Paging Dr. Bass

[grantchester]

Hey Robert;
I've always wondered about the unique situation of a school district running a major market radio station with a format consisting of tunes recorded decades before the students involved were born. Please don't misunderstand, I'm not slamming what you do... but it seems with all the talk of young people abandoning radio, why doesnt KEOM work with the students to create programming that would be of interest to teens? Once again, I'm not criticizing, but wouldn't it serve the educational mission of the station to involve students in creating and marketing a format, rather than training them for 7 dollar an hour announcer jobs?
I bet if you exposed the kids to a wide spectrum, from Big Band to Be-Bop, from Blues to Bluegrass with stops along the classical, ragtime, jazz and other genre's, they might be able to reveal what their peers would respond to.
G

 

[Robert Bass]

Dr. Bass? ??? Yeah right Try "College drop-out Bass" ;D 2+2=6, right? RIGHT???? ;D

Anyway, the simple answer to your question is, the students are not KEOM's target audience. KEOM's demo is basically the 25 - 54 parents, or 30's 40's and 50's if you follow Dr. G's logic.

FWIW many years ago we did have students programming blocks on Friday afternoons after school. It began as the student triple take, when Mesquite ISD had only 3 high schools. Now of course it's five, and well it's just harder to do. Then there's the fact that Dr. G is very big on consistancy... I'm having a hell of a time as it is trying to persuade him to phase in some 80's, in an efforrt to bring up the weak 25 - 34 and flat 35 - 44 demos.

I would love to see the kids do their own programming, and that might actually become a reality if KEOM ever goes HD. But with all the uncertainties and expenses involved, I just can't see it happening anytime soon.

R

 

[grantchester]

...or, in the words of Maynard G. Krebs: WORK!
I guess my question should be directed towards your superior, but I can't see how the expense of running the station serves the district with the current format. I don't think the taxpayers are paying their school taxes in hopes of getting musical entertainment in return... but then I don't live in Mesquite, so I can't tell.
Radio is a potentially powerful communications tool. I'd love to see a situation where chances can be taken, where new ideas can be developed, and the broadcasting leaders of tomorrow can get their feet wet.
But then again, the '70s were probably our cultural high water mark, and should be celebrated...
carry on.
G

 

[Robert Bass]

The best way to explain the station's purpose is this: Communiity Service mixed with student DJ training (they do a lot of behind the scenes learning, in addition to basic board op skills). This is accomplished with the non musical elements like Community Focus, Earth & Sky and Kplex's favorite The Recipe File. The music is just filler in between these programs.

R

 

[MikeShannon914]

I'm having a hell of a time as it is trying to persuade him to phase in some 80's

Yes, I heard your "message" to Dr. Griffin just this morning...a song called "Are You Ready for the 80s?" by the Village People. I had to chuckle when I heard that! (And it's the first time I've heard that song since about 1979.)

And some nice 'mixing it up' going on now at KEOM...I'm hearing a bigger variety of songs now. Hmmm, what a concept...to take a 300-600 song playlist and swap out some songs now and then. You keep a set number of songs, but you trade out some as time goes. I think that's the idea all of us have tried to hone in on to tell KLUV.

 

[RobertB]

I always assumed that the reason for making the kids program music that predates their existence was simply a way of preparing them for a job in radio. I'm not "in the biz", but I've picked up a bit from hanging around this board, working a bit with KHYI, and reading all the cartoons at KRUD.com. The overriding message is that if you have a job in radio, you'd better feel lucky that you have a job at all... and the chances of having the luxury to spin your favorite wax trax are exceedingly low.

You're a hardcore punk fan? Chances are your resume will be accepted by WRR. You've got a great ear for independent artists and can't stand the RIAA? Congratulations, Clear Channel has a job for you at a cookie-cutter pop station playing the same 20 songs over and over.

I figure if the kids are playing music to which they have no connection, and doing it well, then they're halfway to accepting their fate working at a station whose format has nothing in common with their interests. And if that idea drives them nuts, then they have a chance to reconsider that major in Communications, and can focus on something with better career options. Basket weaving, perhaps.

 

[Robert Bass]

Yes, I heard your "message" to Dr. Griffin just this morning...a song called "Are You Ready for the 80s?" by the Village People. I had to chuckle when I heard that! (And it's the first time I've heard that song since about 1979.)

Mike,

That song is not being used as a personal message for Dr. Griffin.

