- University News Archive - ��Vlog��ý Little Rock

Block, Beer & Bourbon returns Jan. 11 to Raise Funds for Public Radio

John Hill — Wed, 08 Jan 2020 16:19:14 +0000

The Friends of KLRE/K��Vlog��ýR will host the fourth annual (and Burgundy!) event Saturday, Jan. 11, to celebrate public radio and to raise funds for ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Public Radio’s stations, K��Vlog��ýR FM 89.1 and KLRE Classical 90.5.�� Block, Beer & Bourbon will take place from 6-9:30 pm at the Albert Pike Masonic Center, 712 Scott St. in downtown Little Rock. Block, Beer & Bourbon showcases jazz artist Rodney Block, who will perform with the Rodney Block Collective, as well as a curated selection of beers, bourbons, and Burgandy wine from O’Looney’s Wine and Liquor and food from The Pantry.�� This year’s event features a pre-party VIP reception from 6-7 p.m. and a tour of the historic Albert Pike Masonic Center building, and exclusive tastes of extra rare bourbons, beer, and wines. Attendees will also get commemorative tasting glasses to keep. Proceeds from Block, Beer & Bourbon support programming and operations of the two listener-supported public radio stations licensed to the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Nearly 70 percent of K��Vlog��ýR and KLRE’s funding comes from listeners and businesses.�� General admission tickets are $75 and VIP Tickets are $150. Tables and sponsorships are also available. For more information, contact Vanessa McKuin at 501-569-8485 or vanessa@kuar.org. Purchase tickets or tables at .��

Vandiver named general manager of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Public Radio

Ajani Oyindamola — Fri, 13 Dec 2019 19:53:55 +0000

Nathan Vandiver has been named general manager of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Public Radio, home of K��Vlog��ýR FM 89.1 and KLRE Classical 90.5.�� “I’m excited and grateful for this opportunity,” Vandiver said. “Public radio is an essential media service for our community, and I am honored to be able to lead this organization. I look forward to continuing the work of our staff and the Friends of K��Vlog��ýR/KLRE board has done these past three years to grow our service and find new ways to engage with our community.” Vandiver, who also works as the program director, has served as the interim general manager of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Public Radio since 2016. He is responsible for developing and maintaining program policy, supervising programming staff, selecting on-air programming, and overseeing the quality of on-air sound. “During this time, he has led the radio station in a strong and positive direction, and I very much appreciate his continued leadership,” said Dr. Julien Mirivel, interim dean of the College of Social Sciences and Communication. “I will look forward to seeing our public radio continue to thrive under his guidance in the many years to come.” During his time as interim general manager, Vandiver has overseen upgrades to KLRE’s and K��Vlog��ýR’s control rooms with new broadcast consoles and audio control systems, expanded development efforts with an increased focus on major and planned gifts, and two years of significant growth in revenue from underwriting and individual giving. Vandiver received a bachelor’s degree in journalism from ��Vlog��ý Little Rock in 2011. He started his career at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Public Radio as an intern in the spring 2009 semester. After a successful internship, he was hired as a part-time reporter and anchor. Vandiver was promoted to program director in 2013. Vandiver lives in Little Rock with his wife, Julie, and sons, Henry and Charlie.�� “I began my journey in radio as a listener,” Vandiver said. “I found public radio at a time in my life when I was seeking a broader perspective on how the world around me worked. My experience at K��Vlog��ýR began with an internship. As a university licensee at the state’s only metropolitan university, I look forward to providing similar opportunities for students to learn broadcasting and journalism through internships at a professional media setting.” Last year, Vandiver was honored with the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network 20 over 20 Award. The award celebrates the accomplishments of nonprofit professionals over the age of 20 and establishes them as emerging or current leaders in the nonprofit sector. Vandiver said the key to success for a nonprofit organization is focusing on the people the nonprofit serves and carrying out the organization’s mission. “As a public radio station, we keep our listeners first and foremost in our minds when we make decisions,” he said. “To connect to other nonprofits, keeping those we serve in the forefront of our minds is the key to success and not losing sight of our mission. While public media stations like KLRE and K��Vlog��ýR are essential public services, we must continue to work to build them up, tell their stories and expand their services.”

