Tales from Anchorage - Counterparts, Conventions, and Celebration
A beautiful Anchorage sunset from the Sheraton Hotel Anchorage.
Photo Credit: Kevin Huo
On the morning of November 17th, I flew out to Anchorage for a busy weekend revolving around the 2023 Alaska Broadcasters Association convention. Representing KSUA 91.5FM as the station’s Production Director, along with the station’s General Manager Kevin Huo, the two of us stayed at the Sheraton Hotel Anchorage as we met our counterparts at the University of Alaska Anchorage’s KRUA 88.1FM and attended the 2023 Alaska Broadcasters Association convention, bringing home six new awards on behalf of Student Media.
For decades dating back to the 1960s, the Alaska Broadcasters Association has served as a statewide celebration of all things radio, in which submissions from educational programming to entertainment and more are given Goldie awards. KSUA has a long history of achieving Goldies, with over 100 Goldies being claimed by the station since 2001.
Upon arrival, Kevin and I departed for UAA. We explored the campus, walking along the lengthy skybridge path sprawling across the campus, until we arrived at the KRUA staff offices. We were given a tour by the station’s manager, Willem, who gave us a rundown of KRUA’s history. We were shown the broadcasting room, a massive archive of alternative music, and a large production room with many intricate sound options that allowed one to record anything from a single vocal track to an entire ensemble of instruments. More KRUA staff joined us as we collaborated on crossover station bumpers, and brainstormed future joint projects.
KRUA x KSUA!
Photo Credit: The Camera
After departing from UAA, Kevin and I checked in at the Sheraton Anchorage Hotel, where the award ceremony would soon be held. After a brief refresh, the two of us went to the second floor and spoke with various radio and media presences from across all of Alaska. There were many unique faces and voices, from both retired legacy members of the Alaska broadcasting community, to active members in broadcasting, journalism, and more. One such presence was the museum director of the Juneau-Douglas City Museum, named Beth. Kevin and I shared a table with her and discussed various audio projects she’s spearheaded as the director of the museum.
As the award ceremony began, Student Radio was the first division to have its winning submissions called forth, with KSUA being the very first called to the stage. In total, KSUA won a total of six Goldie awards, almost the entirety of the Student Radio division. The following categories were won, in alphabetical order:
Entertainment Program
Afrovibes with Sonofuche
Malachi Uche - Host
Moody Pierce - Additional Editing
Kevin Huo - Additional Editing
Profile
Desert Crossing
Aaron Salzman - Host
Courtney Skaggs - Guest
Promotional Announcement
KSUA Station Bumper - Station Ghost
Moody Pierce - Writer, Voice
Kjrsten Schindler - Voice
Wetherleigh Griffin - Voice
Public Service Announcement
KSUA Submissions PSA
Moody Pierce - Writer, Voice
Radio Show
Camelot - That’s a High Note
Aviv Gilbert - Host
Use of Digital Media
A Guide to Recommendation Letters (Academica Focused): Desert Crossing
Aaron Salzman - Host
Courtney Skaggs - Guest
Kevin and Moody holding all the Goldies that KSUA won.
Photo Credit: Beth Weigel
It was a surreal experience hearing my name called within a packed ceremonial hall, a room filled with many important people throughout the state. When I first began working at KSUA, one of the first goals I set was to claim a Goldie with my own name on it, and by extension to appear on the KSUA Wikipedia page, but mainly the Goldie part). However, I never expected to earn one so soon, let alone be the first person called up to the stage that night, nor did I ever imagine a promotional announcement I completely improvised during a brainstorming session behind the microphone being worthy of a Goldie. With not just one but three Goldie credits claimed, I’ve yet to think of a new milestone - perhaps now my goal is to win ten Goldies during my time as KSUA’s Production Director.
This trip was an exciting opportunity and it felt wonderful to see so many hard-working KSUA staff members and DJs be commemorated for their passionate work. Now that I’m back in Fairbanks, my energy to write, direct, and produce content for the station has been reborn, and the award ceremony. I can’t wait to see what new heights KSUA continues to surpass!
–Production Director Moody
12.5.2023