Should I Support Folk Radio WUMB?

Subject: Should I Support Folk Radio WUMB?
From: RTim
Date: 20 Oct 06 - 07:01 PM

Folk Radio WUMB 91.9 FM - is a 24 hour/7 day a week Folk Station out of Massachusetts University, Boston, USA and at least twice a year they run a week or two week fund drive for subscribers.(it is PBS Affiliated)
I have been listening to the station on and off for the last 15 years (10 as a Massachusetts resident and folk singer - and Member of WUMB).
However, last year I let my membership lapse because the station plays more and more contemporary music, and not the English traditional music that most interests me (and that I sing).
Yes, there are good weekly Celtic & Traditional sessions by Gail Gilmore & Sandy Sheehan, but very little else other than singer/songwriter and soft pop music. English music is becoming marginalised and even on occasion called "Celtic".
When I first listened it was not as bad as it is now.
Now the question is - Should I support this station again?
Tim Radford

Subject: RE: Should I Support Folk Radio WUMB?
From: Naemanson
Date: 20 Oct 06 - 07:07 PM

I used to listen to this station. Let me listen again and I'll let you know my opinion.

Subject: RE: Should I Support Folk Radio WUMB?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 20 Oct 06 - 08:32 PM

Why not write to them and tell them of your doubt?

Subject: RE: Should I Support Folk Radio WUMB?
From: Anne Lister
Date: 21 Oct 06 - 01:50 PM

I'd say contact them - they're wonderfully approachable people! And I hope this is a temporary glitsch in their scheduling, because they really do know better. Talk to Marilyn Rea Beyer or Dave Palmater.

Anne

Subject: RE: Should I Support Folk Radio WUMB?
From: 30button
Date: 22 Oct 06 - 12:36 PM

The only vote we get in public radio is our financial support. IF you like what they're doing, support them. If you don't, support someone else.

We stopped supporting WETA in Washington because we stopped listening to the folk show, Traditions, because it's mostly talk and because the host puts on a CD, plays a minute or two, then turns down the volume and makes announcements over it. What an insult to the performers! So we voted with our dollars.

Subject: RE: Should I Support Folk Radio WUMB?
From: katlaughing
Date: 22 Oct 06 - 03:45 PM

I know of one Mudcatter who isn't here much anymore who listens to them every weekend and supports them because of Sandy Sheehan. They consider it worth that, even if it is just one program.

Subject: RE: Should I Support Folk Radio WUMB?
From: Big Mick
Date: 22 Oct 06 - 04:33 PM

There is a trend on Public Broadcasting stations across the country. They move to more generally popular programming, and move away from local content. They also abandon the trad arts stuff, trying to draw a larger, and blander audience. They often will do this, even though a folk radio program will draw a significant donation base. For an earlier discussion on another station, see the following two discussion threads on Matt Watroba, on WDET in Detroit. Matt hosted a long running program called "Folks Like Us". Some hotshot, gonna change the world, Program Director decided to drop the show. The listeners rose up and spoke with their donations. Read these two threads (the first one got out of chronological order in the great crash, so you will have to move around a bit)in order to see what the power of your contributions is:

http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=73470#15545

http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=87211&messages=16

If WUMB isn't programming in a way that suits you and others, you can speak with your wallet during the fund drive.

Mick

Subject: RE: Should I Support Folk Radio WUMB?
From: GUEST,Robert
Date: 22 Oct 06 - 10:24 PM

I have recently let my WUMB membership lapse after more than a decade for precisely the reason mentioned by Mr. Radford. I can only listen during the day on weekdays, and as much as I admire the announcers that work those shifts, they can only play what the station management allows them to play, and that has lately shifted to a format of primarily contemporary singer/songwriters and acoustic pop.

I am sure there are those who enjoy the current WUMB weekday playlist, but I don't, and I have in fact voted with my credit card.