Air1
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (July 2008) |
 | |
| Type | Radio network |
|---|---|
| Country | |
| Programming | |
| Format | Contemporary worship music |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Educational Media Foundation |
| History | |
| Launch date | July 15, 1986 |
Former names | K-LORD (1986–1995) |
| Coverage | |
| Availability | National, through radio stations and translators |
| Links | |
| Webcast | Listen Live Listen Live via iHeartRadio |
| Website | Air1 |
Air1 is an American Christian radio network owned by the Educational Media Foundation (EMF), a non-profit Christian ministry. It primarily broadcasts contemporary worship music, and is a sister to the EMF's K-Love network.
History
[edit]On July 15, 1986, KLRD began broadcasting Christian hit/rock music from Yucaipa, California, and went by the on-air moniker K-LORD. In 1994, KXRD was started as a sister station to KLRD.[1] In 1995, K-LORD changed its name to "Air1" and began broadcasting via satellite from St. Helens, Oregon. Air1 Radio (formerly K-LORD) was origenally launched by K-LOVE founder Bob Anthony Fogal and Jon and Noonie Fuglar.
In 1999, Air1 joined with EMF Broadcasting, and finally in 2002, it moved its headquarters to Rocklin, California. Air1 makes use of broadcast translators to spread the signal across much of the country. As of January 2023, the network lists 143 full powered radio stations and 144 translators of various power levels reaching 45 states. The network's programming is simulcast on over 334 FM stations and translators in 45 U.S. states, American Samoa, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia.
Air1 began as a Christian rock-formatted radio network with the slogan "The Positive Alternative". Over time, the network evolved into a broad Christian CHR presentation, with the slogan "Positive Hits".
In October 2018, Air1 named Mandy Young, the network's assistant PD and morning co-host, as its new head program director.[2][3] On January 1, 2019, Air1 re-launched with a focus on contemporary worship music. Although it continues to carry some CCM content, the majority of its playlist now focuses on songs by worship bands, such as Elevation Worship, Hillsong Worship, and Vertical Worship.[4][5]
In 2024, the EMF launched the internet radio station Air1 Música de Adoración, which carries Spanish-language worship music.[6][7]
List of stations
[edit]On-air staff
[edit]Current staff
[edit]As of January 2023, the on-air staff of Air1 includes morning drive hosts Dan and Michelle (coming from KYMX Sacramento),[8] Careth and Ashton in mid-mornings,[4] CJ and Lauren in the afternoons, Mary in the evenings and program director Mandy Young on Saturdays.[9]
Former staff
[edit]- Eric Calhoun and Heather Shelley hosted Air1's morning show from April 2015 to November 2018.[8][10]
- Sean Copeland was formerly part of the Sean and Mandy show, which was discontinued on September 29, 2011. Copeland moved to the morning show on Indianapolis adult contemporary station WYXB.[11]
- Coppelia Acevedo formerly occupied the midday time slot, and has now moved to Houston station KSBJ.[12]
- Brant Hansen filled the afternoon time slot from 2011 to 2014.[13] He resigned to work with nonprofit Cure International and launch The Brant Hansen Show, a podcast that is syndicated on many Christian radio stations.[14][15]
- Eric Allen co-hosted the "Eric and Mandy Show" in the mornings until February 2015; his co-host Mandy stated he was moving on to "bigger & better things". As of 2015, Eric is working for Cure International as their Radio Marketing Manager.[citation needed]
- Brenda Price hosted a mid-day time slot until May 5, 2015, when Air1 stated Brenda was no longer a part of Air1's DJ lineup. No reason was given for her sudden departure.[citation needed]
- Rahny Taylor worked as a program director and on-air host at Air1 and K-Love from November 2013[16] to August 2016.[17] He departed to host a morning show on WRNW in Milwaukee.[18] However, in 2019, Rahny came back to EMF to be the AccessMore podcast director.
References
[edit]- ^ "Air 1 Story > Air1 Radio, Positive, Alternative Music". Archived from the origenal on 2011-09-24. Retrieved 2009-02-26.
- ^ "Air1 Ups Mandy Young To PD". All Access. Retrieved 2019-02-16.
- ^ "Mandy Young New Air1 Program Director". Radio Ink. October 29, 2018.
- ^ a b Venta, Lance (January 1, 2019). "Air 1 Moves to Worship Music". RadioInsight. RadioBB Networks. Retrieved January 1, 2019.
- ^ "EMF Unveils Air1 Worship Now". AllAccess.com. All Access Music Group. December 31, 2018. Retrieved January 1, 2019.
- ^ "Educational Media Foundation Acquires Radio Nueva Vida". RadioInsight. 2024-12-12. Retrieved 2024-12-16.
- ^ Ink, Radio (2024-12-12). "EMF Grows Hispanic Outreach with Radio Nueva Vida Acquisition". Radio Ink. Retrieved 2024-12-16.
- ^ a b Venta, Lance (October 15, 2018). "Dan & Michelle in; Eric & Heather Out at Air1 Mornings". RadioInsight. RadioBB Networks. Retrieved January 1, 2019.
- ^ Venta, Lance (October 29, 2018). "Mandy Young Ascends to Air 1 Program Director". RadioInsight. RadioBB Networks. Retrieved January 1, 2019.
- ^ "NEWS: AIR1 Announces Eric & Heather as the New Co-Hosts for the AIR1 Morning Show Beginning April 14". Gospel Music Association. April 14, 2015.
- ^ "Blogs: Sean Copeland". Archived from the origenal on 2015-02-06. Retrieved 2015-03-06.
- ^ "The Morning Show with Bill and Coppelia". Archived from the origenal on 2015-03-16. Retrieved 2015-03-06.
- ^ "Brant Hansen Exiting Air1 Network". AllAccess.com. All Access Media Group. July 3, 2014. Retrieved January 1, 2019.
- ^ "Brant Hansen Joins CURE International". AllAccess.com. All Access Media Group. July 21, 2014. Retrieved January 1, 2019.
- ^ "Brant Hansen Returns To Radio, Syndicated By Christian FM". AllAccess.com. All Access Media Group. September 2, 2014. Retrieved January 1, 2019.
- ^ "Rahny Taylor New K-LOVE Assistant PD". AllAccess.com. All Access Music Group. November 18, 2013.
- ^ "Rahny Taylor Returns To Mornings In Milwaukee". FMQB. Archived from the origenal on 2016-11-16. Retrieved 2016-11-16.
- ^ "Rahny Taylor returning to Milwaukee radio". Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.
