FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 19, 2018
KLBP, Long Beach Public Radio is Now Broadcasting at 99.1 FM and Online at KLBP.org
The low-power FM station begins its broadcast throughout parts of Long Beach, San Pedro and Wilmington just in time to meet its Dec. 23rd FCC on-air deadline.
Long Beach, Calif. — Long Beach Public Media (LBPM) is proud to announce the successful on-air transmission of 99.1 KLBP, Long Beach Public Radio. Yesterday afternoon (December 18, 2018), the low-power FM (LPFM) station began airing a 36-hour continuous loop directly from its transmitter site located at the Port of Long Beach.
“I was driving down the 710 Freeway when I first heard our broadcast come through my car stereo. It was an emotional moment filled with immense gratitude. For the last three years our board, advisory council and volunteers have devoted countless hours to ensure this moment arrived. And now, it’s here,” said Ashley Aguirre, President of LBPM. “We’ve faced so much uncertainty and have been running a race against the clock for so long, that it feels like nothing short of magic to finally hear so many familiar local voices carried across the air.”
Residents throughout West Long Beach, the Greater Downtown area, San Pedro and Wilmington can tune in at 99.1 FM to hear their neighbors, friends, and local personalities. An online stream is also available at klbp.org.
The 17 pre recorded shows that make up KLBP’s pilot programming were selected from a pool of 100+ public submissions. Additional programs are currently in development and will debut early next year. Among those are segments from local media outlets like the LB Report, which will provide news headlines, the Long Beach Post, and Padnet, the city’s public access TV channel.
Ron Hodges, proprietor of Shannon’s Corner, was the project’s earliest backer and believes that “[KLBP] will make a great contribution to life in the city.” In February, Hodges not only donated studio space to LBPM, but he also covered the planning and building costs to give KLBP a home at 209 Pine Ave.
Construction is expected to be complete by the end of the year, allowing the station to migrate its operation to Pine Ave. in January. The studio will double as an educational facility for the community that offers access to equipment, training opportunities and technical assistance.
LBPM’s commitment to media education is what made it a standout applicant during the FCC’s latest filing window for LPFM permits. That commitment also caught the attention of the Long Beach Community Foundation (LBCF) who granted the nonprofit organization a $40,000 Knight Foundation Grant to launch the project.
“We have a long history of outstanding community reporting in our city. What’s been missing is a radio station to complement the existing media to bring important issues that matter in front of people,” said Marcelle Epley, President and CEO of the LBCF.
Even with a studio under construction and the grant funding on hand, LBPM’s fate was still uncertain less than a month ago. Fortunately, it took one call back in May to Kerry Gerot, Director of Communications and Community Relations at the Port of Long Beach, to set off a chain reaction of events and meetings that secured the station’s future.
On Nov. 26th the Port’s Harbor Commission approved a lease to install the station’s antenna on an existing 168 foot tower within their property. With this agreement in place, KLBP’s engineers charted course for the Port to flip the proverbial switch. At approximately 3:00 PM PST on Tues. Dec.18, the station’s signal could be heard around town.
“Now that it has taken to the airwaves, KLBP radio has the potential to become a vital community resource. I’d like to thank my Port colleagues for their team effort in helping to support Long Beach Public Media as it begins this exciting new broadcast venture,” said Gerot, “We look forward to hearing the many stories of Long Beach.”
With 168 hours to fill a week, KLBP has plenty of room for local talent to add their voice. The organization is still accepting submissions at klbp.org/submit
In addition, LBPM is currently running a GoFundMe campaign to help raise funds for its 2019 operating expenses, studio improvements, and ongoing developments.
“Now that we’re on-air, we’re faced with the challenge of staying on-air,” Aguirre added. “I’m confident that Long Beach will embrace this project and help it thrive for many years to come. The fun’s just getting started!”
Check out a List of KLBP’s Pilot Programs:
- Bix Mix — Longtime LB musician and DJ, Brett Bixby, takes you on an eclectic journey through genre and groove.
- By All Means Radio — Rod Barajas has been broadcasting all over the Southwest US since 1992, and now proudly joins the unique sound of KLBP. His 2-hour show is an exploration of all amazing music regardless of genre or format.
- California Country Show — Hosts Just Dave and Casey Cannon explore the many movements and scenes influenced by California Country music.
- Catbluz — Turn it up real loud and celebrate the blues with host Gilbert “Catfish” Mares.
- Cosmic Spot — Join host Michael Walsh for the latest sounds in electronic music ranging from house to experimental.
- Dancing on the Astral Plane — DOTAP is a show about the intersection of ethereal spirituality and the experience of music hosted by Rose Lozon.
- GoGo Boots Radio Hour — Great music, from any and everywhere. Kenny Field curates a mix of local bands and talent from around the world.
- Israel Hour — From classic favorites to contemporary hits, Josh Shron brings you a selection of Israeli music, news, discussion, and interviews.
- It’s a GAS! — Steve Blue relives the Great American Songbook through the standards and more.
- The Lunar Saloon — Ron Husges aka “Floppy Disco” brings you an aural soundtrack fusing psychedelic space rock, cosmic disco, synth-pop, jazz funk, italo disco, easy listening, electro, boogie funk, library music, and more!
- Magus Elgar (Audio Drama) — Discover the wonders of property damage as Magus Elgar deals with the strangest magic he’s ever witnessed: science!
- Sounds from the Basin — Local musician and music lover, Matt Cohn dives into the LA basins rich music history.
- The Westerino Show — Dean Westerfield and Jeff Guarino present an eclectic mix of music and comix reviews, highlighting experimental punk and jazz and rock and instrumental sounds, along with in-depth analyses of independent and underground comix and graphic novels.
- The Whole Way Through — After listening to the entirety of a local musician’s album, host Talon Stradley sits down with the artist to discuss everything that went in to its creation.
About Long Beach Public Media (LBPM) Long Beach Community Television & Media Corporation dba Long Beach Public Media, is a 501(c)(3) working to advance public media through education, technical assistance and access to production facilities. The organization was awarded a permit from the FCC to broadcast at 99.1 FM under the call sign KLBP-LP in December of 2015. KLBP, is a community service of LBPM.
For more information visit klbp.org
Follow at @klbpfm on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
For more information about KLBP, please contact:
Ashley Aguirre ashley@klbp.org
Photos:
All Photos are courtesy of Long Beach Public Media and are available for download here.
