Wednesday, October 3, 2007

Appalachian Voices on Earthbeat Radio

You can catch Earthbeat Radio on 19 radio stations in the U.S. But not here.

That's too bad, because Mary Anne Hitt of Appalachian Voices was on the show just last week. Earthbeat Radio aired a speech made by Ms. Hitt at the International Forum on Globalization/Institute For Policy Studies Teach-In, where she discussed the impact of coal mining on the land and the people of Appalachia.

Earthbeat Radio even provided a link to ilovemountains.org, the Appalachian Voices sister site--with their address in Boone and everything!

Wouldn't it be great if a radio station in the High Country carried Earthbeat Radio? There is, after all, a strong interest in sustainable energy up here. Why, even the largest employer in Boone is getting into the act. Biodiesel anyone? Wind? We are in Appalachia, right?

We often wonder why, with ASU's intense interest in sustainable energy, that WASU-FM carries exactly zero programming dedicated to this topic. Would WASU-FM station management say there is no market for a show like Earthbeat Radio? Given all the activity of the various groups above, (and the built-in listener market at ASU itself--faculty, staff, and students) that seems like a pretty weak argument. Would WASU-FM station management say Earthbeat Radio costs too much? That one won't work either--Earthbeat Radio is FREE for the taking.

Why not send the General Manager at WASU-FM a courteous question or two about Earthbeat Radio? His name is Dan "Vallie" Hill. Carrying Earthbeat Radio would be just one more way that ASU can fulfill their oft-stated educational and community service missions.

Here are a few comments from some of the radio stations currently carrying Earthbeat Radio:

"In 2006, Earthbeat became our Friday 'luncheon listen' - it's been a great success."
John Cain, Station Manager
KABF - 100,000 watts
Little Rock, Arkansas

"Since we added Earthbeat to our line-up, it's been a solid performer both in terms of listenership and financial support."
Ron Pinchback, Station Manager
WPFW - 50,000 watts
Washington, DC

1 comment:

ChezWu said...

Hi there. My name is Mykl Wu and I'm one of the producers for Earthbeat. It would be great if someone can email me at mykl.wu(at)gmail.com. We would love to be on WASU and hopefully with your help we can be. Thanks!