Amarillo Folk-Rock Band Plemons Bridge Next on KWTS’s Live Lounge Series

Copy by Chip Chandler, 806-651-2124, [email protected]

CANYON, Texas - An on-the-rise folk-rock band from Amarillo is the next act on tap for a West Texas A&M University concert series.

Plemons Bridge will perform at 5 p.m. March 26 for Live Lounge, an on-air concert series for KWTS 91.1 FM, WT's student-run radio station. It also can be heard at wtamu.edu/kwts.

A limited live audience will enjoy the concert, but the focus is on audiences outside the studio.

"We have been working on finding our audience, and KWTS's Live Lounge music series is a great opportunity for us to reach people we wouldn't normally be able to," Plemons Bridge frontman Luis Torres said. "Living in Canyon and being able to perform on my local radio station is a blessing."

The concert series, which had been on hiatus since 2022, was revived in February with a concert featuring Amarillo country singer Nelson McKinney.

"We are excited about our second Live Lounge this semester," said Randy Ray, director of broadcast engineering and senior lecturer of media communications. "Our first one was really fun, and this one should be, too. Acoustic folk rock translates well over the radio."

The band, named for a historical landmark north of Torres' hometown of Borger, has performed at several venues in the Amarillo area, including art shows, Hoodoo Mural Festival and more. Members also include Andrew Merrell, drums; Chris Hawkins, bass; Danny Freeze, lead guitar and harmonica; and Jess Dotson, harmony vocals.

KWTS, a noncommercial rock station, officially launched in 1972 and currently features an all-'90s format as well as specialty shows devoted to jazz, hip-hop and more. The station also hosts One Sessions live concerts, posts podcasts, and provides music at tailgate and other on- and off-campus events.

Meeting regional needs by providing noncommercial radio and training future broadcasters and engineers is a key component of the University's long-range plan, WT 125: From the Panhandle to the World.

That plan is fueled by the historic One West comprehensive fundraising campaign, which reached its initial $125 million goal 18 months after publicly launching in September 2021. The campaign, which is now winding down, has raised more than $175 million.

About West Texas A&M University

A Regional Research University, West Texas A&M University is redefining excellence in Canyon, Texas, on a 342-acre residential campus, as well as the Harrington Academic Hall WTAMU Amarillo Center in downtown Amarillo. Established in 1910, the University has been part of The Texas A&M University System since 1990. WT boasts an enrollment of more than 9,000 and offers 66 undergraduate degree programs, including eight associate degrees; and 44 graduate degrees, including an integrated bachelor's and master's degree, a specialist degree and two doctoral degrees. WT recently earned a Carnegie Foundation classification as a Research College and University. The Buffaloes are a member of the NCAA Division II Lone Star Conference and offers 16 men's and women's athletics programs.

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