ONLINE CHATTER >>>

Today's comment of the day comes from J.J. Syrja in response to KAOS 89.3FM being named "Best Radio Station" by readers in the Weekly Volcano's Best of Olympia 2012 issue.

J.J. Syrja writes,

Thanks to all who voted for KAOS--please visit the website, kaosradio.org, to get show times for your favorite music, news and public affairs programming.
Nearly 40 years on, we've still got an incredible array of shows and DJs--we call them programmers--who care deeply about their audience. Pass it on.

UNDERGROUND HIP-HOP >>>

Unlicensed radio broadcasts, popularly referred to as pirate radio, come and go by necessity. Stations surface only to disappear without notice, generally because operators get information that the authorities are closing in or the Federal Communications Commission has physically pulled the plug and seized their equipment. Somehow, though, Free Radio Olympia, an Olympia signal, has managed to remain a part of the landscape on and off since 2002, thanks to loyal listeners, frequency changes, benefit shows and weekly rag cover stories written by blindfolded writers.

Another benefit concert for Free Radio Olympia will be held tonight at Le Voyeur in downtown Olympia. The underground hip-hop show will feature Smear, Purgatory, Drey Payton, Xero Ours, Vizual Noize, 12:12, Beats Me and Crazy Monk. A donation of $3 is requested. The event begins at 9:30 p.m. At midnight a dubstep, drum 'n' bass dance party will fire up.

[Le Voyeur, Thursday, Jan. 12, 9:30 p.m., $3, 404 4th Ave. E., Olympia, 360.943.5710]

ACTOR-PRODUCER TONYA YORKE PUTS THE WESTERN IN WESTERN WASHINGTON >>>

Growing up, did you go through that cowboy phase? You know - the oversized hat and boots, plastic sheriff's badge, popgun, the works. You'd hoot and holler through all the rooms in the house and imagine every sibling and/or pet was a villainous land baron. Truthfully, I always saw myself more as a Ghostbuster or Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle. (Leonardo really rocked the blue.)

These days, I can't help but enjoy a good Western movie that idealizes a period in American history while showing off this country's natural beauty.

When it comes to gorgeous vistas, the Pacific Northwest has plenty, just not the arid, evergreen-starved variety we've seen in countless films from this genre. Or does it?

Tonya Yorke of Tacoma seems to think so. Yorke is currently producing a short Western called The Shootout, shot entirely here in Washington state. Craig Muller's script takes a page from history and looks back at legendary outlaw Jesse James. Though rooted in the past, The Shootout transmits themes relevant to today.

"It's a story about faith and choices, and the paths that those choices lead us down," says Yorke.

Location scouting meant finding both interiors and exteriors true to the time, which posed some difficulty. "You're working in the Northwest, (so) you got to work around things," Yorke admits, but believes in her crew's ingenuity. "Creative camerawork will save us."

Beyond producing, she will also appear in front of the camera, playing wife to Seattle actor Ernie Joseph's U.S. Marshal assigned to hunt down James. Get the lowdown on The Shootout here. And if you feel mighty kind this holiday season, donate some moola to the production here.

Yorke moseyed into the studio this week - hear us chat and stuff on Volcano Radio, which airs Thursday from 8-9 p.m. on www.nwczradio.com and is available as a podcast at weeklyvolcano.com directly following.

WHAT IS ACTIVE ROCK? >>>

Clear Channel Radio - the folks that send Sports Radio 950 KJR-AM, KUBE 93 FM, Oldies 95.7 and 106.1 KISS FM through your noggin' - have launched "The Brew" 104.9 FM calling it a station of "Active Rock." You probably noticed the change when your favorite Halloween music station "Freddy" died at midnight, giving way to Metallica, the Foo Fighters, Green Day, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and AC/DC.

You might remember the Funky Monkey 104.9 FM held that spot on the dial for years.

According to a press release, "during the launch period, "The Brew" will play 10,000 songs in a row and once that concludes, will continue to deliver on a more music promise; playing only one commercial break per hour."

Here are more words from the release:

"We're extremely excited to have The Brew join the Clear Channel Radio family.   South Sound listeners have been missing a rock station that actually plays MUSIC ... and by design, the Brew will ROCK!" explains Shellie Hart, The Brew 104.9 Program Director. "It will be the best of all worlds for guys ... familiar rock hits, a good mix of new music and sports updates ... all served up with a brew!"

They will also take advantage of their sister station, Sports Radio 950 KJR AM by providing listeners with hourly sports updates.

ADVICE GODDESS RADIO >>>

Nationally syndicated advice columnist and author Amy Alkon (I See Rude People) graces more than 100 newspapers across the U.S., including your beloved Weekly Volcano. Apparently her Advice Goddess column is going global. Alkon will now take your questions and advice requests and bat around issues on love, dating, sex, relationships and manners from 7-8 p.m. every Sunday on her new Internet call-in advice radio show.

