Changes Afoot At KEXP/Seattle
• Seattle-based public broadcaster and music discovery nonprofit KEXP announced a series of upcoming changes to its on-air lineup, effective Sept. 13.
Those changes include the launch of three new weekly specialty shows focusing on modern indigenous music from around the world, the music of Asia, the Pacific, and the Asian diaspora, and a cross-genre exploration of psych music. KEXP is seeking inaugural hosts for all three shows now, and will also begin hiring for rotating co-hosts for Wo’ Pop and Jazz Theater. For more info, visit kexp.org/jobs.
In addition to these new shows, the station announced some personnel adjustments: Eva Walker (pictured, below), current variety mix and Audioasis host and lead singer/guitarist for the band The Black Tones, will take over as host of Early, weekdays from 5-7am. She will succeed Teodros, who recently announced his decision to leave KEXP to spend more time on his own music and education work. Kennady Quille will become the new permanent host of Audioasis; Vitamin D will move to a variety mix slot; KEXP welcomes back Stas THEE Boss as co-host of Street Sounds, joining DJ Yaddy; and after 29 years on the air, Larry Rose will be retiring from weekly on-air duties, but will remain as a fill-in host.
To make room for new programming, KEXP also announced the retirement of three current shows — Swingin’ Doors, Friday Night, and Preachin’ the Blues. Michele Myers, host of Friday Night, and Johnny Horn, host of Preachin’ the Blues, will remain with the station — Myers will move to a variety mix slot and Horn will remain as a fill-in host. Earlier this year, Don Yates, host of Swingin’ Doors, announced his decision to retire as on-air host and Music Director.
“While we are fortunate to have such a strong mission guiding us, decisions like this one are not made overnight,” said Chris Kellogg, Chief Programming Officer at KEXP. “The process leading up to this decision involved years of work, and constant conversation about what we’re doing and what we’re not doing. We have regular discussions within the organization, with volunteers, with partners, and with our audience about how well we’re adhering to our programming principles and where we’re falling short; who is being featured and who is missing. While we are sad to have to make the tough choice to retire some wonderful shows, we are incredibly excited about the coming changes to the radio lineup and the impact our new hosts and shows will have on KEXP and our listeners.”
Complete details about these upcoming changes are posted at kexp.org. [Eva Walker photo: Carlos Cruz]
