ON THE COVER
Staff Photo Nick Brothers
Joe Newman (left) and Hamsa Newmark (right) produce a radio program at the KPSQ-LP 97.3 FM production studio inside the Chancellor Hotel. The station hosts music, commentary and variety shows by locals.
After several years of chasing the dream of one day operating a non-commercial community-sourced radio station in Fayetteville, a few locals can officially announce that station is on-air.
KPSQ 97.3 FM is now broadcasting local and syndicated national programming from the Chancellor Hotel in downtown Fayetteville. Eclectic music DJ shows, local music, news commentary and more are in the lineup, with more shows on the way.
The station’s low-power frequency covers most all of the Fayetteville city limits, but interested listeners can tune in online from anywhere at kpsq.org/listen.
The dream for a Fayetteville community radio station started with Joe Newman. He wanted to hear better music on the radio — he was sick of commercialized music and its lack of variety and local involvement. He first made an attempt to team up with the OMNI Center in Fayetteville to hold the FCC licence for a full-power radio station, but wasn’t approved.
Four years ago, the FCC began granting low-power licenses to nonprofits — ideal for Newman and the OMNI center. Throughout the next four years, the radio committee that formed raised more than $20,000 while waiting for the FCC to process the application paperwork for KPSQ 97.3. Once approved, the next problem was finding studio space and a high point in town for an antennae.
Staff Photo Nick Brothers
(From left to right) Moshe and Hamsa Newmark and Joe Newman pose in the KPSQ 97.3 Fayetteville Community Radio studio. The station broadcasts locally sourced programming of music, news commentary, spoken word and beyond.
After getting denied from a few places at first, the Chancellor Hotel agreed to host the station and the antennae on its roof in exchange for underwriting — which is what that phrase “support for KPSQ comes from” is, rather than a call-to-action ad.
The hotel had an unused janitorial closet on the third floor and gave the space to KPSQ. Half of it has been remodeled for the station, and the other half is awaiting the needed funds to remodel it into a live broadcast studio.
The current studio features all the necessities for deejays and hosts to produce radio shows. There’s a mixing table, two microphones, headphones, two bookshelf monitor speakers, an auxiliary audio cord, two turntables and a few CD players, among other various equipment.
The station is volunteer operated by members of the Fayetteville community and all of it was funded by community donations. The station is currently seeking underwriting support from local businesses.
Courtesy Photo
KPSQ volunteers pose for a photo after successfully placing the radio antennae on top of the Chancellor Hotel.
“A commercial radio station sometimes needs upwards of a million dollars to open,” said Moshe Newmark, a member of the KPSQ steering committee. “We’ve been very frugal with our donations, and we’ve created a radio station with $14,000. That’s been enough for paying artist royalties, buying our studio equipment and getting this started.”
Station organizers aim be inclusive to all members of the community, including youth, who would like to produce a show of their own or help out in any way. The goal is to have KPSQ serve as the “voice of Fayetteville,” where anyone is welcome to come in and make community announcements or produce a show of their own.
“This radio station is molting. It’s in a creative and formative stage,” Newmark said. “It will be formed and shaped by those who participate. This is what we’re asking, that members of the community step forward who have something to say, something to sing, something to dance, whatever, and be part of this wonderful experiment called Fayetteville community radio.”
Anyone with a show proposal is encouraged to apply at kpsq.org.
“You don’t have to be a pro,” Newman said. “Whenever someone makes a mistake on air, we say don’t worry about it, it’s community radio. We will show and teach people how to put a radio show on, whether they want to pre-record it or do it live on air.”
Courtesy Photo
Kelly Mulhollan (left) and Allison Williams (right) work together to test out the turntables and some of the radio equipment for KPSQ broadcast. The station is ran by community volunteers and is funded from community donations.
