Urban Unrest

23 April 2006 | Business, Community, Programming | Ernesto Aguilar

On Saturday morning before I left for Houston, I attended the Future of Music Programming Workshop. It was somewhat interesting, though I felt the presence of syndicated program reps on the panel often detracted from the larger discussion about what stations deal with. Although I appreciate that a show like Putamayo World Music Hour is successful (we’ve even run it on KPFT before), syndicated shows also represent serious and funded competition for local, grassroots, volunteer-inspired music programs. In some cases, that competition is healthy, but in other respects, regional music could be battered down the line by tighter syndie shows that may lack the soul of local volunteers.

For those looking at how to strengthen your music programming, Nico of St. Louis’ KDHX offers the following approach.

Strengthening the core of what you do; know what you do well and the service you provide; Expand the original content that you create. Examples: 3-5 minute segments; in-studio performances. Create content that is unique.

Embed yourself in the music community. It’s less than music and more about community. To remain relevant, you must be more connected. Linking with local artists, being at clubs, understanding trends, etc.

Look at new music channels. Internet is a third channel, accompanying radio and television.

Every area has an identity and culture of its own. Very activist and very involved. The music coming out of these circles and programming feels more alive.

I will post more session notes shortly.

KBOO, Portland’s community radio station, hosted this year’s National Federation of Community Broadcasters conference. In addition to meeting up with old political associates, I enjoyed Portland for the great atmosphere that is KBOO. As a relatively new PD, this trip gave me a chance to formulate new ideas; KBOO is doing a lot of great things.

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