Dear Radio Fans,

This is a plea. Not once in the 23 years that I have been on radio here in Santa Fe have I made such a plea. Most of you have no doubt been following the recent radio news. All three of the local, alternative stations, KBAC, Blu 102 and Indie 1015, have been purchased by Hutton Broadcasting. See the story in the May 23, 2007 Santa Fe Reporter.

As you also know, my program, Brave New World, has been on the air here in Santa Fe since January, 1984. If I am not mistaken, it is the longest running specialty program on radio in Santa Fe. It started out in 1984 as The International House of Wax on KLSK, morphed into The World on KBAC in 1990 and then in 1991 became Brave New World on KIOT. Yes, I have been on many of the radio stations here in town...KLSK, KBAC, KBOM, KIOT, KENC, KBLU and now on the mighty Indie1015. In fact, I have made 10 radio changes over the 23 years that I have been on the air. Such is the nature of the biz.

It is also important to note that Brave New World and its variations, gave rise to and contributed to the programming ofprobably the two most unique and successful radio stations in Santa Fe radio history, the Will Sim’s owned KLSK and KIOT (The Coyote). I was the Program Director of both stations and actually coined the format name EAR (Eclectic Artist Radio) in 1988.

Several things are very perplexing here. First, the fact that Santa Fe has been on the cutting edge of creative, community-based commercial radio since the early 80’s. The stations have changed but the desire of the community to have diverse, commercial radio programming has never diminished. Secondly, we have proven over and over that good, local commercial radio is an important element in Santa Fe’s economic development. The good, and legendary, eclectic stations have been directly related to robust community “scenes” here, continuously. KLSK, KIOT and KBAC have all proven that.....Indie 1015 is proving it again. This has happened because these stations have provided a product, a music product that has found its way into the hearts, souls and integrity of our listeners.

Secondly, the legendary community times have been periods during which there was a symbiotic relationship between the print and broadcast media. During the KLSK/KIOT periods the two worked together. During these recent days, I have reflected upon the fact that for two years during the golden days of radio, I was also the music writer for the Santa Fe Reporter. How odd that during the past ten years they have never mentioned my program or written about the importance of local, eclectic radio programming, except when it raised some kind of controversial issue. Their “Best Of” issue doesn’t even include a radio category or broadcast DJ.

Thirdly, local radio in this area has had some connection to ownership and programming that was related to people who actually have lived here. There is a long list of those people...the Gonzales family at K-Suave deserves accolades in this regard. But most notably it has been Will (then Bill) Sims who led the charge. Please note that the Huttons just moved here.

And so, finally, what is the plea? The plea is for this. It is time to let YOUR voice be heard about preserving this incredible radio trend. Write to the Santa Fe Reporter, write to the FCC, support local businesses that you hear on these stations, let the stations know how you feel. My personal plea as Dr Feelgood is this: Indie 1015 is now the local station that has clearly proven that it is up to the challenge of Eclectic Artist Radio, the true format spawned here in Santa Fe. Support them. Ellie and Rich Garrett and Sam Ferrara have made this happen. The incredible people on the air there including Rocque Ranaldi and Brian Hardgroove have continued the great programming. And radio artists like Honey Harris (who I first hired at KIOT in 1991) have committed to the station. Listen to them. It may be that the Huttons will own Indie, but my guess is they have no idea of the history of local radio and what it means. I would bet anything they have never listened to Brave New World. Let them and the press know how you feel about what that specific program has created for you the listener. I, too, am asking for your support at this time.

If you feel so inclined to step up, you can contact the SF Reporter at editor@sfreporter.com.

And please contact me if you would like to discuss this.

Thanks.

Music is the root of all good.

Jack Kolkmeyer
Dr. Feelgood
Brave New World
Indie 101.5
Sundays 5-8 PM

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551 Cordova Rd. #228
Santa Fe, NM 87505
(505) 231-3504
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