KEDM, the public radio station on the ULM campus, is stepping into the spotlight with a new video performance series titled “Black Curtain,” showcasing local musical talent and supporting the region’s creative economy.
The series launched on KEDM’s YouTube channel, featuring stripped-down live sessions with soloists, duos and trios performing in a studio on the ULM campus. While space limitations currently prevent full band performances, organizers see the project as a necessary step toward a broader mission.
“This is something we’ve had in the works for a while,” KEDM general manager Jay Curtis said. “It’s a bigger outgrowth of what KEDM does: educating, informing, and inspiring. In the last decade or so, we’ve shifted more toward supporting the local music economy, and ‘Black Curtain’ is an extension of that commitment.”
The station’s previous efforts include ‘The Boot,’ a series with a dedicated time during radio to highlight “Louisiana artists, southern regional acts and other bands, all with a connection to the Gulf South.” ‘Black Curtain’ adds a visual layer to those initiatives, giving local artists high-quality recordings that they might not otherwise be able to afford.
“Recording studios are expensive,” Curtis said. “You’ve got local musicians who are immensely talented, people who’ve been gigging for years and making a living, but they don’t have the extra resources to produce professional recordings. ‘Black Curtain’ aims to fill that gap.”
The production setup uses a three-track audio recorder funded through a previous grant from the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities. Although the series is still in its early stages, organizers hope it can grow into a seasonal production format, complete with promotion and community sponsorship.
“There’s a lot of interest from the local business community,” Curtis said. “They want to see projects like this succeed because it helps build a culture that encourages people to stay and grow right here in Monroe.”
So far, local artists Toby Traylor and Clara Rae, as well as ULM’s own Pearson Cross and Eric Siereveld, have performed on the series. While student musicians are not part of the performance lineup, KEDM says they hope to open the project up more broadly as resources grow.
“We’re still working on criteria for selecting musicians,” Curtis said. “Eventually, we’d love to incorporate students and have structured seasons that showcase a wide range of talent.”
KEDM is exploring ways to expand their digital reach as well. KXUL, ULM’s student-run station, already uses TikTok. KEDM is considering joining the platform to take advantage of its algorithm-driven exposure.
“This isn’t something that makes money for us yet,” Curtis said. “But it’s a meaningful investment in our community, and in the people making the music that defines it.”
‘Black Curtain’ episodes can be found on KEDM’s YouTube channel, with new sessions releasing regularly.
