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KAMU Station News
Behind the Scenes of First Friday with KAMU
Every month, KAMU attends a wide variety of events to engage with you — our dedicated listeners, viewers and supporters. One of the events we participate in every month (excluding January) is First Friday!
This event is held on the first Friday of every month in Downtown Bryan. During this time, KAMU interacts with the community by chatting with guests and inviting them to spin our wheel of prizes. If you plan to visit us during First Friday, you can find us on Main Street under the bright yellow PBS KIDS tent.
KAMU works hard every month to prepare for this event, including meetings, schedule planning and day-of tasks. Now, we want to give you a special behind-the-scenes look at a typical First Friday for the KAMU team. Follow Marketing Coordinator Alex Bowden and her student workers Elizabeth and Emiley throughout their day.
Want to see even more of First Friday? Check out this photo essay that highlights the culture and ambiance of this cherished event.
Starting the Day
Around 2 p.m. on the day of First Friday, the KAMU team heads to our warehouse to gather supplies and decorations. We pack our tent, table, chairs, heaps of goodies to give away and Curious George, of course.
Packing can be a pretty tedious process, but the team loves to give a loud cheer once it is all done. After this, we’re on our way to Downtown Bryan.
But before we take off, a pose for the camera is always necessary!
Time to Set Up
Once we arrive in Downtown Bryan, it’s time to start setting up our booth. The team unloads all our supplies and begins setting up our PBS KIDS tent.
Next is when it all starts to come together. We put out our prize wheel, set up the table and begin to decorate the space.
Once the booth is all set up, we finish by adding our adorable PBS KIDS banner. This is definitely a team effort, as the stand can be a bit tricky.
Another pose for the camera, everyone!
After everything has been set up, the crew is here to greet you! Starting around 5 p.m., we welcome guests to our booth for an evening full of community fun.
Our Favorite Part of the Evening – Spending it with You!
As the sun starts to fall, the streets of Downtown Bryan fill with tons of vendors and even more guests. We invite visitors to our booth to spin our wheel of prizes. Depending on what the wheel lands on, you could win a sticker, magnet, coloring book or even a t-shirt.
Throughout the night, the KAMU team gets to know each visitor. It’s one of the things we are most passionate about — getting to know the people who make us who we are.
It’s all smiles around here!
At the end of the evening (around 9 p.m.) the KAMU team packs up, heads home and begins the planning process for next month’s First Friday.
Come visit us at First Friday in Downtown Bryan every month (excluding January). Once you spot the the bright yellow PBS KIDS tent, you’ll find our spirited team who is eager to meet you!
Check out our Community Calendar for a full list of events KAMU will be attending.
In a fast-paced world dominated by fleeting trends and digital noise, classical music’s timeless allure can help offer a few moments of serenity. KAMU-FM offers not just a few of these moments, but a 24/7 livestream of our KAMU-Classical programming. With multiple ways to listen and a variety of shows, KAMU-Classical HD-2 is revolutionizing the way Aggieland consumes classical music.
Why KAMU-Classical?
The goal of KAMU-Classical is simple: to provide listeners with classical music that promotes stress relief and well-being, and creates feelings of inner peace. It is especially helpful to Aggieland’s students, faculty and staff who are studying, completing coursework, grading, or performing research.
Studies show that classical music has the power to enhance focus and concentration while increasing productivity. Whether you are deep in study sessions, grading papers or preparing lectures, let the soothing sounds of symphonies create a relaxing environment for your best focus possible. By listening to classical music, you give your critical thinking skills a chance to thrive.
KAMU-Classical also offers a way to relax amid the hustle and bustle of the workday. Stress and burnout are all too common, but classical music helps to calm the mind and body, leading to a healthier work-life balance.
Classical Music Programming
KAMU offers three longtime favorite classical programs: “Performance Today,” “Pipedreams,” and “Exploring Music with Bill McGlaughlin.”
Performance Today
Since 1987, “Performance Today” has provided listeners with iconic classical music pieces, in-studio performances and interviews, and weekly features such as the “Piano Puzzler” with composer Bruce Adolphe. Listeners can expect to hear both timeless classics and contemporary pieces. Hosted by Fred Child, “Performance Today” is a Peabody Award-winning show and is the most listened-to daily classical music program in the United States.
Pipedreams
Hosted by Michael Barone, “Pipedreams” brings a unique, niche perspective to classical music listening. The program focuses specifically on organ music and each episode showcases a diverse repertoire of pipe organ pieces. In addition to presenting solo organ performances, “Pipedreams” also demonstrates the organ’s versatility as an ensemble instrument, featuring collaborations with other musicians.
