Geelong’s own K rock 95.5 are finalists in national radio awards

There’s a buzz with this local radio station.

No, it’s not static or bad reception coming through the airwaves, but the applause of a station’s success. Geelong and the Surf Coast’s own commercial FM leaders K Rock 95.5, home of all things music, entertainment, and Geelong Cats, has been recognised by the Australian Audio Awards.  

Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around the region here.

 

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Celebrating the voices and sounds shaping Australia, the Australian Audio Awards, presented by Mumbrella, Radioinfo and RadioToday, honours excellence across the nation’s audio scene across radio and podcasts. Among the finalists for Best Australian Music Show/Music Programmer is K rock 95.5, whose weekly program Great Ocean Odes champions the creative heartbeat of Geelong and the Surf Coast, bringing local artists and events into the spotlight with passion and pride. 

The introduction of the program was spearheaded by K rock 95.5 Music Director and Work Day Announcer, Chris Holland, who saw not only a gap in the local airplay numbers, but identified the world-class musical talent oozing from the region. Playing into the iconic lay of the land with our celebrated Great Ocean Road, Great Ocean Odes is a weekly presentation of local artists through single airplay, live in studio performances, and livestream pop-up events, including a recent Record Store Day broadcast from Popcultcha Records. With three Summer editions in their back pocket and an ongoing section of release recommendations through this very Forte Magazine channel, the program has been a huge hit for artists and listeners alike.

 

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“We’re the only finalist in this award broadcasting on a commercial station. This demonstrates how extraordinary it is that this show even exists. Other similar stations don’t have the interest. It’s easier to just play Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran again, than to spend time scouting developing artists. But K rock is at its best when it is local. Our team knows that engaging in our local community is where we can truly make a positive difference, and where things can really be exciting. If you’re listening to the big commercial stations from Melbourne, you can’t find that,” offers Holland. 

“I love that my leaders trust in me to be local through our music programming. It’s brave. I’m super proud of Great Ocean Odes and our policy as a whole that makes sure local artists are played on air every single day. The thing is that when you start looking, the music from our region actually stacks up. There’s immense talent making music in multiple genres, and it feels great to be on the front foot in showcasing it to wider audiences.”

The awards will take place on 28 May in a gala affair at Carriageworks Sydney. Fingers crossed for our own local legends at K rock 95.5 to take the crown!

Learn more about the awards here.