JACKSON, Wyo. — Congratulations are in order for an iconic local radio station, and recognition due to the Town of Jackson as a vibrant art community. Mayor Pete Muldoon read two proclamations to begin yesterday’s Town Council meeting.
Arts alive and well in JH
First, Jackson was ranked the “Top Art-Vibrant Small Community in the Nation” by the National Center for Arts Research at Southern Methodist University. In making its findings, the Center cited Jackson’s “mountain community of great beauty and innovation including both Teton County, Wyoming and Idaho, to develop reports on important issues in arts management and patronage.”
The art scene is vast in Jackson Hole. Called out by name were National Museum of Wildlife Art, Center for the Arts, Off Square Theatre Company, Jackson Hole Community Band, Jackson Community Theater, Jazz Foundation of Jackson Hole, Jackson Hole Chorale, Teton Music School, Musicland, Riot Act, pARTners, Dancers’ Workshop, Jackson Hole Public Art, Art Association, and the Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival.
Trash and Treasured
And don’t look now but a gem of a radio station has been broadcasting in the valley for 45 years now. KMTN is celebrating the milestone even as it officially changes ownership back to a local programmer, Jackson Hole Radio and Scott Anderson.
Mayor Muldoon’s proclamation mentioned the humble beginnings of a station referred to by fans as simply ‘The Mountain.’ It was Captain Bob Morris who filed the FCC paperwork to put the radio station on the FM dial at 96.9 some 45 years ago when the original 55,000-watt signal first crackled to life on January 28, 1975.
Mark “Fish” Fishman was on hand to accept the recognition in person at Monday night’s meeting. He has piloted the station into the 21st Century, helping it earn national honors as a top Triple A Music format station including Station of the Year in 2018. Fishman has also been named Program Director of the Year for 2016, 2017 and 2019.
