KZMU is thrilled to introduce The History Hour to our airwaves! Blaine Reniger serves as the host and guide for this brand-new show, taking us through some interesting moments of Moab history. On the inaugural episode, Blaine delves deep at Arches National Park. From the early days of Doc Williams and the Moab Lion’s Club to Bates Wilson in blue jeans and ‘the man in the pink Cadillac.’ Hear about the local characters who shaped the federal designations for the home of the famous ‘School Marm’s Bloomers’ (aka Delicate Arch). The show weaves a fierce tale, so sit back, relax, and tune in!

You can download this episode on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Look for KZMU Public Affairs!

New episodes of The History Hour air on the last Mondays of every month at 4PM

Show Notes:

Many thanks to the Moab Museum, for their archival efforts and research! 
https://moabmuseum.org

Music in the episode:
Brain – Instrumental Retro (ID 1271) by Lobo Loco
Call of the Whip-Poor-Will by Stapleton Brothers
Traveling to Louisiana – Soft Delay (ID 1174) by Lobo Loco

The History Hour - Arches National Park

KZMU's Music Director, Crystal Bunch recently interviewed Jacob Hemphill of SOJA. Crystal and Jacob discussed the origin of the album title, favorite tracks from the album, and what album production looked like during the pandemic.

The Artist Speaks: SOJA

What happens when we lose our gathering places? What happens when the divide in desirable recreation communities between restaurant workers and those who can afford to live there becomes too much? These are the questions that filmmakers Anne Keller and Jen Zeuner are untangling in their documentary Ghost Town (working title). The cofounders of the Hot Tomato Pizzeria are interviewing workers in small, passionate, independent restaurants from Moab to Telluride and Crested Butte to raise awareness around these issues and find solutions. On the latest This Week in Moab, we catch up on their project and hear clips from the 2021 KZMU News documentary Welcome to Moab – A Service Story. Tune in!  

// Show Notes

// Work in the local restaurant industry? Want to share your experience with the Ghost Town filmmakers? Contact: jenzeuner@yahoo.com

// Welcome to Moab – A Service Story
https://www.kzmu.org/welcome-to-moab-a-service-story/

//Music in Today's Episode
HOLIZNA RAPS (instrumental) by HOLIZNA

This Week in Moab - 'Ghost Town' Filmmakers Anne Keller and Jen Zeuner

The latest History Hour kicks off a very special series on Bates Wilson! Known as the ‘Father of Canyonlands,’ Wilson was a local dutch oven diplomat and visionary. Hear about Wilson from those who knew him best – his family and friends. Special guests include Wilson children Caroline, Julie and Alan aka ‘Tug.’ Plus, Rusty Davidson and Melvin Olson discuss being on the first search and rescue squad started by Wilson. Tune in for the first episode in a series on this local legend.

//Music in Today’s Episode is Speedy Delta_M by Lobo Loco, El Guateque by Septeto Machín, Sans souci: Maxixe Bresilienne by the National Promenade Band

The History Hour - Bates Wilson 'Father of Canyonlands' Ep 1

On the latest This Week in Moab, host Christy Williams-Dunton takes a dive into a place most people would rather not - the topic of death. Guest Stephen Jenkinson is a culture activist, writer and half of the Nights of Grief & Mystery project, which hosts concerts for turbulent times. He'll be in Moab on September 17th, along with recording artist and collaborator Gregory Hoskins, to fuse their work into an evening that will lift the mortal veil to learn the mysteries therein. Dive in and explore this memorable conversation on the dark, beautiful door that is death.

// Music and Sounds in this episode is 'Murmur' by Broke For Free and 'Hippie Radio' by Stephen Jenkinson and Gregory Hoskins

This Week In Moab – Nights of Grief & Mystery with Storyteller Stephen Jenkinson

The Artist Speaks: Conbad

Welcome back to The History Hour! The latest episode continues our series on local legend Bates Wilson, known as ‘the father of Canyonlands.’ We’ll hear from his friends and family about his integral work and diplomacy that helped create Canyonlands National Park. Plus, thanks to KZMU archival audio we’ll also hear from Bates himself! Tune in. 