Exploring Music with Bill McGlaughlin
This daily, one-hour show delves into a wide variety of topics in classical music. Each one-week, five-program series has a theme that pertains to composers and genres. Hosted by Bill McGlaughlin, a renowned conductor, composer and educator, “Exploring Music” offers listeners an in-depth understanding of classical music through insightful commentary, historical context and engaging storytelling.
You can find the complete KAMU-Classical schedule here.
How You Can Listen
KAMU-FM is proud to offer multiple ways to tune into KAMU-Classical:
How We Livestream Campus Muster: Behind the Scenes
“In 3…2…1… and we’re live.”
Muster is one of the longest-standing traditions at Texas A&M, honoring current and former Aggies who have passed. Every year on April 21, Aggies gather at over 300 Muster celebrations worldwide to remember these classmates while reminiscing about their times at Texas A&M. Campus Muster is held at Reed Arena, making it the largest Muster ceremony with over 12,000 in attendance.
Muster is one of three university events livestreamed by KAMU every year; the others being Commencement and Midnight Yell Practice. For those unable to attend the campus tradition in person, KAMU-TV provides a live TV broadcast and livestream for the Brazos Valley and beyond.
In 2024, we followed KAMU’s Muster crew to get a behind-the-scenes look at how the livestream comes together.
Planning Stages
Preparation for Muster begins around two months in advance, but the process is the same every year. It begins with a Muster Committee meeting with KAMU program coordinators Zach Partin and Alazar Asrat, where they discuss the engineering and captioning needed for the live event. Crew coordinator Zaria White then chooses and schedules student production assistants who will operate cameras and audio throughout the event.
Recording equipment is set up at Reed Arena three days before the event to ease operations. The KAMU crew run cables throughout the arena that connect the cameras to the TV truck.
The livestream and recordings aremade possible by a KAMU crew comprised of five student production assistants, two broadcast engineers and one broadcast director.
April 21 – The Day of Muster
5 p.m.
The KAMU crew arrives at Reed Arena to meet at the TV truck. There, they have time for last-minute questions and prepare for the live event.
6 p.m.
The crew is given a general rundown of the ceremony and a minute-by-minute breakdown of the events taking place during Muster. Broadcast Director Zach Partin then hands out specific assignments to each crew member and assigns them a camera to operate.
6:30 p.m.
The crew is getting ready to head in and find their assigned cameras to ensure their headsets, audio and visuals are running smoothly. Back in the TV truck, the engineers are making sure camera and audio settings are correct and the livestreams are ready to go.
6:50 p.m.
“10 minutes out,” director Partin says over his headset. The camera operators anxiously await the start of the ceremony as they search for the perfect opening shot.
7 p.m.
“Camera one, ready,” director Partin says as the ceremony is about to begin and camera operators are ready to go.
“In 3…2…1… and we’re live.”
The two-hour ceremony feels like it goes by in a matter of minutes when working. Camera operators are constantly looking for the next shot while fixing their lighting, focus and framing. The audio operator ensures each speaker can be heard clearly while covering background noises. The broadcast director is giving out directions and communicating with camera and audio operators nonstop as he searches for the next shot…
“Camera three, film an attendee.” “Camera one, find the next speaker.” “Camera two, pan across the audience.”
Meanwhile, engineers are watching the livestream to ensure it is running smoothly.
9 p.m.
Immediately after the ceremony, the rest of the crew heads back into Reed to aid camera operators in disassembling and packing up their equipment.
And that’s a wrap!
The KAMU crew is proud to serve the Texas A&M community and is honored with the opportunity to stream and record the annual campus Muster ceremony. Despite the long hours and hard work, KAMU is happy to contribute to keeping this cherished tradition alive.
An Earth Month Focus on Coral Reefs
When you think of Earth Month, you may think of recycling and taking care of the environment. But don’t forget our oceans!
71% of our ever-changing planet is the ocean. Full of some of the most diverse species in the world, our oceans are something that we should protect. This includes the vibrant, beautiful living structures that are coral reefs.
A new “Changing Planet” special highlights the many challenges that coral reefs face. From bacterial diseases to ocean warming, the health of these organisms is at stake. In this episode, visit coral reefs in the Maldives to learn from the researchers and scientists fighting to keep the species alive.
You can celebrate Earth Month and learn more about the many ways you can help save coral reefs by tuning in to “Changing Planet” on Wednesday, April 24 at 7 p.m. Watch the trailer here.
In anticipation of the show, KAMU spoke with Texas A&M oceanography professor Dr. Katie Shamberger about her experience researching coral reefs.
Fascination with the Ocean
“The whole reason I went into oceanography was because I grew up near the coast in southern California,” Shamberger said. “I was just obsessed with the beach and the ocean and all I ever wanted to do was study it.”
