MATT DRISCOLL: KGRG THROWS A PARTY >>>

If you’ve followed music in this area â€" especially local music, or off the beaten path rock â€" you know about the importance of KGRG 89.89FM. While it doesn’t always come in so great around these parts, there’s no denying that Green River’s college radio station has influenced a ton of ears â€" from Kent to Auburn to Puyallup and beyond â€" during its time on the air.

And speaking of its time on the air, KGRG 89.9FM will soon be celebrating 20 years of its “Today’s Rock” format.

Here’s a sampling of what it all means from the press release:

PIONEERING RADIO STATION KGRG-FM CELEBRATES 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF “TODAY’S ROCK” FORMAT

Legendary Puget Sound college radio station, 89.9 KGRG-FM, is celebrating the 20th Anniversary of its seminal “Today’s Rock” format with a three-week bash on air, online, and in the clubs.

KGRG-FM, run exclusively by college students over the years, is the only station in the Pacific Northwest to have simultaneously helped launch the careers of major artists as well as the careers of professional radio broadcasters for the past two decades. The station is owned and operated by Green River Community College, Auburn, Washington.

Since early 1989, bands such as Nirvana, Mudhoney, Presidents of the USA, MxPx, Modest Mouse, and a host of others were quickly elevated to national and worldwide status thanks in part to heavy early airplay championed by KGRG-FM. These bands, along with scores of others, performed at Green River’s Lindbloom Student Center at fundraisers for non-commercial KGRG-FM.

The station has been referenced in books about the Seattle music scene such as Loser: The Real Seattle Music Story by Clark Humphrey and in music videos such as “I'm Not Okay (I Promise)” by My Chemical Romance.

Literally hundreds of professional radio broadcasters got their start at Green River’s student station. DJ No Name (KNDD), Marty Riemer (KMTT), Tony Miner (KIRO-FM), Ryan “Big Daddy” Michaels (KMPS), Larry Lomax (KCMS), Julie Pilat and Dave Styles (KIIS-FM/Los Angeles), Derric “Tanner” Hoffman and Matt McCart (KITS/San Francisco), Candy (WLNK/Charlotte), Grant Ruby (KENZ/Salt Lake City), and Trent Edwards (KEDG/Phoenix) are but a few examples of the many who turned their time at KGRG-FM into a radio career.

Alumni Week kicks off the “20th Anniversary of Today’s Rock” celebration as many of the illustrious alumni will return to 89.9FM April 27-May 1, 2009. Alums will take over the airwaves daily from 3pm-midnight. The station also streams at www.kgrg.com. The “20th Anniversary Spring Pledge Drive” begins May 1st and features lots of limited edition 20th Anniversary logoed items and other special treats for listeners.

KGRG-FM presents a day-long “Today’s Rock” concert on Saturday, May 9th. “The Classic Crime” headlines the bill at The Viaduct in Tacoma. Other acts include Brier Rose, Monetta, Open Fire, I Declare War, Mirror the Ghost, James Hunnicutt, the Americommies, and more. The all-ages show begins at 1pm. Tickets are available at the door for $8 before 4pm and $10 after 4pm. The Viaduct is located at 5412 S. Tacoma Way Tacoma, WA 98409.

For more information, view “20th Anniversary of Today’s Rock” info at www.kgrg.com or call 254-833-5004.

Tom Tom Evans Krause
Director of Broadcast Operations KGRG-AM & FM
Green River Community College
12401 SE 320th Street
Auburn, WA 98092
253-833-9111 x2190