88.5-FM Adds Slater & James
• 88.5-FM, Southern California’s leading Triple A station is adding two notable new voices to its on-air line-up — please welcome Julie Slater and Lesley James. Slater (left) will be taking over the midday show (11am-3pm), from Program Director Marc “Mookie” Kaczor, allowing him to focus on his PD duties, while James (right) will host Saturdays from noon to 4pm. Slater assumes her new duties on Monday, March 14, while James begins Saturday, March 19.
“This is a huge leap for the station,” Kaczor said. “We’re bringing in two broadcast professionals who are beloved in the field. Julie and Lesley are outstanding individuals. They’re part of the music scene. They live and work in our community. And, they love sharing music. It’s a perfect fit! Plus, we’re proud that 88.5 is increasing the gender diversity of the region’s airwaves.”
Slater is already familiar to some 88.5 listeners — in 2017, her show, Out On a Limb, aired on Saturday nights. Slater formerly did afternoons on the late, great KSWD (100.3 The Sound)/Los Angeles and famously followed Howard Stern at the late WXRK (92.3 K-Rock)/New York for nearly a decade before moving to Los Angeles in 2006 to work for SiriusXM. “The planets have finally aligned and here we are! Please cue Radiohead’s ‘Everything in its Right Place,'” Slater said. “I’m so excited to be back at 88.5 and to have an outlet for my music obsession. Looking forward to connecting with listeners and supporting local music — as we (crosses fingers) reopen venues and get back to it.”
James, who formerly programmed Alternative WWCD (CD102.5)/Columbus, OH and currently works for Hazel Street Records, commented, “I am beyond excited to dust off the headphones and join the amazing team at 88.5 as a weekend on-air talent. I come from local, independent radio, and can’t believe I get to share my passion again, this time in Los Angeles!”
GM Patrick Osburn remarked, “At a time in radio’s history where the commercial broadcast conglomerates are staffing multiple stations and air shifts around the country with the same on-air personality, we are proud to be among the leaders at producing a product that is very diverse, live, and local!”
88.5-FM is a combined effort of KCSN at Cal State University, Northridge, and KSBR at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo, simulcasting as 88.5-FM since October 2017, linking the L.A. and Orange County-based signals. [Slater photo credit: Michelle Shiers]