Arkansas bands to play Tiny Desk concert

Janea Snyder — Wed, 29 May 2019 17:48:53 +0000

Three of Arkansas’s top bands will perform Thursday, June 6, as part of National Public Radio’s ��event benefiting Little Rock Public Radio’s K��Vlog��ýR FM 89.1 and its regional program “.” , , and were selected to perform in the Tiny Desk Arkansas concert set for 8-11:30 p.m. at Stickyz Rock ‘N’ Roll Chicken Shack, 107 River Market Ave., Little Rock. All three Arkansas groups entered NPR’s national Tiny Desk Concert competition, named after the Tiny Desk video series of live concerts hosted by NPR Music at the desk of host Bob Boilen in Washington, D.C. Proceeds will support local music through K��Vlog��ýR and “Arts & Letters Radio.” Doors will open at 7 p.m. “These groups are fun and very talented and are all performing for a good cause – to help support both K��Vlog��ýR and ‘Arts & Letters Radio,’ an award-winning show that provides opportunities for a celebration of the arts and humanities in our region and beyond,” said J. Bradley Minnick, executive producer and host of “Arts & Letters Radio.” Indie‑Americana singer/songwriter Ashtyn Barbaree from Fayetteville will kick off the event at 8 p.m. with an acoustic set. Her self-titled debut album was recorded at the Butcher Shoppe Studio in Nashville, Tennessee, and released April 2018. Fayetteville’s Route 358 will take the stage at 9:15 p.m. Their Americana/Roots sound is a mix of bluegrass, rock, folk and country. Songs from the band’s first album “Only The River Knows,” earned the band a nomination for Americana/Roots Artist of the Year by the Arkansas Country Music Awards as well as a selection as a showcase artist for Folk Alliance Midwest and the John Hartford Memorial Festival. The Fayetteville-based Irie Lions, a six-piece reggae band, will perform at 10:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 and at , on or at the door the night of the show. For more information, contact at 501-569-8485. Photo top right:��Route 358��is one of three bands that will perform June 6 to raise money for NPR. Above Left: Singer/songwriter Ashtyn Barbaree Above Right: The Irie Lions

Block, Beer & Bourbon returns in January to raise funds for public radio

Ajani Oyindamola — Thu, 13 Dec 2018 18:21:12 +0000

The Friends of KLRE/K��Vlog��ýR will host the third annual event on Saturday, Jan. 12, 2019, to celebrate public radio and to raise funds for ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Public Radio stations K��Vlog��ýR FM 89.1 and KLRE Classical 90.5. This year’s Block, Beer & Bourbon will take place 7-9:30 p.m. at the Albert Pike Masonic Center, 712 Scott St., in downtown Little Rock. Block, Beer & Bourbon showcases jazz artist Rodney Block, who will perform with the Rodney Block Collective, as well as a curated selection of beers and bourbons from O’Looney’s Wine and Liquor and food from The Pantry. This year’s event features a pre-party VIP reception from 6-7 p.m., a tour of the historic Albert Pike Masonic Center building, and exclusive tastes of extra rare bourbons and beers. “Block, Beer & Bourbon is a time to get together after the holidays and celebrate the support of our generous listening community,” Interim General Manager Nathan Vandiver said. “Public radio’s value comes from its steadfast focus on providing its listeners and its community with meaningful news, information and music that informs and educates. I look forward to celebrating that service with our listeners and our generous community partners Rodney Block, O’Looney’s Wine and Liquor and The Pantry.” Proceeds from Block, Beer & Bourbon support programming and operations of the two listener-supported public radio stations licensed to the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Nearly 70 percent of K��Vlog��ýR’s and KLRE’s funding comes from listeners and businesses. General admission tickets are $75, while VIP Tickets are $150. Tables and sponsorships are also available. For more information, contact Vanessa McKuin at 501-569-8485 or��vanessa@kuar.org. Purchase tickets or tables at . ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Public Radio is a public service of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Its two stations, K��Vlog��ýR FM 89.1 and KLRE Classical 90.5, provide news and cultural programming to 84,000 people each week throughout Arkansas. K��Vlog��ýR is central Arkansas’s NPR station, and KLRE is the only radio station is Arkansas dedicated to classical music programming.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Public Radio’s Nathan Vandiver honored with Young Nonprofits Professionals Network 20 over 20 Award

Ajani Oyindamola — Wed, 17 Oct 2018 17:48:44 +0000

Nathan Vandiver, interim general manager and program director for, was honored with the YNPN Little Rock 20 over 20 award winners were announced at YNPN Little ��ǳ��’s CEO Talk Show on Oct. 5. The award was created to celebrate the accomplishments of nonprofit professionals over the age of 20 and establish them as the sector’s emerging or current leaders. “This is an honor, and I appreciate the gesture,” Vandiver said. “As someone who works in the nonprofit world, it makes total sense that K��Vlog��ýR/KLRE would be interested in the work of young nonprofit professionals. I admire the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network for the work they do developing up and coming talent in the nonprofit community.” Vandiver received his bachelor’s degree in journalism from ��Vlog��ý Little Rock in 2011. He started his career at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Public Radio as an intern in the spring 2009 semester. After a successful internship, he was hired as a full-time reporter and anchor. Vandiver was promoted to interim program director in 2013 and then interim general manager in 2016. Vandiver lives in Little Rock with his wife, Julie, and sons, Henry and Charlie. Vandiver said the key to success for a nonprofit organization is focusing on the people the nonprofit serves and carrying out the organization’s mission. “As a public radio station, we keep our listeners first and foremost in our minds when we make decisions for the public radio stations each day,” he said. “To connect to other nonprofits, keeping those we serve in the forefront of our minds is the key to success and not losing sight of our mission.” Vandiver also said he is impressed by his fellow award winners, who are doing a variety of work in nonprofit sectors across the board. “It was really inspiring to see all of the other people who were nominated, the things they are doing with other organizations and public health advocacy and public policy,” he said. “All across the board, everyone is doing some interesting work, and it’s inspiring to see all the other people who were nominated and how important the work we are doing is.” In the upper right photo,��YNPN-LR Board Chair James Rector (left) awards Nathan Vandiver (right) YNPN’s 20 over 20 Award.

