Station Spotlight: Oregon State University KBVR FM 88.7

Last Updated on August 31, 2012 by askcbiorg

Kurt Hagan – Station Manager

1. Tell me a little history about your station and where your station is now?
Our station started in 1965 broadcasting with 10 watts of power. Now we are able to broadcast within a 40 mile radius of Corvallis and reach Albany. And we are streaming live 24/7 at kbvr.com.

2. Why did you choose radio?
I love music and I love talking. The radio enables me to engage audiences with my commentary and share the music that I enjoy with people from all over the Corvallis area.

3. What sets your station apart from other college radio stations?
We are a very diverse station. We do play a decent amount of indie/folk music  which is counteracted with hip hop slow jams, love talk shows, 50s and 60s  music, electronica/hyphy and everything in between.

4. Where do you see this station in five years?
I have a feeling KBVR will turn into a multi-media powerhouse, combining music, graphics, video and audio into a masterpiece of shared human experience.

5. Has any caller or guest ever left you tongue-tied?
Yes. I have gotten some interesting callers. Some just wanted to hear some bizarre jams and others would not stop talking and wanted to promote themselves.

6. The best part of radio work? And the worst part?
The best part of radio is when a caller or a listener compliments you on your music selection or gives incite to something you were discussing. The worst part is when we get told how we need to broadcast and present ourselves.

7. How radio is now compared to when you started?
The station has become more welcoming and more people are becoming interested in being apart of it. DJ’s are wanting to volunteer their time to help out the station in reviewing albums, setting up promotional events and helping out with live in-studio performances.

8. What is your favorite interview?
I was fortunate enough to interview Kevin McCormack, an Irish folk singer. He and his fiddle player, Jackie Sandor, played in studio and sounded amazing. They were the nicest people too.

9. What advice would you give to incoming students about college radio?
I would tell them to seek out local musicians and go to a lot of shows to find underground artists who are willing to give you their cd’s in exchange for radio play.

10. Any questions for me?
What exactly are you going to do with these questions?

-Interview by Phileisha Motley, CBI Student Board Member