KPLU Facts
KPLU Personalities
Jazz You Need
KPLU consistently ranks in the top 10 stations in the market, with an average
audience of 333,000 people per week. The radio audience has nearly doubled
in the last decade.
177,000 people listen to the station online every month, making it one of
the highest rated Webcasts. Evidence of its widespread appeal: KPLU receives
donations from every state and eight foreign countries.
The station has several translators that allow it to be heard throughout
Western Washington, and even on the Oregon Coast. Public radio stations are
allowed wider coverage areas than commercial stations.
You can find the station 88.5 FM throughout most of the Puget Sound area,
or on one of these translators:
Bellingham, 88.7; Mt. Vernon, 91.1; West Seattle/Shoreline, 88.1; Centralia/Chehalis/Aberdeen/Hoquiam,
90.; Port Angeles, 90.9; Raymond/South Bend, 90.3; and Longview/Kelso, 104.1.
Webstreams are available worldwide at www.kplu.org.
Among the awards the station has won are the Marconi Award of Excellence
from the National Association of Broadcasters. It was the first time a public
radio station received the national award. Other honors include Gavin Awards
for the Top Jazz Station in the country four times. Program Director Joey
Cohn has twice been named Gavin’s Jazz Radio Person of the Year, and
the American Marketing Association named General Manager Martin Neeb to the
Media Hall of Fame as the Radio Person of the Year.
The news department won a national Edward R. Murrow journalism award for
a documentary by reporter Keith Seinfeld on the controversial Makah Whale
Hunt. The station consistently wins regional journalism awards for its news
coverage.
KPLU started as a tiny station in 1966 broadcast only to PLU and Parkland. The station expanded to more of Pierce County in 1972 but really took off in 1980, when it acquired a new tower allowing it to broadcast at 100,000 watts. Moving the transmitter to Tiger Mountain outside Issaquah, Wash., in 1989 expanded the coverage area even more. It became an NPR station in 1983 and changed its format from classical to jazz the same year.
Ever wonder about the people behind the voices you hear on air? Here’s
a look at just a few of the personalities who make up KPLU. Additional information
on hosts can be found at www.kplu.org.
Morning Edition Host
Age: 44
Years at KPLU: 15
Background: I worked for public radio station KWSU while at Washington
State University and helped build student radio station KZUU and went into
commercial radio after college, anchoring the afternoon newscasts at WMRE
in Boston. I was then news director at KEDO-AM/KLYK-FM in Longview before
returning to public radio in 1987 as Weekend Edition host at KPLU. I became
Morning Edition Host in 1988.
Family: I have a wife and two very spoiled cats.
Hobbies: I collect science fiction novels and movie props. I love to
read.
Why do you like working at KPLU?
I enjoy the in-depth coverage and creative freedom offered by public radio.
I'm proud of the quality of our broadcast journalism. Although commercial
radio can be more lucrative in terms of paychecks, money can't buy happiness.
Afternoon "All Things Considered" Host/Reporter
Age: 29 (really!!)
Years at KPLU: Four
Background: I have been involved in news and radio since I was a staff
writer at the University of Northern Colorado Mirror in Greeley, Colo. I was
news director/producer and afternoon anchor at KUMR, University of Missouri-Rolla,
Rolla Mo., from 1995-1998, when I joined KPLU. I’m involved in many cultural
and community organizations in the Tacoma area.
Family: Married to Jeff, an environmental engineer in Olympia.
Hobbies: Playing guitar, piano, singing/songwriting, dance, theater
and reading fiction. (In my spare time I've no need for non-fiction after
a day of news!)
Why do you like working at KPLU?
I really enjoy the fun and creative people I work with. It's such a joy to
be part of a team that includes the nutty music folk and the amazing news
minds. I just love radio. It’s just pretty cool to know that people are
tuning you in – it’s almost like being a friend to people.
Midday Jazz Host/Music Director
Age: Dating myself might have an affect on my dating.
