[excuse any cross-postings]

WAMU-FM has removed Nick Spitzer's unique American Routes show from their broadcast schedule. WAMU-FM radio made some great programming changes recently, but this is not one of them. The New Orleans-produced show has many loyal listeners here, who appreciate it even more since it's post-Katrina return to the Crescent City. Their opinion is widely-shared:

"In the history of American radio, no series has come close to Nick Spitzer's American Routes in exploring the many streams of this nation's music."
-- Nat Hentoff, Wall Street Journal

"It's tough to make such different music into an entertaining, coherent show, but Spitzer and his staff do with style, wit, and an unpretentious appreciation of what the music of this great country is all about."
-- David Kunian. Offbeat Magazine

Spitzer's combination of scholarship and populist appeal has taken off like prairie fire.
-- Paul de Barros Seattle Times


Here's how to help:

WAMU fundraising week is Feb 3 - 10, but you don't have to wait to join or donate. The on-line "Membership" and "Donate Any Amount" forms (at wamu.org under the "Support WAMU" tab) have a "Send us your comments!". My advice as a former public radio employee: limit comments to "Bring back American Routes!" etc. Don't add statements about other issues; it will just confuse them. Don't add how much you like other shows -- this promotes complacency, not action. Don't tell them what other program to cut or when to air American Routes -- these are hard decisions, and someone gets paid to make them.

If you see something in the Washington Post or Washington CityPaper on the topic, go on-line and add a comment. Post to any blogs you can about WAMU and American Routes -- this intensifies the "echo effect." Someday this reflex may extinguish itself, but it hasn't happened yet.

Get WAMU back on track with American Routes.