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KNWD

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KNWD
Broadcast areaNatchitoches Parish
Frequency91.7 MHz
BrandingThe Demon
Programming
FormatCollege/Alternative
Ownership
Owner
OperatorManager - Grace Jensen
History
FoundedApril 22, 1974 (1974-04-22) (carrier current)
First air date
September 30, 1975 (1975-09-30) (FM)
Former call signs
KNSU-AM
Former frequencies
640 kHz (carrier current)
Call sign meaning
NorthWestern Demons
Technical information[1]
Licensing authority
FCC
Facility ID49791
ClassA
ERP255 watts
HAAT50 meters (160 ft)
Transmitter coordinates
31°44′51.5″N 93°5′47.5″W / 31.747639°N 93.096528°W / 31.747639; -93.096528
Links
Public license information
WebcastListen live (via TuneIn)
Websitepurplemedianetwork.com

KNWD-FM (91.7 FM) is a student-run, non-commercial radio station broadcasting a college format from the campus of Northwestern State University of Louisiana (NSU) and serving Natchitoches, Louisiana.[2] Although the station is licensed to the university's board of trustees, it operates independently from the NSU Department of New Media, Journalism, and Communication Arts; its operations are funded by a student activity fee and its general manager is selected by the Student Media Board.[3] Station staff and management positions are open to all NSU students, as well as students from the Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts.[4][5][6]

History

[edit]

Planning for what would become KNWD began in 1970[7] with two competing plans being proposed: an independent student-run station or an academic station connected to NSU's Speech and Journalism Department.[8][9] The departmental proposal was for an AM station that would be used "only as an academic tool", while the student-led proposal was for an independent FM music station.[10]

In October 1973, while still working toward final approval for an over-the-air station, students Mike Price, Russell Morrison, and Gary Lampert launched an unlicensed AM carrier current station, KNSU-AM, in their dorm.[11] In November 1973, students approved a referendum assessing a new 50¢ fee to support the station, pending approval by the state board of education and a license from the Federal Communications Commission.[12]

On April 22, 1974, KNSU-AM went campus-wide on 640 kHz via carrier current, broadcasting primarily contemporary progressive rock from the Russell Library while it awaited an FM license.[13] The station received its non-commercial FM construction permit in August 1974; the application was accelerated by the FCC with the help of the Louisiana congressional delegation.[14] Operating as KNWD-FM (the KNSU call letters having been previously claimed by Nicholls State University[10]), the student-run station officially went on air on September 30, 1975,[15] with the slogan "Creative FM Stereo 91.7."[16]

KNWD-FM continued to operate out of Russell Library (which later became Russell Hall when the library moved to a new building in the 1970s[17]) until 1988, when the station moved across campus to South Hall,[18] which the station referred to on air as "Croce Hall" in honor of 1970s singer-songwriter Jim Croce who died in a plane crash in Natchitoches in 1973.[19] In 1995, the station moved once again to Kyser Hall.[20]

Equipment for the new station was funded through a $4,200 grant and a $6,600 loan from the student government, with the expectation that the loan would be paid back over several years from through the student activity fee assessment.[21][22] The station also received donations of studio equipment from KTOC(AM) in Jonesboro, Louisiana.[23] Throughout the 1970s, the SGA loan was a bone of contention between the station and student government, until it was repaid in 1977 following an increase in the student activity fee.[24][25] Over the years, the station hosted a variety of fundraisers to support equipment purchases, including several notable radiothons, such as the 54-hour broadcast from atop the Old Bullard Mansion columns in 1982[26] and the 1987 homecoming weekend-long "Stairway to Heaven in '87" broadcast from atop Turpin Stadium.[27]

The station transmitter and antenna were initially installed atop Russell Library, operating at 10 watts ERP.[28] To improve coverage, the station moved the antenna to an airport beacon tower at Natchitoches Regional Airport in 1978,[25][29] before relocating to the top of Harry Turpin Stadium in the mid-1980s, which allowed the station to broadcast at its licensed 255 watts ERP.[30][31]

In September 1998, KNWD began streaming its signal online,[32] and in 2014 it began streaming via the TuneIn app.[33] Also since 2014, the station has also broadcast RBDS RadioText.[34]

Programming

[edit]

As of 2020, KNWD programs a mix of "alternative and progressive music not appreciated in mainstream media."[35] It also actively promotes local musicians, both through airplay and events.[36] In addition, the station airs student-written news reports and coverage of Northwestern Demons athletics and NSU events.