Years at KPLU: 15
Interesting background: I worked at several commercial radio stations in Seattle
including KZAM, KISW, KEZX. I played in some blues/R&B bands on the Seattle
blues circuit, mostly Pioneer Square and Pike Place Market bars and helped
to found and edit The Rocket, a publication (now defunct) that chronicled
aspects of the Northwest music scene.
Family: I'm single, which I hope DOES have an affect on my dating.
Hobbies: Book collecting. Standing around looking like I'm about to
do something interesting.
Why do you like working at KPLU?
We play great music. Great music gives people joy. My job is to help find
great music, so somebody's joy is a direct result of my job. Nifty, huh?
Host of Sunday Side Up and Nightmoods; calendar & jazz hotline editor
Age: No answer
Years at KPLU: Nine
Background: I’m an actor and a singer working out of the Seattle
area and among other things regularly perform at Tula’s in downtown Seattle.
Family: My husband, Mark, and I just married last year.
Hobbies: Cooking, gardening, skipping rocks, beachcombing.
Why do you like working at KPLU?
KPLU is an easygoing place with caring people who love their chosen profession.
Music makes us feel. Through my show, I hope to help people connect on a more
spiritual level. I want listeners to embrace the calm in a crazy world, to
think of the gentleness.
Midday Jazz host and production director
Age: 57
Years at KPLU: 10
Background: I have DJ'd at top-40, country and classical stations and
hosted radio phone talk show five years on KFQD, Anchorage. I was formerly
a freelance copywriter/voice talent, chimney sweep and window washer and was
the original voice of Microsoft's American Heritage Dictionary and Dictionary
of Musical Instruments.
Family: Married to Cheryl DeGroot, nationally known metal smith and
jewelry designer.
Hobbies: Reading, cooking and middle-limit and no-limit poker.
Why do you like working at KPLU?
I love jazz and love the chance to share my favorite music with listeners.
The staff of KPLU compiled a "Jazz Collection Starter Kit," with
the 10 CDs that cover
several areas (and eras) of jazz and serve as a starting point for further
exploration of the music.
1. Kind of Blue - Miles Davis, Columbia
One of the finest jazz groups ever assembled (including John Coltrane, Cannonball
Adderley and Bill Evans), and this is their only recording.
2. Time Out - Dave Brubeck Quartet, Columbia
Includes the song "Take Five," one of the most popular jazz records
ever made.
3. Pure Ella - Ella Fitzgerald, Decca/GRP
Just Ella Fitzgerald and pianist Ellis Larkins. Pure, indeed.
4. Turn on the Heat - Fats Waller, RCA/Bluebird
Solo piano recordings from one of the most gifted and entertaining performers
in jazz.
5. The Louis Armstrong Hot Five and Hot Seven Recordings, Columbia
These recordings are available on several CDs released by Columbia Jazz Masterworks.
Consistently delightful, absolutely essential.
6. Soular Energy - The Ray Brown Trio with Gene Harris, Concord
A great example of the jazz/blues piano trio sound. Harris is one of today's
most popular jazz pianists.
7. The Bossa Nova Years - Stan Getz, Verve
A three-CD set of the best of saxophonist Getz and his exploration of Brazilian
music.
8. Blues For Fred - Joe Pass, Pablo
Solo jazz guitar from the man many consider to be the master. Jazz versions
of songs introduced by Fred Astaire in his films.
9. The Complete Decca Recordings - Billie Holiday, Decca
Lady In Autumn - Billie Holiday, Verve
The Decca recordings are the best of Billie early in her career. The Verve
recordings were made toward the end of her life. Both collections are well
worth your while.
10. John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman, Impulse/MCA
One of the most romantic jazz releases of all time. Mood music of a very high
order.
If you would like to order any of these CDs, you can call the Public Radio
Music Source at 1-800-75-MUSIC. Part of your purchase price will benefit KPLU.