Mary McCaslin's Roundup

Aug 23, 2001

TURN YOUR RADIO ON, Part 1

It was the late Doug Rand, of the Resource Center for Non-Violence, who so clearly illustrated just how much Santa Cruz / Monterey area radio has to offer listeners.

Back in the early 1990s, with the help of KZSC'S Jeff Emery and some other folk music enthusiasts, Doug put together a one page public radio "program guide" listing the names, days and times of all the folk shows heard locally. From time to time, this wonderful guide was updated and may have eventually included Cousin Al's long running Sunday night Bluegrass show on KPIG.

This was only a listing of folk / acoustic radio programs. It was not an attempt to cover all the diverse programming offered on public radio in our listeneing area. That would have taken many pages, and most public stations regularly print their own program guides.

The purpose of this and the next Roundup is to offer an update on the current radio offerings from the public and commercial stations here in our neighborhood. And let me say that these are some "Great Old Days" for local radio.

DIVERSITY

The term "diversity" is often used to describe the variety of programs heard on public radio. A great example of diversity is the kind of program scheduling on KZSC - 88.1 FM, the UC Santa Cruz station. Most of the programmers on KZSC are UC students. A minority of them are non-student community members, such as most of the folk and women's music hosts, and some public affairs programmers.

The students and community members bring all sorts of new music and ideas to the airwaves, some of which are very cutting edge and would only get any exposure on a station like KZSC. Over the years this station has provided invaluable on-air training and experience for many, many beginning music djs and news / public affairs programmers. It's not unusual to witness the blossoming of an unsure novice into a radio pro within a few months of starting out on KZSC.

There is not enough space to mention all of the programs on KZSC, and I must admit that I have not heard every one. Here are some highlights:

KZSC, like the other public stations heard locally, has a great selection of folk / acoustic music shows. Sundays from noon to 3 is Jeff Emery's Backroads (named for the Kate Wolf song), which features lesser known and upcoming singer-songwriters. Closest in content and style to Backroads is Clytia Fuller's Heaven's Bar & Grill, named partially for Steve Meadows' original KZSC program, Meadows' Heaven Bar & Grill. Clytia graces the airwaves each Friday morning from 9 to noon.

Immediately preceding Clytia on Friday mornings is the Bushwackers' Breakfast Club, hosted by Dangerous Dan, Jukebox Jeff and Sleepy John. Some Fridays all three personalities are present, other times one or two of these guys man the air-waves. In any event, it's an early morning on-air free-for-all of commentary, off beat humor and music. The fact that the Bushwackers start at 6 a.m. has to have some sort of effect on those involved, and should be considered as a factor in assessing their sense of humor. At least they have a sense of humor at that hour, which is more than I would be able to muster. Thankfully, my show, the Fat Farm, airs on Thursdays at the civilized time of noon to 3.

As some might suspect, the Fat Farm features a selection of artists and music that could easily have fit into the KFAT format, along with an extensive performance calendar and commentary. (More on KFATand its descendent, KPIG, later.)

Steve Meadows hosts Meadows' Road on KZSC Tuesday afternoons from 3 to 6. He plays "old" folk (great stuff from the 60s and early 70s) and topical songs. All of the folk djs have guests in the studio from time to time. Steve regularly has guests, but not all of them are musicians. His interviews, which are often about political and social issues, are very informative and thought provoking.

One of the most popular programs in the history of local radio is Breakfast in Bed, KZSC's women's music show, airing Sunday mornings from 9 to noon. For many years a collective of women djs has brought the best in all styles of music recorded by women to our neighborhood.

Some of my other personal favorites are: The Golden Road, hosted by Art, Wednesday afternoon from 3 to 6 (the Dead are alive, alive!); Joy in the Morning, hosted by D J Blanco, who puts heart and soul into every program of uplifting Reggae music, Thursday morning 9 to noon; Before the Beatles Invaded (show tunes, classic country and more), 4:30 to 6 Friday afternoon with Sequoia Slim; 2 Bugs and A Roach ( great Blues and R & B), with Clayton, Thursdays following the Fat Farm; Unfiltered Camels (music ranging from north Africa to Mongolia) and The Stars of India (interviews with Vedic Astrologers), Saturday afternoon from 3 to 5 and 5 to 6. Both of these shows are hosted by Dave, who shares his wealth of knowledge with the listener.

