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  Michael Henderson

  President and Station Manager

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  Kellen ‘Rocco’ Parisi

  Technical Assistant

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  Greer McCarthy

  Program Director

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  Keenan ‘Cheeky’ Barnes

  Production Assistant

If you came of age within the inner city of most metropolitan areas during the 1970s, 80s or 90s, the impact of FM radio was likely both profound and enduring. The ascendancy of ‘frequency modulation’ (a.k.a. FM) began in the early 1970s, as the Top-40 music format of AM stations eventually gave way to the expanded playlists and high-fidelity stereo sound introduced with FM radio. And by the early 1980s, FM stations reigned supreme; placing many community broadcasts at the center of everyday life.

Furthermore, most urban stations engendered a certain swagger unlike any other demographic in radio broadcasting. They seemed to wield an extraordinary influence that would not only inform and unite, but would also enthrall the entire listening audience. Station managers and program directors were committed to presenting music and information that was unapologetically dedicated to the community they served. And over time, as the exposure to urban music broadened, an appreciation for this intensely melodic genre gradually crossed over into other communities as well.

The founder of KIUR-DB, Michael Henderson, was first introduced to radio broadcasting in the late 1970s when he both created and hosted a nightly ballad-centric production branded ‘The Romantic Experience‘ on radio station WLIU-FM (88.7 MHz) at Lincoln University. Instantaneously, the program ascended to #1 and Michael was routinely polled as the station’s most popular on-air personality. As a result, he was designated ‘master of ceremonies’ for the subsequent homecoming concert that featured legendary R&B bands, Brainstorm, Enchantment and Sweet Thunder.

Entering year-two, Michael was tapped for double-duty after being appointed the station’s program director. It was during this period that he began to develop an acumen for the various aspects of radio broadcast administration. By the end of year-two, Michael was considered a top candidate to replace the departing station manager for the upcoming semester. Unfortunately, financial circumstances forced an untimely withdrawal from Lincoln to continue studies at the Community College of Philadelphia where he immediately joined the newspaper staff as a sports columnist. Within only a few publication cycles, Michael’s journalistic talent and managerial skills were recognized as he was swiftly elevated to the position of sports editor on the periodical’s masthead.

And so, after a decades-long detour away from mass media – which included stints in hotel management and in retail as a small business owner/operator – Michael’s profound intrigue and passion for the classic urban ballad brings him full-circle to where it all began…with the introduction of his consequential broadcast creation: Slow Spin KIUR-DB 🙂