Jason Beatty (private)

Before KUNV became one of America’s top jazz stations, it was the wild, rebellious heart of student radio in Las Vegas. In this episode, we journey back to the early days of 91.5 KUNV—broadcasting from an old bathroom in the student union, fueled by block programming, punk shows, and a student-run powerhouse called Rock Avenue.

Hosted by Jason Beatty and Ryan “RT” Thorpe, this companion to the KUNV documentary features original interviews, rare archival audio, and a candid conversation with former operations manager Dr. Dave Nourse. Together, they unravel the rise of KUNV, the cultural spark of Rock Avenue, and the eventual format shift that sparked controversy across campus.

It’s a story of student empowerment, creative freedom, and the tension between artistic expression and institutional control. And like any good radio drama—no one’s totally the hero or the villain.