Although she works under the large umbrella of oceanography, her research specialization is in chemical oceanography, or the study of seawater chemistry, including carbon dioxide in the ocean and ocean acidification.
“Humans are burning lots of fossil fuels – oil, coal and gas – to produce the energy we need to run our society,” Shamberger said. “This puts a lot of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and it mixes into the surface of the ocean. The water kind of sinks and brings that CO2 into the interior of the ocean, causing a reaction that produces carbonic acid.”
Shamberger says this carbonic acid leads to ocean acidification – the “lowering of the pH of the ocean.”
What is Ocean Acidification?
Since the 1980s, ocean acidity has increased by 30%. This fluctuation over just a few decades “occurred at a rate 100 times faster than any change in acidity experienced during the last 55 million years,” according to the European Environment Agency.
“Coral reefs are one of the organisms that are really sensitive to ocean acidification,” Shamberger said. “This makes it harder for corals to build their skeletons. It enhances erosion, dissolution and basically breaks down the reef’s structure.”
The reefs’ failure to build these skeletons not only weakens their own systems but also takes away the habitats of other sea life.
“The skeleton that accumulates and makes the big three-dimensional reef structure has lots of hiding places and areas for other organisms to live,” Shamberger said. “It’s part of the reason why coral reefs are one of the most diverse ecosystems on the planet.”
Ocean acidification, along with ocean warming, are considered global stressors for coral reefs. Dr. Shamberger defines these as negative impacts that reefs all over the world are experiencing, not just those in one particular area.
Local vs. Global Stressors
Shamberger says there are also local stressors, which are negative impacts “that are happening on an individual or regional basis.” The amount of reefs that experience these stressors varies worldwide
“The really common ones are any sort of pollution from land,” Shamberger said. “It could be like sedimentation coming off the land and covering up the corals or it could be actual chemicals coming off the land.”
At least 75% of reefs in the Atlantic and over 65% of reefs in the Middle East experience at least one local stressor, according to the Reef Resilience Network.
Another local stressor that heavily impacts the health and well-being of coral reefs is overfishing.
“It can really damage coral reefs and throw off the food webs if you pull out too many of the delicious fish that live in and around the organism,” Shamberger said.
The severity between local and global stressors varies as well as the ability to stop the effects they have on reefs.
“Local stressors are generally easier to control,” Shamberger said. “You can make laws locally and can get communities to clean up and preserve their coral reefs because they usually depend on them in some way.”
What Can Humans Do?
Shamberger says by fixing local stressors, reefs will have a better chance of surviving global stressors, which are much harder to solve.
“Climate change, ocean acidification and ocean warming are global problems that nations all over the world need to agree about,” Shamberger said.
Reducing these negative effects on coral reefs is a team effort that only requires simple lifestyle changes.
“Anything you can do to reduce your energy usage is worth doing,” Shamberger said. “Even super simple things like not leaving my laptop on the charger all day.”
If anyone can do it then our Aggies definitely can!
“If you think about just one person making those changes it’s not that big of a deal,” Shamberger said. “But if you think of 70,000 students at A&M doing little things to reduce their energy usage it actually adds up to a lot of carbon dioxide not being put into the atmosphere.”
You can learn more about Dr. Shamberger’s research here.
Be sure to tune in to “Changing Planet” on Wednesday, April 24 at 7 p.m. You can also stream the special for free on PBS.org for 30 days after its premiere. Afterwards, it will be available on PBS Passport.
KAMU: Your Home for the Arts
In anticipation of World Art Day coming up on April 15, we have lined up the best arts-related TV and radio programming to get you in a creative mood. Learn all about art, music and their makers all throughout the month on KAMU!
TV
The Gershwin Prize Streaming Now
Watch as Elton John and Bernie Taupin are presented with The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song. The musical icons will be granted the prize by Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden during a tribute concert featuring popular musical artists and previous prize honorees.
Next at the Kennedy Center: Ben Folds Presents Declassified April 12 at 9 p.m.
Join host Ben Folds alongside singer-songwriters Jacob Collier, Laufey and dodie. “Next at the Kennedy Center” challenges the artists to completely reimagine their music. The program features the National Symphony Orchestra recreating the singers’ top hits as they replace their usual bands to create a new sound.
The Express Way with Dulé Hill Premieres April 23 at 8 p.m.
Learn more about the world of the arts from the perspective of artists across the nation. The documentary series “The Express Way with Dulé Hill” follows actor, dancer and singer Dulé Hill (“Psych,” “The West Wing”) as he shares the need for diversity and freedom in the arts.
Art Happens Here with John Lithgow April 26 at 9 p.m.
Dive into the world of arts education and learn how it has changed the lives of students of all ages. “Art Happens Here with John Lithgow” follows the actor (“Shrek,” “Footloose”) as he learns four different art disciplines from students in the Los Angeles area while sharing his passion for arts education.
