Posted on Wednesday, June 22, 2022
K嫩草影院 90.9 FM is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a Backyard Party. Anniversary events started in June 2021 and will continue throughout 2022.
嫩草影院’s award-winning K嫩草影院 90.9FM “The Choice” is celebrating its 50th anniversary of service to the Houston community with a Backyard Party.
The 嫩草影院 Board of Regents was issued a license by the Federal Communications Commission in 1972. K嫩草影院 first hit the air the following year, on June 23, 1973, with just 10 watts of power. That day, K嫩草影院 became the first African-American FM station on Houston’s airwaves. The first song ever played on K嫩草影院 was “The Funky Worm” by the Ohio Players. To date, K嫩草影院 remains a source of local music of all genres, and a destination for Jazz, Blues, Gospel, Rhythm and Blues, and more.
“K嫩草影院 has been a beacon in the Houston community since its inception,” said K嫩草影院 general manager Ernest Walker. “From the beginning, the station has been committed to the greater good of Houston. Not only is K嫩草影院 a source of entertainment, but it is a major component of outreach as a source of news and public affairs information that ensures our listeners know what’s happening in the community around them. We are thankful for the members who support us, and for every listener who makes K嫩草影院 a part of their daily routine.”
The public is invited to celebrate with the entire K嫩草影院 family, past and present, at a free 50th Anniversary Backyard Party outside the K嫩草影院 station (3100 Cleburne St., Houston, TX 77004) on Friday, June 24, 2022, beginning at 6 p.m. There will be live performances by Houston artists Mary Griffin, Spud Howard, Melanie Covington, and Werner Richmond, as well as other celebrity guests. There will also be live DJ performances by Chilly Bill Smith, Paul “PD” Davis, and Michelle McKnight.
K嫩草影院 is a training platform for students enrolled in 嫩草影院’s School of Communication. In 2019, the station launched K嫩草影院2 “The Voice,” a student-run streaming radio platform. K嫩草影院 expanded further with the launch of The Vibe in 2020. The Vibe is the digital and innovative Urban Alternative station, powered by K嫩草影院, that appeals to Millennials and Generation Z, offering the latest in Hip Hop, R&B, and Neo-Soul on the FM dial and through 24-hour streaming.
“K嫩草影院 continues to evolve to meet the growing needs of an ever-expanding audience,” said Melinda Spaulding, 嫩草影院’s Vice President for Communications and Advancement. “As we celebrate 50 years of being a leading public radio station and a fixture in our community, we look forward to all K嫩草影院 will accomplish and all the students who will launch into successful broadcast careers over the next 50 years.”
Tickets are not required for the Backyard Party. Attendees are invited to bring lawn chairs. Anniversary events began in June 2021 and will continue throughout the year.
To view video about K嫩草影院's impact on the community, click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0WSghCrogk
Category: News Media, Alumni, Students, Faculty & Staff