News

David Bailin, Warren Criswell and Sammy Peters, three prominent central Arkansas artists, will be featured in an upcoming exhibition, “Disparate Acts,” opening Thursday, March 13, and continuing through April 16 at the Bradbury Gallery on the campus of Arkansas State University.  KASU’s Marty Scarbrough spoke with Les Christensen, director of the Bradbury Gallery, about this exhibition.

A new song has been created to celebrate Arkansas State University.  In a feature for the program Arkansas Roots, KASU’s Marty Scarbrough spoke with Dr. Dale Miller, director of choral activities at ASU, who told the story behind the song.  Click the link to hear a 1963 recording from ASU’s past, the discussion with Dr. Miller, and the new song, “Red Wolves Rising.”

The number of Arkansans signing up for health insurance through the online Marketplace and through the Private Option continues to rise in Arkansas.   KASU's Johnathan Reaves has more in this report.

Arkansas State University’s Lecture-Concert Series presents a concert by virtuoso pianist Thomas Brown on Sunday, March 2, at 3:00 p.m. in Riceland Hall of the Fowler Center at ASU-Jonesboro.  Admission is free and the public is invited to attend.  KASU’s Marty Scarbrough spoke with Mr. Brown about his music and the works he will perform at his concert in Jonesboro.

The Arkansas State University Theatre Department will present the play “Steel Magnolias”. Performances will be Friday and Saturday, February 28 and March 1, as well as Monday through Wednesday, March 3-5, at 7:30 p.m. each evening in the drama theatre of the Fowler Center on the ASU-Jonesboro campus.  KASU’s Marty Scarbrough spoke with Molly Simpson, professor of theatre, who is directing this production.

The sixth annual “Friends In Great Places” concert will be this Saturday, March 1, at 7:00 p.m. at the University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville.  Numerous Arkansas musicians will perform to raise money for various causes at the community college.  KASU’s Marty Scarbrough spoke with concert organizer Danny Dozier.

Courtesy of ASU's Office of University Communications.

Reba McEntire, Bobby Bare and Loretta Lynn will perform at this year’s Johnny Cash Music Festival, according to an announcement made today by concert producer and festival founder Bill Carter. Additionally, legendary singer and comedian Mark Lowry will host the fourth annual event. The concert is set for August 15th and will once again take place at Arkansas State University’s Convocation Center in Jonesboro, AR.  Showtime is 7:00 pm and tickets go on sale Feb 28th (see box office info below).

The 2nd Rockabilly Boogiefest is this Saturday night at the ASU Military Sciences Building in Jonesboro.  KASU's Johnathan Reaves has this report.

Folk music super-group Brother Sun will perform in Riceland Hall of the Fowler Center at ASU-Jonesboro on Tuesday, February 25 at 7:30 p.m.  This admission-free concert is part of the ASU Lecture/Concert Series.  The group’s newest CD was named The North American Folk Music Chart’s Album of the Year for 2013. In addition, their song, “Lady of the Harbor,” was named Song of the Year.  KASU’s Marty Scarbrough spoke with Greg Greenway, one of the three singer-songwriters who make up Brother Sun.

Groundbreaking festivities take place today in a convention center in Queretaro, Mexico.  The progressive Mexican state will be home to the first American University in the country. Arkansas State University joins government and education leaders in Mexico for a celebration of the groundbreaking today.  The campus is being privately funded in Mexico and the total project will cost about $60 million.  Today's groundbreaking will be for the first phase of the project.  KASU's Johnathan Reaves has details.

Heber Springs Mayor Jackie McPherson is throwing his hat in the ring to challenge US Representative Rick Crawford.  McPherson is a Democrat who has been the mayor of Heber Springs since 2006.  McPherson tells the Sun newspaper he will stress his experience as mayor and his work in the private sector during his campaign.  McPherson has lived in Heber Springs since 1964, and lived in Newark and Batesville previously.  McPherson says Representative Crawford follows party lines, voting with Republicans 98 percent of the time.

Acclaimed country and bluegrass singer-songwriter Donna Ulisse and her band, the Poor Mountain Boys, will perform at KASU’s Bluegrass Monday on February 24 at 7 p.m. at the Collins Theatre in downtown Paragould.  KASU’s Marty Scarbrough spoke to Ulisse about her musical roots.

The Moipei Quartet, a vocal ensemble of four sisters from Kenya, will perform Saturday, February 22, in Riceland Hall of the Fowler Center at ASU-Jonesboro.  KASU’s Marty Scarbrough spoke with Dr. Wendy Hymes, Fowler Center Director, about this concert.

