Page 16 - Senior Link Magazine Winter 2025 - Online Magazine

MUSIC & ART

music since its inception. A former a 7 a.m. broadcast. But he is afforded
co-anchor, Christal Howard (who the opportunity to spend a few more
was Christal Bennett on-air) served hours a week watching his son grow
with Eppler as the original anchor up and spending time with his wife.
team when the newscast debuted in
2010. However, he will still find a way to
show off local artists and do the job
Hard Rock Cafe circa 2001 It remains the only local morning of his journalism hero.
broadcast that regularly shows
local musicians playing on-air. It “I wanted to have that William
in 2010. What she noticed was how Kerns* legacy. He was the
his background and interests in a is a mix of serious journalism and entertainment guy in Lubbock for
variety of artistic avenues have been some entertainment, which was a decades. I'm that guy now. I'm the
invaluable to Civic Lubbock. bit of a hard concept for Howard, one doing that stuff,” Eppler says.
who considered herself a serious
“I think it's a combination,” Key journalist while at Fox34. She’ll now “That's really satisfying to me.”
said. “He's very dedicated and admit that sometimes she may have And as to who could possibly
enthusiastic about the mission taken herself “too seriously” back follow Eppler as the next legacy
of Civic Lubbock, and it showed then. But, with Eppler by her side, entertainment guy in Lubbock?
through his leadership skills.” she realized the importance the
program served for locals. “There can only be one (Eppler). I'm
The enthusiasm is also seen in his sorry,” he jokes.
Walk of Fame committee work. “Of all the talents, of all the
Since he has been involved, he has attributes Jamie has, his love for *(Ed. Note: You can find the William
made it a goal to honor creatives in the community is probably at the Kerns story by James Eppler online at
the prime of their career—and not top of the list,” she says. “Because lubbockseniorlink.com Summer 2020
only musical artists. In addition to it’s genuine, it’s authentic, and that p. 28.)
Flatland Cavalry, a country music makes him such an asset.”
and Americana band, Hector Galán,
documentary filmmaker; James Now, with his official Civic Lubbock
W. Johnson, visual artist; and Jerry duties at an end,
Jordan, visual artist, were honored Eppler has a little
this year with the prestigious award. bit of breathing
room in his personal
But it is Eppler’s day job that life. He will still
provides him the platform to teach at Texas Tech
showcase local talent in a more and will continue
personal sense. Good Day Lubbock to be in the KCBD
has broadcast live and pre-recorded newsroom at 5 a.m.
every weekday for

Jamie & Lori: The Early Years

16 Lubbock Senior Link