The following article appears in the June - August '98 issue of FolkNotes.

Radio Alternatives: The Sound of Sandy Creek

By Peter Saulson

Far outside the "public radio ghetto" at the bottom end of the FM band lies an underappreciated gem of Central New York radio - WSCP (Sandy Creek, Pulaski) at 101.7 MHz (also 1070 kHz on the AM band.) Its truly traditional country programming offers much that is of interest to fans of folk and other traditional forms of popular music.

WSCP's low-power transmitters means it will never compete for listeners with bigger stations with their cookie-cutter "hit country" formats, according to Music Director Cathy Puchalski (on-air name "Miss Cathy"). Instead, the station has chosen to offer a mix of music tailored to the tastes of long-time fans of country music. "To many of our listeners, Hank Williams is not dead," is the way Puchalski puts it. In addition to other stars of that earlier era of country music, Emmylou Harris is often featured, as well as some of today's emerging artists on independent labels.

Bluegrass makes up roughly 30 percent of the songs played during regular programming. While most programming is locally produced, WSCP also broadcasts a few syndicated programs that may be of special interest to folk fans. Sunday morning includes "Mountain Folk" and the program "Renfro Valley" comes to listeners from Kentucky, followed by the locally-produced "Bluegrass Jamboree." Monday evening features "American Acoustic Country" from 8 until 9 p.m.

The station rounds out its musical service to the community by producing concerts. Upcoming performers include Stonewall Jackson and Vern Young.

Not everyone in Central New York can easily listen in - WSCP's signal just barely reaches as far south as Syracuse. But for those within range, WSCP provides a welcome source of traditional music.

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