Music in This Episode is ‘Speedy Delta M’ by Lobo Loco and ‘Allright in Louisiana’ by Lobo Loco

The History Hour - Bates Wilson 'Father of Canyonlands' Ep 2

On the latest History Hour, a conversation with the man, the myth, the legend...James Kirkland! Utah has a fascinating paleontological history, and this state paleontologist has been there through the latest twists and turns in local discoveries and fossil protection. Get ready to travel back in time millions of years in this informative conversation.

// Music in this episode is Speedy Delta by Lobo Loco

The History Hour - State Paleontologist James Kirkland

The latest History Hour tells two stories of early settler history. First, the longest, most arduous pack route in the country...the Old Spanish Trail! And second, the establishment (and eventual failure) of the Elk Mountain Mission in the Moab Valley. Note, all the information and research shared on this episode is from the perspective of settlers based on their journal entries as well as books and online research.

// Music in this episode is Speedy Delta by Lobo Loco

The History Hour - Old Spanish Trail, Elk Mountain Mission

Curious about early Moab history? The latest History Hour is jam-packed with tales from early Moab! Guest Stephan Zacharias, History Programs Interpreter with the Moab Museum regales us with stories of postmasters, grape harvests, blue mountains and cowboys. It’s a fascinating episode, one that Moab old timers and newcomers alike will appreciate. 

// Stephan Zacharias leads a walking tour every Thursday through Moab’s Historic Business District. Called ‘Livestock Built This City,’ the tour focuses on Moab’s fascinating, and seldom told, pre-uranium history. Learn more about the tour here: https://moabmuseum.org/program/livestock-built-this-city-walking-tour/?fbclid=IwAR27d_0TTNF-kUPJGOkS6HYw3mW4vYAFCfj3okyuRifkWWwBNOY7LUJk6-A

// Music in The History Hour is 'Speedy Delta' by Lobo Loco

The History Hour - Early Moab History with Stephan Zacharias

This week on The History Hour, Host Blaine Reniger walks us through "The Canyonlands Controversy". This segment covers the event when Canyonlands was proposed to be a park in the early 60s, there was a lot of controversy about the size and the use of land from politicians. Stewart Udall, Secretary of the Interior was a leading advocate for the park and shared the history of it. The history used for this episode was taken from Udall's information and participation in the event.

The History Hour "Canyonlands Controversy"

On this week’s episode, we explore the uranium industry in southeaster Utah. We speak with Sarah Fields of Uranium Watch to hear the latest on projects in Green River, mining in La Sal and milling at White Mesa Mill in San Juan County. Leona Morgan, co-founder of Haul No! talks about recent community responses to the hauling of uranium ore from the Pinyon Plain Mine to the White Mesa Mill via Navajo Nation lands, and Curtis Moore, SVP at Energy Fuels discusses their practices and safety of ore transport. 

- More information on Uranium Watch is available at: 
• https://uraniumwatch.org/

- For more on the organization Haul No! 
• https://haulno.com/ 

- Energy Fuels’ website is:  
• https://www.energyfuels.com/

This Week In Moab: Updates on the uranium industry in southeast Utah

"Pueblo History, Culture and Artifact Science" Episode 1 
Special Guest: Jon Gahahate
Jon Gahahate, a member of the Laguna and Zuni 'Pueblo' peoples is a historian and educator associated with the Crow Canyon Archeological Center. We get into a deep discussion about 'Pueblo' history by diving deep into the science behind artifacts. We will also learn about culture, traditions and what the 'Pueblo' people have overcome from the archeological past to where they are today.

HistoryHour: "Pueblo History, Culture and Artifact Science" Episode 1  Special Guest: Jon Gahahate

This week we invited Daniel McNeil and Jean from Grand Area Mentoring to join us for a conversation about mentoring in Grand County Schools, the ongoing local needs for mentors and the programs impressive impacts. We then spoke with Tessa Lark new Artistic Director For Moab Music Festival about the year’s wide array of artists, styles and opportunities, and the ongoing support for Moab’s community.

This Week In Moab

On this episode of This Week in Moab we talk to Alexandra Gabrielle from the Friends of Arches and Canyonlands National Park about their upcoming events in support of public lands, meet James Beard Award winning chef and New York Times Best Seller cookbook author Kenji Lopez-Alt to learn about ‘Tasting Notes’ and his journey with the Moab Music Festival, and explore about opportunities to help with bat research and observation in the wild with the Utah Department of Wildlife Resources Southeastern Regional Outreach Manager Brandon Behling. 

