12 Feb 2024 Celebrate 25 years of ‘Arkansongs’ this Sunday

The University of Central Arkansas’ Public Appearances is proud to host “Arkansongs” in celebration of 25 years of broadcasting on Sunday, Feb. 18 at the Windgate Center for Fine and Performing Arts. The main event will start at 3 p.m. but visitors are invited to the exhibit in the Windgate Gallery starting at 2 p.m.

The event will feature co-founder Stephen Koch, who will entertain and educate the audience on the history of trailblazing Arkansas artists such as Levon Helm, Almeda Riddle, Jimmy Driftwood, Black Oak Arkansas, Sippie Wallace, Rosetta Tharpe and more. 

An exhibition culled from the archives of UCA and the Old State House Museum, will feature artifacts such as Louis Jordan’s saxophone, a Levon Helm bust by famed Arkansas sculptor Kevin Kresse, Jimmy Driftwood’s guitar, the RCA Dog, and more. 

“Arkansongs” highlights the legends as well as the forgotten heroes in every musical genre. The show first aired in 1998 with cofounders and journalists Stephen Koch and Keith Merckx. The radio program has continued to air for 25 years and focuses on showcasing Arkansas’ people, places, and music. Each week, “Arkansongs” examines another facet of Arkansas music, exploring the people and events that have influenced the state and the world. It is a respected staple of the state’s media fabric and is home to Red River Radio, a network of stations boasting one of the largest public radio coverage areas in the nation.

Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children/students. Tickets are on sale now and may be purchased at the Reynolds or Windgate box offices Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., online at uca.edu/reynolds or by calling UCA Ticket Central at 501.450.3265 or toll-free at 866.810.0012. For more information on “Arkansongs” and to buy tickets go here.