KSYM program director James “Hot Mustard” Velten performs his morning radio show on KSYM 90.1 FM. Geoffrey Hovatter
Archived shows are available on Free Radio America.
By Asia Andrews
sac-ranger@alamo.edu
KSYM 90.1 is the campus radio station and has been around for over 50 years, blasting alternative music and songs not played on mainstream radio stations.
James Velten, KSYM program director and on-air personality “Hot Mustard,” has been with the radio station since he was a student in 2008. He was hired as a program director in January 2016.
Velten said Sept. 25 that he encourages students to get involved with the radio station.
Students can get involved as volunteers by attending meetings at 1 p.m. Monday in Room 201 of Longwith Radio, Television and Film Building.
Each semester five to 12 students volunteer.
“Volunteers can help out with audio and video production, event planning, promotions and music screenings,” he said.
Velten said the station tries to bring together the skills learned in radio and television broadcasting classes.
To have a show on KSYM, volunteers can take RTVB 1150, Radio Experience 1, that requires students to come to the station once a week and host an hour show.
Students do not have to take radio-television-broadcasting courses to be able to volunteer or have a show.
Students who choose not to take these courses must gain experience through volunteering until staff members believe they are capable of being on the air.
The lineup is made up of about 10 shows by community volunteer DJs, four pre-recorded and syndicated shows, and eight shows by students, not including the 15 students on staff who have radio shifts.
DJs are free to choose the types of music they play if approved by the music director.
People should listen to KSYM because of the new music that they play, the fact that they rarely play the same song twice in the same day and the lack of commercials, Velten said.
“KSYM plays more local music than anyone else in the city,” Velten said.
KSYM is partially funded by the college, but the majority of funds come from listeners during the annual pledge drive.
Velten has his own morning talk radio show called “The Sauce with Hot Mustard,” which broadcasts 7-9 a.m. Monday through Friday.
On his show, Velten hosts “Speaking of SAC” with college President Robert Vela 8-8:30 a.m. Tuesday about campus activities and concerns.
Past interviews with Vela can be found online at https://www.mixcloud.com/speakingofsac .
KSYM now has shows available online on Radio Free America’s website.
Radio Free America is a free online platform for college and community radio, featuring over 150 archived stations nationwide.
KSYM and Radio Free America first partnered after representatives of both attended a College Broadcasters Inc. convention in fall 2017 at the Hyatt Regency River Walk downtown.
Later KSYM and Radio Free America got together to archive two weeks of shows from KSYM 90.1.
The latest two weeks of shows are available at https://www.radiofreeamerica.com/station/ksym .
“In today’s world everything is online and about the convenience of the user. If a listener misses a show, they can go back and find it. They can listen whenever they want, however many times they want.” Velten said.
“DJs can also go back and see if anyone has listened to their shows,” he said.
The website for KSYM does not archive shows.
Alt 2 Hunger, an annual charity food drive to benefit St. Peter-St. Joseph Children’s Home, will be Nov. 22 at Sanchos Cantina & Cocina, 628 Jackson St.
Admission is $5 per person or five canned goods. A frozen turkey will admit five people.
A schedule for other events and a music playlist can be found at http://www.ksym.org/ .
For more information about the KSYM radio station, contact Velten at 210-486-1371 or visit the website.
