John Aielli

John Aielli (March 7, 1946 − July 31, 2022) was a radio personality known for his long-running show Eklektikos on Austin's public radio station KUT/KUTX. Eklektikos debuted in 1970 and became a staple of Austin's airwaves. Known for its freeform, unpredictable style, the program featured a wide mix of music genres. Aielli, a classically trained baritone, was a top fundraiser for the public radio station and was known for hosting the station's annual holiday singalong at the Capitol.

When he was 8, Aielli's parents moved to Killeen, to be near his mother's family. There Aielli studied piano and sang in the school choir, showing talent in both. He exhibited an interest in classical music, purchasing his first classical record, Mozart's Requiem, at a grocery store.

In 1966, he moved to Austin to attend UT. There Aielli leveraged his broadcasting experience into a job at the public radio station, KUT, which at that time was known as "The Longhorn Radio Network".

In 2012 former Statesman staff writer Joe Gross wrote "... he has a free-ranging mind that can seemingly latch onto any topic and talk about it for 15, 30, 60, 90 seconds at a time."

Health setbacks and death Beginning with a 2012 heart attack, Aielli suffered several health setbacks. He had a stroke in the spring of 2020 after which he stepped back from regular on-air duties at KUTX. 1990 for Best Morning Deejay (or Team) 1991 for Best Morning Deejay (or Team) 1992 tie for Best Morning Deejay (or Team) 1996 for Best Radio Talk Show Host 1997 for Culture, Best Arts Exposure 1998 for Best Radio Talk Show Host 2000 for Best Local Talk Radio Host 2001 for Best Locally Produced Radio Show 2001 tie for Best Morning Radio Host 2002 for Best Morning Radio Host 2003 for Best Morning Radio Host 2006 tie for Best Radio Deejay 2010 for Best Radio Deejay

PBS special: Faders Up In December 2024 the Austin PBS station, KLRU, broadcast a special titled, Faders Up: The John Aielli Experience. KUTX described the special as