From the banks of the Savannah River and heart of downtown comes a new listening experience featuring local, regional, and national talent.
District Live Radio, which recently launched, unites Savannah State University, Cumulus Broadcasting and the Plant Riverside District in a partnership that's sure to grab your ears whether you're running errands in your car or at home relaxing.
The station includes a new, 105-square-foot broadcasting space that not only spotlights live interviews and in-studio performances with acts playing at District Live — one of Savannah’s newest, state-of-the-art music venues — but also provides opportunities for local performers and learning experiences for Hostess City college students.
“Broadcasting from Plant Riverside District is appealing for Savannah State University because it is another platform to engage our listenership and acquaint those unfamiliar with the university and WHCJ with a rich and diverse listening experience,” said Sametria R. McFall, Ph.D., MPA, Interim Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs at Savannah State University.
“Savannah State is excited about this partnership, and we look forward to engaging the community through this new space.”
It works like this: In the west end River Street broadcasting booth, DJs from three Savannah stations produce and send live radio programs back to their station’s home signal via computer and Ethernet connection. Local on-air talent from Cumulus Media’s I-95 and KIX 96, and Savannah State’s 90.3 WHCJ, host their shows as passersby check out what’s going on inside the studio through a large, floor-to-ceiling plate glass window.
Credit: Josephine Johnson / For Do Savannah
Credit: Josephine Johnson / For Do Savannah
For radio host and Savannah State TV program director, William Martin, the opportunity is also a way to build the careers of Savannah State’s journalism and communications majors as well as performing arts students.
“Through hands-on internships, students will learn how to operate the necessary sound and recording equipment and see what it takes to be successful in live broadcasting and podcasting,” said Martin. “In time, we’d like to feature Savannah State’s theater group, ‘Players by the Sea,’ in performances at District Live and do live, on-air interviews with our student performers.”
WHCJ broadcasts from the District Live Radio studio every Monday and Tuesday with a mix of jazz, reggae, gospel, blues, hip hop, soul, Latin and African music.
Matt Bell, director of sales at Cumulus Radio, sees the collaboration as an invigorating opportunity for future growth and community engagement that also embraces the nostalgia of radio’s past. “Stations used to be located on a city’s Main Street, with windows looking into the studios allowing listeners to watch the ‘magic’ of radio,” said Bell.
“Having a broadcast location at Plant Riverside District allows us to interact with our listeners on a very intimate level, while producing entertainment and music for locals and tourists alike.”
Credit: Richard Burkhart/Savannah Morning News
Credit: Richard Burkhart/Savannah Morning News
Cumulus Media broadcasts live I-95 and KIX 96 shows every Thursday through Saturday, featuring a selection of rock and country hits. Artist interviews, podcasts and special events will also be regularly highlighted.
For JW Marriott entertainment director, Tyler Gray, the new studio is one more piece integral in building a comprehensive, high-quality entertainment experience in downtown Savannah.
“District Live Radio is part of our vision to offer a complete multimedia experience, from live performances by top artists at District Live to a full-service broadcast studio where artists can do radio or podcast interviews on-site,” said Gray.
“Our new studio offers the highest quality digital equipment to provide an exceptional listening experience. Best of all, the studio will host a wide range of music, from classic rock and country music to jazz and gospel, so there truly is something for everyone.”
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: State of the art radio experience at the new District Live Radio helps Savannah State students
MEET OUR PARTNER
Today’s story comes from our partner, Savannah Morning News. Savannah Morning News provides daily news coverage on Coastal Georgia. Visit them at savannahnow.com or on Twitter @SavannahNow.
If you have any feedback or questions about our partnerships, you can contact Senior Manager of Partnerships Nicole Williams via email at nicole.williams@ajc.com.
The Latest
Featured
