The Jalapeno

The Jalapeno Radio K.E.D.A. 1540AM

The Jalapeno Radio station is a unique radio station. I am used to listening to KXTN which is more Tejano music then conjunto music. When I first tuned in the station was playing the Star Spangled Banner conjunto style, no words just music. To me it was very uplifting. The deejays were very friendly and upbeat. Some of the deejays are Guero Polkas who‘s actual name is Richard Davila, is son to the founder of the radio station. He first went off to California to deejay out there and even promoted bail bonds in case his listeners found themselves on the wrong side of the law. Nelda Saenz grew up listening to KEDA and listened to Lucky Louie in the morning. He inspired her to be a deejay. Danny Casanova was born and raised just a block from the radio and started out as a sound engineer for weddings and debuts. In 1978 he started the business DJ Express and has been running it for 30 years. Danny also sits on Board of Directors of the Network for Young Artist which is a no-profit organization that helps children and artist in the art of music and dance. Hector ‘Via Via’ has been in the buisness for 15 years and is mostly a business man. He drives the Via Transit busline but also he is the Judging director for the Fiesta Flambeau Parade Association Inc. as well as Vice President of the U.S. Military Veterans Parade Association. Mark Weber, "EL TAQUACHE" is actuallly from Lebanon, Ohio and claims to be Scottish and German heritage. Even though conjunto music was non-existent when he was growing up he loves Spanish and was elected President of the Spanish Club in his high school. His father was a migrant worker and went through out the U.S. picking apples and oranges. His friend, Rick Juarez, had encouraged him to learn how to play the accordion by the best. KEDA started in 1966 and put an emphasis on local bands and businesses. They did not want to turn their back on the local people who made them who they are. They also call themselves on their web page “The first spanglish radio station in the world.” I felt the mood of the whole radio station was very informal and relaxing. Since it promotes a lot of local bands and businesses I feel that more people feel comfortable calling in to the radio station like they were calling a friend to see how they are doing. While listening a lot of people called in just to say hi. I liked the way that they have request, dedications and don’t try to rush people off the air or cut them off like other stations do. I actually programmed this radio station on my car radio because I liked the way that the deejays respond to the people and I liked the music that was played. It’s a different change of pace and a good one I think.