Lurking in the historic buildings of downtown Wilkes-Barre are two cozy little studios where there is more noise coming from these rooms at opposite ends of town than most biker bar juke boxes. Up and down Interstate 81 are several more rooms like this-as one’s motto says-playing the music no one else dares to.
What separates college radio stations from the mainstream is a looser format with more variety and no commercials. College radio is a place where bands that no one else seems to give a chance get played. College radio is a place where formats that aren’t fit for the local mainstream get spun. And, perhaps college radio is a place where bands occasionally belt into stardom, ala’ REM and the B-52s.
King’s College has been operating a student-run radio station since 1968. To be a DJ on WRKC (at 88.5 FM), one must be a student or alumni. And, although he graduated in 1996 and holds down a full-time technical writing gig, 33-year-old Bob Decker still holds an airshift each Saturday from noon until 3:00. For those three hours, he trades in his computer for a mic, headphones and a slew of metal CDs.
“(I do it) for my love of hardcore and metal. A lot of commercial stations and MTV won’t give these bands a chance… I find stuff I want to share with the listeners and fans,” said Decker. He added that it’s hard for him to choose a favorite band he spins because he says there are hundreds and hundreds of songs he likes to play-hundreds and hundreds of songs that no one else is.
Decker explains that hosting his show the past 11 years allows him to remain creative and close to the music.
I was a communications major in college, but the music industry doesn’t pay that well. So, I have a half-decent day job and on the side I get to do the music,” he said.
College radio stations’ formats seems to change with each semester, but according the WRKC’s website formats heard include alternative, alt. country, bluegrass, punk, hardcore, metal, reggae, gospel and more.
Wilkes University’s college station can be found a little further up the dial at 90.7. Perhaps best known for its long-existing feature Metal Monday, WCLH also offers listeners a wide variety of formats-a non-format that the station’s website says, “the music that no one else dares to play.” Station manager, senior communications major Ariel Cohen says that while WCLH plays a variety, they do hone in on certain formats.
“We do a variety of stuff-music, sports, news. But, we focus on three main areas: alternative, hip-hop and metal,” he said, adding that over the past few years, WCLH has been known for its dedication to the urban music scene, perhaps fueled by people like Dana Barrack.
Barrack, affectionately known to the Wilkes community and hip-hop fans as Dana B., has been hosting his 4-8 Mix-Tape show for three years. Although he graduated in May, he makes the commute from Bethlehem each Wednesday.
“(The 4-8 Mix Tape) is part of the Urban Itinerary, which runs Tuesday through Sunday from 4:00-8:00,” he explained. His show runs during this time slot each Wednesday. “I play a lot of what’s new in the world of hip-hop and R&B;, as well as spin some classics and stuff from local artists.”
Barrack explains that local commercial stations such as BHT and KRZ play a small selection of what is new in his format.
I try to expand on that he said,” adding that he hopes because of shows like his and other local college radio stations that the craving for the music will grow. “College radio from an urban stand point will allow us to get more and more of an audience. Hopefully we will soon be a force to be reckoned with and yield a commercial hip-hop and R&B; station in this market.”
WCLH also gives Dana B’s own music to be heard. Barrack has recorded a CD with other local artists, “Dana B. Presents Volume 1: Conceptions” and has the chance to spin his own music on-air.
“It is like a test-run. It gives me the opportunity to put my music out there and gage the popularity of the tracks, to get an idea of how people feel,” he said, adding that listeners will either call the request line or visit his MySpace page to comment.
WCLH also broadcasts Wilkes all home and away football and men and women’s home basketball games, as well as airs syndicated public affairs programs such as Democracy Now, Making Contact and Counterspin.
Luzerne County Community College also is home to WSFX at 89.1 and 105.5. Station manager and broadcast communications faculty member Ron Reino (who also happens to be a Rock 107 personality) says, “I think it is ‘small on signal but big on content’. Try to listen to the current mix of alternative music which is programmed. If you give it 20 minutes, I think you’ll say it’s right on the cutting edge, with a blend of college artists that come through the ranks over the past decade.”
According to its website, while the “Cutting Edge” station broadcasts 24/7/365, and there are certain days tribute is paid to a certain format. From 9am-9pm on Thursday, it’s Beat Box, or hip-hop music. Fridays during those hours it is the Friday Rewind, with music from the 60s, 70s and 80s. Saturdays in that time slot, its harder stuff with Saturday Shock and on Sundays from noon until 6:00, Big Band music is played.
Aside from giving folks in the Wyoming Valley a taste of something different, these stations also double as an outlet to groom the radio stars and newscasters of the future.
“College radio offers an opportunity for DJs to have a say in what is on the radio-not just one person. For instance with hip-hop, one DJ may like to play club, while another will play street, the harder stuff. And, another may play R&B.; They can play what their taste is,” Barrack explained. “That is more fun for the audience as far as spontaneity, and the DJ will have a better time playing what they want.”
Cohen agrees, adding that is also can make music stars. “College radio is terrific. The music industry really needs it right now. It allows bands to become popular on a local level, then grow to national and worldwide.”
Sue Henry, King’s alumnus and local radio talk show host on the WILK Network also serves as station manager of WRKC. Henry says that local media personalities such as Frankie Warren of Magic 93 morning show fame and Reino of Rock 107 and LCCC are alums. She also notes that Brian Carey of ABC Radio as well as others once broadcast on her frequency.
COLLEGE RADIO ON THE DIAL
88.5- WRKC, King’s College
89.1/105.5- WSFX, LCCC
90.7- WCLH, Wilkes University
91.5- WVMW, Marywood University
99.5- WUSR, University of Scranton
