PORT ARTHUR, Texas — The Museum of the Gulf Coast in Port Arthur is giving artists of the past a new platform to be heard all around the world.
Soon, you'll be able to take the soulful melodies of Barbra Lynn and Janis Joplin everywhere you go with the launch of the Museum of the Gulf Coast Radio Station.
LISTEN | Hear the sounds of the Gulf Coast
The station will begin broadcasting online on Nov. 10.
"All you have to do is say 'Alexa, play Gulf Coast Museum Radio' and it will start playing," said Museum Director Tom Neal.
Neal says 600 songs will be in the cue, highlighting all the artists in the museum's music hall of fame.
"Every radio station has a tight format. They'll play the 60's or the 70's and that's where they're stuck. In our case, we can play anything we want," Neal said.
The best part of it all, is that it's all free.
"If we can shed the light on these musical artists who were the pioneers of music and bring them back to life if you will, through their music, I think we've done a good job," said Veteran Broadcaster Bob Buckalew.
Buckalew, who is a Port Arthur native, pitched the idea to Neal. The two worked at KPAC radio decades ago.
"I met Janis Joplin before she became a superstar," he said.
Now, Buckalew is helping program the station and giving Southeast Texas stars a global stage.
"It's been a pleasure to assist in any way I can. It's such a fantastic museum," Buckalew said. "We see these wonderful displays at the Museum of the Gulf Coast and these fantastic musicians, but we don't always get to hear them."
Neal says the museum's online presence will benefit too.
"People from 33 to 40 states every month come through these doors and so this is the first time we'll be able to advertise to them," Neal said.
You can listen to the station live here.