Local radio station building music studio to honor Draylen Mason
As a talented musician, Draylen Mason had a love for music. Now, a local radio station is ensuring that the legacy of the young man lives on, by building a music studio in his name.
Shamika Wilson, Draylen's mother who was also injured in the 2018 bombings, says you could usually find her son with a bass in hand.
She says playing music was his passion. "He always took his energy and channeled it into something positive," Shamika said.
Ann Wilson, KMFA's general manager, says Mason was a regular around the studio. "He played at many KMFA events. He came to our station, we knew him and you could see what a shining talent that was there," she said.
The classical music radio station is ensuring his love for music lives on. At the corner of Comal and Haskell streets will soon be their new headquarters.
Wilson says the new facility will feature a dedicated music studio in Mason's name. "It's incredibly touching that Draylen's family understood how much classical music meant to him, and how much he loved KMFA," she said.
The 20,000 sq. ft building will be replacing the station's previous location off North Lamar.
Wilson says the facility will be more than just a radio station, but a community center. "KMFA being able to honor Draylen Mason says that classic music really is a universal language," she explained. "And our mission is to make it as accessible as possible."
The non-profit launched their 'Dear Music: We love you' campaign Monday in hopes to help raise the remaining money needed to complete the project. "We are at $7.2 million of a $13.5 million goal, so we're over half way there," said Wilson.
His mother, Shamika says knowing her son's legacy will live on means everything. "Music changed Draylen's life, and he would want to share that with as many people as possible," she said.
The facility is scheduled to be completed sometime in August of 2020.
