Jonesboro, AR – Contributed – KASU 91.9 FM, the public media service of Arkansas State University, will host a Live Fall Fundraising weekend, culminating in a live two-hour episode of 6 Degrees of the Delta and a listener party from 4-7 p.m. on Nov.15.
The Live Fall Fundraising weekend will be from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 13; 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 14; and from 9:30 a.m.-10 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 15. The public is invited to KASU’s live “Records Party” from 4-7 p.m. in KASU Studios, in the Education/Communication Building, room 152, on the A-State campus in Jonesboro at 330 West University Loop.
The live “Records Party” will coincide with the live two-hour episode of 6 Degrees of the Delta, with special guest co-host, musical artist and music heritage conservator Greg Spradlin joining host LaDawn Lee Fuhr.
These fundraisers continue KASU’s efforts to offset funding challenges due to the elimination of federal support for public media.
The KASU Fall Fundraiser goal is $60,000. Donations can be made online anytime here or by downloading the KASU mobile app. KASU listeners become members by making financial contributions to the non-profit educational station. Businesses can become underwriters of KASU by supporting programs and activities.
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KASU is “On the Road to 70” this year and will be celebrating its 70th birthday on May 17. KASU signed on the air May 17, 1957. KASU is Arkansas’ oldest non-commercial public radio station. The station has been an NPR member station since 1971. In addition to locally produced news and music programs, KASU pays to receive programming from NPR, American Public Media, and other sources.
According to Mark Smith, KASU station manager, “The management staff decided to try something different and reach a broader audience with a live weekend fundraiser and live listener event for 6 Degrees of the Delta at the station. We are excited that Greg Spradlin is joining us on Sunday evening. KASU continues to navigate these uncertain times with the support of Arkansas State University, listener member donations, and businesses through underwriting.”
Smith continued, “There has never been a more important time to support public radio and KASU. We hope the public will join us on Sunday evening and every day, through listener and underwriter support.”
Musical artist Greg Spradlin hails from Pangburn, AR, and has been playing music since before he could legally drive a car. He was mentored by Arkansasawyer Jim Dickinson, and Spradlin’s music was recorded by him and his sons, The North Mississippi Allstars.
After several early record deals with various projects, he now puts out his own records, most recently as Rev. Gregory Joe Spradlin and the Band of Imperials, featuring members of Los Lobos and Elvis Costello’s band, The Imposters. His music has been featured in Arkansas Tourism campaigns and in multiple episodes of ESPN’s “True South.” Spradlin scored the soundtrack to the Emmy-winning PBS documentary “Unveiled: Daisy Bates and Johnny Cash.”
Spradlin works tirelessly as a heritage conservator, promoting and protecting the roots music of Arkansas. He’s helped bring forth legislation to designate memorial highways in Arkansas for musical artists like Sister Rosetta Tharpe and Johnny Cash. He was recently part of the creation of the Arkansas Music Trail and the opening of the ATG Pavilion in the Argenta neighborhood of North Little Rock.
KASU is the public media service of Arkansas State University and accepts membership contributions at any time. Listeners may call 870-972-2200 during regular business hours, Monday through Friday. More information, including ways to donate, can be found at kasu.org or its Facebook page.
One may also contact Rayna Kingston or LaDawn Fuhr for more details.
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