Who do you love?

We know it’s us!!

It’s time to nominate Thin Air Community Radio as your favorite non-profit for STCU’s annual Valentine “Who Do You Love” contest. The contest runs February, 12 -21st. Set a reminder because you can log in and vote every day for Thin Air Community Radio! Go to STCU.org to vote now and let everyone know that You Love Your Community Radio Station!

This week, we sat down with KYRS volunteer and Gonzaga Broadcasting major Alyssa Haworth as part of our volunteer spotlight series. We asked the tough questions, and Alyssa had all the answers:

KYRS: Hey, Alyssa; so great to finally sit down and chat after the hectic end of the year we had. So, how long have you been volunteering down at the station?

ALYSSA: Just over four months.

KYRS: How’d you get involved?

ALYSSA: A friend told me about it, and it sparked my interest so I decided to join the team!

KYRS: And you’re majoring in broadcasting at Gonzaga, that must be helpful to your work here at the station!

ALYSSA: Yes! I want to work in the music industry!

KYRS: What is your favorite thing about volunteering here?

ALYSSA: I get to work in an environment that is towards my career path, and I love the people I work with!

KYRS: Favorite show on KYRS?

ALYSSA: I’m a big fan of Eloise’s Feast, and (when it was still on the air) Two Brown Ladies and a Microphone.

KYRS: What do you love most about living in Spokane?

ALYSSA: I love the urban style and I love nature; Spokane has a good mix of both. My favorite area is the Garland Ave and West Main street neighborhoods!

KYRS: Alright…you’re going out to eat and can only pick tacos or grilled cheese? What’ll it be?

ALYSSA: Grilled cheese.

KYRS: Any pets at home?

ALYSSA: I have a springer spaniel named Dempsey! He makes me so happy and we have similar personalities.

KYRS: We’re pitching at KYRS movie…who should play you in it?

ALYSSA: Camila Mendes.

Alright!! Thanks for sitting down with us, Alyssa, and THANK YOU for all that you do at the station!

For Black History Month, KYRS Thin Air Community Radio will be airing a special broadcast of
“The Reckoning: Facing the Legacy of Slavery in America”
Sundays at 1:00 PM

The Reckoning traces the history and lasting impact of slavery in America by looking at the experience of Kentucky, a slave state which stayed in the Union during the Civil War, but then aligned itself with Confederate ideals in the decades thereafter.

In a four-hour series for public radio, The Reckoning traces the history and lasting impact of slavery in America by looking at how the institution unfolded in Kentucky. This history is the genesis of many of the issues that exploded into public consciousness throughout the country in 2020.

The state remained in the Union during the Civil War, but many white Kentuckians fought to hang onto slavery and the wealth the enslaved provided. In the years that followed, former Unionists and Confederates banded together to violently deny black citizens a seat at the table.

As part of this story, we will meet members of two families who were deeply affected by the institution of slavery. One is a prominent white family descended from both a major slave trader and one of Kentucky’s largest slave owners, the other an African American family who descend from two of the people enslaved by the white family.

These two families reflect how slavery touched nearly every person, place and institution in America, and how the country still needs to reconcile this painful past with the impact slavery has had on the present day health, wealth and safety of African Americans.

Episode 1: Invisible History
February 7th 1:00 PM

The history of slavery is often taught as a bitter chapter of America’s past that has been rectified. But in Kentucky that history has been rarely acknowledged, and is poorly documented. This has made it particularly difficult for African American families to learn anything about their enslaved ancestors. We’ll meet one Black family just beginning to learn about their family’s connections to a plantation in Louisville.

Episode 2: Recovering History
February 14th 1:00 PM

Due to prohibitions against enslaved people learning to read and write, there are only a few written records left behind by formerly enslaved Kentuckians. But thankfully, over 100 people were interviewed during the 1930s about their experiences while enslaved. These narratives, combined with letters and diaries kept by white enslavers, help us better understand the true nature of slavery in Kentucky.