A couple more of my favorite programs on KZSC are Turtle Island, airing Sunday evening from 6:30 to 8:30 ( with Native American music, stories and more), and Freedom Flight (songs of Freedom, Struggle and Responsibility), with DJ Sparrowhawk, heard Sunday afternoon from 4 to 6.

KZSC also offers the KPFA News each evening at 6, public affairs programs Greenvoice, the Politics of Social Reality and call in talk show, Talkabout, plus lots of Reggae, Hip Hop, World Music and all kinds of "rock". KZSC may be located up "on the hill" at UCSC, but this station has always been a part of the Santa Cruz / Monterey community.

PURE PORK (It's All Fat to Me)

Not only are we lucky enough to hear four public radio stations on our local airwaves, but we also have the PIG, KPIG - 107 "oink" 5 FM.

It would be hard to imagine that anyone reading this column does not know the sounds of KPIG: Hog Calls, pig grunts, those great fake ads (My favorite is the one for re-conditioned fruit cake.) and , of course, the djs and music. Knowing that so much has been written over the years about KPIG, KFAT, and to a lesser extent, KHIP, I will not attempt to present much in the way of a historical overview. All you need to know is that many years ago a radio station called KFAT started in Gilroy and changed a lot of lives.

If you think this sounds a bit dramatic, consider the fact that there is now a genre of music called Americana and it's enormously popular. Americana ranges from Bluegrass to the Blasters and KPIG is considered by many to be the flagship Americana radio station. Even though the Gavin Report, the big radio industry magazine, did away with its Americana catagory, it's doubtful that much of this type of music programming has been pulled from airwaves around the U.S. The roots of Americana were heard on KFAT.

KFAT was started sometime in the 1970s by a group of people who originally came together at a Texas radio station and eventually brought the Fat message to the heathens of Central California.

When KFAT went under, KHIP emerged and broadcasted from Hollister for a time, but did not last. It seemed pretty hopeless for awhile. Then KPIG rose up like a large pink blimp, riding the airwaves through lots of turbulance and some serious down drafts, but managing to stay afloat long enough to finally thrive.

Believe it or not, KPIG is more refined in its on-air approach than KFAT. Fat Grams have given way to Hog Calls and a lot of the "hard core" Fat music is seldom played on KPIG. Listeners do have a chance to hear some authentic FAT music during the noon "Out to Lunch" request hour on the first Tuesday of each month, now known as Fat Tuesday. I'm sure that I am not alone in wishing that every Tuesday could be Fat Tuesday. One hour of real Fat a month is not enough and I doubt that one hour a week could ever be too much.

KPIG is heard online around the world, through its website (KPIG.com) and a global community of Piggies and Fat Heads has formed, proving once again that music is the international language of friendship. Email greetings and requests come in to the Stye (the KPIG air room) from everywhere everyday.

This excellent and expansive web site has lots of links, great "side projects" and a section of archives. Howard and Roz Larman's legendary Folkscene radio show featuring a selection of their programs originally aired on KPFK (the Pacifica affiliate in Los Angeles) and their new internet version of Folkscene are heard through the KPIG site.

The site is constantly being updated with the latest information, new links and live performances. There is also a KFAT Memories link and I'm sure that the anyone needing to confirm exact dates or years in the histories of KFAT, KHIP or KPIG will find this information somewhere on the site.

My favorite side project is Laura Ellen's Cowboy Cultural Society (cowboyculturalsociety.com), which is a webcast of cowboy and western songs. Like me, Laura loves horses and the west and I'm thrilled that she has found a way get this music out to more people via the internet.

Two other great side projects are Uncle Sherman's Dirty Boogie ("You know, those songs."), found at dirtyboogie.com, and Wild Bill's Radio Paradise (radioparadise.com), which features eclectic, intelligent rock. The Dirty Boogie show can also be heard "live"every Saturday night at 10 on the air or online.