The Best of the Joy of Painting with Bob Ross Thursdays at 3 p.m.
Get your art supplies ready! “The Best of the Joy of Painting” features renowned artist Bob Ross bringing his canvas to life while providing easy-to-follow instructions. This program encourages viewers to either follow along or sit back and enjoy his calm demeanor as he creates beautiful nature scenes.
J Schwanke’s Life in Bloom Mondays at 3 p.m.
Bring the beauty of nature into your home with the help of “J Schwanke’s Life in Bloom.” Host J Schwanke demonstrates how to incorporate flowers into your daily life to reduce stress and bloom happiness. Learn flower arrangement techniques or food and cocktail recipes with floral twists to brighten your day.
Canvasing the World with Sean Diediker Tuesdays at 1:30 p.m.
Explore how art and humanity intertwine on “Canvasing the World with Sean Diediker,” where each episode introduces you to the people and places that inspire featured paintings. Join painter Sean Diediker as he travels the world in search of the meaning behind impactful works of art.
Sound on Tap Wednesdays at 2:30 p.m.
Discover musical artists from across the state through “Sound on Tap,” featuring up-and-coming artists and introducing you to new sounds in every genre. This program streams live recordings of intimate performances bound to fully immerse you into the world of music.
Song of the Mountains Fridays at 2 p.m.
Celebrate the culture of the Southern Appalachians through its bluegrass and old-time country music. “Song of the Mountains” showcases musicians, music and heritage live from The Lincoln Theater in Virginia. Tune in to the award-winning series and experience music from the heart of the region.
Radio
The Heart of Art Saturdays at 2 p.m.
“The Heart of Art” is an in-house production hosted by KAMU’s own Hector Niño. This program highlights local talent, looking into their artistic journeys and sharing their art’s impact on our community. Catch up on past episodes any time on our website!
All Songs Considered Saturdays at 2:30 p.m.
Featuring the latest releases, exclusive interviews and conversations amongst friends, “All Songs Considered” covers all things music. Tune in to the weekly podcast hosted by Robin Hilton and the NPR family for the best music discoveries and recommendations.
KAMU-Classical
Whether you are at school, work or home, Aggieland’s home for classical music is there. KAMU-Classical offers soothing sounds 24/7, featuring familiar favorites such as “Performance Today,” “Exploring Music with Bill McGlaughlin” and “Pipedreams.” Learn more about how to listen to KAMU-Classical here!
Picture This: First Friday
Hello! My name is Hannah Morris and I am a TV & digital content student assistant at KAMU.
If you’re from the Bryan-College Station area, it’s likely you’ve heard of “First Friday.” On the first Friday of every month, Downtown Bryan closes their streets to welcome people from all over the community for one big celebration of local flair.
This is just one of the many fun-filled events that KAMU participates in. Each month (excluding January), come say hi to some of our team. You can find us under the bright yellow PBS KIDS tent.
I recently had the opportunity to photograph this beloved night. Filled with wonderful energy, one-of-a-kind finds and the beauty of downtown, I sought to showcase exactly what makes this event so special month after month.
Big Stars Who’ve Been on PBS
“Game of Thrones,” “Ted Lasso” and “The Crown” are all well-known television shows with incredible casts. But did you know your favorite actor from one of those series may also appear on KAMU?
With so many exciting dramas and notable performances on our channel, we decided to highlight a few faces you may recognize. Learn more about some of our favorite…
Many of these shows are available to stream now on KAMU Passport.
Star Performances
Helena Bonham Carter: Nolly
One of KAMU’s newest dramas features one renowned leading lady depicting another. Carter is best known for her portrayal of Bellatrix Lestrange in “Harry Potter,” but you may also recognize her from her appearances in “Fight Club,” “The King’s Speech” or various Tim Burton films.
In “Nolly,” Helena Bonham Carter portrays the British acting icon Noele “Nolly” Gordon. Once loved for her witty comedy that stole the spotlight of 1960s and ’70s television, Nolly’s eventual firing from her hit show left viewers with unanswered questions. In this bold and adventurous limited series, Helena Bonham Carter helps tell the story of an actress who refused to play by the rules.
“Nolly” airs every Sunday at 8 p.m. through March 31. After its conclusion, you can watch all three episodes on KAMU Passport at any time.
Anya Taylor-Joy: The Miniaturist
Anya Taylor-Joy has quickly risen to movie screens across the world. Known for her portrayal of brooding and mysterious characters, she achieved her breakout role as Casey Cooke in “Split.” After its release in 2016, Taylor-Joy has starred in films such as the horror-thriller “The Menu,” as lead of the 2020 Jane Austen adaptation “Emma,” and, most notably, Beth Harmon in “The Queen’s Gambit.”
