There is a neat local radio station, KZUM – “community radio.” Basically a little of everything, something like NPR but all done by local - OK call them amateurs – done for the love of something (that is, after all, the epistemology of “amateur”). The other day there was an hour dedicated to pipe organ music. Another day it is an hour of native American drumming. Unfortunately, the political hours are all extremely left-wing, which surely dilutes their influence in a fairly Red state.
The station is having management and funding problems. This past week was their fundraising week, and apparently some of the hours are lucky to get one or two pledges – they keep thanking the same caller again and again but that was the only caller they had. You have to wonder if KZUM at any one time has fifty people tuning in. But still, it is a delightful alternative to what we usualyy have on the radio. The eclectic nature of the offers reminds us of what else is out there.
I am not really into pipe organs, but do like to listen to something different. There are limits — I seem to like the older stuff, whatever that may be. Maybe I am showing biases – surely I am! – but the rap and New Age seems to lack subtlety and “heart”. I am no fan of classical music, but I can appreciate the skill that it takes to get all those elements in sinc, and the technical proficiency of each person in the group.
Rap has a beat that is likely simply repeated endlessly in an electrical loop as a background track without even live musicians playing throughout the musical number. It represents more a comic or political diatribe than a piece of serious music. And what is this thing with guitars! Cannot somebody innovate with something different – imagine what a mandolin or fiddle or hammered dulcimer could contribute to rock and roll! My students bombard me with this on our field trips, and of course they roll their eyes if I suggest some bluegrass or celtic or Mike Oldfield (“Tubular Bells”).
KZUM provides an awareness of what else is out there. The problem of course is that our emphasis on popular culture means that hardly anybody but the few pencil necked geeks who are us – yes that is likely you if you reading this blog! – bothers to listen. I hope they make it, I have sent in my $20, they have bluegrass hour tonight.
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