This Week In Moab: FOACP and Kenji Lopez-Alt and BATS

Wildbloom Fermentation – I sat down with Cody and Lisa, the local owners, to talk about their recent move to 550 North Main Street in Moab. They shared their vision for the future, including bringing kombucha on tap into the community, along with the story of how they started and grew their business.

Multicultural Center of Moab – I interviewed Bradia Holmes, Education Coordinator, who spoke about the Center’s programs, their plans for the future, and the impact they’ve had over the last few years. Bradia also shared a personal note on why she came to Moab and why she continues to call it home. Contact: bradiah@moabmc.org Website: moab.org

Clay Artisans of Moab – I wrapped up with Abi Taylor, Organizer and Volunteer, who discussed their upcoming fundraiser and the work the group is doing to support local artists and community creativity.

If you’d like more information on these programs or interviews, feel free to call me at 505-675-5810 or email me at outsidermoab@gmail.com.

Thank you for tuning in and supporting Juniper Hour!

Juniper Hour: Spotlight

In this episode, Jessica and Lily dive into what really stays behind in Moab when the tourists leave — the money and the trash! From takeout to the dirty truth about handling #2 in the backcountry, they explore how seasonal crowds impact the local waste stream and who’s left holding the (trash) bag. Tune in for a wild ride through the messy side of paradise, complete with animal analogies and simple ways we can all be better tourists when visiting somebody else’s town.

Trash Talk: Tourists, Turds, and Takeout

Crystal Blanks, music director at KZMU and host of The Artist Speaks, sat down with Couple of Wanderers to discuss their upcoming performance at Spitfire Smokehouse in Moab, UT and more. We explored their favorite tracks, the creative process behind the album, and much more. Tune in and enjoy the conversation!

Want to know more? 

Facebook Event Page:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1457216892142010

50 Years Music Video: https://youtu.be/25Mbrvp6g-I

You can learn more about us:
http://www.faithkelly.com/couple-of-wanderers.html

Couple of Wanderers Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@CoupleofWanderers1111
Faith's Bandcamp: https://faithkelly.bandcamp.com
Faith's Instagram & Tiktok: @FaithKellyArt
Caswyn's Instagram: @CaswynMoon



The Artist Speaks:  Couple of wanderers

On this episode of This Week in Moab we hear from Annie Watts about the work of Our Village Community Center, the beneficiary of this year’s Soup Bowl Fundraiser, taking place in Moab on Saturday November 8th in Moab at the MARC. Samantha Derbyshire, the lead organizer of Soup Bowl this year shares about the event and the efforts of CLAM (Clay Artisans of Moab) which works throughout the year to prepare for the event. In the second half of the show we speak to Zanna Stutz, Program Manager at Glen Canyon Institute, Dr. Brenda Bowen from the University of Utah’s Geology and Geophysics program and Mike DeHoff, Principle Investigator of the Returning Rapids Project about Glen Canyon, the Colorado River and their upcoming symposium in Moab at Star Hall November 13th:  Rivers of Change: Reckoning with the Impacts of Glen Canyon Dam through Science, Art and Advocacy. 

This Week In Moab: Soup Bowl Fundraiser and Glen Canyon Events

Your hosts Jessie Magleby from Grand County Public Library, Nat Smith and David Everett from Back of Beyond Books take you on a whirlwind tour of what they've been reading: the good, the great and the ghastly. Plus, a chat with special guest author Michael Engelhard.