NPR Morning Edition co-host Steve Inskeep to speak Nov. 12 at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock

Janea Snyder — Mon, 15 Oct 2018 15:42:49 +0000

National Public Radio Morning Edition co-host and author Steve Inskeep will give a “Rule of Law” lecture on Monday, Nov. 12, in the University of Arkansas at Little ��ǳ��’s Jack Stephens Center at 6 p.m. As part of his remarks, Inskeep will discuss the impact then and now on the Indian��Removal Act of 1830. The lecture, hosted by the , is free and open to the public. Inskeep is the co-host of ““, a nationally broadcast daily news program on NPR��public radio. He is the author of “Jacksonland,” a forthcoming historic account about Pres.��Andrew Jackson’s long-running conflict with John Ross, a Cherokee chief who resisted the��removal of Native Americans from the eastern United States in the 1830s. In 1839, Ross’ wife, Elizabeth��“Quatie” Ross, fell ill on the Trail of Tears and died in Little Rock. Her headstone is in Little��ǳ��’s .��Inskeep also wrote “Instant City: Life and Death in Karachi,” a 2011 book about one of the world’s great megacities. Former U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit Judge Morris “Buzz” Arnold will��introduce the program and moderate the question-and-answer session. Event sponsors include ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, Sequoyah National Research Center, and . “We’re excited to bring Steve Inskeep to Arkansas,” said Alice Alt of the U.S. Marshals��Museum Foundation. “We are all huge fans of his at the museum, and we’re looking forward to��hearing his insights on the Rule of Law, one of our nation’s constitutional bedrock principles and��a major part of what the museum will be about.” The U.S. Marshals Museum, set to open in Fort Smith in the fall of 2019, will tell the��story of our nation’s oldest federal law enforcement agency from its establishment by Pres.��George Washington through current day. It will focus on civic literacy and the Rule of Law, and feature five immersive galleries – Defining Marshals, The Campfire: Stories Under the Stars, Frontier Marshals, A Changing Nation and Modern Marshals. �� Admission to the lecture is free, but an is required by Nov. ��9. For more information about the U.S. Marshals Museum, visit .

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Public Radio to host trivia night Sept. 9

Ajani Oyindamola — Tue, 28 Aug 2018 14:36:26 +0000

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Public Radio is giving its supporters a chance to show off their smarts and raise money for their favorite public radio stations at the same time.�� “People turn to K��Vlog��ýR to stay up with the news, and this is a way to test their knowledge of the news and other trivia matters,” said Vanessa McKuin, development director for ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Public Radio. “It’s a fun, laid back way to connect with other public radio listeners and support the programming that so many people love and depend on.” event will start at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 9, at American Pie Pizza, 4830 North Hills Blvd., North Little Rock. American Pie Pizza also will donate 10 percent of its proceeds from the night to ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Public Radio. The Pub Quiz is a team trivia fundraiser for ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Public Radio. Questions will be a combination of news-related and general trivia questions. The cost is $15 per person. Teams can consist of two, four, five, six, or eight players. The event is sponsored by Challenge Entertainment and American Pie Pizza and hosted by the Friends of KLRE/K��Vlog��ýR. Register. For more information, contact Vanessa McKuin at 501-569-8485 or vanessa@kuar.org.

Tiny Desk Arkansas event set for June 28

Ajani Oyindamola — Tue, 19 Jun 2018 15:02:14 +0000

Three of central Arkansas’s best bands will perform Thursday, June 28, as part of NPR’s event.�� K��Vlog��ýR FM 89.1, central Arkansas’s NPR station, and its regional program, “Arts & Letters” has announced Black Horse, Monsterboy, and Dazz & Brie as the three groups selected for Tiny Desk Arkansas. K��Vlog��ýR News Director Michael Hibblen will serve as the night’s emcee. The event will be held from 8-11 p.m., with doors opening at 7 p.m., at Stickyz Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicken Shack, 107 River Market Ave., Little Rock. The fundraiser showcases three central Arkansas groups who entered NPR’s national Tiny Desk Concert competition. Proceeds will support local music through K��Vlog��ýR and “Arts & Letters.” “These groups are fun and very talented and are all performing for a good cause – to help support both K��Vlog��ýR and ‘Arts & Letters,’ an award-winning show that provides opportunities for a celebration of the arts and humanities in our region and beyond,” said J. Bradley Minnick, executive producer and host of “Arts & Letters.” Black Horse, a progressive surf-punk rock band who performs with an electric energy influenced by the 1960s, will take the stage at 8 p.m., followed by Monsterboy at 9 p.m.

