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Central Texans Show Support for Public Radio in Spring Membership Drive

Erin Geisler

AUSTIN, Texas – April 6, 2017 – A community of engaged listeners, sustaining members and local businesses raised more than $770,000 to support the news, music and information programming on KUT 90.5 and KUTX 98.9 during the just-completed spring membership drive.

KUT 90.5, Austin’s NPR station, and KUTX 98.9, The Austin Music Experience, hosted their spring membership drive March 29 through April 4 and recruited 2,500 new members to help pay for the news, music and cultural programming more than 350,000 Central Texans rely on each week. In a commitment to focus on the news and music important to listeners, the membership drive was shortened by two full days from past membership drives.

“Every individual membership, business sponsor, volunteer hour and grant fuels our daily work of delivering the news through a local lens and exploring the music that defines Austin,” said Stewart Vanderwilt, director and general manager for KUT and KUTX public radio stations. “This broad-based community support comes at an important time for our service and our country as there are challenges to both our federal funding and the fundamental role of journalism to hold institutions accountable.”

A John Aielli bobble head in honor of his 50th year on the air; KUT and KUTX T-shirts and coffee mugs featuring the stations’ new logos; and KUTX Live Vol. 9, featuring 19 one-of-a-kind performances; were among the spring membership drive thank-you gifts.

KUT and KUTX depend on local individuals and businesses for 80 percent of their annual operating budget. Member donations pay for programming and broadcasting expenses, such as KUT’s award-winning news staff, and programs such as “Texas Standard,” “Morning Edition,” “This American Life,” “Wait, Wait…Don't Tell Me!,” “Marketplace” and “Fresh Air,” while helping KUTX reflect the musical diversity of Austin through one-of-a-kind performances in Studio 1A; the Austin Music Minute, the KUTX Artist of the Month and more.

About KUT 90.5, Austin’s NPR station, and KUTX 98.9, The Austin Music Experience
KUT and KUTX are community supported public media that fuel Austin’s love of discovery. KUT 90.5, Austin’s NPR station, uses the highest editorial standards to report the stories that matter to Austin and KUTX 98.9, the Austin Music Experience, enriches listeners’ lives with the music and experiences that reflect the spirit of Austin.

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Contact: Erin Geisler (512) 475-8071

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