KDHX ends live broadcasting

[todd-parker]

Well this isn’t good. KDHX, citing financial woes, lets go of all the on-air talent/volunteers and stops broadcasting live.

https://www.stlpr.org/arts/2025-01-31/s ... challenges

[edwin drood]

So sad. That was a great radio station in its day.

[MikoTython]

They should fund-raise a new public station, owned by the interested community. The religious folks do it, seems like a community should be able to pull it off.

[otcboy]

I guess that's why I didn't hear Marjie Kennedy with Lotsa Acapella yesterday morning

[Dicktar2023]

I've been vaguely aware of this drama, but not following it closely. It's bizarre to start with this and work your way backward. I knew there was a hated executive who was firing/driving volunteer talent away. I didn't realize it was due largely to her aggressive DEI changes a few years ago.

And I really didn't know (or at least my aging brain had forgotten) that those only started after the station had been publicly accused of racism and she--the executive in question--had been accused of sexually harassing a Black volunteer.

Sheesh. "Previously on KDHX..."

[DJRickman]

KDHX was my favorite station. Best on "the left hand side of you FM dial".

What they've done now is aboslutely disgusting. The station no longer has a personality.

I haven't donated since they canned Papa Ray and the resulting fallout. It's horribly disappointing.

[MikoTython]

Sign the petition :

https://www.change.org/p/save-kdhx

The Issue

The current leadership of KDHX, Saint Louis's Community radio station has failed to live up to the community in community radio.

Recent conflicts have shed light on the leadership's inability to adequately hear, or address the concerns of the community.

By signing this petition, you agree that this leadership has not served the community well over the last few years. We ask that the leadership address the concerns of the community: community/volunteer involvement, organizational transparency, and creating capacity for community voices to be heard. If the leadership is unable or unwilling to hear the community's voices, then they should make room for leadership that will.

Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/225209479913634/about

[DJRickman]

When KDHX trashed all those devoted DJs, they sought to replace them and their music with a more "diverse" sound. All I've been able to tell is they're playing more of an urban sound; rap, hip-hop, dance. And that's all good and fine if you like that music, but what management failed to realize is that generally speaking, that audience doesn't have the discresionary income, nor the inclination, to make charitable donations to a not-for-profit organization.

[MikoTython]

When KDHX trashed all those devoted DJs, they sought to replace them and their music with a more "diverse" sound. All I've been able to tell is they're playing more of an urban sound; rap, hip-hop, dance. And that's all good and fine if you like that music, but what management failed to realize is that generally speaking, that audience doesn't have the discresionary income, nor the inclination, to make charitable donations to a not-for-profit organization.

Besides which, most of that 'stuff' is already plastered over the commercial space. Let KDHX lean to its traditional folkish/traditionalist/internationalist audience is my take.

Sign the petition !!!!

[Uncle John]

Something missing from this Mardi Gras season is listening to the weekly radio show, Howzit Bayou, hosted by Sunny Boy Mason on KDHX. Ah, KDHX. Maybe they should revive Prince’s idea and replace their call letters with symbols. ?!? would work. I sure think of it as “the radio station formerly known as KDHX.”

https://www.timesnewspapers.com/webster ... 7207b.html

[DJ Davis]

Something missing from this Mardi Gras season is listening to the weekly radio show, Howzit Bayou, hosted by Sunny Boy Mason on KDHX. Ah, KDHX. Maybe they should revive Prince’s idea and replace their call letters with symbols. ?!? would work. I sure think of it as “the radio station formerly known as KDHX.”

https://www.timesnewspapers.com/webster ... 7207b.html

Weird editorial. Was it about KDHX or a chance for this guy to masturbate about his Mardi Gras party and his dancing?

I just don’t care guys, not sorry. If you like music, you can find it online. Anything you wanna listen to. I guess KDHX is introducing you to new music don’t know? (But the streaming services do that too.) Or is it just the nostalgia of a local radio station that plays the music you already know? And you’re just used to it.

