Why We Should Support KSKQ

KSKQ is your community radio station in the Rogue Valley, and beyond.

When broadcast radio was finally switched on around 1910, it was considered a miracle of technology because radio was able to communicate directly to humans not only living in urban environments, but could reach people in rural settings where contact with other humans was infrequent. Previous means of communication were by wired telegraph, or by postal service carrying mail and news periodicals to isolated homesteads, ranches and farms. Broadcast radio offered the potential to provide a source to communicate current and immediate information to a wide listener audience.

But for the most part, broadcast radio became a medium to entertain and delight the world. Out of the entertainment industry,  huge corporations evolved that wielded tremendous power with the ability to reach out and influence a large population of people. Corporations used the medium to influence trends and consumer patterns, in addition,  the political opinions of a fast growing industrial nation.

Because of the power to influence opinions on the airwaves,  Congress became interested in offering a ‘public’ venue for radio that was intended to educate and inform the public in response to the consumer powerhouse that was created by commercial radio. In 1967, President Lyndon Johnson signed the Public Radio Act that created the government entity labeled the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). The CPB controls and allots your tax dollars through congress to help support National Public Radio (NPR). Immediately after signing the bill, 90 stations throughout the nation came alive as National Public Radio was born to offer programming that featured a schedule of educational and public interest on the airwaves, without commercial advertising being the main source of income. I like to muse that the signing of the Public Radio Act was when ‘Kermit the Frog’, Miss Piggy’ and ‘Big Bird’ were born...

By implementing the Public Radio Act, the legislation also permitted schools, small communities, tribal lands, and frankly, any non-profit educational entity to create and start a radio station to meet the needs of the local community. This gave everyday citizens an opportunity to reach out to their local neighbors to communicate to the listener whatever was pertinent to the programmer and to the listener. This type of radio station is and has been referred to as ‘Community Radio’.

Why is community radio important

Community radio is programmed and operated by local friends and neighbors and not programmed by mega- corporations based in metropolises such as New York and Los Angeles. In the case of KSKQ, for instance, the license to broadcast is owned by the Multicultural Association of Southern Oregon, a social justice organization dedicated to offering a venue for the community to reach out over the radio airwaves. The MCASO is a local non-profit entity with the intent to bring the concept of inclusion and multiculturalism to the Rogue Valley. In addition, to offer a programming schedule that is unique within it’s broadcast range. Thanks to the Public Radio Act of 1967, local citizens now have the opportunity to exercise their right to access the airwaves and to embrace their right to free speech.

The downside of being Community Radio is the lack of funds available through a corporate entity and advertising, or from the Government agency such as CPB, which in large part, supports NPR. Community Radio depends upon YOU, the listener, for it’s support.  In essence, community radio depends on support from those who feel the value of subscribing to a station that features music and opinions that may not be in the mainstream. Those supporters who feel the need to uphold a fundamental right of free speech and access established by our Constitution and Bill of Rights.

Lack of funding is one of the most important reasons for supporting KSKQ Community Radio in this up-coming Fall Pledge drive. KSKQ needs community support to keep the best in alternative music, news and information on the radio dial. If you value the right to community outreach through this priceless asset in the Rogue Valley, I urge you to give generously during the Fall Pledge drive.

Our Fall Pledge Drive will commence around the second week of October. Or, you can pledge now on our website.

Derek Moody, Self-Ordained High-Priest of Rock-n-Roll

My name is Rev. Derek Moody, self-ordained high-priest of rock n roll. My radio path began in August of 1999 on a commercial rock station out of Peoria Illinois (WWCT Rock 106).

I learned the ropes quickly as I was put on overnights seven days a week, midnight to 6am. In October of that same year, the station program director asked me to create a unique two hour radio show to air on Sunday evenings from 10pm to Midnight. Thus, on Halloween of October 1999, THE CHURCH OF ROCK RADIO SHOW made its debut over the radio airwaves!

Producing & hosting the show was and still is a pleasure. It's diverse, playing rock music from the 1940s thru today, incorporating musical history with humor while carrying on a tradition of old school rock n roll radio shows. We have an interactive relationship with our loyal listening audience, some who have been fans since the beginning.

Rarely missing a show, we answer every phone call that comes in, considering every song request we receive and even doing the occasional  dedication or "shoutout", which listeners really seem to enjoy. This listener interaction makes it fun for us too.

Since its inception, the show has found a home on 8 different radio stations over it's 19 years on the air, with KSKQ being our current & hopefully final home for the show. (Four years at KSKQ so far!). Over the years the show has developed a loyal cult following and our rock n roll congregation tunes in faithfully, attending "Church" weekly to join in on the national community we try to create every Sunday. We are also currently syndicated weekly on KBOG radio in Bandon Oregon.

Nearly 3 years ago, Sister Tracy McCloud, a sixteen year contributor to the show, was asked to join the show as co-host and co-producer. She brings so much to the show and is invaluable with her research skills, musical knowledge, unique taste in musical genres, as well as her fun on air personality.

We are both residents of south Ashland and have resided in the awesome Rogue Valley for nearly a decade.

The Church of Rock radio show celebrates our 20th anniversary in October of this year :)

Volunteers Needed

 

KSKQ Underwriter Coordinator

KSKQ, an all volunteer community radio station in Ashland, is seeking an UNDERWRITING COORDINATOR COMMISSION PAID. Among duties: SALES: solicits new underwriters; maintains communication with current and potential underwriters and maintains accurate records, completes, signs, processes sales agreements, and more. KSKQ is licensed by Multicultural Association of Southern Oregon. Qualifications: one year sales experience and familiarity with Excel spreadsheets. Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.

 

KSKQ Editorial Policy

The Multicultural Association of Southern Oregon owns KSKQ Community Radio. It holds the Federal Communications Commission Non-Commercial Educational license, is legally responsible for KSKQ and sets editorial policy. MCASO was founded to combat racism and other forms of discrimination. Its mission is To serve as a catalyst in the community, promoting understanding and appreciation between cultures, by creating cross-cultural educational opportunities where people of all backgrounds can interact in an environment of goodwill.

KSKQ's editorial policy encourages diversity in programming, but racism, hate speech and statements that promote exclusion are not allowed as they are contrary to the mission.