The Good and the Great:
Kingdom of Ice by Hampton Sides
Into the Hush: Poems by Arthur Sze
Vera, or Faith by Gary Shteyngart
Margo's Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe
The Rise and Fall of Ancient Egypt by Toby Wilkenson
The Thursday Murder Club series by Richard Osman 
A Sand County Almanac by Aldo Leopold
A Solitude of Wolverines by Alice Henderson
No Place Like Nome by Michael Engelhard

Didn't Love:
Katabasis by R.F. Kuang
The Devil is a Southpaw by Brandon Hobson (pub. Oct. 28) 
Light on Bone: A Georgia O'Keeffe Mystery by Kathryn Lasky

Radio Book Club mentions in Library Catalog


Radio Book Club: The Good, the Great and the Ghastly

Codd's World: Mayoral Candidate Interviews and Moab Folk Festival

Codd's World: Mayoral Candidate Interviews

Stitch Please! The Scary Truth about Fast Fashion

This month on Trash Talk, Jessica and Lily unravel the horrifying secrets behind fast fashion—just in time for Halloween. From polyester costumes that outlive your great-grandkids to the gory truth about water waste and textile pollution, it's a fright-fest of facts you won’t find on a clothing tag.

With costume hacks, DIY mending groups, and maybe some ideas on what to do when you feel like you have nothing to wear, this episode is sew worth it.

Trash Talk: Stitch Please

In this episode, we open with a lively conversation featuring Tia Wood, a talented songwriter and Indigenous musician who shares her cultural insights and heartfelt perspectives on MMIR (Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives). Together, we reflect on the deeper meaning behind this movement and the power of awareness in creating change.

I also share highlights from Moab’s Indigenous Peoples Day on October 13 — including a webinar I presented for Utah State organizations on working with Indigenous youth, and a local fundraiser supporting Native American students, where the Mayor of Moab read the official Indigenous Peoples Day proclamation.

We continue with updates from Hispanic Heritage Month, celebrated at the middle school with host Jeremy Spaulding, and from the HMK Elementary Student Club, where students created moccasin ornaments and Christmas gifts for their Indigenous families.

We wrap up with the Cultural Fires event, featuring a drum-making workshop with Jacob Crane, traditional dancing, and cultural exchange — a beautiful close to a season of celebration, learning, and connection.

Stay tuned until the end for a few upcoming community events you won’t want to miss!

Juniper Hour: Cultural Connections: Honoring Indigenous Voices and Community Celebrations



The guests on this show included Toni Sicola and Theresa Herd from the Moab Women’s Festival and Liam O’Hare, a member of the Scottish band “Definitely Oasis.” 

First up were the organizers of the second Moab Women’s Festival: Decompress Fest 2025. The event took place on September 13-14, 2025. This year’s festival included ten different activities including off road driving, meditation and breathing techniques, yoga, and other stress reduction tools. 

In addition to the presentations there was musci by Toni Sicola & The Enablers, Abby Posner,  and Raye Zaragoza.  The festival raised funds for WBC/Utah and Seekhaven Family Crisis & Resource Center in Moab.

Next up was (33:27) Mr. Liam O’Hare who is the drummer for the Scotland based Oasis tribute band, “Definitely Oasis.”  O’Hare has been with the band for about 7 years. They play gigs throughout Scotland and the UK as well Europe. Liam talks about the popularity of tribute bans in general and their role in presenting live music at affordable prices. He also discussed how busy they are now that Oasis is touring again.

“Definitely Oasis” is one of about 37 Oasis cover bands in the UK. “DO” is considered by fans to be one of the best tribute bands in Scotland. O’Hare said he loves playing before the bigger crowds they are experiencing but the constant travel is tough to adapt to. O’Hare also teaches drumming to students ranging in age from 7 to 77!


Codd's World September 2025

This episode of Codd’s World features three guests. Dan Lamont, Director of the Moab Celtic Festival: Scots on the Rocks, Dave Wardell, from Kilberry Bagpipes, and Maggie McGuire, Editor/ Publisher of the Moab Sun. This show took place during the Fall Radiothon for KZMU. 

Dan Lamont was the first guest. He discussed the history of the Scots on the Rocks/ Moab Celtic Festival and what was lined up for the 2025 event. The festival is scheduled for October 17-19, 2025 at the City Ballfields on Center Street in Moab.  Lamont noted that there would be a Tattoo of Bagpipe Bands attending the festival, athletic events, Clan tents, food and various clothing and souvenir booths. The Tattoo is an event where each bagpipe band marches on the field and plays a few songs for the gathered audience.
Lamont said this is the 9th year for the festival. He also noted that the festival has grown in recent years, and they hoped to continue the event in Moab for years to come.

