A Voice for Radio
by Michael Robinson| Uvalde Hesperian
“Pilot of the airwaves, here is my request. You don’t have to play it, but I hope you do your best. I’ve been listening to your show on the radio and you seem like a friend to me.”- from the song, Pilot of the Airwaves, by Charline Dore.
After being off the air for close to a year, KVOU 104.9 Coyote Country is back on the air with a new voice behind the microphone in the mornings. The Uvalde Hesperian had a chance to visit with Morning Show Host and DJ, Rick Rubio at the radio station’s studio offices located on South Getty Street near Leinweber Services and meet up with Leakey native Rick Rubio who not only plays the music but interacts with his listeners online on Facebook.
The same building houses two other radio station studios: KUVA 102.3 FM and KBNU 93.9 FM. According to Rubio, many people think the stations are located back at the building where KVOU was housed during its previous ownership and that’s not correct.
Rick has an extensive library of tens of thousands of country music songs digitally stored on his computer and as part of his radio program does take requests. One difference he said about the format of Coyote Country, KVOU 104 ,9 compared to when it was previously on the air is the new station plays more of the older country favorites.
Rick Rubio who currently resides in Sabinal has a rich history as an announcer and also with many Country Music celebrities going back to the 1990’s
One thing some do not realize is Rubio was not always comfortable speaking in public. He said that years ago while attending SWTJC, he was required to take a speech class as part of his required coursework. He said he was so apprehensive about taking that class he paused his studies at the college for 7 years. Later he mustered up the courage to try again and with some persuasion by the speech instructor, Robb Fowler, he was able to complete the required course but also realized he actually had the voice and the talent to be a professional announcer.
In several months time, Rick Rubio and KVOU have generated quite a following of listeners and sponsors.
Rubio’s golden voice was even noticed by the San Antonio Spurs who has on numerous occasions announced events at the AT$T Center in San Antonio.
Through Rubio’s leather work, he was able to make connections with many of the top artists in the country music industry. He said he made leather guitar straps and had made leather guitar straps for Johnny Rodriguez, a famous country music artist from Sabinal. It was through this connection Rubio got connected to Merle Haggard, George Jones, and other artists and still has personal connections with many of them today.
Rick is currently on the air from 7 AM until 11 AM at 104.9 FM. KVOU 104.9 Coyote Country can be reached at their business and request line : 830-698-6038
Listeners can listen online at Here.
Rick Rubio’s Morning Show is sponsored by:
COUNTRY GARDEN & SEED Oasis Outback
403 SOUTH GETTY STREET 2900 East Main St.
UVALDE TEXAS Uvalde Texas
HACIENDA TOWING Texas Farm Store
3725 EAST MAIN STREET 236 east nopal street
Uvalde Texas Uvalde Texas
LEINWEBER SERVICE LLC Texas Ag Equipment
800 South Getty Street 4420 east main street
Uvalde Texas Uvalde Texas
Cecil Atkisson Ford
109 19th street
Hondo tx