KPIG has always shown a sense of community involvement. I first heard about the fire that nearly destroyed public radio station KAZU on KPIG. Laura Ellen announces animal related events and emergencies, and the annual Humbug Hoedown show in December brings in a truckload of food for the 2nd Harvest Food Bank. Listeners are encouraged to make Hog Calls to express opinions, advertise goods for sale or animals looking for homes, and make public service announcements.

Sunday mornings from 10 am to noon KPIG airs "Please Stand By". This show has become one of the most popular programs on local radio, offering "sampler" performances by mostly acoustic musicians who either have upcoming shows in this area or are just passing through, along with gardening tips and movie reviews. At the microphone are Sleepy John Sandidge and Arden Eaton, who hosted "Arden's Garden" on KAZU for many years before becoming a KPIG regular.

Behind the scenes technical assistance is provided by a dedicated group of music lovers (including dj Dave Bob Nielson), who set up the microphones, focus the Ham Cam, record each performance and help to make it all work..

Sunday evenings from 6 to 9 KPIG presents Cousin Al's Bluegrass show followed by Rand's Blues Bus, which airs from 9 to midnight. Both are tasty treats of great music. Cousin Al, along with Uncle Sherman and of course, Laura Ellen, was one of the original KFAT djs.

To me this wonderful place where we live would never be the same without the Pig. Next month, Turn Your Radio On, Part 2 continues with more about our other great local radio stations. And I hope to be able to finally discover and pass along the true definition of "Pataphysical".

COMING UP

As I mentioned in an earlier column it's not uncommon for musicians to have little or no health coverage. In the next few weeks there will be two benefit concerts for singer Sarah Elizabeth Campbell, who is desperately ill.

Sarah lives in Austin, but lived in the Sierras years ago and has many musical friends from her days in California. Some of those friends will be among the performers playing the Northern California Bluegrass Society's Saturday, August 25 benefit concert at the Brookdale Lodge.

This extravaganza starts at 1 in the afternoon and ends around 11. Featured performers are Hide the Whiskey, the Birch Lake Ramblers, the Sibling Bros., Prune Rooney and Band, the Mighty Avalanche Choir, Fiddlestix, Sidesaddle & Co., Doodoo Wah, Blue Shoes and the Waybacks. Call the Brookdale Lodge for more information.

The second Sarah Campbell benefit will be presented by Snazzy Productions on Saturday, September 15 at the Rio Theatre in Santa Cruz. Performing at this concert are Greg Brown (who also played at Snazzy's Rosalie Sorrels benefit a couple of years ago), Slaid Cleaves and Nina Gerber. Call 479-9421 for information on this show and to find out what else Snazzy has up its sleave.

September promises to be the start of a great fall line-up of concerts. Also on September 15 Isle of Light will be playing at the Kuumbwa in Santa Cruz. This is a wonderful local Celtic band, who is rapidly building a solid reputation. Call 335-2792 or pick up tickets at Sylvan Music.

Speaking of Sylvan Music, they will be presenting an evening of guitar duets by acoustic guitarist Peppino D'Agostino and classical guitarist David Tanenbaum. These are master musicians and their styles blend beautifully. This concert takes place on Thursday, September 20 at the Kuumbwa. Call Sylvan at 427-1917 for ticket information.

And finally, my husband and I will be returning to beautiful Cambria for a sort of second honeymoon the weekend on September 7th through the 9th. Steven See and his Cambria Hoot Concert Series will present the 1st Annual Cambria Hoot Indian Summer Acoustic Music Festival. Freebo (who played bass and tuba with Bonnie Raitt for many years), Darryl Purpose, the April Verch Band, guitarist Dorian Michael, Rani Arbo and daisy mayhem (formerly of Salamander Crossing),cowboy singer Dave Stamey, myself and many other performers will be playing at various locations in and around Cambria. Call (805) 927-7364 for tickets and schedule information.

This sleepy seaside town is on Hwy 1 a few miles south of San Simeon, home of Hearst Castle. Cambria makes me think of what Santa Cruz must have been like a couple of decades ago.

That's it for now. Stay in touch.

Happy trails.

Mary McCaslin can be reached by mail at PO Box 3394, Santa Cruz, CA 95063 or by e-mail at roundup@marymccaslin.com.

Her radio show, the Fat Farm, can be heard Thursdays from noon to 3 p.m. on KZSC (88.1 FM).