KXCI Community Radio to unveil new studio in Hotel Congress

For Immediate Release
KXCI 91.3 FM UNVEILS NEW HOTEL CONGRESS STUDIO OVER LABOR DAY WEEKEND
PUBLIC OPEN HOUSE AND “LOAD THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS” PARTY DURING HOCO FEST
Press contact: Kurt B. Reighley | (206) 890-2492 | eltoro@kxci.org
On Labor Day weekend, KXCI Community Radio unveils its new studio in Hotel Congress, with an open house and “Load the Library of Congress” party, Saturday, September 2, and Sunday, September 3, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Members of the public are encouraged to come explore the station’s new downtown facility, and help build the Congress studio’s music collection by donating a new or gently-used copy of a favorite CD or album.
As part of the grand opening festivities, the afternoon drive time show The Home Stretch will broadcast live from the KXCI Hotel Congress studio during HoCo Fest, Wednesday, August 30 through Friday, September 2, from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m.
“We’ve been working towards this dream of opening a studio in the heart of downtown for over three years now, and I’m thrilled to finally be open for business,” says KXCI Executive Director Cathy Rivers. “This studio will allow the KXCI community and Tucson visitors to get even closer to the music, podcasts and mini-programs that make our community radio station so special. It will also create more opportunities for special broadcasts, out-of-town guests, and additional in-studio videos.” 
“This partnership is a great fit, because Hotel Congress and KXCI are both committed to nurturing our music community,”adds David Slutes, Entertainment Director for Hotel Congress. “Being able to see that on-air DJ – right at street level – offers tangible evidence of how crucial music is to Tucson, and the new studio adds something special to the vitality of downtown.”
This new auxiliary studio is located in the Hotel Congress lobby, directly across from the Copper Room, with windows looking out on Congress Street. Just steps away from both Club Congress and the Rialto Theatre, the convenient location will allow KXCI to welcome more touring musician to the airwaves.
“KXCI is the heartbeat of Tucson,” says Joey Burns of Calexico. “The addition of the KXCI studio at historic Hotel Congress will enable even greater connections between audiences and artists, like live performance broadcasts, special videos, and more in-depth interviews. As a community, it feels like we’re turning a corner, and it’s exciting to see – and hear – KXCI growing as a part of that.”   
The new studio was designed by Tucson firm Baker + Hesseldenz, with an emphasis on showcasing the tradition of independent radio, while also complementing the Hotel Congress aesthetic.
“We wanted to create a space that felt dark, cool, and comfortable, in homage to radio and recording studios of the ’50s and ’60s,” says Scott Baker. “And since people will be watching the on-air talent and guests, we brought in an element of theater as well.”
“This is perfect timing for KXCI,” adds Mary Ann Hesseldenz.“We live in such a visual society now. People today want – and expect – a fuller experience, and the increased visibility of KXCI downtown can help them reach a new generation of listeners.”
About KXCI
Founded in 1983, KXCI is an independent radio station committed to connecting the communities of Tucson and Southern Arizona to each other – and the world – with informative, engaging, and creative community-based programming. More than 35,000 listeners tune in to the station each week over the air and online. KXCI plays music from all genres and eras, as well as informative, locally-produced mini-programs, provided by 70+ volunteer DJs and on-air hosts. For more information, please visitwww.kxci.org.
About Hotel Congress
Open since 1919, the historic Hotel Congress is downtown Tucson’s longest continuously-operated business. This cultural vortex offers 40 vintage-style guest rooms, the award-winning Cup Café, the world-renowned Club Congress music venue, and more. Every year Hotel Congress hosts a full slate of events, including Dillinger Days, Agave Heritage Week, HOCO Fest, a New Year’s Eve Gala and The Nightmare On Congress Halloween celebration. With almost 100 years in Tucson, there is a story in every detail of this downtown gem – if only the walls could talk.
KXCI Community Radio | 520-623-1000 | KXCI.ORG

6 thoughts on “KXCI Community Radio to unveil new studio in Hotel Congress”

  1. Lovely new digs for KXCI’s satellite studio, to the right as you enter Hotel Congress from Congress St. Good news for DJs I know — Amanda Shauger, Bob Diaz, John Putnam, Andrea Kennedy — all hosting their own special kind of programming at KXCI. Free key chains & pens, postcards today/tomorrow or you can purchase a tshirt or carry all bag.

    • Don’t know about John C. Scott but KXCI plays Amy Goodman’s Democracy Now every weekday at noon.

  2. anybody know what happened to liberal talk 1480 in phoenix? are shows being aired on any other stations?

    • From wikipedia…

      On July 1, 2017 KPHX stopped broadcasting; the station’s website stated that “KPHX 1480 is no longer broadcasting progressive talk in Phoenix…Thank you for listening”. It has gone silent because the AMC-8 satellite that supplied its programming was taken out of service at midnight on June 30, 2017.[2] AMC-8 has been replaced by AMC-18, which is at a different location in the sky, requiring repointing the station’s dish.[3]

      This puts us in line with most of the flyover states and TrumpLand where they get a regular dose of hate and whining from Hannity and Rush and some even worse local folks, without a counterpoint or fact checking.

      FYI, I’m not giving Thom Hartman a lot of listening these days. He’s still calm and rational, but he works with RT, which as we’re all learning is Putin’s personal network.

      I want Russia out of the White House and my media.

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