Happy 50th Anniversary to KFJC!

Design for new KFJC artist T-shirt

It's a really fun time to be a DJ at KFJC as we're celebrating our 50th anniversary. It's hard to believe that the FM station began in 1959 and all sorts of fun things are taking place to mark the occasion. The station officially turns 50 next week, as it was October 20, 1959 at 8pm when KFJC signed on the air for the very first time. Bob Ballou, the original Station Manager will be back at KFJC to sign on again on October 20, 2009 at 8pm (you can catch an archived interview with him on the station's website).

Bob Ballou will also be on hand at a celebratory Open House event at KFJC this Saturday, October 17th from 1 to 6pm at Foothill College in Los Altos Hills. Current and former KFJC staff members will be milling about the station and listeners will get the opportunity to tour the station.

New KFJC Girlie Shirt Designed by Elizabeth McGrath

KFJC also continues to bring back DJs from the past. This Saturday, October 17th will include an appearance by 1980s DJ Grey Shades on the air from noon to 3pm.

The anniversary happens to fall during KFJC's annual fundraiser, so there are some 50th anniversary-themed thank you gifts available as well. Several of the new items feature designs and logos that were submitted during the station's recent art contest.

I'm most excited about our first-ever double LP compilation. In the course of digging up archival materials in advance of the anniversary, station staff have found some audio gems recorded at the station or at events previously aired over the KFJC airwaves. The double LP compilation includes some tracks by Iggy Pop and TSOL from the 1980s, Melt-Banana from 1995 and Windy and Carl from 1998 (among many others).

Hopefully I'll see some of you up at the KFJC Open House this Saturday!