KOKE FM during the early boom days of the Austin music scene.
  • Mountain Stage with host Larry Groce is an exploration of the exciting and spontaneous sound of live performances, offering intelligent, contemporary music seasoned with traditional and roots artists. The program occasionally takes a road trip to bring music lovers rare and special events as they happen. Mountain Stage is produced by West Virginia Public Broadcasting and distributed by NPR. Texas ties: Larry Groce was born in Dallas in 1948 and attended Adamson High School in Oak Cliff.
  • Putumayo World Music Hour, with hosts Dan Storper and Rosalie Howarth, takes listeners on a journey through the music of many different cultures. PWMH playlists include well-known names along with exceptional, underexposed international artists. The one-hour program also features interviews with world-class music makers that have been influenced by world music. The program is independently produced.
  • Sound Opinions takes the latest music news, personal commentary, and exclusive interviews and performances, adds a huge pile of records old and new, and the result is the world’s only rock and roll talk show. Hosted by Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot, two of the finest and best-recognized pop music critics in the nation, Sound Opinions fires up smart and spirited discussions about a wide range of popular music, from cutting-edge underground rock and hip-hop, to classic rock, R&B, electronica, worldbeat and just about any other genre you can name. The show is a production of Chicago Public Radio and American Public Media.

  • The Thistle & Shamrock with Fiona Ritchie explores evolving music from Celtic roots in Europe and North America. From spirited reels and jigs, haunting ballads of days gone by, and exuberant rhythms of new music, The Thistle & Shamrock presents an impressive assembly of well-established luminaries as well as new and emerging artists.  The program is distributed by NPR.
  • UnderCurrents provides a thoughtful, yet playful, freeform music mix: rock, folk, blues, reggae, dub, electronica, hip-hop, world and roots music, and an excellent selection of contemporary Native artists. Gregg McVicar hosts the show where “Old School meets Cool School.” UnderCurrents is produced by Native Voice One.
  • World Café is hosted by David Dye who takes listeners on a unique journey of musical discovery through a mix of music from both new and legendary artists. Live performances and intimate interviews with Dye’s musical guests highlight each show. World Café is produced by WXPN-Philadelphia and distributed by NPR.

SHARE
  • Sarah

    Good News! I’ve been patiently awaiting this station launch. The schedule looks pretty good. I was really really hoping that KXT would pick up “Afropop Worldwide” from PRI. perhaps in the future?

  • Rawlins Gilliland

    This is like getting a birth announcement from a family where I am a quasi semi sometime god-parent / baby sitter. This will be exciting and a brave new world where I and other station fans will be able to have ever new options to hear and enjoy.

    The people I know who are building this new temple are great radio architects. For come-to-mind starters, Jeff Ramirez and Sylvia Komatzu have both taste and talent and vast experience….a combo more rare and exotic than a gumbo in a New Orleans kitchen. And the in-house talent(s) including Gini Mascorro, who has subbed for the Main Man greatness of Slavens….is a goddess worthy of sainted turf.

    Proud and happy……… Is there to be a ‘christening’ where booze flows like those glaciers melting on Frontline?

  • Fantastic news. Great starting line-up. Very excited, indeed.

  • BenjaminL

    I hope some of these shows will be podcast! And that shows from KCRW KEXP, and MPR [“The Current”] are considered.

    There will be a rivalry with KUT – very exciting.

  • Davis

    AT LAST!
    We were starving out here!
    And, I promise to give ya’ll money!
    Thank you!
    Thank you !
    Thank you!

  • Jackie

    How soon can I get a T-Shirt?

  • L D

    I agree with Benjamin L. KCRW’s Morning Becomes Eclectic and KEXP’s The Morning Show for example are both deservedly popular with a national audience and would round out the line-up nicely. In a similar vein, if programs are still being considered, I vote for KOOP’s Stronger Than Dirt, Graveside Service, and Elkmating Ritual Show – all great music shows coming from one of Austin’s other radio stations.

    Would it be available on the iPhone’s (amazing) free Public Radio application?