You may call Advice Goddess Radio live Sunday at 347.326.9761.

You may listen at this link starting at 7 p.m. Pacific Time Sunday.

There will also be a podcast you can download later here.

LINK: Read her columns

COO COO CA CHOO >>>

Peninsula School District radio station KGHP needs to raise funds to stay on air. As we see it, they can do one of two things. First option, capture the upscale, educated market that loves pledge drives by converting the station to an all pledge drive format. Instead of broadcasting its current eclectic scale of entertainment - which includes jazz, blues, reggae, roots and Americana, classic rock, vintage music and local sports - the station would switch to a 24-hour programming dedicated to sniffy radio personalities wheedling listeners to send money for a designer tote bag, or to enter a raffle to win a weekend of wine-tasting in Walla Walla. KGHP's new format will include programs such as "Guess Who's Asking for Money?" "Pledgie Home Companion" and "This American Checkbook."

The second option would be a radio stunt. According to the following press release, it looks as if KGHP is going with the stunt.

KGHP's Station Manager the Walrus, will begin his attempt to walk from Owens Beach in Pt Defiance Park to the Summit of Mt Rainier on Monday June 13^th at High Noon. The Goal is to raise one dollar for every foot he climbs in Elevation. So Mt Rainer is 14,411 feet in height, we hope to raise $14,411 to continue to allow Community Radio KGHP to continue to broadcast great Radio Entertainment for the Local South Sound Community. The Public is welcome to come out and join the walrus on his walk, or to support us on line at KGHP.ORG

There are many opportunity's for the Public to support our fundraising goals by purchasing a KGHP-TEE Shirt, Or Dedicating a Song to the Walrus, Signing up to become an Underwriter, or just a simple Donation.

Anyone interested in more info can contact the Walrus at 253.225.1195.

HYPE BLAH HYPE BLAH >>>

Last Sunday I made time in my busy life (see: buying bunk beds and comparing high efficiency washer and dryers) to stop by the Northwest Convergence Zone podcast (you know, it spawned NWCZRadio.com). I'm supposed to make this pilgrimage to the "Man Cave" once a month, but lately it's been far more irregular. It seems the relationship may need some Activia.

Anyway, when I stop by the Northwest Convergence Zone we talk sports, because what the hell else would we talk about on a podcast dedicated to shining a light on our area's countless talented musicians, entertainers and artist?

Exactly.

Here's a link to the blabbering. I'm the dumb sounding one. The Gimmer is the mustachioed sounding one. Darrell Fortune is the one who sounds like he's wearing cargo shorts. Voxxy just sounds like Voxxy ... which is quite alright by me.

NWCZ RADIO DJS SPEAK >>>

For my article on newly-minted, locally-focused Internet radio station NWCZ Radio, I reached out to some of its on-air talent for insight on why they feel the station fills a much-needed niche, and how their brief time at the station is already expanding their musical palette.

WEEKLY VOLCANO: Why do you think NWCZ is important? Why should more people be tuning in and how do you view the service it provides to the community?

"NWCZ is the kind of outlet that artists in the Northwest need: a homegrown station with a diverse and broad reach that can help expose them to a large audience. More people should tune into it and I think over time [they] will-it's just a matter of getting in the habit of setting the internet dial to NWCZRadio.com."

-Quincy Henry/Quincy Q'Dot, Fridays 7-8 p.m.

"The whole purpose, the mission statement for NWCZ and why I am here is [that] the main focus is the music; at NWCZ, the unsigned musician is what is showcased here.  These are very talented, independent musicians that struggle for every gig, that are on stage because they love the music and the artform.  That is what we do at NWCZ, we give these very talented musicians a larger platform, a bigger stage and get their music to the listening public.  We hear a lot from listeners that they never knew that band or that they were so good."

-Dave Samson, Mondays 7-10p.m.

"NWCZ provides a platform for musicians of all genres to be heard, and for fans of any genre to find a Northwest band that they just love. You probably had no idea how much amazing music is being produced and performed in the Northwest. And maybe not every song played is your favorite, but you will find many previously unknown gems for your hungry little ears, guaranteed!... There is some amazing stuff going on in Northwest music, and I am sure we are seeing some history being made right here in our own back yard."

-Sherrie Voxxy, Sundays 9-11 p.m.

"Much like large corporate retail outfits churn out the various competing products stacked for miles down the aisles, corporate music radio is still sending highly processed national artists out over the airwaves to satisfy a particular demographic in a highly splintered market. I believe that NWCZ fills a gap in this market by broadcasting only the local and regional heros - no big labels - no household names."

-Kevin Heiderich, Wednesdays 7-8 p.m.

