After months of planning, it is time to (briefly) celebrate because our documentary about college radio is officially in production!. We landed in Dallas, TX on Aug. 12 and began preparations for a three-day shoot which started on today with a set of interviews with four former station managers from KTXT-FM in Lubbock, TX.
This was a perfect way to start production on the film, as I had a chance to reconnect with my mentors from KTXT, the college radio station that changed my life and inspired this project. Even though I had an hour with each station manager, plus a group conversation over pizza and beers, I still didn’t get to ask all the questions and talk about all the things I would have liked.
This was my first time meeting Big Steve and Peter, and I was thrilled to learn more about the years leading up to my time at KTXT. Both are still involved in the radio industry to this day, and had great stories to tell about their time in college radio, as well as their experiences moving into the world of commercial radio. Peter also brought the goods, specifically a vintage KTXT master playlist from 1991 and an even more vintage stonewashed denim jacket with the classic KTXT triangle logo. It is amazing.
Chad and James were both on the executive staff when I first started as a DJ, so I looked up to them and was really glad to see them again. It was really my first opportunity to let them know how much of an influence they had on me when I was a freshman at Texas Tech. It was so much fun to see where their career paths led after their time in college radio.
Overall, the first day was incredibly successful and it gives me a lot of hope for the film. Each interview really reinforced my own feelings about college radio and how passionate people are about it. I think that is something you will definitely see in the finished film.
