Support KUAC-FM
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
KUAC-FM offers listeners continuing education every day
Wednesday, October 19, 2005 - PUBLIC SERVICE: KUAC-FM offers the finest news and public affairs programming available on the radio in Fairbanks.
That's one reason why I'm glad to support our public radio station, which is holding its annual pledge drive through Sunday.
My favorite shows are "Morning Edition" and "All Things Considered," morning and afternoon offerings on which issues of public policy and culture are explored in depth for four hours a day.
They are daily newsmagazines, covering everything from politics to movies and sports. As a source of continuing education, I find them invaluable.
The shows are informative and entertaining and if you haven't done so already, I encourage you to tune to 89.9FM to hear what I mean.
For me, these thought-provoking programs alone are enough to justify supporting KUAC. But listener contributions are a key to keeping them on the air, along with "Talk of the Nation," "Fresh Air," "Marketplace," "Performance Today" and others.
Contributions can be made by calling 474-5822 or going on the Web at www.kuac.org.
KUAC has been a vital part of Fairbanks since it began sending out a signal on Oct. 1, 1962, with opening remarks by University of Alaska President William R. Wood and announcements by fledgling broadcaster Larry Holmstrom, who introduced Beethoven's "Emperor Concerto."
Fairbanksans were advised back then that "special radios are needed to receive the broadcasting" because "normal radios owned by most people will not receive FM broadcasting."
Normal radios have long since added the FM band and KUAC, the first local FM station, is recognized as providing a public service to Alaskans in our part of the state, as well as to those who listen on translators in Nome, Tok, Eagle, Healy, Nenana, Delta, Central, Circle Hot Springs and Bettles.
There are other stations from Haines to McGrath and Valdez that pick up programs regularly from KUAC.
Fairbanks is a better place because of KUAC and while I don't listen to every program, I do listen every day and I always hear something that enriches my life.
For instance, while driving to the airport Sunday afternoon, I heard the bittersweet tale on "This American Life" of the two comics who had their big break on the Ed Sullivan Show. Unfortunately they were booked on the night the Beatles debuted.
On Tuesday, while driving to work I heard a law professor talk about the trial of Saddam Hussein and the legal maneuvering that is likely to take place.
KUAC is on the air 168 hours a week and the mix of programming is more varied than that of any other station in Fairbanks, with shows devoted to many musical tastes.
On evenings and weekends the station is staffed mainly by volunteers, many of whom bring their own CDs and albums to share with the audience.
The station could not continue to provide so much local content without the steady commitment of its volunteers.
I was asked recently by KUAC volunteer Murray Richmond, the former pastor of the University Community Presbyterian Church, to serve on a community task force to help the station develop better communication and build partnerships for the future.
As I said, I believe in KUAC and I agreed to be part of that effort.
The group will investigate opportunities to set up a "community input committee," mobilize volunteers and identify important local issues. These are all worthy goals.
Another good idea is that the station is going to start a weekly public commentary section, sort of a "letters to the editor" on the air. Guidelines for submission are posted at www.kuac.org.
* * *
HELPING OUT: One of the longtime volunteers at the station is my brother Pat, who has hosted various programs for many years.
For several years during the KUAC pledge drive, my twin brother and I have joined him on "Any Old Time," making a pitch for contributions from listeners.
We plan to do that again Saturday from 7 to 9 p.m. "Any Old Time" is the longest-running program produced by volunteers, devoted to folk, country and bluegrass music.
Each year we've had a loose theme of some kind. Last year we argued about whether Bob Dylan is the most overrated man of the 20th century, which is what my brother Terrence believes, although he is mistaken. We've also delved into truck driving songs, Texas tunes and the work of John Prine.
This year we've had a lot of familial debate about the theme of the show. At first it was to be "novelty songs." The ideas that popped into my mind were Lorne Greene doing "As Time Goes By" and William Shatner's take on "Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds," which some say may be the worst song in recording history. The next idea that popped into my mind was that no one would listen.
Now the scene has shifted and we might explore the psychology of country and folk music, touching on the Dionysian urge, the fundamental incompatibility of men and women and the influence of Jean Paul Sartre.
In other words, we'll be playing Merle Haggard, George Jones, Billie Joe Shaver, Roger Miller, Tennessee Ernie Ford, Greg Brown and Lucinda Williams.
I hope you'll tune in Saturday at 7 p.m. and call us with your pledge.
