The following article appears in the Dec. '97 - Feb. '98 issue of FolkNotes.

Radio Report

Separate updates on World Rhythm, Common Threads, and Syracuse Community Radio.

World Rhythm: Giving WAER a New Beat

The world beat show on WAER-FM has changed. Sunday nights at 10 has been the home of an eclectic mix of world music programming for years on Jazz 88. Since August 31, however, audiences have been offered something different.

"We wanted to make Sunday nights more exciting, so we've given World Beat a facelift. We know the listeners are out there, they just weren't responding to the show as it was," says WAER Director of Programming and Operations Ron Ockert.

Ockert worked with recent Syracuse University graduate Evelyn Taylor (at right) to develop the revised playlist. Taylor has hosted the three hour show, subtly renamed World Rhythm since the change. The music for each week's roster includes artists ranging from John Gorka to Johnny Clegg, Joan Armatrading to Joan Osborne, the Gipsy Kings to King Sunny Ade.

This unique blend of music combines world beat with folk and pop, which in the end amounts to Adult Alternative Album (AAA), a growing radio format of its own. Larger markets such as Philadelphia, Boston and Chicago have successful commercial AAA radio stations which air these artists regularly.

"People ask me all the time how I know about artists like Patty Griffin or Daniel Lanois," says Taylor. "I tell them that not every city has such conservative radio as Syracuse has! I owe most of music education to WXPN in Philadelphia where I'm from. On 'XPN you can actually get tired of hearing October Project!"

Syracuse audiences have been reponsive and enthusiastic. Taylor says, "People have actually called to thank me for playing Kelly Joe Phelps and The Story in Syracuse! It's about time these artists got more attention here."

Taylor, a Syracuse Community Radio trustee, recently completed her graduate studies in Television-Radio-Film at S.U.'s Newhouse School of Public Communications. Since then she has been pounding the pavement and admits she has found more promising job prospects in areas of the country other than Central New York.

Taylor plans to relocate as soon as the first of the year, but "WAER hopes World Rhythm will live on," says Ockert. "The risk you take when you hand the reigns of a radio program over to one individual is that when she leaves, the show leaves with her. We're hoping that won't happen whith World Rhythm. We just need to find the right person to replace her."

Taylor says her decision to leave is bittersweet. "I am excited about moving to a larger city with more career opportunity, but leaving Syracuse and World Rhythm won't be easy. I fee fortunate to have been a part of this programming decision at WAER," she says. "And I can't say enough about how great the audience has been. I'll miss the listeners!"

Common Threads Progress Report

Common Threads is growing. The folk and acoustic music show on WAER-FM (88.3) will expand to three hours weekly, beginning January 11, 1998.

Beginning in '98, the program will be broadcast from 2 to 5 pm on Sundays. Since it's debut on July 6, 1997, the show has been airing from 3 to 5 pm.

"This is great news," said the host of Common Threads, Larry Hoyt. "The increase in air-time indicates the faith that the management at WAER has in what we're doing. General Manager Joe Lee, and Program Director Ron Ockert have received a good amount of positive feedback regarding the show, and the response to the pledge drive in October demonstrated that Common Threads has attracted many loyal listeners willing to financially support the show."

Since going on the air, Common Threads has presented a mix of traditional and contemporary folk music, along with selections that showcase today's top singer/songwriters. A typical playlist will include such artists as Tom Paxton, Emmylou Harris, David Massengill, Doc Watson, the Burns Sisters, and Martin Sexton.

"As much as I can, I try to get feedback from the listeners as to what is the right mix of the old and the new, the familiar and the unfamiliar, the expected and the unexpected," Hoyt said. "So far, the response has been incredibly positive and encouraging. What's important now is to spread the word about the show, and to encourage new listeners to check out what's being offered."

Numerous musical guests, including Cliff Eberhardt, Rod MacDonald, and Brooks Williams, have performed "live" on the program. Other artists scheduled to visit the show include Karen Savoca and Pete Heitzman, along with Ilene Weiss (Dec.7); Jane Zell (Dec. 14); Jim Tobey (Dec. 21); and Y'ALL (Jan.4).

"Listeners can call in their requests during the show at 443-WAER (443-9237)," Hoyt said, "but I usually can't stay on the phone for more than 30 seconds at a time. Being a deejay is a lot more hectic than you'd expect. I rarely get a chance to just sit back and listen to the music on the air. Lately, I've been making a tape of the shows off the air so I can listen to them afterwards."

Requests or comments about the show can be sent to Common Threads, WAER, 215 University Place, Syr. NY 13244-2110; or e-mailed to: LarryHoyt@worldnet.att.net.

• See also: An earlier article about Common Threads

Syracuse Community Radio: Big Things in the Air

By Frederick Noyes

Syracuse Community Radio expects the next few months to befilled with more firsts as we eagerly anticipate the approval of our first construction permit from the FCC. This will be followed by five more transmitters and translators that we hope will cover most of Central NY. Our volunteers have been very busy with technical issues in 1997, but expect 1998 to be the year of fundraisers and actual construction of studio space and at least two transmitter locations.

We held another wonderful fundraiser in October at Styleen's with the generous support of Karen Savoca, Pete Heitzman, Bergman Broom and his Ensemble, Eternal Riddim Band, Jeff Bradbury and a very understanding Gary Frenay who drove down from Oswego to perform two songs for us. We greatly appreciate the efforts of these artists as well as those performers at our previous events who understand the importance of our work to build this listener-owned station that will help foster increased appreciation for the regional music community and bring talented artists to Syracuse to play. Karen Savoca emphasized that point when she noted on stage at SCR's fundraiser that her tours have taken her all over the country and that there are alot of terrific radio stations to be found when you leave Syracuse. Karen noted that although there are a handful of programs in Central New York that do spotlight the local music scene, other cities have entire stations devoted to independent music, Singer-Songwriters, Folk, World Beat and alternative programming. This perspective is important to remember. Syracuse is one of the largest cities in the country that has no alternative, college format, or community station. With the regulations revised by the Telecommunications Act of 1996, small independent stations strain to compete against the corporate behemoths. Our window of opportunity is closing rapidly.

Our programming committee is beginning to develop our first draft of a program schedule. This process is likely to take several months and continual adjustment to assure that SCR is providing the best mix of diverse music and informational programming. We are looking for a ratio of approximately 65% music and 35% news, public affairs, and educational programming. Input from our supporters is required to insure that we begin on the right foot. SCR committees meet regularly and welcome your participation. We hope to hear from you.

SCR has accomplished so much, but cannot complete our goals without increased membership and participation. Our Annual meeting is on Thursday, February 5, 1998. Call or check our website for additional meeting times.

Finally, we would like to say a big thank you to Evelyn Taylor who has contributed so much to SCR in the last year and has given us a good reason to listen to the radio again. Evelyn will be sorely missed by everyone who has had the pleasure of working with her in Syracuse. Best of luck Ev.

Call SCR at 446-GROW (4769).

This page maintained by Dana Cooke. E-mail me at djcooke@aiusa.com.