After an impressive 15-year run, Essential Jazz aired its final episode on Feb. 3, marking the close of a program that had become a longtime favorite on KTRL 90.5 Tarleton Public Radio since its debut in 2011.
The show was originally hosted by English professor Hank Jones, who later welcomed history professor Mike Pierce as co-host, forming a dynamic partnership that guided the program for many years. In its later era, Pierce was joined by English professor Michael Dooley — better known to listeners as Woodstok Farley — while Jones continued making appearances whenever possible.
Following Pierce’s move to the Austin area, Dooley expressed interest in continuing on the air, leading to the creation of Essential Crossroads. The new program draws inspiration from three earlier KTRL shows: Dooley’s own Classic Rock Spectacle, which aired for several years beginning in 2011; Essential Jazz; and At The Crossroads, the blues-centered program hosted by the late Kurt Robert Johnson that frequently featured Jones and Dooley as guest hosts and helped inspire the show’s blues influence.
In addition to his work on these programs, Dooley has remained a familiar voice on the station, regularly filling in on local favorites such as Big Band Ballroom and Beatles and Beyond.
Essential Crossroads officially launched on Feb. 10 on KTRL 90.5 Tarleton Public Radio, featuring a wide range of artists including Sonny Rollins, Wishbone Ash, Yes, Eric Clapton and Rory Gallagher. True to its roots and influences, the show blends classic rock, jazz and blues — captured perfectly in its tagline: “Where Good Music Intersects.”