#the kay

[sacstreetview]

12th St., Sacramento, California

2011, 2014, 2016, 2019

[thekpb-sf]

The Kay in Downtown Sacramento

[urbsindomita]

Tampon strings and teenage siblings

After two and a half years, 107.9 The End’s beloved night jock says goodbye to Sac Town, and a legion of little sisters.

Photos and story by Jorden P. Hales

It’s exactly one week after Independence Day, one of 93 treasured summer nights, a Friday at that. For most teenage girls, such would be a time of youthful bliss, the midst of a peak before literal and proverbial fall. From Granite Bay to the Yolo County line, required texts and friends lost to college seem far too distant to consider.

But beneath the setting Central Valley sun, goodbye is coming sooner than usual. Ashley Nickels –– the racy, 25-year-old bachelorette –– is doing her final show on 107.9 The End.

“You’re obviously new here,” Nickels says in response to a twitter follower who’s decided to voice displeasure with her jokes.

She’s just sent a tongue-in-cheek tweet alerting her male followers to their last opportunity to “baby mama” her before she leaves town.

Remarks of this nature are typical from night jocks, stewards of the after-dark hours.

But being a women is somewhat beyond the norm for late-night show hosts.

“The stereotype is have a guy at night because girls will want to listen to (him), and that’s cool, but the role I get to take is best friend and big sister,” says Nickels. “I think that’s even more fun, because here’s the thing: I’m gonna’ talk about my period, they’re not. If these girls have questions about sex, hair, makeup, whatever, they can come to me. I make that very well-known and I’m honest.”

That authentic “girl talk” may soon have the same influence on the listeners of 107.3 All The Hits, a mainstream top 40 station in Washington D.C.

Advertisement:

As one might expect, calls, tweets and messages are coming in throughout the show. Since 2011, Nickels has made a lasting impression on thousands of young girls in the area.

Nickels says she’s been surprised at the youth of her Sacramento following, but relates to their position and relishes in the opportunity be a much-needed confidant.

“I’m going through everything they’re going through. I’m not in high school anymore, but I’m still dealing with drama and boys and girl problems,” she says. “When I was growing up and listening to radio we had the morning girl, but we didn’t have a female night jock, so I totally get it and I wish I had something like that, because I realize it’s nice to have somebody that’s a friend, but not your typical friend, not related to mom or dad that you can go and talk to.”

The friendship has moved Nickels as well. Before signing off, she plays Kristinia DeBarge’s “Goodbye,” then wipes away tears as she assures Lexi, her final on-air caller that she will not be forgotten.

The sentimental connection with all of her adopted siblings would likely come as a surprise in hindsight. Nickels moved to Sacramento with no intention of putting down roots.

“I knew I wasn’t gonna’ stay in Sacramento for a long time, so I didn’t really live my life like I was going to live here for a long time ... I don’t even have a dining room table in my house," she says. “My ex-boyfriend would laugh at me and tell me to go buy things for my apartment and I’m like ‘I’m not gonna’ live here forever, I don’t care.'”

Many of Nickels’ listeners are fangirls of Kalin and Myles, a Bay Area R&B duo that has recently seen a groundswell in popularity after performing at a concert hosted by The End. Their rabid fanbase seems to have its own sect of followers who share a mutual tie with Nickels.

“I used to talk to her a lot about Kalin and Miles, but lately we’ve just been talking about life,” says Kira Beltran, a 14-year-old student at Cosumnes Oaks High School. “She’s fun to listen to and she interacts with people a lot on twitter. She really connected with all her listeners, Ashley was amazing.”

After signing off, Nickels spends her last few hours in the studio operating the station’s board (mixing console) for “Club 107.9.” Listeners like Lexi and Beltran are joined by hundreds of others –– sending tweets, leaving comments and posting shared memories on Instagram. A group of Kalin and Miles fans went so far as to  create a special video to commemorate their experiences with Nickels.

“We work in this industry and sometimes I think ‘why?’ because at any moment we could be fired, for any number of reasons,” Nickels reflects. “(But) I just love it … it’s kind of like therapy for me. The listeners make it more fun, because if they’re not talking to you, then what are you really doing this for?”

Corrections:

In the most recent print edition or Urbs Indomita, Ashley's last name is spelled "Nickles" on our cover. This is incorrect.

Her new station was referenced as "The Hits, a rhythmic top 40 station," rather than its correct moniker, "All The Hits, a mainstream top 40 station."

She was reported to be 26 years old, she is 25.

"Myles" was misspelled.

[stephanieh087]

A beautiful day in Sacramento California today.

[selenamariegomezit]

Il nuovo profumo di Justin Bieber : The kay.

Justin Bieber ha pubblicato il video anteprima del nuovo profumo The Key, presentando la sua terza fragranza agli oltre 41 milioni di fan. Justin ha posato per il servizio fotografico di The Key quando si trovava a Copenhagen lo scorso mese di aprile, durante una tappa del Believe Tour in Europa. Il video che Justin ha pubblicato oggi è stato girato proprio nei luoghi del servizio fotografico e mostra Justin alle prese con una modella e in posa davanti all’obiettivo. Il video, che dura solo una manciata di secondi, si conclude con l’annuncio di Justin “La mia nuova fragranza, The Key.”

The Key è stata descritta come una fragranza stimolante che invita a liberare le infinite possibilità di credere nei tuoi sogni. La chiave è stata scelta da Justin per mostrare ai fan la strada per realizzare i propri sogni.

The Key è in vendita negli Stati Uniti presso gli store Macy’s nella confezione da 100ml per 59,50$ o la più piccola da 50ml a 49,50$.

a settembre The Key di Justin Bieber sarà disponibile in Italia nei negozi Sephora! 

[365daysoflovingsacramento]

Day 56: The Crest Theatre  

The Crest Theatre is perhaps my very favorite part about the Kay. It's just so cool and iconic.

The Crest opened it's doors in 1913 as a vaudeville house, and then was transformed into a theatre in the 40's. During the 70's and 80's the crest shut down for some time, and by the mid-90's it was in serious need of a facelift - so it was carefully restored to it's former glory and today it's an exceptionally cool venue for all sorts of events. The theater still shows movies, and is also home to many of the Sacramento film festivals, community events, and festivals. You could even rent it out for your private event if you want (If you do, please invite us. I like going there.).