New radio station offers different format, community outreach

WASILLA — A new Mat-Su radio station wants to mix a new format with a sense of community — and pack it all into 64,000 watts of broadcasting power.

Dubbed “Hatcher Pass Radio,” KNLT 95.5 The Pass FM flipped the switch in early November. Its tower is in the Government Peak area of Hatcher Pass, and the signal is a strong one, according to Michael Consalo, who along with partner Terry Walley run the station out of a duplex unit on Bogard Road.

“I have driven all over checking out the signal,” Consalo said Friday. “It’s great into Anchorage, out along Knik-Goose Bay and up to Houston. It even reaches up to Sheep Mountain pretty well.”

Consalo said he handles most of the advertising side while Walley — a 25-year radio veteran — is the technical guy.

KNLT The Pass is owned by Tanana Valley Television, a Fairbanks-based company that also owns radio stations Fairbanks Classic Rock, Chet FM and the FOX and CBS television affiliates.

Consalo called the station’s format “triple A,” or adult album alternative, geared toward a “30-plus” age demographic. Think rising new artists along with the best of rock-based music from the last 60 years.

“It’s not rock, it’s not country, it’s not metal — just everything in between,” Consalo said. “It really is a laid-back, mellow station.”

And the format is as billed. A recent set of music on a Thursday afternoon contained cuts from U2, the Beatles, Bryan Ferry, JD McPherson, The Arcs and Commander Cody.

“It all speaks to the diversity of our (music) library,” Consalo said. “Instead of hearing one song off a Pink Floyd album, you get to hear songs from the rest of the album.”

Plans are currently in the works for live-streaming the station’s content, Consalo said.

“Radio anymore is the Internet — streaming is unavailable right now but it is a work in progress,” he said. “As for a web presence, we have had a great response to our Facebook page. I think our overall growth is going to be incremental.”

Along with rolling out a new format for the Valley, Consalo said the station was working to foster community ties with business, nonprofit and local music groups.

“We want to be a community partner,” Consalo said. “We will work with anybody and any budget. It’s all about shopping locally.” He encouraged groups with free community events to stop by with calendar information for inclusion in the station’s “community corner” segment.

Consalo, an advertising account manager as well as a deejay, hosts his own show from 6-9 p.m. daily and also works to create radio spots for clients.

“I really enjoy working with people to come up with creative ads,” he said.

He also is a drummer in the Ditch Bangers, a local classic rock cover band.

“It has been a dream come true to have this job,” Consalo said. “Terry liked my voice so I get to be a deejay too.”

His immersion into the local music scene has translated into another station segment called “artist avalanche,” which focuses on Alaska-produced material.

“If they are out there selling albums and touring, we want to get them in here,” Consalo said. “We also have a goal to bring more music acts to the Valley.”

He said the station will also promote many of the open mic nights in the area, adding that many bands are willing to play for pizza and beer.

“There is a great live music scene here — bands are looking for that exposure,” he added.

Consalo said working with and within the community is a main goal for the station.

“We are music lovers — we are not into politics and aren’t going to trash anyone,” Consalo said. “ We want to work with people and build up the community.”

For more, visit the station online at www.955thepass.com.

CORRECTION: A previous version of this story contained an incorrect FM number for the station.

Contact reporter Steven Merritt at 352-2269 or steven.merritt@frontiersman.com