For fans of classic rock, this is welcome news: The sounds of bands from the 1960s and 1970s will soon be broadcast out of Packwood in the community’s new radio station, KVRY 89.9 FM.
The Packwood Improvement Club is partnering with two other nonprofits — Cascade Community Radio and Common Communications Northwest — to bring this radio station to the Packwood community and surrounding areas in East Lewis County, according to a Packwood Improvement Club news release.
“Originally we planned to have this working in October; however, this is now looking more like December,” the club said on its website.
The radio station will go under the Cavern FM moniker, and will focus on grassroots operations with local artists and record collectors involved with the production.
It will be a throwback with presentations and DJing similar to freeform rock stations from the late 1960s to the early 1970s and will be a simulcast of its sister radio station, KVRN 101.5 FM in Portland.
Playing classic rock isn’t all the radio station will do though.
“This station will have a ramp-up period that will take about a year to fully implement. The first year will start as pre-curated, pre-recorded content. During this year, Packwood Improvement Club will work with local clubs, schools, businesses and other community organizations to create local news and community events specific to our community,” the release stated. “This may take a variety of forms such as public service announcements, podcasts, community calendars, organization meetings and local events.”
One of the club’s other goals is to be able to get equipment allowing for live broadcasts of community events if possible.
To learn more about the new radio station, read the Packwood Improvement Club’s news release at https://packwoodimprovementclub.com/about-kvry-89-9-fm and scroll down to click “read more in our FAQs.”
Founded in 1951, the Packwood Improvement Club is run by community volunteers and helps organize many events, including Packwood’s famous Memorial Day and Labor Day flea markets, Music in the Park concerts, community bingo nights and more.
For more information on upcoming club events, visit https://packwoodimprovementclub.com/ or follow the club on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/PackwoodImprovement.