Roundup: “On-Air Magic”
November 5th, 2024
From the less messy desk of Amanda Eichstaedt…
| Last week we talked about Community Connection, and sticking with the theme of what KWMR is all about and what you value about the work that is done here – today we are going to ponder the On-Air Programming. Emergency Information brought me to the KWMR studio. I remember that day so well. Coming up to Point Reyes Station after the roads had drained and we could once again travel from village to village. I went up to KWMR to get my emergency radio from Richard Dillman. I knew nothing about KWMR, nor who this Richard character was, but I was hell bent on getting that radio. You see, at the time I was an innkeeper (a stint I did full-time between 2004 and 2010). My friends joked that I was a lot like Martha Stewart, making muffins and entertaining inn guests. Yep, I always replied, “I’m just like Martha Stewart, I’m on house arrest.” I walked into KWMR and was blown away! I have seen this same experience many times over the years. People come in and are met by smiling employees and programmers, and the colorful array of CDs in the racks, fun posters, and even a disco ball.I soon became one of over 90 volunteers producing shows for this local gem. I did a show about the local economy where I talked about “slow money” and buying locally, but the draw to do music shows was always there. I started subbing in for later evening music shows, often following Jimmy G.’s “Megalomedia Melange.” I was in awe of how he could blend the tunes and use sound effects. A master of the airwaves. I was also a HUGE fan of the Fairfax Funkateer, Shorty, and Kay Clements. Such great shows! But I got my break when Will Minor, host of “Foggy Ridge Music” took a sabbatical and I sat in. It was January 8, the shared birthday of Elvis Presley and David Bowie. I could not find any Elvis tunes at KWMR. I asked my friend Mike Varley if he had any Elvis tunes (he did) and invited him to bring them down to the station to join me. I was just throwing spaghetti at the wall, playing new releases, and whatever I could find. I was not a music expert by any means. We played something by Ruby Dee and the Snakehandlers. The CD said it was the “Bakersfield Sound,” and the tune was great. I asked Mike live on the air if there was a Fresno Sound. We soon got a call saying that we sounded pretty stupid to not know about the Bakersfield Sound. Well, that did it. Two weeks later, still covering for Will’s sabbatical, we brought a full on Bakersfield Sound show to the airwaves. It was well received, and 17 years later we are still hosting “Bakersfield and Beyond.” And Mike has hosted “Running With Scissors” for over 10 years! You see, you don’t have to be an expert, you just have to be willing to give it a go! And Ruby Dee and her Snakehandlers close out “Bakersfield and Beyond” every other week. Some people bring a vast knowledge of their subject matter to the KWMR airwaves, such as “In the Coastal Garden,” “The Farm and Foodshed Report,” “West Marin Naturalist Hour,” or “The Coffee and Whiskey Hour.” Other programmers are willing to go out on a limb and interview experts in their fields like Raul Gallyot, Julie Motz, Lyons Filmer, and Vickisa. While others read you books, throw down sounds from the natural environment, play many genres of music, or cover local news and information. Program Director Jeff Manson is doing a great job lowering the hurdles to getting on the airwaves, whether it is for an interview about something cool going on, or to learn the ropes and operate the console and do their own show! There are a LOT Of shows on KWMR, and I only mentioned just a few in this column, so check out the schedule and the archives and explore what your fellow community members are up to. You might be surprised, appalled, or even inspired by what you hear on KWMR! I love every minute of it, from the filler tunes, the underwriters, the emergency alerts, and all of the programming, even some “dead air” once in a while, to mix it up. So, if you are a fan of any of our amazing On-Air Programmers, please show them some love via our fundraiser for the KWMR End of Year Appeal, below: |
| DONATE TO KWMR’S END-OF-YEAR APPEAL We need to keep the funds flowing in order to keep the CD’s not skipping, and the utilities paid, the insurance covered, and the rent (we love our home in the Creamery Building).Thank you for your support of KWMR!Amanda Eichstaedt Station Manager & Executive DirectorEnd-Of-Year Appeal progress as of 3pm today ⬇ |
End-Of-Year Appeal progress as of 3pm Tuesday November 6th ⬇
