WSRO/let's be civil.../community radio...

[ASchinella <ASchinella@aol.com>]

I have been busy doing term papers this week so I haven't had all the time to
pipe in on this issue right away. Please forgive me for playing catch up now. 

Originally the poster wondered if one of us out would be willing to contact
Langer and offer our "knowledge" and "services" to program WSRO (or whatever
station gets bought in the area). This is actually a great idea; and I can say
in fact that I contacted Langer a couple of years ago when I first read in one
of the trades that he was buying stations in the area (It was either WJLT 1060
or the move of WRPT 650 from NH, I don't exactly remember). 

I sent him a written proposal to do a mix of local/syndicated talk format;
stuff that wasn't being heard in Boston and in my opinion is badly needed (ie:
Jim Hightower). I never did hear back from him but I can say I might have had
some influence on him since he has adapted some of my ideas at WRPT (albeit
with a more conservative slant in opinion then I was offering to programming).

As I have said in other posts, I think it is important to return to local
radio, which is why I brought up to the list the idea of a
community/collectively owned AM station -- of which I was invited to discuss
the topic for two shows on "LTAR" with Jibguy and of which some of you listers
have ridiculed me for in private email... sorry, I will always be an idealist
- --  with like-minded people interested in doing quality radio, whatever the
format. 

As I said on the "LTAR," it is easy for me to speculate, as someone who has
only worked in community radio and not actually owned a station. But I think
it warrants further discussion. 

I also made reference to the fact that I know many DJs/talk hosts who do air
for free at the small community run FMs in the area. So what makes anyone
think they wouldn't be willing to do the same thing for a little bit of cash
or for free on an AM? If you are going to hire board ops at some un-Godly low
wage to run your little AM station, why not hire them to do a bit of
programming too? Sure, some modifications would need to be made, but it has
been done before and it can be done now. When I did my two hour, weekly talk
show at WMFO (for 4 years btw; Tufts community radio), I did all the booking
of guests, programming, board mixing, talking and took live on-air phone calls
at the same time (I am not saying I am brilliant, just making the point that
it can be done...). I did the same thing when I was doing my two hour show at
WUNR last year too. So, it can be done if a bunch of people have the interest
and desire to do this type of programming. It is being done now on the FM. 

More of my $2. 

Tony

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