Arkansongs

     Contact Stephen Koch             

Arkansongs is hosted by award-winning broadcast and print journalist Stephen Koch and syndicated on National Public Radio affiliates across the state. Each week, Koch examines another facet of Arkansas music, exploring the people and events that have made the state among the most important in forming the American musical vernacular that has in turn influenced the world.

Where and When to Listen

You can listen online or on the radio:

Little Rock: KUAR FM 89.1, Friday 6:40 a.m. & 6:20 p.m.

Fayetteville: KUAF FM 91.3, Friday 6-7 p.m. during Ozarks at Large

Jonesboro: KASU FM 91.9, Friday 4:50 p.m.

Batesville: KUAR FM 94.7, Friday 6:40 a.m. & 6:20 p.m.

Forrest City: KUAR FM 94.7, Friday 6:40 a.m. & 6:20 p.m.

Monticello: KUAR FM 94.5, Friday 6:40 a.m. & 6:20 p.m.

About Stephen Koch

An award-winning journalist in both broadcast and print, Stephen Koch has been researching and reporting on Arkansas popular culture for more than a decade. His radio program and podcast, "Arkansongs," is heard weekly by thousands across the globe and syndicated on National Public Radio affiliates across the state.
 
Koch's annual Louis Jordan Tribute concerts have been recognized by the U.S. Library of Congress and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. His role in memorializing R&B pioneer Louis Jordan is chronicled in the documentary film "Is You Is: A Louis Jordan Story," while Koch's musical on the life of Jordan , "Jump!," premiered at Wildwood Park in 2008.
 
The Arkansongs host has spoken on the topic of Arkansas music and history before the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, St. Louis' City Museum and the Arkansas Historical Association. He has consulted on such projects as the Old State House Museum's two "Our Own Sweet Sounds" exhibits and the Arkansas Black Hall of Fame's exhibit in the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center. Koch is also known as a musician, reporter and editor with an emphasis on Arkansas culture and its influence around the world.

About Louis Jordan

Louis Jordan (1908-1975) of Brinkley (Monroe County) is one of the most important pioneers in the formation of modern American popular song. During the 1940s, Jordan had more than 50 top ten hits on Billboard's R&B, Pop and Country charts.

During his career, Jordan recorded with many artists, including Louis Armstrong, Bing Crosby and Ella Fitzgerald.

Jordan's popularity was so great, his songs added such catchphrases to American vernacular as "Ain't nobody here but us chickens," and "Open the door, Richard." 

In addition to his incredible unmatched chart success, Jordan influenced those we consider influential today: Ray Charles, Chuck Berry, B.B. King, Bo Diddley and James Brown ("He was everything!"), among countless others, list Louis Jordan as a defining influence.

He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1987 and is also a member of the Arkansas Entertainers Hall of Fame, the Arkansas Jazz Hall of Fame and the Arkansas Black Hall of Fame.

To read Koch's entry on Louis Jordan in the Encyclopedia of Arkansas, click here.

Louis Jordan Tribute

Stephen Koch founded and, for more than a decade, hosted the annual Louis Jordan Tribute concerts. The events honored the music and influence of the Brinkley-born R&B, rap and rock 'n' roll pioneer, as well as raising funds for a bust of Jordan in his Delta hometown. Artist John Deering sculpted the bronze bust, which can be seen at the Central Delta Depot Museum, 100 West Cypress Street, in downtown Brinkley (www.cddm.org).

Koch has written and reported extensively about Jordan and his influence and legacy for years. The Library of Congress, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Department of Arkansas Heritage and others have recognized the Louis Jordan Tribute concert events.

The year 2008 marked the centennial of Jordan's birth. The year saw Jordan featured on a U.S.P.S. "Black Cinema" postage stamp. Koch was featured in a Jordan documentary film by Kevin Clark called "Is You Is: A Louis Jordan Story," screened at the Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival (www.hsdfi.org) among other festivals and screenings. Additionally, a musical play penned by Koch called "Jump! The Louis Jordan Story" premiered to a sold-out audience at Wildwood Park for the Arts (www.wildwoodpark.org) in July, Jordan's birth month, with Jordan's widow, Martha, attending as guest of honor.

More than six decades after his heyday, Jordan's songs continue to be heard on stage, in movies and on TV shows and commercials.