Today we’d like to introduce you to Aaron “Fresh” Knight.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I started working in music back in 2008 while attending Prairie View A&M University, I started my own music blog site to promote music (Rap-Hip Hop and R&B specifically) in Austin, TX. I was tired of seeing everybody else in the state of Texas brag and boast about who they had from their city and felt some light needed to be shined on Austin. From 2008-2014, I ran Fresh Prince of the ATX. I covered artist all over Texas and the country, traveled to festivals, interviewed some of my favorite artists like ScottyATL and Big KRIT.
During 2014, I briefly co-hosted an online radio show for Houston’s TheCor94, with my now co-host and longtime friend Confucius Jones and another host. Years following, I got into artist management, trying to see what I could offer to someone else with all that I have done and learned at that point in time. I quickly found out that artist management was not for me.
Come 2016, I had decided to step away from working in music and decided to do something different. Once again, I partnered with Confucius Jones and we began podcasting. We hosted Those Damn Comic Book Guys. for the next two years, we built a fanbase from the ground up, gaining a big online presence, touring to comic book conventions, speaking on panels, interviewing legends and big names currently in the comic book industry.
In the midst of running the podcasting, Confucius and I thought about getting back into radio. We were planning on starting our own online station, then Confucius had the bright idea to email all the radio stations in Austin, TX and see what happens. I had originally set up a meeting with a station that is an Austin staple in the black community, but things didn’t work out the way that we would’ve liked. Maybe a few days after our failed experience with one station, the station that would become our home, KUTX contacted us about meeting and talking about our ideas for an on-air show.
We were assured right from the beginning, by our now Program Director, Matt Reilly that there was no room in the budget for a new show, and they weren’t going to promise us a show. We met with Mr. Reilly a few more times and he set us up for the guest DJ spot called, MyKUTX. That was a fun experience that both Confucius and myself thought would be the end all of our FM radio careers. About a week or so later, Mr. Reilly contacts us saying someone at the station is moving on and there is a spot open for us, and the rest, as they say, is history.
We began January 7th, 2017 as The Breaks. Soon thereafter, the accolades came in from being nominated two consecutive years for Best Music Radio Program in the Austin Music Awards, features in publications like the Austin Chronicle, Austin Monthly, and being named Blacks in Public Media You Should Know, just to name a few.
With co-hosting The Breaks, I feel like we’ve helped elevate the Austin Hip Hop and R&B scene to heights it hasn’t known before. I’ve been able to be a voice in my community, and help inspire those around me.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Some struggles I had along the way we’re getting into management. As I stated before, I quickly found out that artist management was not for me. I felt as if the knowledge I had was helping the artists I was representing a move forward. I was frustrated and feeling under appreciated. Speaking of being underappreciated, while blogging I felt like artists in Austin wasn’t taking full advantage of the site I had built for them. It was tough going to school and blogging. Trying to find the time to post music, do class projects, be active on campus, find writers for the site, was just hectic. Lastly, getting the run around from a radio station here in Austin that my partner Confucius and I felt an obligation to was a little hard to swallow, Having people say we didn’t do what was asked, when in fact we did, having your emails, and messages ignored from people in your community is always a bit off-putting.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about KUTX 98.9 – what should we know?
Well, KUTX 98.9 is the Austin Music Experience. The station prides itself on giving the people the full musical experience of Austin, TX. I am an on-air host as well as a producer at the station. I produce the show The Breaks, in which I co-host Saturday’s at 10 pm along with Confucius Jones. I also host a late night show on Friday, that I also produce, meaning for both shows I schedule the music to be played by picking it myself, figuring out what songs fro local artists to play. I also host events held or sponsored by the station. My cohost and I produce events that showcase artist emerging out of the city of Austin. At KUTX, I am one of the Rap/Hip Hop experts. I’m most proud of the work that my cohost and I have done showing the city of Austin that the Urban Music scene can be profitable, and isn’t this violent hectic mess that they believe it to be. I’m a bit more outspoken than most hosts at KUTX. I’m not afraid to speak publicly on an issue I feel strongly about. Also, I’m black and work at a predominantly white station so I and my co-host Confucius bring a very unique perspective to a lot of issues. I feel that’s what separates me from others.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I’ve been giving props to this guy from the beginning of this interview, Confucius Jones. That’s a guy who has seen my journey and helped me along the way from partnering with me on different ventures, advice, and just being a friend. Another person is my guy from out here in Houston, International O. That’s the big homie for real. He has offered up life and business advice time and time again. He’s helped put money in my pockets on numerous occasions, traveled with me and just helped me elevate in my endeavors. Of course, I have to thank my mother for always supporting me in whatever it is I’m doing. She’s always in my corner.
My cousin CJ who has been by my side through it all. He’s driven me around, been my photographer, best friend, whatever I needed him to be at the time. Also Bryan Hobbs, who really gave me my first break with the the chance to interview Big KRIT and write he review for the show KRIT performed at with Bun B that I spoke about early on.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kutx.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebreakskutx, www.instagram.com/freshxknight
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/989thebreaks/?ref=bookmarks
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheBreaksonKUTX, www.twitter.com/fresh_knight
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCflIaVldNlF_cLzfSE4xjg
Image Credit:
Jay Ybarra, Jake Rabin, Eddie Gaspar, Arthur Ray
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
