Kerri-Lee's Blog

Fantastic Philly Radio- with a show just for Kids
WXPN's Kids Corner 88.5FM
Kerri-Lee Halkett
GDP Anchor

When I moved to Philadelphia more than five years ago, friend's quickly turned me onto WXPN, 88.5FM, the radio station at the University of Pennsylvania. Not only is it the home of the World Cafe, but also some of the best and most interesting music and singers and songwriters I'd ever heard. It showcases some great local talent like Catherine Tuttle from Whitemarsh, PA, even my son's nanny, Ami Verrill, has performed there before. I was instantly a fan of the station's originality, it's commitment to music and it's involvement in the community.

When I first started listening, I was single at the time and didn't have any, so one night at 7pm when I heard something called "Kid's Corner" come on the radio, I was tempted to reach for the tuner, but I didn't, something kept me listening. Maybe it was Kathy O'Connell, the program's host and her infectious enthusiasm. Or maybe it was her unique ability to relate to her audience which, at that time of night, is made up of children and parent's driving home from swimming lessons, soccer practices or dinner at Applebee's.
She often has guests on the program and there is plenty of opportunity to sing, learn and even call in. I remember thinking at the time, "When I have children, I'm definetly going to have to remember this program." A couple of years later, I find myself doing exactly that, listening to Kid's Corner in the car, with my toddler, Van. He loves it! And why wouldn't he? It's made just for him, and other kids of all ages and he claps along with the best of them.

I went to their website (www.xpn.org) to learn more about the program so that I could pass it on to you. Let's face it, there is an awful lot of radio that we don't need or want our children to hear. I guarantee you, this won't ever make you or your children blush, and you won't be quickly reaching for the dial to turn the station before something inappropriate is said. This is just plain, good, old-fashioned clean family radio. You'll love it!

Here's the nitty-gritty:

WHAT IS KIDS CORNER?
Created in 1988, Kids Corner is a live, call-in radio show for kids, and a production of WXPN-FM, public radio from the University of Pennsylvania.
Hosted by Kathy O'Connell and produced by Robert Drake, Kids Corner is the recipient of over 20 broadcasting awards including the George Foster Peabody Award. Kids Corner can be heard Mondays through Thursdays from 7-8pm Eastern, on:
88.5fm WXPN-FM, Philadelphia PA
88.1fm WXPH-FM, Harrisburg, PA
104.9fm WXPN-FM, Lehigh Valley, PA
90.5fm WKHS-FM, Worton/Baltimore, MD
and live on the Internet: WXPN Listen Live

Kids Corner can also be heard nationwide on the Sirius satellite radio network; Weekdays from 1-2pm Eastern on the Sirius 'Kids Stuff' channel, #116.

You can reach Kids Corner during our live shows, by calling our toll-free number: 1-800-KIDS-XPN
To submit music for airplay consideration on Kids Corner, send 2 CDs along with a bio one-sheet to:
Kathy O'Connell
Kids Corner / WXPN-FM
3025 Walnut Street
Philadelphia PA 19104

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And if you like what you hear, you might like what you see! You can visit Kid's Corner Studios.
Here's more on that:
Attention Children's Groups and Families!
Kids Corner Family Tours are Now Available!
Kids Corner Family Tours are designed for 7-12 year olds and their adult companions. Tours last about 45 minutes and include a scavenger hunt with prizes. Tours are limited to 25 participants and require advance registration.
To request space on an upcoming tour, please complete our Kids Corner Family Tours' request form at xpn.org

Finally, I always try to include something fun for you parents, too, so here's something you might want to try on your lunch break from work-- it's the World Cafe Live. Spend an hour at noon on Friday's watching some of the hottest acts in music. Recent Guests? Last week some of my FOX co-workers checked out Bare Naked Ladies, I saw Duncan Sheik (of "Barely Breathing" fame) Ray LaMontagne (LOVE his music) played as well as Fiona Apple and the list goes on. It's all free, but first come first serve, and food and drinks are available if you plan to eat while you watch.m We are so lucky to have something like this in Phillly, a station that really is.. "All About the Music."