Hello everyone,

 

While the purpose for this list is to only notify you about upcoming SFS concerts, I felt it was very important that I send you the following announcement.  PLEASE forward this to anyone you think would help the cause. 

 

Several weeks back, I sent an email asking you to please consider contributing to a great cause, which was the continued improvement of Seattle’s community radio station.  Unfortunately, KBCS is going to be making some serious changes, but they will not be for the better.  KBCS has always taught us that the concept of community radio is to express diversity and individuality.  The changes KBCS is going to make deal more with conforming to something bigger and more generalized rather than improving what they’ve defined as community radio. 

 

The music shows on KBCS are created, programmed, and hosted by many volunteers who bring a great wealth of knowledge, love, and passion for our types of music.  Currently, I’m talking about Jazz and Folk music.  Each program is unique and special in its own way.  With the proposed changes, all of that will go away. 

 

Everyone receiving this email has benefitted by KBCS in several ways, whether you live in the Seattle area or listen from other parts of the United States.  Many of you are musicians (well known and respected, or brand new and beginning to be discovered)who have had their music played on various shows such as “Lunch with Folks” and “Daily Planet.”  Your music has been introduced to a new audience!  You’ve also been interviewed and have had the opportunity to play your music live for the listeners.  Others are promoters who have been greatly helped by those interviews and the effort the programmers make to announce the many diverse concerts.  Finally, all of us have had hours of great pleasure listening to our favorite types of music, as mainstream or as unique as it is.  We’ve been introduced to new acts and continue to enjoy the legends as well.  We have such wonderful and extensive talent in the Pacific Northwest alone, and many of these shows constantly feature it.   That could easily change!

 

The programmers aren’t paid staff working from a building in a different state who then transmit their shows via satellite.  They’re every day people, like us…neighbors, music enthusiasts, and friends.  HOW CAN WE POSSIBLY ALLOW THESE CHANGES???!!  Can we really imagine not having the expertise of Richard Gillman on Tuesdays?  What about the one of a kind interviews and enthusiasm that John Sincock brings to us on Fridays?  Iaan Hughes, Ginger Hopper, and Sean Donovan add to that diversity.  And…if this is only the beginning, what will that mean for the future of weekend and evening shows such as “Our Saturday Tradition”, “Sunday Folks”, “Bluegrass Ramble”, Folksounds, and others?  Do we really want to find out? Of course not!

 

Please read the following announcement and do what you feel is necessary.  Let’s all be serious activists for the station that we all believe in and that has become part of our lives.  Better yet, let’s all be the “community” that makes up our “community” radio station!!  We still want KBCS to be “A world of diverse music and ideas!”

Jim Portillo

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

 

Major Programming Changes Slated for KBCS Community Radio

 

BELLEVUE, Wash., (July 8, 2009) -- Starting in August, the first phase of planned changes at KBCS 91.3 FM will eliminate four hours of music programming each weekday.  Further changes are planned for weekend and weeknight shows in coming months. The richness and diversity of programming will be drastically cut if these plans are carried out.

 

You can help!  By replying as soon as possible, your comments can help preserve music diversity at KBCS.

 

Write to: savekbcs@....

 

Phase 1 - Weekday Program Changes scheduled to take effect in August 2009:

* Drive Time Jazz (7 - 9 a.m.) will be replaced by public affairs.

 

* Morning jazz programs (9 a.m. - noon) will be replaced by a single jazz program with a single paid host.  Gone will be these shows:

  - The Bud & Don Show

  - Bebop Spoken Here

  - 20th Century Jazz

  - Vintage Jazz

  - The Caravan

 

* Lunch With Folks (noon - 3 p.m.) will be replaced with a homogenized, generic "Americana" program with a couple of paid hosts, eliminating the diverse knowledge and expertise of the variety of daily programmers.

 

* Daily Planet (3 - 5 p.m.) will be replaced by news.

 

This first phase of programming changes will result in the elimination of over 20 volunteer hosts along with their formidable knowledge, expertise, and passion for the music of their respective genres, to be replaced by two to four paid DJs.

 

Voice your comments now!  Tell us what you think about these proposed changes.

Write to: savekbcs@...

 

* Would these changes make KBCS less valuable to you?

* Are you a member/supporter/volunteer?

* How would these changes affect your participation and support?

 

Please pass the word to anyone who likes jazz, folk, world, or other eclectic music found on KBCS.

Visit www.savekbcs.org for current details. Thanks!

 

About SaveKBCS:

SaveKBCS is a group of long-time volunteers and financial supporters of KBCS who want to save what we value most about our community radio station.

SaveKBCS is not affiliated with KBCS 91.3 FM Radio.

SaveKBCS is not affiliated with Bellevue College.

 

Contact: savekbcs@...

Website: www.savekbcs.org

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