For the past 11 years I've been on-air at KLTD, in one format or another, in various time slots.  From Eagle 101.7 to The Ticket and now to K 101/7, I've been proud to broadcast to the fine citizens that call Central Texas "home".

In March of 2013 I was given the task of putting the All-New K 101/7 on the air.  March 18th of that year I hit the "play" button and The Knack's "My Sharona" came through the speakers and out to Central Texas.  Despite many other job duties, including two other radio stations, K 101/7 has always held a special place in my heart... and in my ears.

I love the music, and I love that I was able to put my stamp, my idea for the sound of the station, on the air.  For that reason, and many more, I'm sad to say Friday, August 14th will be my final day on K 101/7.  While still serving in a part-time capacity and assisting where I can until a replacement can be found for the two other stations I also run.

Darren Gauthier will do a fine job, and he'd already helped my daily to-do list by taking over the day-to-day operations of not only K 101/7, but also the whole programming department.  While I'm sad to go, I feel fresh voices and fresh ideas in the market will go a long way to making you forget who that Jamie Garrett guy ever was.

A closer look at my new radio home. The station will be part of the radio course I'll teach. Photo by me.
A closer look at my new radio home. The station will be part of the radio course I'll teach. Photo by me.
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I'm not 100% certain what my long-term role with the other stations will be, if any at all.  I've offered my support, but a lot is left to be determined in that regard at levels above my pay grade.  As far as why I'm leaving K 101/7, I've been hired by Killeen ISD for a teacher position.  I'll be teaching a radio course for students from all four high schools within the district.  I'll also be starting a low power FM radio station for the district that the students will help to run.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me.  It's also great for my whole family.  With my wife being a teacher, I will now have the same work schedule and will be able to travel with her and my boys during the summer.  As I've grown older my priorities, as they do with most, changed.  My priority is no longer about the upward mobility of the radio rat race.  I love the community in which I live, and I look forward to many more years in Central Texas

I'm also very excited about passing the 19 years of radio experience I've got under my belt to a new generation of broadcasters.  Budget cuts over the years have cut not only full-time staff, but the cuts have also affected the part-timers that make up the potential future of radio.  I look forward to infusing some youth, new voices and new ideas into the radio market.

You can always find me on Facebook, facebook.com/yesthatjamiegarrett, and on Twitter @TheJamieGarrett.  Thank you for 10+ years of allowing me to live out my dream at my dream job on a daily basis.  I look forward to seeing you throughout the community, and if you've got a high schooler in KISD that might enjoy a radio course, send them to see Mr. Garrett.

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