19 Comments:
Where did Thorn go? Why did Thorn go?
»» Submitted by »»» indyr at 1:41 AM on October 18
I was wondering the same thing...
»» Submitted by Chris at 9:18 AM on October 18
Didn't Thorn get the boot a while back? Something about "anger management issues?"
»» Submitted by noodleman at 9:43 AM on October 18
SHUT UP!
»» Submitted by Thorn at 10:35 AM on October 18
I miss Thorn, too. Though I pretty much liked Bill DeVille as a fill in. You can learn a lot listening to that guy.
I haven't made up my mind about Barb yet...early on, the stuff I was hearing was sort of snorry and sedate, and she talked too much. She seems to be mixing it up more lately and throwing some rock in there. One thing I have heard her do several times that makes me cringe is talk over the end of a song. This sounds very tacky and "top 40 DJ." For the love of god, STOP.
»» Submitted by Tib at 10:36 AM on October 18
Maybe this has been discussed here before, but, why are my tax dollars being used to pay for a music station? I mean, I reluctantly bought into the concept of public radio considering their mission seemed to be solely public discourse, but music? Why aren't they competing in the advertising-supported music station marketplace like everyone else? So it's only 11% ... it's still millions. We could be feeding the homeless or something with that money, instead of paying pretend business people big salaries.
Actually, your taxpayer dollars don't fund it. Most funding for public radio comes from contributions from private foundations and individual gifts/memberships. Only a fraction comes from the NEH, NEA and CPB, and they often fund very restrictive programming, not general operations. As for the Current, most of the funding thus far has come from private donations and memberships. So, no, you can't feed the homeless with that money. Were a station like the Current to enter the commercial market, it would be beholden to stakeholders, playlists, publicists, and all the other crap that comes with being a commercial station. Being non-commercial affords a station a certain amount of creative freedom. Moreover, the primary function of the Current, beyond playing cool music, is to loop a new, younger audience into public radio and, ultimately, the public discourse it generates. If you can think of a better way to get an apathetic 17-year-old to tune into NPR, please bring it to the table.
This is all, of course, only one girl's opinion, but I hope it's helpful.
»» Submitted by Jac at 10:59 AM on October 18
Moreover, the primary function of the Current, beyond playing cool music, is to loop a new, younger audience into public radio and, ultimately, the public discourse it generates.
Ah, I thought so. Kind of like Radio Free Europe, eh?
Kind of like Radio Free Europe, eh?
If you want to talk about government-funded radio, let's talk about Radio Free Europe ... and Radio Marti, too.
»» Submitted by noodleman at 11:39 AM on October 18
The goal is to spread Liberalism...on your dime Mazaspaza!!!
»» Submitted by Raindog66 at 12:33 PM on October 18
I'm a little sad that DeVille was bumped off. I enjoyed him. And I'd say Jill Reilly would have been a good replacement as well.
I wonder who their trying to draw to the station. At this timeslot, I guess it seems they're playing for people at work...probably early-30s. That would explain all the mid-90s stuff being played. Which usually makes me cringe, personally.
And can I call for a moratorium on Johnny Cash and Al Green for at least a month or so?
»» Submitted by jacob at 12:29 PM on October 18
As far as I know, Bill DeVille is still there. Ever since the station started, he's been the master of odd jobs, taking all sorts of strange time slots. Heh, he probably should have stayed in a single time slot, but he's still got a regular weekend spot and probably is the first person to fill in when others are out for one reason or another.
I don't know why Thorn left other than the fact his contract was up. I liked his stuff, but he did have some pretty strange/marginally offensive things pop out of his mouth sometimes. I know there was one moment that I figured was a cannable offense, but MPR's official response was "we don't comment on personnel issues," so I can't say if that was the reason. But, he also had some very funny moments too. My favorite occurred once after playing a techno/trancey tune—he came on after it and said "Oops. Dropped my glow-stick."
Maybe you had to be there...
»» Submitted by »»» mulad at 1:39 PM on October 18
And can I call for a moratorium on Johnny Cash and Al Green for at least a month or so?
Absolutely not. Johnny Cash and Al Green should be played AT LEAST once a day on every station.
But the Current isn't really going for the early 30's crowd. I would guess they are going more for the "Indie" crowd, which really encompasses a wide range of ages.
»» Submitted by Peter at 1:45 PM on October 18
But the Current isn't really going for the early 30's crowd. I would guess they are going more for the "Indie" crowd, which really encompasses a wide range of ages.
Oh, for sure. I'm just talking about the 9-12 timeslot. I find myself, 22, liking Mark Wheat's playlist better than what they play during the workday. And I think it has something to do with the timeslot, more than the DJ.
But I agree with you on the wide range thing. My parents love The Current.
»» Submitted by jacob at 1:52 PM on October 18
Oh, for sure. I'm just talking about the 9-12 timeslot. I find myself, 22, liking Mark Wheat's playlist better than what they play during the workday. And I think it has something to do with the timeslot, more than the DJ.
Could be true - I am 27 myself, and find that I like most of what Barb plays in the morning. Not all of it, but a lot. But I also really like what Wheat and Lucia play as well. But you might be on to something with regards to the time slot...
»» Submitted by Peter at 2:19 PM on October 18
mark what bugs the shit out of me. he drops a pause inbetween every... single.... word... he... utters
»» Submitted by -- at 9:46 AM on October 19
Why did Thorn get fired? Why won't anyone 'fess up. Come on all you hipsters, you probably know but won't say. Anyway, the station doesn't really sound any different to me. For example, I'm driving home last night and Wheat plays Birdmonster (ok indie-rock), a latin club tune (better, but not great), then a track by KC & the Sunshine Band (sorry, but no, change station immediately). And now fundraising. It begs the question whether the Current is worth the money compared to satelite, online, or even commercial radio. I'm not a member because I don't think it is.
»» Submitted by »»» BrianP at 10:05 AM on October 19
And now fundraising. It begs the question whether the Current is worth the money compared to satelite, online, or even commercial radio. I'm not a member because I don't think it is.
Hmm. Well, commerical radio, in this town anyway, isn't so great in my opinion. Unless you like hearing the Red Hot Chili Peppers played every hour on the hour, and it doesn't make you cringe to hear Arcade Fire back to back with Sugar Ray. And then there's the commericals, which are loud and aggressive and occur way too often. Oh, and the screaming deejays and their terrible jokes and stories.
Online is good--I listen to a lot of online stations: WOXY, WFMU, KSYM, SOMA radio and others, but they lack the regional content of the Current. When I'm in Minnesota, I like to know what's going on in Minnesota news, culutre, and politics, and I like to hear Minnesota bands thrown in the mix.
Satellite is nice if you're on a cross-country drive, but it's just too strerile for me when I'm at home. Again, I find it lacking in regional content--it makes me feel like there's a huge disconnect between the station and my life. It feels, literally, like radio from outer space.
Again, all just my opnion, but regional radio that is not beholden to a commerical market and all its trappings--and locally that includes MPR, KFAI, Radio K--is very valuable to me and worth the $5 or $10 I otherwise wouldn't miss disappearing from my checking account every month. When I think of what I shell out monthly for DSL, cable, and other services I use, I don't think paying for stations I listen to daily is a lot of skin off my back.
»» Submitted by Jac at 10:37 AM on October 25
And I'd much rather bear through the occasional pledge drive that ten minutes of commercials very 40 minutes.
»» Submitted by Jac at 10:51 AM on October 25
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