From Michael Marsolek – Program Director – Montana Public Radio!
MTPR Kids – For five decades, Montana Public Radio (MTPR) has been broadcasting children’s programming in Montana. This year, we’re celebrating on the air and off, with a special birthday party, concerts in the listening area by Grammy award-winning storyteller and songwriter Bill Harley, and archival moments shared throughout the year. May 11th-19th will be MTPR Kids Week, including special guests, on-air celebrations, and public appearances.
MTPR Kids has had a connection with Bill Harley since the beginning of his career and he’s always been a family favorite, with over 30 recordings and numerous awards, including two Grammys. His Grammy-winning CD and DVD, Yes to Running, was filmed in Missoula and produced in partnership with Montana PBS and MTPR. Bill’s been called “the Mark Twain of contemporary children’s music” by Entertainment Weekly.
During MTPR Kids Week,Bill Harley has five live shows scheduled around Montana, with the final two on Sunday, May 19th in Missoula at 1PM and 5PM at the Missoula Children’s Theatre! Tickets are reserved seating and are selling quickly. Bill will also be part of the 50th birthday party celebration on The Children’s Corner at 8AM on Saturday, May 18th on the MTPR network.
KUFM first went on the air in January of 1965 on the University of Montana campus in Missoula. In the 1970’s, station manager/founding program director Terry Conrad, established not only the eclectic music service, but MTPR became one of the early stations to carry the new flagship programming from National Public Radio (NPR’s All Things Considered). Later, Terry decided KUFM should have content for younger listeners, so with help from his wife, Germaine Conrad, The Pea Green Boat went on the air with songs and stories for children. Beloved longtime hosts Marcia Dunn (23 years), Annie Garde (18 years), and Sam Manno (30+ years) created programs with stories, songs, special guests, radio dramas, and kids from our region.
Today’s children’s programs are The Pea Green Boat– the longest continuously running children’s radio program in America- and The Children’s Corner. Current hosts Vicki Chaney (The Pea Green Boat, M-F from 4PM-5PM) and Sam Manno (The Children’s Corner, Saturdays from 8AM to 9:30AM) create this radio oasis for the young and the young at heart. I pledge to offer our radio oasis to the young and the young at heart today and into the future. MTPR Kids – 50 years and counting.