Among some of the Pacifica Network shows being broadcasted are Democracy Now!, Sea Change Radio, The David Pakman Show. There are several music shows produced by local DJs. For example, on Afrosonic Taxi, Host DJK plays some of the best dance music from Africa and the Diaspora Tuesdays 8 to 10 p.m., and Poetize the News, where poet host Doug Shields makes sense of world events through poetry alongside guests Fridays at 10 p.m. A handful are live, and the rest are pre-recorded.
“It’s a great time for us to step in and fill that gap we’re missing of locally produced shows that quote on quote aren’t as smooth maybe, or have to take into consideration who is sponsoring us,” said Hamsa Newmark. “A community radio station is different. You don’t have to be stressed out about being super polished. You have to be good and clear, but you’re offering something totally different than the other radio stations.”
Two events are planned for community outreach and getting potential radio producers involved. The first is Sunday, Sept. 11, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Chancellor Hotel Bella Vista Room, located on the second floor. The event will feature tours of the studio and information sessions. Light refreshments will be provided. There’s also a fundraising launch party in the works planned for Sunday, Nov. 6 at Teatro Scarpino.
Staff Photo Nick Brothers
Joe Newman (left) and Hamsa Newmark (right) produce a radio program inside the KPSQ radio studio.
“It’s a labor of love, but the outcome will be a community radio station that is the voice of Fayetteville,” Newmark said. “Local talent, local perspectives, news commentary and music can all have a platform to share with other members of the community. This is what’s been missing in Fayetteville.”
The station’s phone number is 479-966-4667.
Local Shows Airing Now
• The Afrosonic Taxi — Host DJK plays some of the best dance music from Africa and the Diaspora, including the Caribbean and Latin America, Tuesday 8 to 10 p.m. and re-airs Thursday 9 to 11 a.m.
• Chilly Water Thursdays — Jam bands and southern rock with DJ JosB, Thursday 6 to 8 p.m.
• The Black Lodge — DJ Mike plays progressive rock, new wave and a little punk from the 70s and 80s era of Rock ‘n’ Roll,Thursday 8 to 10 p.m., re-airs Tuesday 9 to 11 a.m.
• Caribbean Pulse — DJ Hod-I plays music from the Caribbean. Mostly reggae and dancehall along with Caribbean facts and stories, Friday 9 to 11 a.m. and re-airs Monday 8 to 10 p.m.
• Poetize the News — Making sense of world events through poetry, with Fayetteville poet Doug Shields, Friday 10 p.m.
• Jazz with Gusto — Host Art Gust plays Big Band, Dixieland, Swing, singers and crooners from the 30s and 40s, Saturday 9 to 11 a.m. and re-airs Wednesday 9 to 11 a.m.
• Reggae Roadblock — Brother Moshe plays world-wide roots music from the Golden Age of Reggae, Saturday 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and re-airs Wednesday 8 to 10 p.m.
• Mixtape Matinee — The best of new underground music from psychedelic rock to Americana, indie and beyond along with casual commentary with Nick and Ethan, Sunday 2 to 3 p.m. and re-airs Friday 8 to 9 p.m.
• If That Ain’t Country — Western Red brings you Traditional country, honky tonk, bluegrass and western swing from the golden years through to modern times, Sunday 8 to 9 p.m.
Local Shows Coming Soon
• Music Makers — Host Ted brings local NWA musicians into the KPSQ studio for interviews and live performances.
• Feed Your Head — Dawn at Night brings you deep tracks and overlooked gems from the 60s and 70s rock era.
• Ozark BackStory — Bringing Arkansas Ozark life, culture, and history alive through folktales, poetry, legends, and learning.
For more information on how to submit a show proposal, visit kpsq.org.
KPSQ Information Meeting “Turn On, Tune In, Show Up”
Where: Chancellor Hotel, 70 N. East Ave., Fayetteville inside the Bella Vista Room, second floor.
When: Sunday, Sept. 11 2 to 4 p.m.
What: Tour the studio, learn about programming, how easy it is to host a show and volunteer opportunities.
