Renee Beale is back, Jeffrey stays up late – and Piano Puzzler returns!

Bucking a trend toward syndication in Texas classical radio, KMFA will be offering more locally produced content than ever before in 2015. The classical stations in Houston and San Antonio now both feature the same automated, syndicated classical service, with little local flavor in the studio.

Beginning January 12, KMFA will drop its overnight use of this syndication to offer a full 22 hours every weekday of exclusive content developed, produced and hosted by KMFA’s superb local team. 

We’re delighted to welcome Renee Beale back to KMFA as our new morning host. Jeffrey Blair is taking on a new role with a new late-late program called The Workbench, and John Clare will be hosting KMFA By Request, an hour of listener-requested favorites Monday-Friday from 6-7 p.m. Dianne Donovan will continue to be your midday companion, and Chris Johnson will guide you into your evening.

Austin is a 24-hour city, and three distinctive KMFA shows will keep night owls company. From 10-midnight, Carmel O’Donovan’s Night Music offers a range of reflective classical works. Some listeners may remember Lauren Rico’s Reverie, an eclectic and dreamy mix of classical selections that is back from midnight – 2 a.m.; The Workbench from 2 – 6 a.m. will feature KMFA favorite Jeffrey Blair looking at classical music from a variety of imaginative thematic approaches.  The program will be archived for online listening at other hours of the day.

There’s still room for excellent national programs in KMFA’s distinctive mix. In response to numerous listener requests, Performance Today, America’s most popular classical radio program, will return to KMFA Mon-Fri from 7 – 9 p.m. Hosted by Fred Child of American Public Media, the show offers an array of live classical performances from around the country, including Austin, as well as the endearing daily Piano Puzzler contest.  From the Top, a national program showcasing America’s best young classical talent, will continue to run on Saturday mornings at 11 a.m.

See the full press release.