Danny Lemos named KLBP Interim General Manager

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 6, 2020

CSULB Student Media Coordinator, Danny Lemos, named Interim General Manager of 99.1 KLBP as Studio Grand Opening Approaches 

Long Beach, Calif — Long Beach Public Media (LBPM) is pleased to announce that radio veteran Danny Lemos has joined the team as Interim General Manager of 99.1 KLBP, Long Beach Public Radio. The move comes as the station’s permanent studio beneath Shannon’s on Pine, is set to open at the end of February. Lemos will lead the volunteer-run station as it transitions from a beta launch to a live studio operation. 

“At varying stages of this project, Danny has been one of our most trusted and key advisors. We are so happy to welcome him in this new role as he leads the next phase of our station’s development,” said Ashley Aguirre, president of LBPM. “His background as an educator ensures that we’ll honor our organization’s mission to build a platform that provides community access to technical training, resources and a hands on production facility”

Lemos is the Student Media Coordinator at Long Beach State University, overseeing 22 West Media, which includes 22 West Radio, 22 West Magazine and 22 West Video.  (Formerly Kbeach Radio, The Long Beach Union Weekly and College Beat TV.) He is also the Vice President/Western Region for Intercollegiate Broadcasting System. 

“My radio experience has morphed into a student development role over the years,” Lemos said. “Developing and educating new talent in radio and podcasting makes KLBP a perfect place for someone like me and I’m excited to be working with my third Long Beach station in 15 years.”

Lemos will serve in a volunteer position until the selection of a permanent General Manager can be made. KLBP is also seeking candidates to take on additional volunteer roles needed to operate the station. For a complete list of open positions, interested applicants can visit visit klbp.org/volunteer

Beginning his career in 1976 at KXLU-FM at Loyola Marymount University as on air host and Promotions Director. Subsequently he was Traffic Manager for KMET-94.7 FM/Los Angeles, Music Director at KIIS-FM/Los Angeles and KEZR/San Jose, wrote and produced for KIIS-FM/Los Angeles, K101-FM/San Francisco.  During those stints, Lemos wrote comedy and did voice characterizations for “Rick Dees In The Morning” and served as Executive Producer & Head writer for “The Rick Dees Weekly Top 40 Countdown” for Premiere Radio Networks, before turning to writing television specials for ABC-TV. 

He first arrived at California State University, Long Beach in 2006 as Operations Manager for 88.1 FM/KKJZ and a volunteer for student station Kbeach Radio in 2007.  Lemos has been working with radio students and contributing programming to 88.1/KKJZ and KBeach Radio since 2009. In 2010, he created “Mornings On The Beach” which was described as “the most diverse, multi-generational morning show in L.A. radio” and currently occupies the host’s chair on the show, a live laboratory for student training, which airs live Monday – Friday from 9a-10a PST.

About KLBP

KLBP-LP is a newly licensed low-power FM station broadcasting at 99.1 FM. As a public radio station with an emphasis on local music, storytelling and public affairs, residents throughout Long Beach, San Pedro, and Wilmington can tune in to hear their neighbors, friends, and local personalities. An online stream is also available at klbp.org and the TuneIn radio app. KLBP, is a community service of Long Beach Public Media. For more information visit klbp.org. Follow KLBP! Instagram Facebook Twitter

About Long Beach Public Media

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 and successfully launched the station in December of 2018. 

KLBP On-Air

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.

Isaac Svensson, a member of LBPM’s Board of Directors, listens to the station shortly after hitting the switch on KLBP from a tower located at the Port of Long Beach.

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.

A  view from inside KLBP’s soon to be on-air room. Pictured L to R: Carl Propst-dasilva, a member of KLBP’s Advisory Council, Bob Maguglin, Long Beach CVB Director of Public Relations and LBPM Board Member, David Alpern.

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.

Darick J. Simpson, Executive Director of LBCAP, Ashley Aguirre, President of Long Beach Public Meda/KLBP and  Sherry Diamond, a member of KLBP’s Advisory Council gather during a recent studio tour.

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.