Over its history, KNWD has had a variety of formats from progressive rock[13] to Top 40[37] to album oriented rock,[38] although for most of its history the station has followed a traditionally eclectic college radio format with a variety of specialty shows and some syndicated programming.[39][40] The degree to which the station adhered to a more "professional" format with restricted playlists has also varied over the years.[41][42] The station also produces themed Spotify playlists for holidays and events.[43][44]

Music festivals

[edit]

KNWD organizes music festivals and concerts on campus featuring local performers, as well as national acts. The station organized its first festival, featuring five local bands, in December 1975; instead of tickets, the station sold KNWD T-shirts for concert-goers to wear.[45]

CaddoFest was a fall pep-rally and music festival held in 2013 and 2015 to complement the annual "Battle for Chief Caddo" football rivalry game against Stephen F. Austin State University.[46] In 2016 and 2017, the station organized Neon Inferno, an EDM and hip-hop festival.[47]

DemonFest is a music festival held in the spring by KNWD. It usually holds up to two or more up-and-coming bands as headliners and well-known local bands. KNWD launched the festival in 2000 in part as a reaction to the university booking Toby Keith for an on-campus concert, which the station felt did not reflect the interests of students.[48] In 2007, the station combined DemonFest with the Natchitoches Jazz & R&B Festival.[49] After a hiatus of several years, DemonFest was restarted by KNWD in 2013.[50] In 2017, weather concerns forced the traditionally outdoor festival into Prather Coliseum.[51] Over the years, the festival has ranged from one day of music to three days.

Other events

[edit]

KNWD has organized a number of campus and local events over the years. Notably, on Halloween 1982, the station coordinated the move of the campus ghost, Isabella, from the burned ruins of Caldwell Hall to the oldest building on campus, the Old Women's Gymnasium[52][53] (now Lee H. Nelson Hall and home to the National Center for Preservation Technology and Training[54]). The event involved more than 750 people, a marching band, and a mounted honor guard.[55]

