Submitted by: KMRE-FM
Bellingham’s longest operating public radio station, KMRE 102.3 FM, will be changing its music format this weekend from old time radio shows and music from the 1920s and 1930s, to one more in tune with today’s listeners who are over 35. The new format, designed by volunteer Music Director, Julie Marletto, and General Manager, Kevin Leja, is a broad eclectic mix of rock, blues, Americana, roots, jazz, folk, world, and reggae, with a healthy dose of local music in regular rotation. The overhaul will not stop there. A new logo and website brings the station’s public image in line with the new changes on the air.
While weekdays and overnights will be filled with the new music mix, KMRE’s signature, community-focused talk programming will maintain a prominent place in the station schedule in the coveted evening and weekend time slots. Popular locally-produced shows like Community Voz, Speak Up Speak Out, The Chuckanut Radio Hour, and Bluesland, will be complemented by new local programming such as Crina & Kirsten Get To Work, a funny and engaging show produced by two local women talking about issues women face in the workplace.
KMRE will also continue its nationally produced programs on subjects ranging from science, music, and politics, to popular culture and human interest.
”We will be adding local news, weather, community events, and other features to the music format in the near future,” said Leja. “Our new branding, ‘Community Powered KMRE,’ means we are truly powered by our community – by our listeners and their stories, our volunteers, and our financial supporters. Our goal is to empower unserved and underserved community voices through local and national programming, great music, and promotion of local non-profits and individuals doing good work in our listening area. To that end, we are looking for more local program ideas from people in Bellingham and Whatcom County, and we’re actively seeking volunteers to help the station grow – DJs, show producers, writers, journalists, graphic designers, engineers, grant writers, salespeople, and computer geniuses.”
A schedule of program times is available at KMRE’s new website, www.kmre.org. The
station’s new antenna and transmitter site on the Bellingham Herald building means more coverage for the station’s signal at 102.3 FM, but KMRE can also be heard anywhere in the world with an internet connection, or on smartphones using popular free apps like TuneIn, or smart speakers through services like Alexa.
KMRE Benefit Fundraiser
To celebrate the new changes and jumpstart their Spring fundraising drive, KMRE is throwing a benefit on May 3rd from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. in the Crystal Ballroom at the newly remodeled Hotel Leopold. Music will be provided by local favorites, The Atlantics. It’s Bellingham’s chance to party for a good cause. There will be libations and food, dozens of raffle items, and a chance to meet the volunteers pioneering the new station direction. Tickets are $10 at BrownPaperTickets.com or at the door. Beer and wine will be available at $5.00 per pour. Sponsors of the event include Daylight Properties, Boundary Bay Brewery, the Law Office of Douglas R. Hyldahl, Village Books, and Cicchitti’s Pizza.
Event details:
WHAT: Powered Up! – KMRE Benefit Fundraiser
WHO: KMRE-FM, a project of Kulshan Community Media
WHEN: May 3rd from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. (Doors open at 6:30 p.m.)
WHERE: Hotel Leopold, 1224 Cornwall Avenue, Bellingham, WA COST: $10, tickets available at BrownPaperTickets.com, or at the door
Note: This event is open to the general public. TV, radio, print, and online media outlets are encouraged to come.
Kevin Leja
Kevin cut his radio chops in college radio at KVSC-FM in St. Cloud, MN, eventually becoming Program Director. His first commercial radio gig was as a DJ and news director at KQRS-FM in Minneapolis – St. Paul, a pioneer “free form” rock station. Kevin eventually became Music Director and then moved on to work promotion for Atlantic Records. His love of music and high-quality audio led him into a decades-long career in marketing and distribution of high-end audio and video gear to AV dealers across the U.S. and Canada. He moved his businesses to Bellingham in 2004 and loves the people and the places that make Bellingham and the Pacific Northwest special. Unwilling to “retire gracefully” he was lured back into radio when KMRE was looking for a general manager to take them on the next step to independent, non-profit status.
Julie Marletto
Julie moved to Bellingham in 1991 for a radio job, and had no idea how deeply she would fall in love with our city by the bay. She is thrilled to serve KMRE community radio as Music Director. Julie has experience in commercial radio in Portland and Bellingham. She is no stranger to a radio station format change, as she was Program Director at KISM in the 90’s when they launched the “Independent Rock” format. She managed the band Swamp Mama Johnson “back in the day” and is passionate about playing local artists on KMRE. Artists – send us your music – music@kmre.org!
