Comment on Rob Holland in the original broadcast booth by Hap Hazard

Hap Hazard — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 19:00:52 +0000

Imagine KVMR the campfire, around which we tell our tales that reach back over 30 years with thousands of storytellers, listeners, volunteers, broadcasters…
In the summer of 1978 I had just returned from an adventure that turned out to be a year long trip around the world hitchiking, riding the tops of busses with the luggage through Pakistan and Nepal. It started by crossing the States in a Volkswagon that needed to be push started. Met lots of people that way. A vagabond starting in Iceland, then Europe. The big step was bussing into Istanbul, and then never looking back from the eastward direction. Iran, Afghanistan (a favorite), India, Burma, Thailand, Korea – too many to name, several adventures in those carefree, daredevil days.
It was the summer of that return that I heard a local radio station was starting up in Nevada City. I attended a very hang loose meeting in the Foundry, and volunteered to do a children’s program. The day I drove up to the famous little cabin on Banner Mtn. to get a little training and actually go on the air was quite exciting. As soon as I arrived, the on-the-air duo expressed their gratitude that I had showed up, and then they left! I had not a clue as how to run the very simplistic, turntabled mixing board.
But I got the bug, broadcasted in many time slots, became Hap Hazard, got to interview Leonard Cohen and…, the stories are endless from there.

Comment on The Webguy’s Introduction by Bruce Hayden

Bruce Hayden — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 15:11:56 +0000

I began my association with KVMR sometime around late 1989 or early 90. My first wife and I separated. I was pretty much wandering around looking for something in my life. My wife and I were heavily involved for 14 years with our local community theatre. She was a scene painter/set designer for the company and had shared in a number of Elly Awards for their sets. I had also begun judging theatre for the SARTA Elly Awards from 1989-91.
I had been an avid listener of KVMR since the time I discovered the station a few years prior. There was a mention for volunteers to work on Fight Night and I stepped into the breach. With background for set building I soon found my way into helping on constructing the sets in the Miners Foundry for Fright Night as well as volunteering for working the event. Thus began my emersion into the world of radio, in particular, Community radio.
Soon after I began to volunteer I was approached and asked if I were interested in broadcasting and soon found myself being trained by Betty Worth who did the superb Friday afternoon Jazz show. My training was pretty spotty as I was so busy with judging over 50 plays that year. Betty was an excellent trainer and I learned much from her. Betty soon asked if I might consider joining the KVMR board of directors. Little did I know where that was soon to lead me.
I was not long on the board when we unearthed a huge debt that had been what you might say swept under the carpet. The station was not long from having the doors closed by the IRS and other creditors had not been paid in months. Thus began what has become known as the DEBT CRISIS.
This also was a time that we discovered just how important the station we had taken for granted really was to ourselves and the community. I will always recall that late night executive board meeting in which we sat dumb founded as we looked at the debt that we had as yet not fully uncovered, more would eventually surface. We only knew we had a serious problem and were not as yet sure what we would do as the amount was very large. Faced with one of the worst recession in California’s history it was looking grim. Thus began what could be called the Cheryl Dachlor “Board of Achievements”. Indeed Cheryl as President was the true leader of this board.
That night was would become special night for those of us in that room. We bonded closely from that time forward. We made a vow that if the station was going to go down it was not that by lack of what was needed, a herculean effort on our part and the KVMR staff and Volunteers.
Nothing was too small to help to bring funds in, garage sales, auctions, on air fundraisers, outreach to the communities that KVMR reached, increasing the Nite Live concert series from the 10 a year to well over two dozen in one year, the KVMR Acoustic Music Festival were among many projects organized.
This board also rewrote the policies and procedures needed to put a more balanced structure with a sound business footing for the future. We rewrote the job descriptions, began putting a board manual together, began the process of changing the way accounting was kept. I do not recall if we made changes to the by-laws, I believe we did but with so much committee work we were all doing many things were shared between each of them. Each of us was on more than one committee. It was with this board from which the grant was written for the Antenna/Transmitter upgrade and later another board brought that project to fruition. We also were successful for that time in installing a Translator in Sacramento which for a few years helped reach into Sacramento. It has been said this board built the foundation for which the present house of KVMR sits on.
Most of us were at the station at least three or four days a week, I could say that outside of my job I spent as much if not more time at KVMR than I did at my home. We all began our terms hoping for some other goals we could see during our time on the KVMR board, capital improvements, growth in community outreach and increase in revenues and membership. We did see and increase in membership and revenues but the revenues were going towards retiring the debt.
By the time my three plus years on the board termed out I was pretty burnt out. The debt problem was by then manageable, nearly erased. Within six months of my leaving none of us who were in that room the night the full impact of the debt was reveled were on the board. We had all left, tired burnt out but with a feeling we had truly accomplished something.
During this time we also set up the first broadcast training classes for which I completed the class. I still hear several of those who were in my class on air at KVMR.
Later I would meet Cindy who would become my wife. She would also get the music and radio virus. Presently Cindy is now a part of the KVMR broadcast family.
If it were not for KVMR Cindy and I would never have begun the American River Folk Society from which I founded KFOK-LP in Georgetown. We would not have begun a concert series which we are just now ending after 10 successful years. We would not have begun the American River Acoustic Music Camp. I would never have come in contact with Folk Alliance for which I now sit on the FAR West Region board.
To say KVMR has had a profound effect in my life and now Cindy’s is an understatement.
Bruce Hayden

Comment on KVMR takes a look back… Joel Sotelo by patricia levitan

patricia levitan — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 15:37:40 +0000

I had just moved to Nevada County and needed a place to rent. I met Jimma Abbott who told me he and some others had just started a radio station and would be happy to put my “ad” on the air. I didn’t find a place to rent through KVMR but I did begin listening daily and was hooked. I became a member by joining for “eight dollars and ninety-five cents” the going rate at the time.

Comments for Tales of KVMR

Comment on Rob Holland in the original broadcast booth by Hap Hazard

Comment on The Webguy’s Introduction by Bruce Hayden

Comment on KVMR takes a look back… Joel Sotelo by patricia levitan