At KAXE / KBXE, our volunteers are the glue holding us together and the kick drum heartbeat powering our 49-year-old radio station.
Volunteers provide almost 70 hours of music programming every week, bringing not only a passion for music but also their stories and personalities. That works out to over 60% of our music programming — a remarkable number considering the sizes of our small Northern Minnesota communities.
They are community members just like yourself, ranging in age from teenagers to 80-year-olds. They are firefighters, personal care attendants, teachers, pest controllers, artists, musicians and retirees.
A couple of times a year, we reach out in search of more music enthusiasts, curious adventurers and regular folks looking for a creative outlet. We value the voices of our neighbors, friends and relatives from throughout the North Country. It’s the special sauce of KAXE that adds charm, authenticity and a relatable sound to our airwaves.
Are you thinking to yourself, “Well, I don’t own any music and I am not into streaming!” That's no problem. We have a vast collection of new and old music at both of our studios in Grand Rapids and Bemidji.
If you are intimidated by talking into a microphone, we can tell you that, like most things, repetition will help you become more comfortable with a new skill. You can always bring a friend who is willing to do the talking!
Once you attend our training, the amount of time you want to invest in hosting on-air music shows is entirely up to you. Some of our volunteers host once a week while others host two to three times a year. The KAXE / KBXE staff will be there to support you the whole way!
Our next trainings are coming up soon. Both run 5:30-7 p.m.:
- Tuesday, June 3, at KAXE in Grand Rapids - Facebook event
- Wednesday, June 4, at KBXE in Bemidji - Facebook event
You only need to attend one of these sessions.
Now that we have convinced you to give it a try, email me — Volunteer Coordinator Dan Gannon — at dgannon@kaxe.org with any questions, or to sign up for one of the training nights.
You are also invited to Kick It With KAXE, which includes our Volunteer Appreciation Party, on Thursday, May 22, with music by Americana artist Molly Maher and ska-reggae band Woodblind with Teague Alexy.
The event is free and a good chance to meet staff and fellow volunteers, and enjoy good music. Hope to see you there, or at the upcoming DJ training.
