KUAF will celebrate its two longest-running programs – Shades of Jazz and The Pickin’ Post – with a live concert broadcast and fundraiser from 7-10 p.m. Friday, June 22.
The two locally-produced programs have been on the air since 1980, five years before KUAF became a National Public Radio affiliate.
Robert Ginsburg, host of Shades of Jazz, and Mike Shirkey, host of The Pickin’ Post, curated the music for the concert, which takes place at the Fayetteville Public Library.
The event is sold out, but the performance will be broadcast live on KUAF 91.3 FM.
Performers include jazz musicians Claudia Burson, Ben Harris, Garrett Jones, Austin Farnam, Darren Novotny and Matt Beach, and folk musicians Ed Nicholson, Ed Carr, Tony Rupp, Emily Kaitz, Steve Fisher, and Ezra Idlet and Keith Grimwood of Trout Fishing in America. Ozarks at Large host Kyle Kellams will emcee the event.
“Local music programs have always been an important part of KUAF’s programming,” said Rick Stockdell, KUAF’s general manager. “Robert and Mike have shown a commitment to their programs, and to the local jazz and folk music scenes in Northwest Arkansas — that is unique in radio.”
Leigh Wood, KUAF’s membership director, said it’s the first time the station has hosted a live concert and on-air fundraiser at the same time.
“Ozarks at Large broadcasts live performances from the library, with the Fayetteville Roots Festival for instance, and of course, we have live on-air fundraisers three times a year, but this is the first time we’re doing both at the same time,” said Wood. “We want to give our listening audience something special and unique to remind them that it is listener support that makes the local music programs possible.”
