KSSU (AM)
| City | Sacramento, California |
|---|---|
| Frequency | 1580 kHz |
| First air date | 1989 |
| Owner | California State University, Sacramento |
| Website | kssu.com |
KSSU (1580 AM) is an unlicensed, carrier current radio station on the campus of California State University, Sacramento, broadcasting at 1580 AM and via streaming audio on the internet.
History
KSSU was started in 1989 and was originally known as The Edge. The station originally broadcast from the university's library. Another radio station which branded as The Edge sent the station a cease and desist letter to KSSU in 1993, forcing the small station to change its identity to The Apex. The station changed frequencies multiple times before settling on 1580 AM, and was run out of the library. At that time, the station's signal was very weak and could barely be heard in the campus dorms and stadium parking lot. A petition was signed to obtain one frequency of Capital Public Radio (another radio station funded by CSUS), and further efforts were later made to get a more powerful signal, but these plans never materialized. The station eventually moved to the Union after its expansion, but the signal strength remained unchanged. In the spring of 2005, the CSUS administration put forth a plan for an online stream of the station's signal, via its website.
Since the summer of 2005, after going online and streaming though its website, the station saw an increase in listeners and staffing. This growth was due to a revamped promotions team, which unofficially partnered with Unique Programs at Sacramento State, promotions and support from Capital Public Radio and Associated Students Incorporated (ASI), and a partnership with KYDS in El Camino, which started in 2007. The station later began streaming its signal via the TuneIn streaming service.
Staff
- Station Advisor - Andrew Garcia
- Manager - Mario Arroyo
- Music Director - Lucy Morales
- Loud Rock Director - Gianna Goethe
- Promotions Director - Alexandria Wilson
- Productions Director - Cole Nelson
- Local Music Director - Jared Torrez
- Blog Editor-in-Chief - Albert Delgado
- Sports Director - Noah Alvarez
Programming
The station's on-air programming consists of free-format student-run programming: everything from underground hip hop, to country; from metal to Latin music.[1]
Sacramento State is on a semester schedule, so during each new semester, the programming of KSSU changes according to DJs' needs and class schedules.
KSSU is a reporting station to the college music magazine CMJ, also known as the College Music Journal.
Awards
CMJ awards for KSSU
2007
2008
- Best Use of Limited Resources
2009
The station was nominated for 12 awards, and won the following five:
- Station of the Year
- Best Student Run Radio Station
- Biggest Community Resource
- Best Use of Limited Resource
- Music Director of the Year - Suzie Kuo[4]
Sacramento State Awards
2008
- Herky's Hero Award
Other media
Online Magazine
In the Spring of 2009, KSSU began producing an online magazine called The KSSU Online Magazine'.' The content is compiled completely from KSSU DJs and staff. Articles range from music reviews, show reviews, Sparky's Blog, poems, and a longer featured article. The magazine is updated every week.
Interviews
Interviews are made available for download on KSSU.com's "media" section, including Jello Biafra of the Dead Kennedys, Gogol Bordello (this KSSU interview features lead singer Eugene Hutz performing an unreleased track that was not put on the new album Super Taranta!, as well as performing a rare, early form acoustic version of the song "American Wedding" which did appear on Super Taranta!), rapper Pigeon John, Los Abandoned, the Aggrolites, Rise Against, Of Montreal, and international acts, such as TAT from London, Matt Hires England and artist/ graphic novelist Christie Shinn from Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
YouTube
KSSU also has a YouTube page with short videos on about events, KSSU DJs and bands.