Stay tuned: Eclectic KBGA has it all

By Chelsi Moy
J-School Web Reporter

Don’t expect to hear MTV’s most-requested songs hitting the airwaves of the University of Montana’s college radio station, KBGA. Unless songs fall into categories like trip hop, emo indi northwest, or underground electronica, they probably won’t make the play list.

"We try to introduce new and refreshing music to Missoula," said music director Scott Calanca. "We don’t exclude anything as long as it is not mainstream."

KBGA Music Director Jamie Boschee answers a phone request during her Female Forum radio show. KBGA, 89.9 FM, is the University of Montana's student-run radio station, and is located in the south end of the University Center.

KBGA is a non-profit and completely student-run radio station that broadcasts on 89.9 FM. It has eight paid managerial positions and about 75 volunteer disc jockeys. Unlike most radio stations in Missoula, which use prerecorded material, KBGA is the only station with a person broadcasting 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

With the music industry constantly evolving, KBGA likes to focus on new alternative music that is unfamiliar to most listeners.

Trip hop is a spinoff of hip hop music but uses more instruments for a jazzier sound. Emo indi northwest originated from punk rock and its lyrics usually convey emotion.

This eclecticism has been the station’s trademark since it first went on the air in 1996. The station was originally called "Revolution Radio," but discovered a station in Minnesota already owned rights to the name. After a few months, UM’s college radio became KBGA to represent the first letter of each of the co-founder’s last names.

As the staff changes from year to year, so does its taste in music. But KBGA’s mission statement has maintained the station’s original sound.

The mission statement requires the station to provide a "diverse format and expose the community to new and refreshing programming."

"We take it to the letter," Calanca said. "We take it very seriously."

General Manager Scott Kobold, a senior in the Radio-Television Department, said the mission statement has maintained stability and focus for the station amid high employee turnover. It has been the station’s strength, he said, and has kept people honest and dedicated.

"It is easy to do what all the commercial radio stations do," said Kobold. "We want to be the radio station that stands out. So people can hear music they wouldn’t hear otherwise."

The station has a music director for each of its eight genres: jazz, hip hop, blues, world music, metal rock, bluegrass, electronic and reggae. The station’s longest-running program, "Broader Blues," which began airing seven years ago, runs Thursdays from 6 to 9 p.m.

The wide range of music appeals to some listeners and causes others to turn the station, said Calanca. "Our radio station is not set up to please everyone all the time," he said. "If you want to introduce yourself to new things, then we are for you."

So far, KBGA has received only good feedback from listeners’ e-mails on its Web site. In fact, the Missoula Independent has named KBGA the best radio station in Missoula for the last three years.
KBGA’s programming consists of more than just original music; it provides political commentary, campus and community news and sports. Music director Jamie Boschee, a junior in social work, hosts a show called "Female Forum," with women’s perspectives on the entertainment industry. Justin Whitaker and David Prody host "Mouth Off Missoula," which gives listeners a chance to comment on whatever they want.

Listeners dictate most of KBGA’s programs. Sports director Evan Soderquist said his weekly program, "Sports Talk," revolves around callers who usually focus on college and professional sports. Although Soderquist tries to remain neutral when it comes to favorite teams, co-hosts Martin Ross, Ian Costello and Dax Vanfossen do not hesitate to rile up listeners.

"There are tons of Grizzly fans in this town," Soderquist said, " and when you are dogging them, people are going to be mad."

But as journalists and columnists, Soderquist said, it is important to talk about the Grizzlies — especially if they don’t play well. "It’ll make us more honest journalists," he said.

But KBGA reaches out to listeners through more than just interactive radio programming. In November, KBGA sponsored a food drive earning 80 pounds of food for the Missoula Food Bank. They also broadcast all of the Grizzlies home soccer games, give elementary schools tours of the station, and provide a free concert series called "Live In Missoula" featuring local artists.

"If we have the means to reach people, then why not?" Kobold said. "We take a lot of pleasure in doing it."

KBGA is one of Missoula’s biggest advocates of local bands. Carli Dandrea, the promotional director, said she encourages local bands to bring their music to KBGA.

"We want to give a voice to people being ignored by corporate radio," she said.

KBGA not only gives voice to local bands, but anyone interested in airing a show. Once a semester KBGA provides DJ training for anyone interested in getting involved in college radio. DJ training for the spring 2003 semester took place Dec. 7 and 8. All people who attend the session must take a three-hour class and a written test. They also must complete 10 hours of volunteer work at the station. Most of the time KBGA struggles to find DJ’s, said Kobold. About half of the people who take the class end up becoming DJs.

"It’s easy to get involved here," he said. "The more people we have working for us, the more original our sound is going to be. And that is what makes things exciting."

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