The story of public radio’s newest radio station is a classic version of what I call “public radio time.” Public radio time is the slow pace at which the industry moves as compared to commercial radio. Iowa Public Radio Music Director Al Schares and I first sat down in 2014 to talk about his vision for a full-time Triple A station. Today, ten years later, Al’s dream became a reality when “Studio One” launched on 94.1 FM in Des Moines.

Studio One has served as the name of IPR’s contemporary music programming for many years. Previously airing on certain hours during the week on NPR News WOI-FM and a network of Iowa stations, Studio One was part of a collection of shows curated by veteran hosts who are now holding down regular air shifts on the newly minted Triple A format.

Executive Director Myrna Johnson has navigated IPR through significant changes culminating in the launch of Studio One. In 2022, Iowa Public Radio gained control of their FCC licenses from the State Board of Regents. In 2023, IPR raised $8 million dollars from donors to expand service and operations. In 2024, IPR purchased the 94.1 FM signal. During this period, IPR conducted large market research projects through Paragon to identify the opportunity for a new music station. Today, IPR boasts a completely new Triple A radio station that expands service to new listeners to public radio.

Al, Myrna, and IPR’s management team executed today’s launch with superb strategic planning and implementation. Digital Director Matt Sieren, Marketing Manager Jordan Bahnsen, and Operations & Facilities Manager Jason Burns built the infrastructure needed to support a new service. The Studio One team – Mark Simmet, Tony Dehner, Cece Mitchell, Lucius Pham, Sean McLean, and Tressa Glass – have conducted mock air shifts for weeks leading up to going live on air this morning.

Here’s the first hour of music to get a taste for what Iowa’s newest radio station sounds like:

Vampire Weekend “Capricorn”

Rex “Telegram Sam”

Run Dog “Live from IPR Bands & Brews”

Shovels & Rope “Piranhanana”

Coldplay “In My Place”

Head & The Heart “Rhythm & Blues”

Jack White “That’s How I’m Feeling”

Nirvana “About A Girl”

Wunderhorse “Midas”

Killers “Bright Lights”

Police “Invisible Sun”

Lucy Dacus “I Don’t Wanna Be Funny Anymore”

Bob Marley “Positive Vibrations”

Thee Sacred Souls “Live For You”

Cautious Clay “Ohio”

Jesse Malin “Black Haired Girl”

Pearl “Jam Daughter”

Maggie Rogers “Be Cool”

For Studio One, 10 years was a blink in public radio time. For the local radio listeners of Des Moines, Studio One is here just in time.

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