Show celebrates radio station launch in Sisters

Last updated 3/7/2023 at Noon

Sisters is the new headquarters for Jive Radio, and a lot of folks think that’s cause for celebration.

KJIVE (96.5 FM/www.jiveradio.org), a non-commercial independent radio station owned by OpenSky Radio Corp., has its first-ever formal studio located in The Belfry. And that venue will host a celebration of the station and independent music on Tuesday, March 14.

Cruz Contreras, singer-songwriter and band leader of the Black Lillies — who have played here multiple times on the Sisters Folk Festival bill — will perform an intimate acoustic set for the free event, which is set for 7 p.m.

Sisters musician Jim Goodwin is the voice of Jive Radio, on the air every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9 a.m. to noon. Goodwin brings a “bucket” of eclectic music with no commercial interruptions.

Jeff Cotton, director of OpenSky Radio, told The Redmond Spokesman that the move to Sisters is a step forward for their operations, which have always operated on a “shoestring budget.”

Goodwin has been a live DJ on the station since 2018, operating out of a basement studio at his home in Sisters.

Moving the station into a studio at The Belfry has been gratifying for Goodwin.

“It’s a great little studio, and it’s working out really well,” he told The Nugget.

Goodwin sees having a physical radio station located in Sisters as adding another piece to a mosaic that has turned Sisters into a “music city.”

Goodwin also sees some opportunities to expand into local public service programing.

“I’d be all about helping with that kind of stuff as much as possible,” he said.

Ultimately, Goodwin would like to take over ownership of the station.

“The big elephant in the room is money,” he said.

He plans on talking a little about crowdfunding for the station at the event. However, the concert and party is not a fundraiser.

“Really, it’s primarily to raise awareness that the station exists at all,” Goodwin said.

Goodwin noted that the party is made possible through the support of sponsors: The Belfry, Thompson Guitars, Hair Cache, The Barn, Tim Kizziar Properties, Sisters Saloon, and Three Creeks Brewing Co.

The Belfry is located at 302 W. Main Ave. For more information visit https://belfryevents.com/event/cruz-contreras-jiveradios-welcome-us-to-sisters-party/.

Author Bio

Jim Cornelius, Editor in Chief

Jim Cornelius is editor in chief of The Nugget and author of “Warriors of the Wildlands: True Tales of the Frontier Partisans.” A history buff, he explores frontier history across three centuries and several continents on his podcast, The Frontier Partisans. For more information visit www.frontierpartisans.com.