Put A Face To The Voice Behind The Mic
We are proud to introduce you to KZFR DJs Sandra, Mark B, Brenton, Gayle, Lars, Mark G & Charlie
It's thanks to all our volunteer DJs that KZFR can continue to bring you the unique programming you value and enjoy every day.
Native Song & Peanut Butter Jelly Time host Sandra Morales - "I grew up in the east Bay Area. My earliest memories in the mid-60s were hanging out with my father and listening to baseball games on the radio. We also listened to the KGO news and talk shows. My mother mostly listed to classical music. About the time the 70s came around, I found myself listening to pop rock on AM 610 KFRC. I loved the top 20s. My friends and I would call in to request songs by the Jackson 5, the Osmonds and the DeFrancos. Started to record cassettes of my fav songs from the radio. By the late 70 it was a mix of Rock , Funk and a bit of Disco. By the 80s, I was totally into KFOG and became a “FogHead”. My favorite thing was to call in to answer trivia questions hoping to be the umpteenth caller for tickets. I relocated to Southern Oregon and began to win tickets to almost anything at least twice a month. Whilst earning a BS in Applied Psychology, I also worked on a minor in Technical Communications. I got to do short stints on Klamath Falls Oregon Institute of Technology radio station 89.5 FM KTEC! I had so much fun! Unfortunately in Grad school in Ashland I was unable to continue radio because I had a crazy 16 unit a quarter class load. After graduation I moved back to the Bay. We relocated to Chico in 2010. One morning I found a station with beautiful flute and drumming music. Lo and behold I found Native Song on KZFR! I listed to several shows on this station. I think I became involved with the station by chance. A friend who was also a programmer invited me to a KZFR Halloween party at at the Grange. Next thing I know I’m watching the merchandise table at the Big Room when Hannah Jane Kyle and Kyle Williams won the singer/songwriter’s award. It’s been fun watching her talent grow these past few years. I remember hearing the call for another reader to help the Tchudi’s read stories. They had been reading stories in the 7-7:30 time slot after their talk show Ecotopia. I had been thinking of stepping in for a kid’s 30 min show and this was my chance. I eventually moved to Thursdays and renamed the show to “Peanut Butter Jelly Time”. I became the Groovy Gramma (Sr. Filipe gave me that nickname). I found joy in bringing my grandkids on the show. Having them read or talk about school. I really value being able to sit in with other programmers and learn from them. Along with me kid’s show I have become the “Super Sub” I'm splitting the month with Native Song co-host Anna Kastner. I also sub for Basically The Blues, Face the Music, LA Sounds and much more. I recently became a member of the Board of Directors which has given me a better understanding of the stations mechanics. KZFR is my new family and I love being a part of this innovative community radio station!"
Facets of Jazz host Mark Bloom - "I did a jazz radio show in college back in the 70's, and got back into programming in 2001 with KZFR with a weekly Thursday 6 am show. I did that show and then one on Sunday afternoons for quite a while, burned out a bit and took a break, and then was asked to come back and join the Facets gang about five years ago. Doing a monthly show is perfect for me, and I'm happy to share my love of classic jazz with the KZFR listeners."
Radio Radics host Brenton Farrell - "Since becoming a certified programmer in 2003, I have been given so many kind opportunities from the ZEPHYR family. Sanjay Dev first allowed me to cover his show while he travelled during summers. An exciting, albeit lofty undertaking that scared me to the core! Shoshanna shared her Monday show with me soon after. And finally Solid Rock—sadly left for his hometown of San Diego but lobbied hard for me to continue his Wednesday slot. What makes KZFR such a meaningful institution is the support and mentorship that happens off the air. I can truly say that we have some of the most knowledgeable musical minds assembled anywhere, but more importantly, I have made many friendships that I truly cherish. And as to the listeners, you are included in those friendships, even if we have never met in person."
Ask Dr. Gayle host Dr. Gayle Kimball - “Asking questions is one of her favorite activities, along with writing books, dancing, hiking and gardening. She is the author of over 20 books. The latest are Calm: How to Thrive in Challenging Times and a trilogy based on interviews with visionary scientists. Her show features a panel of experts interviewed by Gayle on a variety of current topics ranging from local education and politics, involved fathers, gender issues, teen issues, integrative health care, and on. Some are on her YouTube channel, along with her KZFR interviews."
The Dinosaur Hour host Lars Larsen - "My journey with KZFR started in 1988 in the Radio Shack store in Paradise Cal. The clerk who waited on me turned out to be Larry Bennett who was a huge proponent of KZFR in those early days. He enthusiastically told me about this new radio station. I said that I had wanted to be a DJ since childhood and told him I was an avid record collector. His reply was “Come to a meeting” which I did. After studying and obtaining an FCC Radio Operator’s License, I was ready to rock n’ roll and in July of 1990 “The Dinosaur Hour” was born. In the beginning, KZFR had no microwave link from studio to the transmitter, so I would go to this little makeshift studio and record 5 half hour reel to reel tapes every Friday morning which would then be taken to the transmitter to be played directly on the air at 7:30. It was interesting to say the least, to listen to my show on Friday evening with friends. It often became a bit of a dance party. KZFR has always been a labor of love for me. I’ve worked at countless events and served on the Board of Directors twice through the years. Love each other and Love KZFR!"
All Mixed Up host Mark Gray - "The radio seed was planted as a kid growing up in rural Nigeria. In the evenings the shortwave radio became my link to the outside world. Always loved AM radio and especially the left end of the FM dial. I met Eric Mathiesen, our founder on a float trip down the Sacramento River and started volunteering. Willing to do whatever helped, I joined the initial Program Council and began running reel to reel tapes up to the Nimshew transmitter site when we first went on the air. Facets of Jazz with Frank Ficarra and a punkish/heavy rock show by Adam Wakeling were the Saturday afternoon shows I ferried up and listened to as the sun went down. A few months after being on the air, Adam had to bow out and I took over the spot with Everything Under the Sun. Later it moved to Friday afternoon as Offramp. Then on to Tuesday evenings with All Mixed Up for some years and then to Saturdays. I have been lucky to share the show with so many amazing people which included Jeff Livingston, Barbara Manning, Drew Traulsen, Jill Paydon and Jim Howell. The current lineup continues with Mike Gregg, Rafiki and Danno. Not sure how I got this lucky but a huge thank you to the KZFR family, musicians, listeners and business supporters."
Feral Radio host Charlie “Feral Cat” Barnes - "Feral Radio was a big part of my reconstructing my life following the loss of my wife. The KZFR family welcomed me in and I have to voice my appreciation. The Chico area is the first place (of many) where I chose to live. I love this region. I love The Zephyr."
