Brendan Girardot has been listening to KDNK Radio since commuting to elementary school in the backseat of his parents’ car. As of late, he has been training to become the succeeding executive director of Andy Zanca Youth Empowerment Program (AZYEP).
Since Girardot was a teenager, AZYEP has been a part of his life. And it makes sense, having been musically inclined since he could tie his shoes and playing in bands with friends by middle school. Starting out as a drummer to express that teen angst, he later went into music production using software to make instrumental hip hop beats.
Having been somewhat of a “rambunctious and hyper kid,” he understands now how that association with music was a healthy outlet for his younger self.
Girardot first walked through the doors of KDNK as an eighth grader at Carbondale Community School. Having been tasked with carrying out a week-long internship with a local organization, he chose the radio station. “They had me filing CDs and vacuuming the floors,” he laughed. “In my downtime I’d hang out in the production room and spin records … and absorb being in that space. I think it was the last day of my internship, I got a quick training on the board and did an hour-long show.”
AZYEP was barely in its infancy at the time, so he hadn’t yet caught wind of the budding youth radio program sharing space and airtime with KDNK. It wasn’t long, however, before he was introduced and began hosting a regular music show with two close friends while attending Yampah High School.
At the time, a few of his AZYEP peers were spinning entirely Spanish curated shows. “We came up with the name ‘Radio Evolution.’” He continued, “I actually have an old t-shirt that we made that says, ‘Radio Evolution’ and ‘Radio Evolución,’” speaking to AZYEP’s lasting reach within the Latino community. “From early on that was a big component of the program,” he noted. “It’s just really cool to see how that element has played out.”
After first getting back into the fold as a part-time broadcast instructor about two years ago, his efficacy within the program resulted in a promotion as its community outreach coordinator. “That put me in touch with what the mission is on a deeper level,” he said, touching on the importance of collaborating with other youth-serving organizations in the Roaring Fork and Colorado River valleys, from fellow nonprofits to the school districts.
For the past few months, Girardot has shadowed longtime executive director Beth Wysong, who continues to empower and guide him through the transition. “Beth is amazing,” he stated. “I’m just so grateful for all of the guidance that she has given me. We work very closely on a day-to-day basis … I couldn’t have asked for a better mentor.”
“Brendan’s transition to the role of Executive Director is truly special, considering his experience as a DJ during our early days in 2003. Having him return to lead the program represents a full-circle moment in AZYEP’s mission to cultivate student leadership skills,” said Wysong. “His leadership will undoubtedly make a positive impact as AZYEP moves toward our 25th year of empowering kids.”
Continuing to expand outreach to the Colorado River Valley communities is important to Girardot. “It’s really cool to start fresh with kids who maybe didn’t have any knowledge about this opportunity, and just bring radio to them.” Often, all it takes, he added, is “[throwing] a couple of recorders in the truck, rolling down there and making it happen.”
Looking back on his time as a youth DJ, Girardot said that he especially values being in a position today “where I get to be the adult that I needed at that time in my life.”
24-Hour Takeover
In other news … AZYEP is bracing for blastoff of the Fourth Annual 24-Hour Takeover! Youth DJs will take over the KDNK airwaves from 4pm this Saturday, Oct. 19 through 4pm Sunday, Oct. 20.
“It’s our largest fundraiser of the year, in which we aim to raise $24,000,” noted Girardot. Listeners can support the cause by sponsoring a youth DJ, bidding on auction items or simply making a donation.
Youth DJs will rotate every hour for a fresh taste of music. Lela, a Basalt Middle School eighth grader, has the late night slot from midnight to 1am, followed by prerecorded shows through 5am on Sunday. Jem Badget, or better known as The Cool Cat on KDNK, picks up with the first live show Sunday morning at 6am.
The online auction is scheduled through Tuesday, Oct. 22. Items include a custom cruiser from Carbondale Bike Project, a staycation package and much more.
Lastly, keep your ears to the speaker to unravel a 24-word mystery phrase. During each hour, DJs will leak a word and the first listener to guess the phrase gets a special prize.
For a list of donation opportunities around the Takeover, visit www.azyep.org and click “4th Annual 24-Hour Takeover” at the top of the page.