“The Miniaturist” is a three-part limited mystery series that tells the story of Nella Oortman, played by Taylor-Joy. After arriving in Amsterdam to greet her new husband, Nella is gifted a small box with a miniature figure of her own home. As events in her real life start to play out within the small wooden house, Nella starts to wonder if the fate of her life is left in someone else’s hands.
Many may know him from his breakout role as Mason in Disney Channel’s “Wizards of Waverly Place,” but Gregg Sulkin has made his way to KAMU’s programming schedule as David in “World on Fire.”
This World War II drama pulls viewers into the everyday lives of individuals from all over the world. Sulkin’s character is a member of the Royal Air Force who is known for his arrogant demeanor. As the war continues, David volunteers to fly a reconnaissance mission over Germany and is confronted with a sticky fate.
Hannah Waddingham is a leading lady who has dominated television screens for the past decade. Known for her powerful acting and incredible singing voice, Waddingham has starred in several recognizable series such as “Game of Thrones” and “Ted Lasso.”
In a lighthearted romance based on “The History of Tom Jones, A Foundling” by Henry Fielding, Waddingham plays Lady Bellaston. As the love story between the two main characters, Tom and Sophia, deepens, watch as Lady Bellaston’s cunning ways attempt to break the growing bond between them.
Another recognizable face from the “Game of Thrones” kingdom of Westeros is Sean Bean, who is widely known for playing Ned Stark in the first season of the hit show. Aside from his time spent as the head of House Stark, Bean can be seen as Boromir in “Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring” and as Alec Tevelyan in 007’s “GoldenEye.”
In a heartfelt, four-part series, Bean plays Ian: an average man who navigates his marriage with his wife, Emma. Each episode captures an intimate look into the hardship and happiness of a long-term relationship.
British actor David Tennant has spent many years on popular television, including on our screens here at KAMU. Tennant is most notably known for his time as the iconic Doctor Who from 2005-2010. Since then, he has starred in many well-known dramas such as “Good Omens,” Star Wars “Ahsoka” and “Broadchurch” (also on KAMU Passport).
In the “MASTERPIECE” drama “Around the World in 80 Days,” Tennant plays the lead character, Phileas Fogg. Joined by an eccentric group of fellow travelers, Fogg embarks on his mission of circumnavigating the globe in this eight-part miniseries.
Many “MASTERPIECE” series are known for their ensemble casts, and this adaptation of “Les Misérables” is no different.
In a modern retelling of this well-known story, Dominic West (“The Crown”) and David Oyelowo (“Selma,” “Jack Reacher”) portray the feuding duo of Jean Valjean and Inspector Javert. The supporting cast includes a seemingly endless list of recognizable faces, such as Lily Collins (“Emily in Paris,” “The Blind Side”) as Fantine, Olivia Coleman (“The Favourite,” “Broadchurch”) as Madame Thenardier, Josh O’Connor (“The Crown,” “Emma”) as Marius Pontmercy and so many more.
Another stellar cast joins together in “Little Women.” In 2017, “MASTERPIECE” welcomed actors young and old to retell the story of the March sisters in its own way.
The beloved sisters are portrayed by rising young actresses such as Maya Hawke (“Stranger Things”) as Jo and Kathryn Newton (“Ant-Man”) as Amy. Jonah Hauer-King, another “World on Fire” heartthrob, plays Theodore “Laurie” Lawrence alongside Julian Morris (“New Girl,” “Pretty Little Liars”) as John Brooke. And last, but certainly not least, two acting royalty come together to portray the guiding hands of the story, with Michael Gambon (“Harry Potter”) as Mr. Lawrence and Angela Lansbury (“Murder, She Wrote”) as Aunt March.
KAMU strives to bring new, exciting and educational programs to your television screens. Here are just a few more familiar faces we enjoy seeing on our schedule:
Colin Padalecki: Texas A&M Today
One of the most exciting people we got to highlight in Season 2 of our original program “Texas A&M Today” was Colin Padalecki, half of the pop duo Surfaces. The KAMU production team got to travel and meet with Padalecki to learn more about his journey as a musician and former Texas A&M student.
You can watch one of the oldest and most cherished PBS KIDS programs on KAMU every day at 7 a.m. Each episode of “Sesame Street” features some of television’s most loved characters as they teach young learners valuable life lessons.
As Season 53 continues, many famous figures join Elmo, Cookie Monster and the “Sesame Street” crew. This list includes Brandi Carlile, Quinta Brunson, Ariana Debose, Dan Levy and more.
Learn more about the history of “Sesame Street” and its 53rd season in this article.
Stream “Sesame Street” and your other favorite PBS KIDS programs for free at any time on PBSKIDS.org. Or check out our PBS KIDS TV schedule to watch live.