See also

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References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Facility Technical Data for KNWD". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  2. ^ "KNWD Facility Record". United States Federal Communications Commission, audio division.
  3. ^ "Student media". Northwestern State University of Louisiana. Retrieved July 20, 2020.
  4. ^ Brough, Kevin (1998). "Student Media Get 'Read World' Experience". Potpourri 1998: The More Things Change, The More They Stay the Same ... Vol. 87. Natchitoches, Louisiana: Northwestern State University. pp. 42–43. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
  5. ^ Jackson, Leah (October 3, 2013). "On Air - KNWD the Demon: Upgraded studio has new capabilities". News Bureau @ Northwestern State University. Natchitoches, Louisiana. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
  6. ^ Mendoza, Brooke (November 2013). "Students DJ at local radio station". The Renaissance. Vol. XXXI, no. 3. Natchitoches, Louisiana. p. 11. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  7. ^ "Radio Station Proposed". Current Sauce. Vol. LVIII, no. 22. Natchitoches, Louisiana. May 1, 1970. p. 2. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
  8. ^ Harrison, Tommy (June 12, 1973). "NSU Radio Station Plans Final Committee Authorization". Current Sauce. Vol. LX, no. 22. Natchitoches, Louisiana. p. 3. Retrieved July 20, 2020.
  9. ^ Sanchez, Ronald (June 26, 1973). "One More Idea: The Sounds of Controversy". Current Sauce. Vol. LX, no. 24. Natchitoches, Louisiana. p. 2. Retrieved July 20, 2020.
  10. ^ a b Aymond, Cheryl L. (1983). A Short History of Northwestern's Alternative Sound, KNSU-KNWD (Thesis). Natchitoches, Louisiana: Northwestern State University.
  11. ^ "Dorm station now operating". Current Sauce. Vol. LXI, no. 4. Natchitoches, Louisiana. October 2, 1973. p. 3. Retrieved July 20, 2020.
  12. ^ "1,372 students vote to approve station". Current Sauce. Vol. LXI, no. 10. Natchitoches, Louisiana. November 13, 1973. p. 1. Retrieved July 20, 2020.
  13. ^ a b "Turn on --KNSU". Current Sauce. Vol. LXI, no. 22. Natchitoches, Louisiana. April 30, 1974. p. 1. Retrieved July 20, 2020.
  14. ^ Austin, Kenneth (September 10, 1974). "KNSU-AM receives FM construction permit". Current Sauce. Vol. LXII, no. 1. Natchitoches, Louisiana. p. 1. Retrieved July 20, 2020.
  15. ^ "KNWD is ready". Current Sauce. Vol. LXIII, no. 2. Natchitoches, Louisiana. September 16, 1975. p. 3. Retrieved July 20, 2020.
  16. ^ "This is our sign". Current Sauce. Vol. LXII, no. 27. Natchitoches, Louisiana. July 22, 1975. p. 1. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  17. ^ "Russell Hall". Making Our Mark: The 1989 Potpourri. Vol. 78. Natchitoches, Louisiana: Northwestern State University. 1989. p. 190. Retrieved July 20, 2020.
  18. ^ Rigaud, Sonya (March 1, 1988). "Campus radio station slates KNWD Week". Current Sauce. Vol. 76, no. 23. Natchitoches, Louisiana. p. 1. Retrieved July 20, 2020.
  19. ^ "Who's Randy". Alumni Columns. Fall 2023. p. 11.
  20. ^ Martin, Andrew (November 28, 1995). "KNWD finally moves to Kyser Hall". Current Sauce. Vol. 84, no. 17. Natchitoches, Louisiana. p. 1. Retrieved July 20, 2020.
  21. ^ Elizey, Carroll (January 29, 1974). "State Board approves KNSU". Current Sauce. Vol. LXI, no. 12. Natchitoches, Louisiana. p. 1. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
  22. ^ Coffey, Kathie (September 24, 1974). "KNSU receives FM grant form SBA". Current Sauce. Vol. LXIII, no. 3. Natchitoches, Louisiana. p. 1. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
  23. ^ "KNSU given equipment". Current Sauce. Vol. LXI, no. 13. Natchitoches, Louisiana. February 5, 1974. p. 1. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
  24. ^ Rash, Bob (October 26, 1976). "Students decide KNWD future, increases; mock election slated". Current Sauce. Vol. LXIV, no. 8. Natchitoches, Louisiana. p. 1. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
  25. ^ a b "KNWD plans antenna move". Current Sauce. Vol. LXV, no. 9. Natchitoches, Louisiana. October 4, 1977. p. 1. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  26. ^ "KNWD-FM Holds Radiothon". Potpourri '82. Vol. 74. Natchitoches, Louisiana: Northwestern State University. 1982. p. 120. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
  27. ^ "A new site, a new sound, a new era for KNWD". A Touch of Purple: Potpourri 1988. Vol. 77. Natchitoches, Louisiana: Northwestern State University. 1988. pp. 90–91. Retrieved July 24, 2002.