In an interview recorded in July 2025, Dave Wardell from Kilberry Bagpipe makers from Edinburgh, Scotland, discussed the history of the bagpipes and how they are made. Dave was a master bagpipe player with national awards for his playing, who was now making bagpipes for one of the premier bagpipe makers in the United Kingdom.

Dave discussed the materials used in the construction of the instrument and how they have changed over the centuries. Most bagpipes today are made with rubber air bladders that produce the air that goes through the drones that create the unique sound of the pipes. Bagpipes can be traced back to the early 15th century in Scotland. It is believed that a type of bagpipe has been around for a few thousand years.

Mr. Wardell said it takes about two full days to complete a bagpipe. They cost around 1,000 pounds ($1,250 US) for a basic instrument and run well into thousands of dollars for fancier instruments with extensive decorations and more expensive materials. He also noted that the demand for bagpipes has grown significantly around the world over the past several decades. Interestingly, there is increased demand for bagpipes made with leather air bladders!

Since “Codd’s World!”  was during Radiothon, Maggie McGuire, Owner and Publisher of the Moab Sun News, joined the show to talk about the importance of local public radio and local newspapers. 


Codds World October 2025

On this episode of This Week in Moab, we discuss the November 14-15 2025 Bluff Dark Sky Festival  (and International Dark Sky Community designation) with Sarah Burak, Education Director of the Bears Ears Partnership and Diana Davidson with the Business Owners of Bluff. Then Malcom Campbell Taylor of the Moab Valley Multicultural Center shares details about their food pantry and efforts to help those facing food insecurity in our listening area. 

This Week In Moab: Bluff Dark Skies Festival and Food Support for the Community

Conversations this week included Malcom Campbell-Taylor via MVMC sharing about this year’s Dia De Los Muertos Celebration and fundraiser; Alyssa Sherman from Grand County School District’s Student Career and Success Center sharing about their program’s growth and recent changes and Julie Nieman sharing about next week’s trunk or treat event! 

On this episode we speak to Andrea Rodgers, Deputy Director of U.S. Strategy for Our Children’s Trust, and Utah Plaintiff Natalie Roberts about their climate lawsuit on behalf of the futures of Utah’s youth; and then we are joined by Steve Bloch, Legal Director of Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance and Cory MacNulty, Campaign  Director for the Southwest Region of the National Parks Conservation Association about plans to open up areas around the Mighty Five National Parks to coal mining.

This Week in Moab:  Youth Climate Suit and Coal in the Mighty Five

For the first part of the Juniper Hour, we speak with Jesse from the Grand County Library about upcoming Native American Heritage Month events and the importance of working respectfully with Indigenous communities.

Next, we interview Taylor from Seek Haven, who shares details about their partnered events with the Grand County Library, including a Native American Heritage Month trivia game, prizes, and additional insights on engaging with Indigenous communities.

We are then joined by special guest Sandra Billies from the Moab community, who reflects on the Veterans Day butchering of a churro sheep and the cultural teachings shared between elders and younger generations, highlighting kinship and cultural significance.

To close the hour, we interview Adam from Desert Soul Villas in the Spanish Valley area, who discusses affordable housing opportunities for Moab’s workforce.



Juniper Hour: November

Your hosts Nat  Smith from Back of Beyond Books and Jessie Magleby from Grand County Public Library discuss what they've been reading, and a few of the books that made the biggest impressions this year.
The Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones
Is a River Alive? By Robert McFarlane
The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion by Beth Brower Vol. 1 - 8,
My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry by Fredrick Backman
Raising Hare by Chloe Dalton
1177 B.C. by Eric Cline
After 1177 B.C.by Eric Cline
Sparrow by James Hynes. 
Bless Me Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya
SPQR Mary Beard 
The Maidens by Alex Michaelides
The Good Liar by Denise Mina
Heart the Lover Lily King (also Euphoria) 
The American Revolution by Ken Burns 

Link to books in library catalog

Radio Book Club 12.1.25

KZMU is a grassroots community radio station broadcasting from the heart of Moab, Utah. Our public affairs programming strives to inform, engage, entertain and connect the communities of Southeastern Utah and beyond. Current shows include This Week in Moab, Radio Book Club, Chefs' Adventures with Buck & Bernie, Great Wide Open, Art Talks, and The History Hour.

KZMU Public Affairs

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