Meet the Crew of Texas A&M Today Season 2
– “It was like trying out a new job every day from behind the camera.”
– “We have so many untold stories, and that’s the great part about this show.”
– “Anybody who knows Aggieland knows that there are special people here and we’re happy to be able to share and educate people about what’s going on.”
– “We serve the community, and they’re the voices.”
“Texas A&M Today” — a KAMU-TV original program — recently aired its second season. Full of new knowledge, interesting research and heartfelt stories, our goal with this second installment was to give viewers a deep, meaningful glimpse into their favorite university.
You can watch both seasons anytime on PBS.org or our YouTube channel. We asked the crew about their favorite segments and what they learned from the process of making Season 2.
Chelsea Reber in front of the Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
The Brazos Valley normally hears Bryan-native and A&M graduate Chelsea Reber on the radio as co-host of “The Infomaniacs” on WTAW. But for us, she stepped in front of the camera to serve as the face of our show.
It was hard for Chelsea to pick her favorite segments from Season 2. Thinking back, the Imaginary Maps Collection story — one of the first segments the crew shot — stands out as a favorite.
“I think that if you’ve watched any kind of television program, read a book or seen a movie, you would probably recognize a map that they have in that collection,” Chelsea said. “It was something that everyone could relate to in some way, and that was really neat.”
Another segment stood out to Chelsea in the same way it may stand out to viewers — trying new foods is always fun!
“I really liked the sensory lab segment because I got to eat!” Chelsea said. “It was really interesting learning about the process that it takes to make food and drink better for the average consumer.”
Although she was born and raised in Aggieland, Chelsea is still learning about her university every day.
“We have so many untold stories and that’s the great part about this show,” Chelsea said. “It’s a good reminder that there are still so many stories to tell.”
Jaime Muñoz ’06
Associate Director of Content Production Favorite Segment: Nautical Archeology
Jaime Muñoz on set of the “Nautical Archeology” segment
Jaime Muñoz was born and raised in Corpus Christi, Texas, and graduated from A&M in 2006 with a degree in political science. Before coming to KAMU in April 2021, he worked for H-E-B as a senior media producer.
Jaime’s favorite segment was the nautical archaeology story, which highlighted a special program with nationwide impacts.
“It was pretty cool that the Historical Society of Savannah enlisted Texas A&M for the restoration of the cannons,” Jaime said. “We’re College Station. You would think a coastal team or coastal restoration company would take over that. I thought it was pretty cool that they allow students to … get that hands-on experience.”
This segment involved a bit of traveling for the crew — all the way to Georgia.
“Going to Savannah, the first time getting the team to travel and figure that stuff out was pretty cool,” Jaime said. “Teaching them how to do that, travel with gear, the logistics, hotel stays and all of that.”
As director of “Texas A&M Today,” Jaime’s role involved not only making sure the production team got the perfect shot but also that they became better filmmakers along the way.
“When we’re all on set together and everything’s clicking, that’s kind of my proudest moment,” Jaime said. “It was a lot of hard work especially for a small and mighty team.”
Bobby Etheridge on set of the “Imaginary Maps” segment
Originally from Killeen, Texas, Bobby is one of our production specialists. The Prairie View A&M grad has been on the KAMU team for three years.
Bobby either filmed or edited almost every story from “Texas A&M Today,” but his favorite segment from Season 2 focused on the legacy of Aggieland’s music scene.
This segment involved a trip to interview half of the music duo Surfaces — Colin Padalecki, a Texas A&M former student whose songs have topped the charts since his departure from Aggieland.
“I enjoyed meeting with Colin and hearing the music he had,” Bobby said. “He’s very chill, he’s super creative and very talented.”
“That was pretty cool, just seeing them actually race the car that they had,” Bobby said. “I kind of wanted to ask, ‘Hey, could I take it for a ride really quick, just go around the track?’ It was just really fun.”
Bobby says Season 2 taught him how to showcase the human element in all of his projects.
“We’re telling stories about real life people who are doing things that matter and are important,” Bobby said. “And I think that’s something that we can carry into everything we do.”
Christian Hamilton on set at the Bush Combat Development Complex
Christian has been on the KAMU team for almost two years after studying journalism at the University of North Texas and spending three years as a news producer in Texas and Tennessee.
It was a hard choice between all the fantastic stories in Season 2, but the segment featuring the university’s Biodiversity Collections — which included five professors who collect different kinds of natural history specimens — stands out to Christian.
“It was so interesting to talk to the different curators,” Christian said. “[They were all] doing different things but were all very passionate about it.”
Christian worked as lead producer on each story of “Texas A&M Today.” The Fish Genetics segment was another that was special to him.