"NWCZ is important because it provides a platform for some of our extremely talented musician friends to share their music with the masses. As we all know there are very few radio stations playing local independent bands. Even the weekly local music shows usually play the same bands over and over, so it's quite difficult for someone not in the clique to get in."

-Glen Casebeer, Thursdays 7 PM - 9 PM

VOLCANO: How do you feel, generally, about the state of Northwest music, based on what you've played or heard on NWCZ?

"That is simple...the Northwest music scene is blowing up. Similar to what occurred in the early '90s, in Seattle the artists are coming together every day to support and encourage one another. Of course, it is still ultra competitive due to the sheer volume of talent...but NW artists get that they need to lift each other up. My friend, Jeff Hamel, from Sweet Kiss Momma said it perfectly, 'Only one band needs to hit the big time, and the rest of us will have an opportunity to shine while the lights are on.'"

-Raymond Hayden, Tuesdays 7-8 p.m.

"From Bellingham to Eugene, we live in one of the most well-educated Baby Boomer and Gen X nesting spots in the country, and well-educated people apply liberal arts to their children in this area. We are rich in musical talent. Whatever your genre, you can find it in this broad stretch of territory, and you can find it stocked with a few solid bands at a minimum. When you couple that with the lowering cost of mass producing average to high quality recorded music, then the local kids have a shot at the market which was once dominated by giants."

-Kevin Heiderich

WHAT WILL THE FUTURE HOLD? >>>

The other morning while listening to National Public Radio's "Morning Edition" on KPLU, and a story regarding the Libyan hoopla, I was struck by a muse: will my children be able to listen to this?  Or will my children have to choose between Clear Channel or Fox News with Uncle Bill O'Riley in lieu of the greatest legitimate highbrow liberal media outlet (at least produced on this content) this nearing socialist has ever heard?

The thought had been waxing and waning though my noggin for a while now. With the federal budget tightening on everything other than essential functions it is hard to believe that some of the Right Wing nut jobs won't achieve in taking "Bird Note," "Car Talk," or "This American Life" away from the people.

I shot off an email to the KPLU's General Manager Paul Stankavich asking his opinion on the impact of the possibility of federal cuts.  Mr. Stankavich noted that if federal funding was removed "...our reduced services would very likely be noticed by the public." 

For this little leftist that could mean all sorts of no-good.  Would KPLU revert back to the limited schedule it held prior to 1985?  Will I have to turn elsewhere to hear the music of John Pizzarelli? Who knows, but it doesn't look good. While my interview with Pizzarelli was earlier this week, the U.S. House voted today to cut funding of National Public Radio and its affiliate stations. The bill is not expected to make it through the Senate, however. It is all yet unknown to what the true impact will be. 

I've read in the Washington Post direct federal funding for NPR only accounts for two-percent of their overall budget.  So, two-percent ... What the big deal?  The two-percent figure doesn't take into account that member stations, like KPLU, are funded primarily though federal grants, underwriters and fundraising. The largest portion of which is the federal money.  Without this funding many of the NPR affiliate stations will be forced to make major changes. 

KPLU has a large base of operation in the Puget Sound and will prevail, though the programming may have to change.  Other smaller station may not be so lucky and might have to close if the axe really, truly does come down. 

As for state money, it has been four years since a grant was issued to KPLU by Washington.  Mr. Stankavich adds, "We do not foresee any potential for seeking state funds in the immediate future."

I know I will be forlorn without the calm serenade of "Evening Jazz" as I drive down I-5.   But it might still be year before our KPLU goes by the wayside.  Mr. Stankavich assured me earlier this week, "We continue to seek to forestall any cuts to public broadcasting and our listeners (and viewers for public TV) are working hard to try and convince congress that these cuts will be damaging to the public broadcasting system." 

Though it is not a solid affirmation, I'll take comfort in it.  Our children have a fighting chance of being able to sip their decaf soy what-have-you and listen to the news of the day from a great local station.

CHECK IT WHILE YOU STILL CAN >>>

You wouldn't know it by looking outside, but winter is ever-so-slowly fading into spring. Soon, that big winter parka will be stored away, replaced by suntan lotion and hiking boots. Trips to the beach will replace weekends at the ski lodge. In no time at all we'll be basking in those clear spring days - warm rays from the sun beaming down on us while we....

Wait. Sorry. This is Washington. Spring comes sometime in mid-June.

Anyway, the technical end to winter (spring supposedly starts March 20) does mean the end for the inaugural season of Olympia Winter Nights. Tonight's fourth and final installment, featuring Briana Marela and the Steve Munger Quintet, begins at 8 p.m. Tune in live to TCTV channel 77, KAOS 89.3 FM, or the OWN Blog to watch the last episode of this truly remarkable local series.

Or, if you're feeling extra springy, head down to The Evergreen State College and catch the performance in-studio.