Episode 3: Aftermath
February 21th 1:00 PM

White Kentuckians fought on both sides of the Civil War but came together at war’s end to oppose a common foe–newly emancipated African Americans yearning for education, dignity, and a decent living. In the years that followed, Kentucky pioneered restrictive racial laws that became models for the rest of the South, and thwarted many efforts by Black Kentuckians to prosper–using violence and terror to accomplish whatever the law could not.

Episode 4: Facing The Past
February 28th 1:00 PM

There are clear lines that connect the legacy of slavery to many of our present day issues, including the racial inequities of COVID-19 infection and deaths, wealth inequality, and ongoing police brutality. A true and deep understanding of our history allows us to navigate the present moment and stop running away from the past.

Show Spotlight: Global Odyssey with Craig Reider

We’ve got a lot of great shows on KYRS, and we’re always looking to add a new one to our lineup. One of new shows which joined the KYRS family last year was Global Odyssey. It features a world-mix of music hosted by the very talented Craig Reider. With all the hectic craziness going on these last few months, we were finally able to sit down with Craig and talk about his show and get a little insight into the voice behind the microphone.

KYRS: Hey, Craig. It’s so nice to finally get a chance to chat with everything that’s going on! So tell us, when did your show first air, what is it all about, and what inspired you to create it?

CRAIG: The show is a mix of music from around the world, it first aired on September, 25th of last year! I have been listening to a lot of new music [from all around the world] since the pandemic/lockdown and felt I could bring that music to the public.

KYRS: What was your experience in radio before coming to KYRS?

CRAIG: I worked for WHPK in Chicago hosting a world music program from 1978 to 1980. Since then, music has just been my hobby.

KYRS: What do you want listener to “get” from your show?”

CRAIG: I feel there are two different types of listeners: most want to be entertained, and for them I try to play a fun mix of very different music each week; others want to learn something so I try to explain the playlists, and I post details on my show’s webpage. I’ve also been working on a new slogan for the show: “Music without borders”, I’d like to incorporate that more.

KYRS: Who here at KYRS inspires you to work?

CRAIG: There are so many great DJs here; I try to take something from everyone!

KYRS: When can folks tune in to Global Odyssey?

CRAIG: The show airs every Friday from 10am to Noon, and you can find the playlists with details on my showpage.

Global Odyssey

Thanks again for sitting down with us, Craig! And be sure to tune in to Global Odyssey every Friday at 10am right here on 88.1FM and 92.3 FM, and always streaming at KYRS.com or your favorite streaming app!

We are always looking for new content and for new shows to join the KYRS family. If this is something that interests you, reach out to us and let us know! You can share your thoughts about the shows we already have, recommend a show or music you’d like us to air, or even propose a show that you host yourself. All you have to do is send us an email, and get in touch with our program director, Dana, and we can get the ball rolling.

From all of us at Thin Air Community Radio, we wish you and yours all the best. Let love lead us into this New Year!

So this is Christmas
And what have you done?
Another year over
And a new one just begun
And so this is Christmas
I hope you had fun
The near and the dear ones
The old and the young

[Chorus]
A very Merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let’s hope it’s a good one
Without any fear

[Verse 1]
And so this is Christmas (War is over)
For weak and for strong (If you want it)
For rich and the poor ones (War is over)
The road is so long (Now)
And so happy Christmas (War is over)
For black and for white (If you want it)
For yellow and red ones (War is over)
Let’s stop all the fight (Now)

[Chorus]
A very Merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let’s hope it’s a good one
Without any fear

[Pre-Chorus]
And so this is Christmas (War is over)
And what have we done? (If you want it)
Another year over (War is over)
And a new one just begun (Now)
And so happy Christmas (War is over)
We hope you had fun (If you want it)
The near and the dear ones (War is over)
The old and the young (Now)

[Chorus]
A very Merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let’s hope it’s a good one
Without any fear

[Outro]
War is over, if you want it
War is over, now
Happy Christmas
Happy Christmas, Christmas
Happy Christmas, Christmas