I Heart Radio Opens Its Doors To Girl Scouts

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The Girl Scouts learned about music and sound mixing at the station by one of KGGI’s very-own mixers.

There’s more to running a radio station than simply hiring a disc jockey, in fact, the men and women behind the studio doors are anything but ordinary.

Girl Scouts from the San Gorgonio Council’s Girl Reporter Program were offered a sneak peak behind the studio doors of 99.1 KGGI iHeartRadio: Inland Empire. The station is part of iHeartMedia, Inc. – one of the leading global media and entertainment companies specializing in radio, digital, outdoor, mobile, live events, and on-demand entertainment for local communities.

One of several stations broadcasting from inside the iHeartMedia building in Riverside, CA.

The tour was graciously hosted by Jason Wagers, Music Director and DJ at KGGI, but most listeners would recognize him by his stage name: Kid Jay. Mr. Wagers has cultivated a rich career over the past two decades as traveling club and concert DJ, a #1 Rated On-Air Radio Personality, an event and show producer and, most recently, music director.

The behind-the-scenes tour was modeled after GSSGC’s Alumnae award-winning program, Classroom to Career: Developing Tommorrow’s Female Leaders, and provided the budding reporters a look at a career in news radio, as well as marketing and branding, sales, music production, special events and – of course – a career as an on-air personality.

DJ Qui West, who entertains weary commuters every afternoon from 2-6pm on 99.1 KGGI, took time from his live radio broadcast to educate the girls about some surprising facts about a career in the radio industry.

“He was actually a mass communications major,” said LeeAnn. “And he told us to stay in school and get a degree, too.”

Leah, another GSSGC Girl Reporter, said, “I asked DJ Qui West what his favorite part of the job was, and he said it was the listeners. Getting to make people happy every day is a cool, but unexpected way he is using his degree.”

Mr. Wagers, also shared how his BA in Psychology took him to unexpected places. “Today I manage other employees and deal with people on a daily basis, so I’m using my undergrad degree in a way I didn’t expect,” he said.

The message was clear: no matter what you plan to do, stay in school and pursue a secondary education. The Girl Scouts learned more about the college internship program at the station and the types of applicants needed to fill such positions.

GSSGC’s Girl Reporter Program would like to send a special thank you to Mr. Wagers and the 99.1 KGGI team for the gracious gift of their time and professionalism to make this tour happen.