About
Created in 1998 by journalists Stephen Koch and Keith Merckx, “Arkansongs” is an award-winning syndicated radio program examining Arkansas people, places -- and especially its music.
The segment is heard by hundreds of thousands of listeners on stations around the tri-state region through the program’s own unique network of affiliates – including Red River Radio, a network of stations boasting one of the largest public radio coverage areas in the nation.
A two-time Associated Press Broadcasters Association first-place winner and recipient of the Best Radio Show award from the Arkansas Times’ inaugural Central Arkansas Music Awards, “Arkansongs” is a respected staple of the state’s media fabric with an active social media presence and a deep digital archive, which you are free to explore in the Arkives.
Hear
The state of Arkansas helped create the American musical vernacular, which has influenced music worldwide. And each week, “Arkansongs” highlights the legends as well as the forgotten heroes in every musical genre. Program air times vary by station; click on the microphone icon of the stations below for “Arkansongs” broadcast times and links to affiliates’ live streams.
KUAR
Little Rock, Batesville
Forrest City, Monticello
KUAF
Fayetteville
KASU
Jonesboro
KTXK
Texarkana
KUHS
Hot Springs
KFFA
Helena-West Helena
KBSA
El Dorado
KDAQ
Shreveport/Grambling, Louisiana
KLSA
Alexandria, Louisiana
KLDN
Nacogdoches, Texas
KTYK
Tyler/Longview/Kilgore, Texas
KLDN
Lufkin, Texas
Click on the microphone icon for the "Arkives" to hear past episodes.
"ARKIVES"
Episode Podcasts
Purchase
The continued broadcast of “Arkansongs” relies on underwriting, but also the support of individual
listeners. All proceeds from the purchase of books or other dry goods goes to keep the program on the air and the Arkhives available for listening. Thank you!​
"Louis Jordan: Son of Arkansas, Father of R&B"
Arkansawyer Louis Jordan is the linchpin through so many genres and influencers, and
author/“Arkansongs” host Stephen Koch lays it all out in this biography of one of America’s most
important musicians. Through a donation, ALL proceeds from copies of Louis Jordan: Son of Arkansas,
Father of R&B purchased here at the “Arkansongs” site benefit continued production of the program.
Thank you!​
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Though you may not know the man, you probably know his music. Arkansas-born Louis Jordan's songs like "Baby, It's Cold Outside," "Caldonia" and "Ain't Nobody Here But Us Chickens" can still be heard today, decades since Jordan ruled the charts. In his five-decade career, Jordan influenced American popular music, film, and more -- and inspired the likes of James Brown, B.B. King, Chuck Berry, and Ray Charles. Known as the "King of the Jukeboxes," he and his combo played a hybrid of jazz, swing, blues and comedy music during the big band era that became the start of R&B. In a stunning narrative portrait of Louis Jordan, author Stephen Koch contextualizes this great forgotten musician among his musical peers, those he influenced, and the musical present.
A donation of $20 gets you a copy personalized and signed by the author.
If you'd like to purchase your own copy, contact arkansongs at gmail.com
Connect
Send an email to:
arkansongs at hotmail.com
and we will be in touch!