  28. ^ Federal Communications Commission (June 1, 1979). "FM Broadcast Station License (File No. BLED-1437)". Washington, D.C. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  29. ^ "KNWD Chooses Slogan: 'Your Mother Wouldn't Like It'". 1977–78 Potpourri. Vol. 70. Natchitoches, Louisiana: Northwestern State University. 1978. p. 242. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  30. ^ Federal Communications Commission (February 25, 1982). "FM Broadcast Station Construction Permit (File No. BPED-791231A)". Washington, D.C. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  31. ^ Federal Communications Commission (April 24, 1984). "Application Search Details". Washington, D.C. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  32. ^ Thomas, Mary Sharon (September 20, 1998). "Computers help Grambling basketball team score". The Shreveport Times. Shreveport, Louisiana. p. 3B. Retrieved October 19, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  33. ^ "KNWD 91.7 FM The Demon". Facebook. February 23, 2014. Archived from the original on 2022-02-26. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  34. ^ "KNWD 91.7 FM The Demon". Facebook. October 7, 2014. Archived from the original on 2022-02-26. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  35. ^ "About". KNWD Radio. 18 February 2020. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  36. ^ Renteria, Anthony (October 17, 2018). "KNWD incorporates changes to broadcasting". The Current Sauce. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
  37. ^ Curlee, Zina (June 13, 1978). "KNWD promises Top 40". Current Sauce. Vol. LXV, no. 29. Natchitoches, Louisiana. p. 5. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  38. ^ "Tuning In: KNWD's new image, format pleases students". Potpourri 1987: Showing Our True Colors. Vol. 76. Natchitoches, Louisiana: Northwestern State University. 1987. pp. 118–119. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  39. ^ "KNWD OK's format". Current Sauce. Vol. LXIV, no. 2. Natchitoches, Louisiana. September 14, 1976. p. 7. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  40. ^ "KNWD: The Next Wave". In the Shadow of the Columns: The 1991 Potpourri. Vol. 80. Natchitoches, Louisiana: Northwestern State University. 1991. pp. 112–113. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  41. ^ Harris, E.M. (January 27, 1976). "KNWD recruits new personnel". Current Sauce. Vol. LXIII, no. 12. Natchitoches, Louisiana. p. 4. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  42. ^ "KNWD Management Regulates Airwaves for Professional Sound". Making Our Mark: The 1989 Potpourri. Vol. 78. Natchitoches, Louisiana: Northwestern State University. 1989. pp. 112–113. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  43. ^ @KNWDradio on Spotify
  44. ^ Smith, Toria (February 15, 2017). "KNWD has something for everyone". The Current Sauce. Vol. 102, no. 18. Natchitoches, Louisiana. p. 4. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  45. ^ Akinrinade, Olu (November 18, 1975). "'Neato Torpedo' KNWD concert begins". Current Sauce. Vol. LXIII, no. 10. Natchitoches, Louisiana. p. 6. Retrieved July 20, 2020.
  46. ^ Martzell, Olivia (November 20, 2013). "CaddoFest: off radio, on stage". The Current Sauce. Vol. 99, no. 10. Natchitoches, Louisiana. p. 2. Retrieved July 20, 2020.
  47. ^ Fontenot, Joshua (November 10, 2016). "KNWD to host its first electronic music festival". Potpourri. Retrieved July 20, 2020.
  48. ^ Naquin, Joni (February 22, 2000). "KNWD vs Student Activities Board". The Current Sauce. Vol. 85, no. 24. Natchitoches, Louisiana. p. 5. Retrieved July 20, 2020.
  49. ^ Bass, Andy (April 26, 2007). "KNWD Hosts Demonfest 2007". The Current Sauce. Vol. 92, no. 29. Natchitoches, Louisiana. p. 4. Retrieved July 20, 2020.
  50. ^ Luck, Tara (February 27, 2013). "KNWD finalizes DemonFest line-up". The Current Sauce. Vol. 98, no. 16. Natchitoches, Louisiana. p. 2. Retrieved July 20, 2020.
  51. ^ "DemonFest moves to Prather Coliseum". Natchitoches Parish Journal. Natchitoches, Louisiana. April 20, 2017. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
  52. ^ Hillard, Kathleen (October 30, 2019). "Demons? No, a ghost!—The legend of NSU's ghost, Isabella". Current Sauce. Natchitoches, Louisiana. Retrieved July 29, 2020.
  53. ^ "The Legend of Isabella". Traditions of Northwestern State University. Natchitoches, Louisiana: Northwestern State University. Retrieved July 29, 2020.
  54. ^ "Lee H. Nelson Hall". Natchitoches, Louisiana: National Center for Preservation Technology and Training. Retrieved July 29, 2020.
  55. ^ Maron, Eric B. (November 9, 1982). "Ghost Moving a Success". Current Sauce. Vol. LXX, no. 12. Natchitoches, Louisiana. p. 4. Retrieved July 29, 2020.
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