KCWU
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| KCWU | |
 |
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| Broadcast area | Ellensburg, Washington |
|---|---|
| Branding | 88.1 The Burg |
| Slogan | Your music central. |
| Frequency | 88.1 (MHz) |
| First air date | 1958 (as carrier current) |
| Format | college radio |
| ERP | 500 watts |
| HAAT | -59 m |
| Class | A |
| Callsign meaning | K Central Washington University |
| Former callsigns | KCAT |
| Owner | Central Washington University |
| Website | 881theburg.com |
KCWU (formerly KCAT), also known as 88.1 The 'Burg, is the college radio station for Central Washington University based out of Ellensburg, Washington. The history of The 'Burg starts back in 1958 when small broadcast facility, KCAT, started broadcasting on 880 AM. The 'Burg, now KCWU, has flourished into a state-of-the-art broadcast facility. It now broadcasts 500-watts at a frequency of 88.1 MHz.
The Burg offers a wide variety of programing including: new college alternative rock (that is reported to CMJ), talk radio , and specialty shows during the night hours that feature spotlights on specific genres (they have shows highlighting electronica, hip-hop, world music, local northwest music, blues, heavy metal, punk rock, classic rock, reggae, singer/songwriter music and many other unique sub-genres of rock.)
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[edit] History
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[edit] KCAT (1958—1998)
KCAT began transmitting on 880AM in 1958 as a carrier current station. In 1962, The FCC granted the Central Washington College of Education Board of Trustees a non-commercial, educational FM broadcast license to operate KCWS, a 10-Watt FM Broadcast station. KCWS 91.5 FM signed on the air on April 29th, broadcasting from the same building as KCAT 880 AM. Ten years later, Central Washington State College of Education lost its FM broadcast station. It was unpopular with most students due to its classical music and talk/documentary format[1]. In 1973, KCAT AM broadcast facility moved to the Student Union Building, but it was destroyed in a fire in the Summer of 1976. In 1980, KCAT then switched from carrier current AM to and FM cable station, transmitting its signal through King Video Cable in Ellensburg. In April of 1992, KCAT officially separated from the CWU Communications Department because of limited faculty and budget, and declining student interest in radio degrees. In March 1995, The CWU Service and Activities Fee Committee granted money to KCAT to once again facilitate the process of obtaining an FCC broadcast license.
On July 1, 1995, KCAT became an officially recognized department under the CWU Division of Student Affairs. KCAT obtained its Construction Permit on March 3, 1998, to build a 500-Watt, non-commercial educational FM broadcast station at 88.1 MHz, with tower site located at 1300 North Pfenning Road in Ellensburg. Two months later, KCAT was given the call letters "KCWU" by the FCC, to use once it signs over the air. The call letters were changed because "KCAT" already existed in Pine Bluff, Arkansas.
[edit] KCWU in the SUB (1998—2006)
On September 19, 1998, KCWU-FM began 24-7 live operation, under the leadership of student Program Director Noelle Trolio. The Burg's first remote broadcast aired April 30, 1999 at noon from the gazebo at 4th and Pearl in downtown Ellensburg.
In October 2001, The 'Burg began the Fireside Chat broadcast series, featuring (for the first time in the station's history) live broadcasts from the CWU President's home once every quarter. The broadcast occurs before a live studio audience of CWU students, and is designed as an intimate forum for them to discuss and address their concerns and issues to the President and the four University Vice Presidents in a very informative Q&A format. In the same month, then Promotion Director Kevin Tighe began "Rock Night with The 'Burg" now known as "Alley Ice with The 'Burg," was implemented as a live music and contest broadcast from the local Rodeo Bowl bowling alley every Wednesday night from 9pm to Midnight.
[edit] KCWU in the SURC (2006—)
On March 6, 2006, The Burg temporarily suspended live talent as they transitioned into their new state-of-the-art facility in the new SUB/Recreation Facility. On August 3, 2006, KCWU-FM began audio transmission from its new broadcast studios in the SURC. They also adapted for live radio streaming from their website, broadcasting worldwide.
[edit] Program Funding
The radio station is largely funded by fees paid by the Central Washington University student body and from local underwriting. The student-run radio station is currently asking the student body government for [$256,646 dollars][2] annually to operate for the 2008 and 2009 fiscal years.
[edit] Programming
[edit] Specialty Shows
- Back in the Day — DJ Dropkick hosts an old school Hip-Hop show. Classic Hip-Hop from the late 1970s through the 1990s. Features artists like Run DMC, Public Enemy, A Tribe Called Quest, Gangstarr, 2Pac, Outkast and more.
- Burg Beats — Jay Hayes spins R&B and Hip-Hop featuring prize giveaways, The 'Burg Beat of the hour, and music industry news.
- The Foundry — Janie Jones and Big Ben host a unique spotlight on singer/songwriters, including live in-studio performances.
- House Special — DJJDSoup hosts a dance music show Friday nights from 9:00 PM until 2:00 AM, with occasional guest DJs.
- The Noon Thing — Local News, entertainment news, guest interviews, and commentary about the issues affecting the Ellensburg community.
- Northwest Format — Zach Hawkeye hosts music of the Pacific Northwest, from major label acts to indie and upcoming projects. Features bands like Death Cab for Cutie, Minus the Bear, The Decemberists, Aqueduct, and Gatsbys American Dream.
- Reggae Groove — DJ Dropkick hosts a Reggae show, specializing in Rastafarian culture, Ska, Dub, and everything Reggae with Jamaican roots.
- Rock Revisited — JJ Joost hosts a show specializing in Classic Rock, featuring artists such as Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, and The Beatles.
- The Study Hall — A live broadcast from Central Washington University's Student Union Pit. DJs play new rock and classic alternative music, along with contests and live crowd interaction.
[edit] Guests
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KCWU has hosted several notable guest interviews, and live in-studio performances. Many of these were made possible by the upgrade of station facilities in 2006, including the addition of a performance studio ("The SoundHouse").
[edit] Interviewees
- Aileen Paron
- Steve Anderson, F*CK director
- Alison Arngrim, Little House on the Prairie
- Dan Bern
- Brendan B. Brown (Wheatus)
- Chali 2na
- Tom Chaplin (Keane)
- Copeland
- Drew (webcomic artist)[1]
- Jason Finn, (The Presidents of the United States of America)
- Further Seems Forever
- Grandaddy
- Nicholas Gurewitch[1]
- Mark Hammill[1]
- Jerry Holkins[1]
- Ron Jeremy
- Alex Kapranos (Franz Ferdinand)
- Dave King (Flogging Molly)
- James Kochalka[1]
- Kip Kubin (Venus Hum)
- Maurice LaMarche[1]
- Little Jimmy Urine (Mindless Self Indulgence)
- Alex Maas (The Black Angels)
- Scott McCloud[1]
- Me Without You
- Mindhead
- MXPX
- Dr. Josh Nelson, CWU Foreign Languages
- Ozomatli
- Pedro The Lion
- James Scott Peters
- Steve Rittereiser, CWU AVP for Business Auxiliaries & Public Safety
- Jeffrey Rowland[1]
- Brendon Small[1]
- Soular
- Richard Stevens[1]
- Laura Veirs
- Visqueen
- Helio Sequence
- Raveonettes
- Jason Anderson
- Ben Folds
- Weezer
- Billy West[1]
- Wil Wheaton[1]
- David Wright[1]
[edit] In-studio performances
- Jeff Grant
- Tim Easton
- Justin Klump
- Mark Pickerel
- Star Anna
[edit] References
[edit] External links
- KCWU official website
- Query the FCC's FM station database for KCWU
- Radio Locator information on KCWU
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