KUTX Brings John Aielli (Back) to Drive Time and Adjusts Special Programs to Create a More Consistent Listening Experience, Beginning Sept. 1

AUSTIN, Texas – Aug. 18, 2014 – KUTX 98.9 is changing the air times of some shows and discontinuing others in order to more consistently deliver on its mission of reflecting the Austin Music Experience.

“In our first 18 months, we gave listeners and our music team time to see how KUTX would fit into their day and into the music community — with very few adjustments to what and when legacy programs aired,” said KUTX Program Director Matt Reilly. “Since our launch, we’ve learned that listeners love the diverse mix of genres curated by our hosts but that, with a few notable exceptions, they would like it available more consistently, throughout more of the schedule.”

As a result, KUTX will adjust some of its show times starting Sept. 1.

John Aielli and “Eklektikos” are moving to morning drive time with Aielli hosting from 7 to 9 a.m., Monday through Thursday — the same days he currently hosts. “John’s musings, weather commentary and guest interviews on community events, arts and music have always had a ‘morning show’ feel in the best sense of the description,” Reilly said. “We love the idea of sharing John with listeners at a time of day when the largest audience is available.

“It’s a new opportunity thanks to the creation of KUTX. John hasn’t hosted in drive time since ‘Morning Edition’ expanded to 9 a.m. 15 years ago on KUT.”

KUTX Music Director Jeff McCord will host music from 6 to 9 a.m. Fridays.

Susan Castle, who has hosted from 6 to 9 a.m. since the launch of KUTX, will begin hosting at 9 a.m. to kick off KUTX’s music-centric programming.

“Horizontes,” the Latin American music program hosted by Michael Crockett, will move to Sunday nights from 7 to 10; currently it airs from 1 to 4 p.m., Fridays. Jody Denberg will host on Friday afternoons until 4 p.m. with the mission of bringing more musicians into Studio 1A to preview weekend performances in Central Texas.

“The adjusted weekday schedule creates more options for local and touring musicians to perform in Studio 1A, especially on Fridays as they gear up for weekend gigs,” said Reilly.

“Alt.Latino,” the NPR Music-produced Latin alternative and Spanish rock music service, will follow “Horizontes” from 10 p.m. Sundays to 3 a.m. Mondays. “Alt.Latino” launched on KUT HD channel 3 and the KUT/KUTX mobile app last August and showed immediate growth as listeners discovered the service. It will continue to air on KUT’s HD channel.

“Folkways,” a folk music show hosted by Ed Miller and Kim Simpson from 4 to 6 p.m. Sundays and “Across the Water,” a Celtic music show hosted by Miller from 6 to 8 p.m. Sundays will be discontinued. The final shows will air on Aug. 31. “World Music,” hosted by Hayes McCauley, and “Global Grooves,” hosted by Michael Crockett, will move to the KUTX stream and KUT HD 3.

“We understand that not every schedule change will be popular with listeners, especially those who’ve grown attached to unique shows that have become an important part of their life,” said Reilly. “We’ve received a steady stream of listener feedback — both positive and negative — in our first 18 months, and we’re continually evaluating how to serve listeners in an ever-evolving music and media landscape,” said Reilly.

Other changes to the schedule include:

KUTX Program Director Matt Reilly will step back from hosting duties. Trina Quinn is filling in for him 2 to 5 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays.

Jody Denberg will pick up an extra hour weekday evenings and will be heard from 5 to 8 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, in addition to Friday afternoons from noon to 4 p.m.

“The Austin Music Experience,” the one-hour show hosted by Denberg and featuring live music performances, classic recordings and music news, will move to 6 p.m. Sundays.

Rick McNulty will assume hosting duties from Jeff McCord for “Left of the Dial” Friday nights at 7.

Elizabeth McQueen, a recent addition on Saturday afternoons, will switch hosting duties with McNulty and host from 10 a.m. to 2 pm., followed by McNulty from 2 to 6 p.m.

Art Levy will host music on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., replacing Denberg who is hosting Friday afternoons.

Paul Carrubba will host music from 2 to 6 p.m. Sundays

See the new schedule grid (below) for details on all schedule changes.

About KUTX 98.9, the Austin Music Experience

With a focus on "the Austin music experience," non-commercial, member-supported KUTX 98.9 features fresh, cutting-edge music, alongside iconic songs and established artists who continue to inspire. Programming includes more than 300 live, one-of-a-kind performances in Studio 1A each year; the Austin Music Minute, the KUTX Song of the Day, the Austin Music Experience showcasing live music; and the Austin Music Map featuring some of the unlikely places where music is being made, and MapJam, which brings the Austin Music Map to life in a daylong music festival. More at kutx.org, @KUTX on Twitter and Instagram, and on Flickr.

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Media contact: Erin Geisler (512) 475-8071