Dazz & Brie

Monsterboy consists of husband-and-wife duo Chris Long and Veronica Wirges of Little Rock, who combine smart, original vocals with powerful sax music. Monsterboy’s reputation was enhanced by their acoustic set at Bonnaroo 2017, where they were featured and interviewed on MTV.com. Dazz & Brie will finish off the night with a 10 p.m. performance. The group was named Arkansas Times’ 2017 Musicians Showcase winners, the 2018 Kit-Kat Jingle winners, as well as ML Magazine’s Rising Idol. Reservations. There will be a recommended donation of $10 at the door. For more information, contact Vanessa McKuin, K��Vlog��ýR development director, at 501-569-8490 or svmckuin@ualr.edu. In the upper right photo, Chris Long and Veronica Wirges of Monsterboy are shown.��Photo by Nelson Chenault.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock professor receives $50,000 for public radio program

Ajani Oyindamola — Wed, 15 Nov 2017 14:16:59 +0000

A University of Arkansas at Little Rock professor has received a $50,000 commitment to create a partnership to continue a K��Vlog��ýR public radio show dedicated to humanities and literary arts in the South.�� The Arkansas Humanities Council signed a memorandum of understanding to award J. Bradley Minnick, associate professor in the Department of English, $10,000 a year for the next five years to continue the.�� “We want to highlight the intellectual work of the South, specifically the Arkansas and Mid-South region to share our rich tradition, history, and cultural production in our community,” Minnick said. Minnick is the executive producer and host of “Arts & Letters,” which airs at 7 p.m. on the second and fourth Fridays of the month on K��Vlog��ýR to an audience of 8,000 to 12,000 listeners and is available for download as a podcast on artsandlettersradio.org, NPR, NPR One, Player FM, and iTunes. Now in its fourth season, “Arts & Letters” has aired more than 30 episodes. Episodes cover a wide range of arts and humanities topics from the to the search for in downtown Little Rock to the . The program also highlights the musical talents of central Arkansas and regional artists, who share their music. Minnick completes special four-minute episodes “Arts & Letters Shorts,” which highlight contributing musicians. In the upcoming season, viewers can look forward to an episode on spirit possession in the Arkansas Delta region as well a program about ��

NPR CEO Jarl Mohn visits ��Vlog��ýLR’s K��Vlog��ýR

Ajani Oyindamola — Wed, 26 Oct 2016 17:02:43 +0000

NPR CEO Jarl Mohn visited the University of Arkansas at Little ��ǳ��’s NPR station K��Vlog��ýR on Oct 19 during a cross-country road trip to visit more than 30 NPR stations in 11 states. While visiting with various NPR stations, Mohn is learning how NPR can best support station efforts and initiatives, as well as getting to know stations, staff, and the communities they serve, said Nathan Vandiver, interim general manager of KLRE/K��Vlog��ýR. “K��Vlog��ýR and its staff had a wonderful time visiting with Mr. Mohn and his wife, Pamela,” Vandiver said. “We all appreciate his efforts to increase the success of NPR and the greater public radio system. It was a great opportunity to discuss the direction of public radio and to share some of our successes with Mr. Mohn.” Mohn also met with Lisa Bond-Maupin, dean of the College of Social Sciences and Communication, Christina Smith, director of development and external relations for the college, and Doug Clark, vice president of the board of directors of the Friends of KLRE/K��Vlog��ýR. Mohn also sat down for an to discuss the future of public radio.

NPR CEO Jarl Mohn visits with the staff of the University of Arkansas at Little ��ǳ��’s NPR station K��Vlog��ýR on Oct 19 during a cross-country road trip to visit more than 30 NPR stations in 11 states.

- University News Archive - ����Vlog��ý Little Rock

Block, Beer & Bourbon returns Jan. 11 to Raise Funds for Public Radio

Vandiver named general manager of ����Vlog��ý Little Rock Public Radio

Arkansas bands to play Tiny Desk concert

Block, Beer & Bourbon returns in January to raise funds for public radio

����Vlog��ý Little Rock Public Radio’s Nathan Vandiver honored with Young Nonprofits Professionals Network 20 over 20 Award

NPR Morning Edition co-host Steve Inskeep to speak Nov. 12 at ����Vlog��ý Little Rock

����Vlog��ý Little Rock Public Radio to host trivia night Sept. 9