Downtown Tucsonan - December 2008 - (Page 24)

Downtown Live “KXCI” continued from page 14 Queen Ida, the El Casino Ballroom & The Houserockin’ Concerts. In the spring of 1986, Frank Milan, KXcI’s GM, convinced the station to bring in a middle aged african american woman from Louisiana that almost no one had heard of, to play a funky ballroom in south tucson where almost no one had ever been to, performing an ethnic strand of cajun music that almost no one was familiar with – in the middle of the week no less. this was not the first time KXcI had done a show at the El casino Ballroom. six months before going on the air, three years earlier, about 150 people came out to see Hans olson and the Midnite Blues Band in KXcI’s first public benefit show. If not empty that night, the El casino seemed a cavernous and intimidating room to fill. when Queen Ida hit the stage, however, much to even Milan’s amazement, there were almost 900 people packed onto the El casino’s huge wooden dance floor. In the years to follow, Queen Ida would play many memorable shows for KXcI, but none more remarkable than the first. In addition to the killer band she brought that night, it was a joyful celebration of community, and perhaps the first time KXcI fully experienced the power it had to bring people together en masse. within the next few years Paul Bear and Jeb schoonover would produce many great shows at the El casino. these concerts came to be known as Houserockin’ shows and there was no occasion that wasn’t worthy of a Houserockin’ event. Mardi Gras, Rodeo, Halloween, new Years Eve, or any weekend night were all fine reasons to throw a Houserockin’ bash. Many of these shows specialized in blues. Bear and schoonover were also connecting with the rich music scene in austin, tX and so tucson audiences were treated to many of these great bands. as good as the music was, the El casino also provided its own rich experience, becoming an audience draw in and of itself. these shows came to an end in May of 1990 when Bear was fired and schoonover resigned in protest. the sold out King sunny ade show in June of that year would be the first KXcI show in the post-Houserockin’ era. Politics and Governance. unless you are a fully enlightened being, it can be said that we all have attachments, and for many, none more personal than these original 3,000 watts of Frequency Modulation. People are passionate about this radio station, especially when it comes to either doing things their way or rising up in protest because of things not being done their way. this of course is not unique to KXcI and is both the strength and weakness of most community endeavors. Google the history of Pacifica Radio (the father of all community radio) and you’ll get an eyeful. For better or worse, KXcI is no different. Everyone has a story and everyone is right! KXcI is governed by a board of directors and managed by a staff that has been overworked and underpaid since day one. and there are many stories to be told regarding the political history of KXcI’s, staff and Board. they are rife with tales of in-fighting, power struggles, ego maniacs, megalomaniacs, obstructionists, chronic do-gooders and visionaries. sometimes lost in this shuffle are the many hundreds of volunteers whose only agenda was to be a part of good radio, and that has remained the one constant these past 25 years. KXcI’s Board consists of a majority elected by the membership, some board appointees and a volunteer representative. Membership of course comes from your $35 (minimum) annual donation and is essential to the lifeblood of the station. consult the website (kxci.org) for info on how to become more involved. Anniversary events. Rather than one huge event, KXcI has been commemorating its quarter century with a series of smaller events and on-going activities. the website has been polling people for the top albums of the last 25 years and there have been rumors of bringing former dee-jays back onto the air. on thursday, december 4, KXcI is sponsoring political activist tom Hayden. He’ll be at the First christian church at 740 E. speedway at 7 pm. $5-10 suggested donation. on sunday, december, al Perry and friends will present a free concert at the El casino. other bands will include Big Galoot and shrimp chaperone. and on thursday, december 11, the legendary Petey Mesquitey will present a slide show at old town artisans at 7 pm with $5 admission. Visit www.kxci.org for a complete list of anniversary events. Want to read more? For an expanded version of this article, please visit http://www.downtowntucson.org/kxci/ 24 downtown tucsonan.december.08 http://www.downtowntucson.com http://www.kxci.org http://www.kxci.org http://www.downtowntucson.com http://www.downtowntucson.org/kxci/

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Downtown Tucsonan - December 2008

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