KUAC-FM offers listeners continuing education every day
Wednesday, October 19, 2005 - PUBLIC SERVICE: KUAC-FM offers the finest news and public affairs programming available on the radio in Fairbanks.
That's one reason why I'm glad to support our public radio station, which is holding its annual pledge drive through Sunday.
My favorite shows are "Morning Edition" and "All Things Considered," morning and afternoon offerings on which issues of public policy and culture are explored in depth for four hours a day.
They are daily newsmagazines, covering everything from politics to movies and sports. As a source of continuing education, I find them invaluable.
The shows are informative and entertaining and if you haven't done so already, I encourage you to tune to 89.9FM to hear what I mean.
For me, these thought-provoking programs alone are enough to justify supporting KUAC. But listener contributions are a key to keeping them on the air, along with "Talk of the Nation," "Fresh Air," "Marketplace," "Performance Today" and others.
Contributions can be made by calling 474-5822 or going on the Web at www.kuac.org.
KUAC has been a vital part of Fairbanks since it began sending out a signal on Oct. 1, 1962, with opening remarks by University of Alaska President William R. Wood and announcements by fledgling broadcaster Larry Holmstrom, who introduced Beethoven's "Emperor Concerto."
Fairbanksans were advised back then that "special radios are needed to receive the broadcasting" because "normal radios owned by most people will not receive FM broadcasting."
Normal radios have long since added the FM band and KUAC, the first local FM station, is recognized as providing a public service to Alaskans in our part of the state, as well as to those who listen on translators in Nome, Tok, Eagle, Healy, Nenana, Delta, Central, Circle Hot Springs and Bettles.
There are other stations from Haines to McGrath and Valdez that pick up programs regularly from KUAC.
Fairbanks is a better place because of KUAC and while I don't listen to every program, I do listen every day and I always hear something that enriches my life.
For instance, while driving to the airport Sunday afternoon, I heard the bittersweet tale on "This American Life" of the two comics who had their big break on the Ed Sullivan Show. Unfortunately they were booked on the night the Beatles debuted.
On Tuesday, while driving to work I heard a law professor talk about the trial of Saddam Hussein and the legal maneuvering that is likely to take place.
KUAC is on the air 168 hours a week and the mix of programming is more varied than that of any other station in Fairbanks, with shows devoted to many musical tastes.
On evenings and weekends the station is staffed mainly by volunteers, many of whom bring their own CDs and albums to share with the audience.
The station could not continue to provide so much local content without the steady commitment of its volunteers.
I was asked recently by KUAC volunteer Murray Richmond, the former pastor of the University Community Presbyterian Church, to serve on a community task force to help the station develop better communication and build partnerships for the future.
As I said, I believe in KUAC and I agreed to be part of that effort.
The group will investigate opportunities to set up a "community input committee," mobilize volunteers and identify important local issues. These are all worthy goals.
Another good idea is that the station is going to start a weekly public commentary section, sort of a "letters to the editor" on the air. Guidelines for submission are posted at www.kuac.org.
* * *
HELPING OUT: One of the longtime volunteers at the station is my brother Pat, who has hosted various programs for many years.
For several years during the KUAC pledge drive, my twin brother and I have joined him on "Any Old Time," making a pitch for contributions from listeners.
We plan to do that again Saturday from 7 to 9 p.m. "Any Old Time" is the longest-running program produced by volunteers, devoted to folk, country and bluegrass music.
Each year we've had a loose theme of some kind. Last year we argued about whether Bob Dylan is the most overrated man of the 20th century, which is what my brother Terrence believes, although he is mistaken. We've also delved into truck driving songs, Texas tunes and the work of John Prine.
This year we've had a lot of familial debate about the theme of the show. At first it was to be "novelty songs." The ideas that popped into my mind were Lorne Greene doing "As Time Goes By" and William Shatner's take on "Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds," which some say may be the worst song in recording history. The next idea that popped into my mind was that no one would listen.
Now the scene has shifted and we might explore the psychology of country and folk music, touching on the Dionysian urge, the fundamental incompatibility of men and women and the influence of Jean Paul Sartre.
In other words, we'll be playing Merle Haggard, George Jones, Billie Joe Shaver, Roger Miller, Tennessee Ernie Ford, Greg Brown and Lucinda Williams.
I hope you'll tune in Saturday at 7 p.m. and call us with your pledge.
posted by PC at 8:42 AM
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