Good radio exists; just listen for it

Courier-Post, Spring 2000

By KEVIN RIORDAN

My recent column bemoaning WWDB-FM’s switch from live talk to dead oldies sparked several dozen telephone calls and e-mails.

All but one agreed FM radio has become a bland band of mass mush.

Several blamed the feds for allowing single ownership of multiple stations in the same market. Others faulted the insatiable lust for ever higher profits, and the corporate fascination with focus groups.

The latter, made up of clueless dumb-dumbs, want only the same 12 songs from 20 years ago,” Deb McMahon e-mailed.

FM radio, Dan McCall declared, is almost a “wasteland.”

Other callers were even more inspired.

“I love your column,” one wrote.

Another concluded her message with, “I think you’re great.”

Certainly more engaging than the “you’re a total idiot” comments after my column favoring self-serve gas earlier this year. Or the gripes from City Hall types incensed by my favorable words about a Camden official they called to bad-mouth.

Another fine example of our dollars at work.

Refreshingly, virtually all of the WWDB responses were thoughtful folks. They were upset at the loss of a station they considered a friend, and the state of radio generally.

“WWDB had some wonderful talk shows,” said a 76-year-old lady from Maple Shade, who asked me not to publish her name. “Now every station is that stinking rock music.”

WWDB’s abrupt switch “seemed unfair,” said Nancy Somers, a great-grandmother from Cherry Hill. She’s switched to New York’s WABC AM (770).

“The FM dial is shot,” added Nate Ives of Haddon Heights. “There’s not much left.”

Younger listeners either sailed the lack of adventurous music or praised WXPN-FM (88.5), a fine station that actually does play music. Others mentioned WHY-FM (90.9), a great place for news, public affairs, and some local talk.

Several folks urged me to check out WBGZ-FM (88.9 or 95.1), the Burlington County College station. Bob Humphreys showed enthusiasm at 1 p.m. was described as “a perfect mix of new and old songs with a little jazz and reggae thrown in.” Other noteworthy programs on WBGZ-FM include Nancy Longenecker’s “Appalachian Folk Music,” from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturdays.

I was also directed to WGLS-FM (89.7), the Rowan University station. It plays an eclectic mix of rock but also offers blues, classical, and show music, plus public affairs, longtime staff announcer Sam Bonavita says.

And let’s not forget spunky WJHC-AM (1360) in Sewell. There, Phil Cohen, aka “Philly Casden,” hosts “The Rhythm and Blues Show” at 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays.

Kevin Riordan’s column appears Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. Contact him at (856) 486-2604 or kriordan@courierpostonline.com.