A new partnership between WEKU, Alltech and Dynamix Productions will enable the public radio service at Eastern Kentucky University to enhance its popular public affairs program, Eastern Standard.
Beginning with the July 19 program, some episodes of the weekly Eastern Standard will originate from the Dynamix recording studio in Lexington. Alltech Inc. has provided $15,000 in funding to make the partnership possible.
“One of the hallmarks of WEKU is the close relationship the station has with its audience and the towns and communities where its listeners live,” said Doug Cornett, assistant vice president of communications and brand management at EKU. “This agreement is yet another example of that commitment. Through the generosity of Alltech, WEKU will enjoy an expansion of our local programming into Lexington via Dynamix Productions. Both Alltech and Dynamix Productions have a long and rich history of contributing to Kentucky communities and its citizens. My hope is that this initiative is the beginning of a powerful relationship that can enable all three partners to continue being a force for good in the region.”
Eastern Standard airs at 11 a.m. each Thursday, with repeat airings at 6 p.m. every Sunday. The program is also streamed at those times at weku.fm/listen.
“Locating production in Lexington provides easier, more convenient access to central Kentucky business, healthcare and education leaders, as well as area artists, writers, entertainers and other newsmakers,” said Tom Martin, a Lexington-based news veteran who serves as program host, with the support of other WEKU staff members. “And it makes us convenient to the many interesting people sharing their knowledge, perspectives and experiences as they visit the region.
“We will continue to involve EKU faculty via the WEKU studios on campus,” Martin continued. “In addition to the occasional deep dives into compelling and important single topics over the course of the hour, we’re planning shows with a lot of variety. These will include my own interviews, as well as interviews and features by Cheri Lawson, Stu Johnson, Mary Meehan and other members of the WEKU staff. And we draw content from Kentucky Public Radio, the Ohio Valley Resource, the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting, the EKU Chautauqua lecture series, the Transylvania University Creative Intelligence lecture series, Kentucky Humanities Council and the Lexington Herald-Leader.”
Dynamix Productions already originates live and recorded interviews with local newsmakers for National Public Radio, the BBC, WBUR in Boston, WMYC in New York, Minnesota Public Radio and other public radio affiliates nationwide.
Neil Kesterson, owner of Dynamix, said he was “excited to have one of the area’s best radio programs originate from our studios. We get to have a steady flow of some of central Kentucky’s most important movers and shakers right through our doors. It will be very rewarding to be part of a show that explores a subject in depth and with such maturity and integrity.”
Operating since 2003, Dynamix Productions Inc. is an audio recording and post-production facility in Lexington that specializes in sound for picture, corporate communications, advertising, audiobooks, podcasting, broadcasting, and voice-overs. In 15 years, Dynamix and its productions have won more than 100 awards. Kesterson is an industry veteran with more than 30 years of experience producing audio recordings, film and video soundtracks, broadcast programs and documentaries.
Susanna Elliott, head of communications at Alltech, said Alltech “is proud to join forces with WEKU and Dynamix Productions in continuing Eastern Standard’s critical conversations about the people and ideas changing our lives, our community and our world.”
WEKU-FM (88.9 FM), a National Public Radio-affiliated station owned by EKU, primarily features NPR news and talk programming, along with classical music (102.1 FM). WEKU operates satellite stations throughout the region: WEKH (90.9 FM in Hazard), WEKF (88.5 FM in Corbin) and WEKP (90.1 FM in Pineville) along with 106.7 in Frankfort, 96.9 in Barbourville, 96.3 in Harlan, 102.5 in Middlesboro and 95.1 in Pikeville. WEKU also operates Classic 102.1 – a classical music and classic jazz station in Lawrenceburg serving greater Lexington and Frankfort.
Martin has worked for such prestigious organizations as AP Radio, RKO Network News, ABC News and Paul Harvey News. He is currently a columnist for the Lexington Herald-Leader, co-publisher of UnderMain, the student media adviser at Transylvania University, and keyboardist for the Patrick McNeese Band.