KFSR.

KFSR 90.7-FM. Need I say more?

Since I started writing these blogs, KFSR’s name has been popping up quite a bit within people’s comments and whatnot. Usually it’s in the context of, "KFSR blowwwwws, man!!!" or "Dude, KFSR doesn't support local bands." You know, stuff like that.

As some of you know, I used DJ at KFSR a couple years back. In fact, that's how I got this ridiculous name, "Mitch on Speed." Bad Andy (from Pinkeye) gave it to me one day during my show. I didn’t have a name for myself, so he just called me "Mitch on Speed."

(Due to legal reasons, I can’t explain in detail what went into me getting this name. And, no, it’s not drug-related.)

Anyway... We all have our own opinions about KFSR and why it does or doesn't suck these days.

Here’s a story written by a former KFSR "employee," DJ Christy. In my opinion, her show was one of the best. (We used to DJ during the same time period.) Christy is a journalism student and Fresno State. I believe she was let go from the station. I don’t know why. Anyway, here’s her story.

Guest Blogger: Christy Arndt

The college radio station, 90.7 KFSR Fresno, has the potential to reach over 500,000 Valley residents, according to the station’s Web site. The equipment has been replaced with up-to-date MP3 players and state-of-the-art microphones, computers, and a new main audio console. Joe Moore, Station Manager since 1999, has worked toward this goal by luring in a specific target audience.

KFSR’s self-proclaimed title, The Valley’s Home for Jazz, does more than attract the older jazz-listening crowd in Fresno. It alienates the college age listeners who are more interested in new progressive music, whether it’s hip-hop, rock, or rap. Although the radio station’s mission statement focuses on musical diversity and variety, a majority of the programming is dedicated to the jazz genre. KFSR plays over 70 hours of jazz each week, although the station’s mission is: "...to provide the Fresno area with unique, innovative and high quality public radio programming, thus enhancing the quality of life in Central California."

The main purpose of CSUF’s college radio station, according to the station’s Web site, is to operate as a profit-free learning tool for students.

[Mitch on Speed], music journalist and a former disc jockey for KFSR, says that soon after he left in spring 2004 new employees sharing Joe’s vision (to imitate corporate radio stations) decided to change the format.

He said in an interview that the station is now forcing DJs to play certain songs on a daily basis, which is cheating college students out of the whole college rock experience.

"I don’t think the station caters to college students. There is some programming that does, but as far as rock music goes, it seems kind of lame. From what I hear, half of the newly released CDs that are considered ‘good’ in the indie rock scene don’t even make it into the studio. I think that’s partly the music director’s fault for not recognizing what music is popular," [Mitch on Speed] said, in regards to the community’s expectations of KFSR, versus the new program director’s agenda.

[Mitch on Speed] agreed that an unusual amount of jazz is played to much at KFSR, and that a majority of the donations come from old people listening to Joe’s jazz programs.

"It would seem that he has many listeners who are older and would be more inclined to give money they had," he said.

Another former disc jockey from last year, Ryan Borba, wrote his strong opinion of jazz programming in a letter to The Collegian. He hypothesized that while people do know about KFSR, it is not serving the community of bored younger people in Fresno as well as it could.

In his letter, Borba said:

"The reason no one knows about KFSR is because KFSR caters to the older, wealthier, donating jazz sponsors who are responsible for a huge portion of the station’s operating funds."

This gives the impression that Joe Moore has the intention of keeping the station afloat with donations, but is forgetting about the college age listeners who proudly named the station, "The Mighty 90.7" when the new console was installed for more power. Money shouldn’t be the focus of an updated, non-profit organization.

"Even though (jazz) is not insanely popular it is certainly a very important style of music," said Moore in a Collegian interview last semester.

His hobby, which is also his lifestyle, has overpowered the station’s focus, losing variety and listeners along the way.