Mississippi State University’s radio station, The Junction, has been a significant presence in the Golden Triangle area for over thirty years, offering a mix of music, news and community involvement. As the station celebrates its 30th anniversary, this milestone invites reflection on a journey marked by creativity, adaptability and a commitment to the community it serves.
The station first took to the airwaves on March 21, 1994, under the original name “Radio on a Vision” with its inaugural broadcast, which began at 6 a.m., heralded by the song “Right Here, Right Now” by Jesus Jones.
From its earliest days, the station distinguished itself by its dedication to Adult Album Alternative (AAA) music, a genre celebrated for its eclectic mix of indie rock, alternative, blues, soul and Americana.
Throughout the years, the station has embraced change, trying to evolve and meet the needs of its listeners while staying true to its roots. After its initial success as “Radio on a Vision,” the station underwent a rebranding, emerging as “World Class Radio” in 1999.
Neil Price, the voice of the Bulldogs since 2017, serves as the station’s general manager. He took the position in Oct. 2023. Price provided insight into the thought process behind this latest rebranding.
Price said the station’s most recent transformation came on Aug. 15, 2024, when it adopted the name “The Junction.” According to Price, this name symbolizes the station’s dual role as both a geographical landmark on campus and a symbolic meeting point where music and news converge. In a nod to its history, the station celebrated this rebranding by playing “Right Here, Right Now,” honoring its origins while looking ahead to the future.
“One morning, as I was gazing out of my office window, the name ‘The Junction’ just suddenly clicked,” Price said. “It’s more than just a name; it represents a place where different forms of music intersect with vital information. We’re not just about music; we’re a conduit for knowledge and support for Mississippi State University and our local community.”
The Junction has been actively involved in university life coming into the new 2024 school year. They have broadcasted events such as MVNU2MSU, featuring music, interviews with organizations and information about the fall semester. Price said the station will also have a presence at Shades of Starkville, where they will support local organizations by helping them broadcast their missions and activities to the broader community.
David Garraway, associate director of the Office of Public Affairs and University Television Center director, is excited to see this new look on the radio station.
“We have redone this place to create a reliable news source for our community,” Garraway said. “We have made hopeful long-term investments within the community to remain relevant to the future.”
In addition to these outreach efforts, The Junction has dedicated itself to educating the next generation of radio professionals by offering MSU students Directed Individual Study (DIS) opportunities. These allow them to earn one to six hours of college credit while gaining hands-on experience in radio production, including programming, on-air work, radio production, marketing and social media. This initiative enriches student’s educational experiences while strengthening the station’s ties to the university.
Colin James, an alumnus of The Reflector, had the opportunity to participate in a DIS with the station during the spring semester of 2024. His involvement in this program allowed him to engage directly with the broadcasting community, an experience that he found both rewarding and enlightening. Throughout the semester, he actively contributed to the station’s operations, serving as the first sports reporter in a DIS.
“I thoroughly enjoyed it,” James said. “I felt that my voice resonated across a major platform in the Golden Triangle area, and the opportunity also provided me with valuable insight into the world of radio.”
As The Junction continues to evolve, Price said the station’s dedication to serving the Mississippi State University community and the broader Golden Triangle area remains firm. With a history spanning three decades, the station stands with its original mission of providing an integrated mix of news and music to the student body.