R

 

[MikeShannon914]

You're missing your usual array of ;D 's, so I assume you're serious. Please accept my apologies. I know I'M ready for some 80s, myself.

 

[KPLEXCOMPLEX]

Actually in my day of junior college and University radio,students ran the station from station manager on down. The GM was a faculty member usually a Grad student on the University level.The students ran the Public affairs programs..subject,guest,host. Local News was done the same way,plus the music selection.Sports at times was handled by the Legend himself Bill Mercer BUT he would turn the Mic over to students to do play by play plus color. He made them an equal.
KEOM should allow the students to do a local newscast,in order to develop journalism skills,and announcing. Dr.Griffin should step back from PA programs and get the students to do it,by learning how to research the subject, develop interviewing and announcing skills. Finally as i said before the students should at least talk between every two songs, be it a PSA, or a promo,and announce titles of songs,etc,againt to develop announcing skills.
KEOM is a rare gem,that can be better if given a chance and allow students a more proactive role.

 

[Robert Bass]

There is a lot of off-air learning the students undergo throughout the school year. News writing is one of those lessons, as are voice lessons, FCC regulations and so on. Each six weeks period is devoted to a specific level of skills. That's just in the Radio I class. the Radio II class is, 'A whole 'nother animal" (oh dear, did I just steal that slogan??? )

As is often the case, the speed of which students pick up and master each levvel of skill, varies from student to student. Personally I think college radio is where more freedom would work better, especially since I would suspect college radio students have a little more scheduling freedom to spend extra time in the studio. The Mesquite Schools run on the A / B class days, and each class has anywhere from 5 to 7 students. Essentially I suspect the limited class time restricts the amount of luxery the students have to learn.

I can see how it's easy for someone on the outside looking in, regarding what the students should be doing. As an insider though, I can tell you if something you think the students should be doing, chances are they already are. If something is not being done that you feel should be, there is likely a very legit reason why.

R

 

[pqgeorge]

Robert Bass is doing an excellent job running KEOM/88.5. It was a favorite preset for me until the "copyright police" (RIAA, SoundExchange et.al.) made it financially impossible for KEOM to continue streaming on the net. Hey, running non-commercial FM radio station does not necessarily mean you have to broadcast a non-mainstream format. I like what KEOM is doing with it's unique 70's oldies format. In fact, KEOM was a major influence for me to start up my own FM non-comm here in Massachusetts, WXRB-FM/95.1, Dudley, MA. Here at 'XRB, we specialize in Rock and Roll's FIRST 25 years (1954-1979), commercial free and in Stereo. We play songs the major oldies stations won't touch anymore (you know....."demos are too high", baloney). In addition, we run old time radio shows on Sunday nights and run Jean Shepherd Shows as well, Sunday late-nights. I've got nothing against NPR, jazz, classical or alternative formatted stations. But it's nice to know that there are some other small stations out there who want to entertain the masses without trying to "sell them something". I enjoy what I do and as long as our growing audience enjoys what we do, "we're happy as a clam". All the best to KEOM and Mr. Bass! And PLEASE get KEOM back on the web soon.
Thanks!


Peter Q. George (K1XRB)
Pres., General Manager WXRB-FM
Dudley, Massachusetts

http://www.geocities.com/wxrbfm

 

[rbrucecarter5]

The best way to explain the station's purpose is this: Communiity Service mixed with student DJ training (they do a lot of behind the scenes learning, in addition to basic board op skills). This is accomplished with the non musical elements like Community Focus, Earth & Sky and Kplex's favorite The Recipe File. The music is just filler in between these programs.

I always found my trainees astonishingly good - and this was in the days with CD's, before workstations and the music library on a server. Some of my trainees were offered top dollar by other stations, so the churn rate was pretty high.

 

[KPLEXCOMPLEX]

MY comment was NOT a knock on Robert and his efforts. He is knows that. I feel what you learn in th class room is fine,but its better actually open a mic and produce shows where the real education comes in. For several years back in the 70's UT students could not even touch the board on air or production wise UNLESS they transferred in from another college where they had a station or were at a junior grade level. This was detremental to the learning process,they soon woke up and discovered. I am not advocating every student should open the mic right off the bat or do the production,but ease up,and let those who display a knack for it,be allowed to talk and produce shows.

 

[Robert Bass]

MY comment was NOT a knock on Robert and his efforts. He is knows that.

But thou can knock on wood as thou heart desires ;D

R