“[Dr. Gatlin] was so nice, and that was the most producer-y that I felt,” Christian said. “Talking Chelsea through what we needed and asking follow up questions … I felt like I really got to flex my creative producer muscle with that story.”
Christian has multiple upcoming projects outside of “Texas A&M Today” and there is one lesson from the show that he plans to carry with him.
“It was so cool to meet a bunch of people who were passionate about what they do,” Christian said. “It’s our job to bring out that passion and to make things that may seem mundane into things that are really interesting and exciting.”
Zaria White on set of the “Game Day Preparedness” segment
Zaria is a Texas A&M former student who started at KAMU in June 2022 as a student production assistant. Originally from Douglasville, Georgia, her first trip to Texas was her move-in day as a freshman Aggie and she went on to study telecommunications and journalism.
Two stories that stood out to Zaria focused on Aggieland’s music scene and Texas A&M’s nautical archeology efforts.
“For the music story, the people that we interviewed were really cool, and I think it’s going to be a really cool piece to look back at,” Zaria said. “With the nautical archeology story, when I rewatch the show, that is the first thing that I see and it’s just so stunning to me. I think that piece just looks really beautiful.”
These stories had a great impact on Zaria and they make her appreciate her alma mater even more.
“If you’re a fan of Texas A&M, a fan of College Station, a fan of Texas, a fan of people doing cool things, then I think you should watch the show,” Zaria said. “Working on the show was like trying out a new job every day from behind the camera.”
Lance Cook behind the scenes of the “Chillennium” segment
Lance recently left KAMU for an opportunity at Florida State University and we wish him the best. Originally from Austin, he worked at KAMU for almost three years after studying telecommunications at A&M.
Lance filmed in a lot of unique environments as part of the “Texas A&M Today” production team, but one in particular was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
“I really liked the honey bee research segment because it was just really cool getting to film for it and being in the bee suit,” Lance said. “At first I was nervous to get stung, but then I was like ‘Oh okay, they’re friendly.’”
KAMU team on set of the “Honey Bee Research” segment
Lance also appreciated the experience that filming in Savannah gave him and the production team.
“Traveling for the nautical archeology piece was a cool chance to see how Aggies aren’t just making a difference in College Station, and we really got to show that,” Lance said.
Lesley Henton behind the scenes of the “AI Greenhouse” segment with Troy Vann
From San Diego, California, Lesley graduated from Texas A&M with a degree in journalism, then worked for local media before taking on the role of Director of University Relations. Lesley worked as an associate producer for “Texas A&M Today.”
Lesley’s favorite segment from Season 2 highlights an impactful program from the Texas A&M School of Nursing. She believes it is filling “such a critical need in the community” and was incredibly touching to her as a mother.
One of Lesley’s favorite parts of the segment was meeting 2-year-old Rakhi and her family.
“She’s just so smart and sweet and cute, and you could tell that she was benefiting from the nurse that came over,” Lesley said. “To get to meet the parents and talk to them about how the program has impacted their lives and their family, it was all just very moving.”
Learning more about special programs like the Nurse-Family Partnership is just one reason why viewers should tune in to Season 2.
“There’s really magical things that are going on here at the university,” Lesley said. “Anybody who knows Aggieland knows that there are special people here … and we’re happy to be able to share and educate people about what’s going on.”
Craft and Cook Up the Perfect New Year’s Resolution
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in January 2024. While the airtimes are out of date, we hope you still enjoy learning about these shows, many of which can be watched at other times or streamed on PBS.org.
There’s still plenty of time in the new year to make your resolutions come true! Whether you are looking to pick up a new hobby, learn new recipes or be more active, KAMU is here to help.
Crafting:
It’s Sew Easy
Saturdays at 11 a.m.
This year, refresh your apparel, garments and home decor. Every episode guides you through two sewing projects and one new technique. Join experts as they share their best tips and tricks on how to use the latest sewing technology for projects of all levels.
Fit 2 Stitch
Saturdays at 11:30 a.m.
Explore new fabrics and alter clothing to create the perfect fit. Host Peggy Sagers teaches you how to develop your sewing skills through step-by-step instruction. Learn how to create the perfect pattern, prepare garments for stitching and make all sorts of clothing.
Woodsmith Shop
Saturdays at noon
Set up your own woodworking home shop with the help of experienced woodworkers. “Woodsmith Shop” brings sketches to life using shop-built tools and jigs. Each episode features a new furniture project for various skill levels.
Cooking:
Cook’s Country
Saturdays at 3:30 p.m.
“Cook’s Country” reinvents classic American recipes for home cooks, bringing restaurant-quality meals to your dinner table. Episodes also feature food tastings, testing new tools as well as the do’s and don’ts of cooking.
Pati’s Mexican Table
Saturdays at 4:30 p.m.
