Teri Vance: Carson City radio station celebrates 1 year

Carson City’s local radio station KNVC 95.1 FM is celebrating one year on the air, and the community is invited to join in.

“We are thrilled with where we are right now,” said Kathy Bly, office manager and volunteer coordinator. “Absolutely thrilled.”

The community is invited to an open house with food and beverages at the radio station, housed in the historic Adams House, 990 N. Minnesota St., 4:30-7 p.m. Tuesday.

Bly said attendees are welcome to tour the station.

“We have a lively, vibrant broadcast booth,” she explained. “We have a second studio and a production engineering room. There are afternoons where there are six or seven people all busy, all creating for KNVC.”

The station is a nonprofit and everyone working there is a volunteer.

“Everyone came with their own thoughts as to what drew them to this work,” Bly said. “Personally, I was interested in the news aspect. I’m a true believer in journalism and knowing what’s going on in my local community. I am passionate about the news end.”

More than a dozen of the shows aired are locally produced.

“Our on-air content is constantly being evaluated,” she said. “We are looking for voices in the community that can’t be found anywhere else. We are starting to get some regular, diverse deejays.”

She said she was surprised by “Rude Paul’s Cafe” by Paul Coates, who showcases hip-hop variety.

“He makes the show interesting, informational and educational,” Bly said. “I’ve learned a lot about that genre over the last three months. I’m seeking it out to listen to now where I never would have before. I hope other people in the community are having that same experience.”

Her favorite show, she said is Surgeon Joe Walsh who hosts Dr. J’s Music Prescription, playing his favorite music, 1-4 p.m. Tuesdays.

A paramedic in Lassen County, Calif., Bly said the radio station is a good complement to her day job.

“Being a paramedic, every day — every hour — can be different,” she said. “Every show, every person who comes in here has a little bit different ideal of what they want to do. Every afternoon at KNVC can be different.”

In all, the station has 21 volunteers who do something at least once a week. Some are there three to five days each week.

“Carson City Community radio exists because of the people who contribute every week in producing entertaining, illuminating, educational and professional programs,” she said. “Community participation and commitment is the only way for KNVC to be successful.”

She said they continue to look for volunteers to help with anything from bookkeeping and uploading CDs to on-air talent.

For information or to volunteer, call 775-404-5565 or visit www.knvc.orgwww.knvc.org.

Teri Vance is a journalist, freelance writer and native Nevadan. Contact her with column ideas at terivance@rocketmail.com.