The Foundation of Arts will present a community theatre production of the play The Scarlet Letter at the Forum in downtown Jonesboro February 22-24.  KASU’s Marty Scarbrough spoke with Kristi Pulliam, artistic and community development director of the Foundation of Arts, about this production.

A statewide organization has been formed that empowers Arkansas women, and encourages them to get more involved in running for political office, as well as other leadership roles.  KASU's Johnathan Reaves has more in this report.

The Arkansas State University Concert Choir will have a unique opportunity later this week to represent the university to an audience of music students and music teachers from across the state.  To prepare for that performance, and to thank the community for its support, the ASU Concert Choir will perform Tuesday, February 18, at 6:00 in Wesley Hall of First United Methodist Church in Jonesboro.  KASU’s Marty Scarbrough spoke with Doctor Dale Miller, director of choral activities at ASU, who provided more details about tonight’s concert and more information about the choir’s appearance late

The Delta Symphony Orchestra will present its Young Artists Concerto Concert Sunday, February 16, at 3:00 p.m. in Riceland Hall of the Fowler Center at ASU-Jonesboro.  Grand prize winners from the DSO’s Young Artist Concerto Competition will perform along with the symphony and the Delta Symphony Youth Chorus.  Tickets for the concert are available now through the ASU Central Box Office.  KASU’s Marty Scarbrough spoke with Dr. Neale Bartee, Music Director and Conductor of the DSO, about this concert.

U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) talked about the new Farm Bill, immigration, the minimum wage, and more in his monthly interview with KASU. Click on the "Listen" link to here the interview.

The fourth annual ‘Rockin’ The Night Away for the Paragould Band’ will be Friday, February 14, and Saturday, February 15, at 7:00 p.m. at the Collins Theatre in downtown Paragould.  This concert features Paragould-area musicians performing rock-and-roll songs from the 1950s through the 1980s.  The concert is a benefit for the Paragould School District’s band programs, with proceeds going toward the purchase of new instruments.  KASU’s Marty Scarbrough spoke with Richie Williams, Director of Bands in the Paragould School District.

Christian singer-songwriter John Mark McMillan will perform at Williams Baptist College’s Manley Chapel in Walnut Ridge on Wednesday, February 12, at 7:00 p.m.  McMillan’s song “How He Loves” was named one of the 25 most influential worship songs of the past 25 years, and he has been nominated for numerous Dove Awards.  KASU’s Marty Scarbrough spoke with McMillan about his music.

There are two events that have been rescheduled due to the recent winter weather.  Tonight's Soul Food Night at ASU's Military Science Building has been moved to next Thursday night, February 13th, and "An Evening of Trumpet and Piano" will take place Sunday afternoon at three p.m.  Here are the releases:

The Strong-Turner Alumni Chapter (S-TAC) of the Arkansas State University Alumni Association will host the 9th annual “Soul Food Day” on Thursday, Feb. 13, from 5:30 until 8:30 p.m. at the Military Science Building (formerly the Armory) at 1921 Aggie Road.

The ASU Fowler Center welcomes a very unique theatrical production this weekend.  Lightwire Theatre will present “The Ugly Duckling” and “The Tortoise And The Hare” Saturday, February 8, at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, February 9, at 2:00 p.m.  KASU’s Marty Scarbrough spoke with the co-creator of Ligthtwire Theatre, Ian Carney.

The Arkansas State University Museum will host two activities for Black History Month.  An exhibit of photographs by Nadia Bates is on display this month.  Also, TinkerFest, a hands-on display of items by African-American inventors, will be presented Saturday, February 8.  KASU’s Marty Scarbrough spoke with Dr. Marti Allen and Jill Kary about these events.

Dr. Chris Wilson and Dr. Lauren Schack Clark, ASU Music Department faculty members, will perform a trumpet-piano recital at ASU-Jonesboro Tuesday, February 4, at 7:30 p.m. in the Fine Arts Center Recital Hall.  KASU’s Marty Scarbrough spoke with Wilson and Clark about this rare opportunity for audiences to enjoy a recital of this type.

The Harlem Quartet will perform Monday in Riceland Hall as part of ASU-Jonesboro’s Lecture/Concert series.  KASU’s Marty Scarbrough spoke with Ilmar Gavilan, one of the members of this string quartet, about the group’s unique mission and repertoire.