California State University, Stanislaus’ (Stan State), very own radio station, KCSS, plays a kid’s show Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., which includes kid’s tunes otherwise known as “Kindie Rock.”
Kindie Rock is not the usual “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes” or “Wheels on the Bus,” but includes popular artists such as “The Barenaked Ladies” and “The Fray,” that sing songs about everyday kid experiences in their own style of music that families can enjoy together.
KCSS 4 Kids began about two years ago and was created by KCSS’s General Manager, Greg Jacquay.
The idea originally came from a Stan State alumni, Garrett Neeley, who decided to take it upon himself to start a kids show in the Fall of 2012.
“I used to tell my friends that the perfect job would be to host a television show for kids,” says Neeley, “I didn’t have access to a TV show, but CSU Stanislaus has a seriously impressive radio station. I talked to Professor Jacquay about maybe having some sort of show geared towards kids and he was all for it.”
Neeley went on to have a kid’s show that played mostly children’s folk music, where he educated and shared positivity with his young listeners.
Jacquay decided to permanently keep the children’s show, although there was no advertising the first year it was being broadcasted. KCSS 4 Kids began to be advertised last year, and quickly received a positive response from listeners and music artists alike.
Music artists and labels have also become so interested in the show that they have sent custom station ID’s to be played before and after the music.
According to Jacquay, KCSS 4 Kids tries to “not play pop culture stuff, but music created specifically for kids,” which he hopes is a great way for families to start their day.
A number of adults and college students, with no children, have sent positive comments enjoying the show every morning as a steady follower increase has strengthened on KCSS 4 Kids Facebook and Twitter.
Turn on the radio to 91.9 FM on any given weekday when you are driving yourself or your kids to school, and you’ll find an interesting mix of children’s music that you may actually enjoy yourself.
To tune in, listeners can access KCSS 4 Kids through a traditional radio or streaming via KCSS.net.