Central Texans will have the opportunity to record interviews and share personal stories when public radio station KUT 90.5 brings the StoryCorps MobileBooth to Austin during its cross-country tour next month.
StoryCorps is an independent nonprofit whose mission is to provide Americans of all backgrounds and beliefs with the opportunity to record, share and preserve the stories of their lives. The MobileBooth, an Airstream trailer outfitted with a recording studio, will be parked in front of the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum Jan. 6 through Feb. 5.
Reservations can be made by calling StoryCorps’ 24-hour toll-free reservation line at 1-800-850-4406 or visiting storycorps.org starting at 10 a.m. on Dec. 16. Interview slots are limited, but an additional set of appointments will become available on Jan. 6 at 10 a.m.
KUT will air segments of selected local interviews recorded in the StoryCorps MobileBooth in January and early February on Mondays and Wednesdays during NPR’s “Morning Edition.” These pieces will also be available on the StoryCorps page at KUT.org. Segments of select interviews may also air nationally on NPR’s “Morning Edition.”
StoryCorps MobileBooth interviews are conducted between two people who know and care about each other. A trained StoryCorps facilitator guides participants through the interview process. At the end of each 40-minute recording session, participants receive a complimentary CD copy of their interview. With participant permission, a second copy is archived at the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress for future generations to hear.
Founded in 2003 by award-winning documentary producer and MacArthur “Genius” Grant recipient Dave Isay, StoryCorps aims to create a growing portrait of who we are as Americans. By traveling to every corner of the country, StoryCorps has gathered one of the largest collections of American voices, with interviews from more than 70,000 Americans in all 50 states.
“StoryCorps tells the true American story — that we are a people defined by small acts of courage, kindness and heroism. Each interview reminds people that their lives matter and will not be forgotten,” Isay said.
KUT’s mission is to create experiences that deepen understanding and connect people, said Stewart Vanderwilt, director and general manager of KUT 90.5.
“So we are thrilled to bring the StoryCorps MobileBooth — which, along with KUT, is committed to authenticity and the unique power of the human voice — back to Central Texas.”
To ensure the diversity of our participants, StoryCorps sponsors four major initiatives: Historias collects the stories of Latinos throughout the United States and Puerto Rico; Griot preserves the voices and experiences of African Americans; the Memory Loss Initiative reaches out to people affected by various forms of memory loss; and the September 11 Initiative honors and remembers the stories of those most personally affected by the events of Sept. 11, 2001.
To help offset its operating costs, StoryCorps suggests a donation of at least $25 for each MobileBooth interview. If participants cannot afford to meet the suggested donation, they may participate at no cost to ensure that StoryCorps remains a free public service.
The Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum, Capital Metro and University Medical Center Brackenridge are helping sponsor the StoryCorps MobileBooth Austin visit.
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About StoryCorps
StoryCorps’ mission is to provide Americans of all backgrounds and beliefs with the opportunity to record, preserve and share their stories. Each week, millions of Americans listen to StoryCorps’ award-winning broadcasts on NPR’s “Morning Edition.” StoryCorps has published two books: “Listening Is an Act of Love” and “Mom: A Celebration of Mothers from StoryCorps” — both of which are New York Times bestsellers. StoryCorps’ major funders include: The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), The Atlantic Philanthropies, The Ford Foundation, The Annenberg Foundation, The Kaplen Foundation, and Joe and Carol Reich. StoryCorps also relies on the support from its participants and listeners. For more information, or to listen to stories online, visit storycorps.org.
About KUT Radio
For more than 50 years, KUT 90.5, listener-supported public radio from Austin, Texas, has striven to be the most trusted radio source for news and music in Central Texas. A founding member of NPR, KUT established a news department in 2002. Since then, KUT News has won more than 50 state, national and international awards for journalistic excellence. KUT is nationally known for playing a unique blend of handpicked, homegrown and uniquely Austin music. In summer 2012, KUT will complete the KUT Public Broadcast Center, which will demonstrate KUT’s work from the inside out, showcasing KUT as one of the most creative, exciting and community-focused public media organizations in the world.