I’m definitely not a young person, but I guess younger than most of you. Sometimes it’s time to move on. I still like radio, but I can get by without it.

[todd-parker]

RIP KDHX.

[Arvid Smeal]

Most of the shows were cornball b s.

[Dicktar2023]

RIP KDHX.

Yeah, what a sad, strange saga.

The fact that Pierson is still trying to spin this as though it's good for his nonprofit group's "mission" is bizarre.

https://current.org/2025/06/judge-appro ... adcasting/

“The most important thing is that the decision allows for us to continue to further the mission of the organization and that would not have been possible without the sale being approved,” said Gary Pierson, Double Helix board president...

Double Helix intends to continue its mission of building “community through media,” but it’s unclear how it will accomplish that. Under terms of the sale, Gateway will provide the organization one HD Radio channel on 88.1, KDHX’s frequency.

[Uncle John]

A recent message about KDHX from "The Other One" a fired volunteer DJ for over 25 years at the community radio station.

This is going to be long. I’ve been quiet about the whole demise of our beloved community radio station for quite awhile. To say that I am heartbroken would be an understatement. I have cried many tears over this loss. I have also found joy in all the wonderful comments that have come my way. It was lots of fun while it lasted, but it took a wrong turn ever since a new executive director was appointed in 2018.
I refuse to dwell on all the negatives that have happened. I am an eternal optimist. I choose to embrace all the good that came out of our community radio station. I have met so many good people, all thanks to my volunteering. I have made many dear friends along the way. I have made a difference in our community and I am proud of all that we have accomplished together.
I celebrate all the good things that we did together. The tie dye parties, the Whole Earth Nuclear Ukulele Orchestra, TOCO Festivals, Midwest Mayhem, Celebrity BBQ’s, benefit concerts, promoting concerts with local and touring musicians, attending and volunteering with other like minded people at other community events and I could go on forever. We, the community along with the other dj’s, did a lot of great things together and made our community a better and more welcoming place together. Thank you for being a part of it.
Right around a year ago I joined the streaming station The Roots FM. At first it was a little bittersweet. I was back on the airwaves but it was very different. The Roots didn’t have much of a local presence. In a year’s time, we have really been reaching out and connecting with the community. There is a very dedicated group of people that are trying to connect to the community that lost their community radio station. I am glad to have these people in my life at this time. I really needed some positivity after watching what I worked so hard to build have it stolen from the people that built it.
On January 1, 2025 The Roots officially became a 501(c)3 not for profit. I am on the board of directors. We are trying to build an inclusive place that truly reflects our community. We are putting things in action that have taken awhile to be sure that the fate of our former community radio station does not happen to us. We are moving in a positive direction and trying to build community. Yes, it will take time, but we as a group, are willing to put the time and effort into building something that will outlast us, something for the future.
The Roots currently has 7 former community radio station dj’s on the airwaves - Jim Bruce, Keith Dudding, Mark Hyken, Rick Comello, Ryan Cain, Darren Snow and me. We have been talking with some of the other displaced dj’s and hope to have more of them join us. The future is looking up at the Roots FM.
As a not for profit, we are in the tough position that we don’t have a lot of funds. We are putting in a LOT of sweat equity in the meantime. If you happen to check us out and like what you hear, please become a member and let us know how we can better serve the community. Volunteer with us. Be a part of the Roots family. We want to be your new community radio station. Check us out at www.therootsfm.org. I think you will like what you hear and want to support our efforts.
I refuse to sit and mourn the loss of our community radio station. I am proud to help build something that will bring some healing to our community. Let’s bring back community radio to St. Louis bigger and better than ever. It took all of us to create it and together we can do it again. We know how. We just need to do it.
Thanks for coming to my TED talk today……. Thanks for letting me be a part of your lives. Even if we’ve never met, just knowing that I touched your life means the world to me.

[Uncle John]

McClellan: KDHX battle ends in a loss for the hippies
Bill McClellan | Post-Dispatch

The article will appear in Sunday's St. Louis Post-Dispatch print edition.