We are all agreed that the current format of Houston Pacifica radio station KPFT does not serve the community well.
So what are the options?
(a) Return to the Past Successes of KPFT.
In our last issue, we reminded readers that KPFT used to broadcast in 11 languages and program to all of the music tastes and communities of Houston. In this issue, HellPope Huey and Rafael Renteria both present that vision as a possibility for KPFT's future as well.
But this approach has more than its share of detractors. The most vociferous are those who think such an approach is financially untenable. These folks seem to believe that KPFT will become instantly bankrupt the moment a non-English word is uttered on air. I disagree. I been involved in several stations where foreign-language programming was a big money-maker because it engaged the involved (and affluent) members of each of those communities. Sadly, in each case, NPR-style managers removed these programs to run Car Talk and other "NPR-lite" fare). Currently, WORT in Madison, WMBR in Boston and WMNF in Tampa remain excellent models of successful volunteer-based progressive community radio stations that make a diverse music and community affairs mix work.
The other criticism of a diverse programming schedule is encapsulated in the epithet "balkanization". The Houston Press radio columnist
John Nova Lomax responding to our last issue of HRR, rightly bemoaned KPFT's current poor qualities, agreeing that "much of the station's liberal/ progressive and musically adventurous edge has been lost". But then commented, "Ganter is correct when he claims the station was balkanized back in the 1980s." I remind Mr. Lomax that the Balkans were/are a caldron of ethnic hate and warring. An image that has nothing to do with Lew Hill's vision of conflict resolution and community building. This approach found its truest expression in the 1980's diverse programming of KPFT. Houston radio has not seen anything like it since.
(b) The WAMC Model: Linking the Common Interests of the Community
Every time I travel to Upstate New York or Vermont to ski or rock-climb, I am impressed to hear the public radio network emanating out of WAMC/Albany. This powerhouse of 10 FM stations and repeaters broadcasts a full schedule of local news/talk/public affairs/local music to its predominantly rural/small town audience in 4 states.
For those of you who don't venture East, this "upstate" area was once the center of the universe. Back when cheap hydropower turned the turbines of 19th century industry, the mill towns of the Hudson and Connecticut Rivers were prosperous and populous. Then textile manufacturing moved to Southern states and chemical manufacturing went overseas, leaving this mountainous area poor and isolated. The area fell into decline.
But WAMC and its network of stations have been an important force in the area's resurgence in the last 10 years. The station's programming has helped stimulate the explosion of fine arts in the area (in Saratoga, North Adams, Tanglewood and Jacob’s Pillow). WAMC has also used local bureaus to seek out issues of importance to specific segments of its far-flung listenership. In my short visit in August, I heard in-depth reporting on timber issues, PCB dredging in the Hudson, electoral reform, water quality and ethnic diversity issues.
WAMC is not without its problems, having become too much of a personality cult for its loud-mouth station manager Alan Shartock. But it is a great model for KPFT. With a little vision and organization, our station could serve as the defining voice for a network of community and college stations throughout the Gulf coast. KPFT could be setting (and reflecting) the debate on all sorts of issues that are not currently being covered in Houston media.
(c) Broadcasting the Real Sound of Texas.
At Houston Radio Report, we like KPFT's DJ Larry Winters not just because he is slyly subversive but because he is an authentic voice. He's the local guy who gives you snapshots of long-forgotten events and history behind the Texas music he plays. The drive-time paid jocks at KPFT seemed so worried about missing their marks for traffic and weather that nothing authentic ever slides through at all. This is synthetic broadcasting not worthy of even good commercial radio.
Radio is all about personality and if KPFT wants to succeed it should probably starting looking for more engaging voices that reflect the community. Indeed, some of the most successful public radio stations in the land have worked this blend of strong and engaging personalities and a local focus. Top among them is Santa Monica's KCRW which mixes diverse music programming with quintessential SoCal personalities like Harry Shearer, Nic Harcourt and Warren Olney.
There is no reason why KPFT couldn't follow one of these models or create a hybrid that is both exciting to listen to and meets the needs of our expanding and diverse community. Improving KPFT's quality requires vision, energy, volunteer input and (in my opinion) a change in leadership at the station. For those who care about great radio, the models are out there. Listen up to any of these stations mentioned here and join the movement to bring great radio back to Houston. Anything is better than today's irrelevant and unlistenable "Sound of Texas."