Explore a new cuisine this year by learning how to cook traditional Mexican dishes. Cooks from both sides of the border introduce the history and culture behind traditional recipes from all over Mexico.
Additional Cooking Programs
Continue your cooking journey every Saturday by exploring Louisiana cuisine with “Kevin Belton’s Cookin’ Louisiana” at 2 p.m. or tune in to “Sara’s Weeknight Meals” for easy home-cooked meals at 3 p.m. And every weekday from 1-2 p.m. is our cooking block – featuring chefs like Joanne Weir, Christopher Kimball, Steven Raichlen and more.
Our Monthly Newsletter is Your Guide to the Best of KAMU
Ever wonder if there’s a way to get a sneak peek of what’s airing on KAMU-TV and KAMU-FM? There is… and it’s free!
At the beginning of every month, we compile the best upcoming TV and FM programming and send a free email newsletter to our subscribers. It’s a great way to stay up to date on your favorite returning shows, learn about new ones and keep in touch with what’s happening at Aggieland’s Public Television and Radio.
We know you might be wary of adding another email to your inbox that’s likely already overflowing with promotional emails. That’s why we’ve put together this newsletter preview: to give you a taste of exactly what you get when you sign up. There are no gimmicks here – just programs we enjoy that we think you will, too. And you can unsubscribe at any time.
Each newsletter starts with the most important thing we want you to know about the upcoming month. It can range from a new, highly anticipated series to a message from KAMU’s General Manager Kelly Brown, as seen below.
We provide a few notes and an airtime, if applicable. We add several links for the program, content or announcement to help you learn more.
Featured This Month
In this section, we share a few appetizers: short mentions of our TV, radio and podcast recommendations for the month. Whether you like to watch or just listen, there’s always something you can tune in to.
Tune in to Watch
Next, you’ll receive several recommendations for shows to watch on KAMU-TV. Our selections span genres and airtimes to suggest something for everyone. Once again, we’ll provide a few notes, the show’s airdate and time, and a link or two if you want to learn more.
Featured on 90.9 KAMU-FM
If you’re a KAMU-FM fan, this section is for you. Although our radio lineup doesn’t change as much as our TV lineup, we always have one recommendation or announcement to share. Sometimes it’s about a show we think you’ll like, and other times it’s a reminder of new ways you can engage with KAMU-FM and KAMU-Classical/HD-2. We’ll provide a few notes, the airdate and time, if applicable, and a link to learn more.
Featured on PBS KIDS
There’s even a section for the kiddos! Here you’ll find the latest updates on PBS KIDS shows, which can be watched on the PBS KIDS app anywhere, anytime. Again, we’ll provide insight like the release date and time, if applicable, a few notes and a link if you want to learn more.
KAMU in the Community
We love seeing our Brazos Valley community at local events. In this section, you’ll find a brief schedule of the events KAMU is attending each month. We’ll provide a day, the location, the name of the event and a link where you can find the time and other important details. Come out and see us!
Featured Shows in KAMU Passport
Our newsletter wraps up with three staff picks for exciting shows to watch on KAMU Passport. These are a mix of already popular shows that you can binge immediately and new, niche shows that we think you might enjoy. Passport is a wonderful KAMU membership benefit, received by donating at least $5 per month or $60 per year — unlocking our monthly picks and thousands more.
In Conclusion
The monthly newsletter is the best of KAMU-TV and KAMU-FM in one free email, sent once a month. Spend less time searching through our schedule or website or resorting to Google to find answers about what to watch. We keep it simple and give you the information you need to know about each show and announcement we’re making. It’s our way to say thank you to our donors, subscribers and fans across the Brazos Valley.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I sign up?
It’s quick and easy – simply visit our subscription page and enter your name and email address. That’s it. You’ll be on your way to receiving our programming sneak peeks in no time.
Who does the email come from?
Every email we send comes from kamu@tamu.edu. The subject line is “KAMU (name of month) Newsletter.”
How many emails will I get?
One a month, we don’t overcrowd your inbox. In the future, we may roll out additional newsletters about specific topics, but you will be able to choose whether or not to receive those new emails.
When will I get your emails?
We send our newsletters during the first week of every new month. Exact days and times vary.
What if I signed up but am not getting emails?
First, check your spam folder. Add kamu@tamu.edu to your contacts or address book to make sure our emails always make it to you.
If that doesn’t work, you may have opted out by mistake. Re-enter your email on our subscription page and you’ll be back on the list.
What if I don’t want to get your emails anymore?
We’re sorry to see you go. There is an unsubscribe link at the bottom of every email we send. Click the link and follow the instructions. And if you ever want to receive our emails again, simply re-enter your email on our subscription page and you’ll be back on the list.
