KVMR takes a look back… Thomas Greener

Just a couple memories worth mentioning, from the Ragged But Right dude: 1. Moving day, from the Miner’s Foundry, to the Bridge Building. The discovery that the new record (LPs) room floor would not support the anticipated load. Several broadcaster/ carpenters, led by Paul Dahms & myself, installed a support beam, under the floor. This was on the day that we were moving into the Bridge Building at 401 Spring Street. Ragged But Right show was one of the last shows broadcast from the Miners Foundry location on that Saturday. The Outro Song at 2 p.m. was “Packin’ Up” by Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee. It was learned much later, that the same song, by the same artists, was the last song that KFAT broadcast, prior to going off the air, in January, 1983. Sounds kinda cosmic, to me.

KVMR takes a look back… John Rumsey

Originally published KVMR Listeners’ Guide Jun./Jul. 2003

There are so many memories but two particularly stand out. Brian Terhorst, our General Manager required long term hospitalization with a severe case of pneumonia. Glen Farr, Board Chairman; and Dawn Fischer, Board Secretary; volunteered their time, and along with Erica Randall, formed a management triumvirate that kept the station running smoothly for several months.

Secondly several years ago during our live Saturday broadcast from the County Fair, a truck knocked down the phone lines, breaking our communication link to the station. After a number of vain attempts to wade through the phone company bureaucracy on a weekend, Eric Rice climbed the pole, sorted out the wire and made the splice and put us back on the air. Another exhibit of the can do leadership that got our new tower in the air.

by John Rumsey

KVMR takes a look back… Jim Diffey

Originally published KVMR Listeners’ Guide Jun./Jul. 2003

My first memory of KVMR is the friends I have made. To me they are like family. Sharing a pleasant conversation and a joke or two has been a highlight of every week. I looked forward to doing my show because I knew I would see many of my friends.

My shows. From Tuesday mornings 1-4 a.m. then Thursday mornings 4-7 a.m. And finally alternate Wednesdays 2-4 p.m. The music and interviews have been fun and rewarding. But the phone calls and mail (real and electronic) have been extra special. People taking time from busy lives to express how much they like the music.

KVMR takes a look back… Chamba Lane

Originally published KVMR Listeners’ Guide Jun./Jul. 2003

KVMR, from its inception has always broadcast superb music. But spoken word programming on KVMR is rather recent. in fact it wasn’t until Paul Emery became program director that proponents of spoken word shows had anyone on staff to champion their cause. Paul believed spoken word shows had a place in our broadcast spectrum, and in spite of the fears of the music only crowd, created an effective balance between music and spoken word shows. So my favorite moment has to be when I learned that KVMR finally had a program director who believed in the value of spoken word. And after 4+ years of being turned down for every time slot I applied for, I finally got my chance to do the kind of show I had originally become a broadcaster to do.

by Chamba Lane

KVMR takes a look back… Brian Terhorst

Originally published KVMR Listeners’ Guide Jun./Jul. 2003

KVMR seems to be blessed with a Phoenix-like ability to turn a seemingly disastrous situation into a magical opportunity. I’ve had the honor to witness this phenomena on many occasions but one stands out in relief.

By mid-1998, we had overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles to replace our failing transmission facility on Banner Mountain. We had secured a federal grant, successfully raised our matching share, been granted a new FCC permit for the project, filed all of the necessary county paperwork, and withstood contentious public hearings. Everything appeared to be in order.