Tune in and turn up

Don’t students ever wonder what it would be like to turn on the radio and be able to listen for at least a full hour of music without hearing the same song twice? Wouldn’t it be nice to not hear the cheesy DJs with dramatic voices spin the songs that we’ve heard hundreds of times yet they swear that they’re “what’s happening”?

Give me a break.

If students really want to know where the pulse of America’s music is located look no further than 90.3 on your radio dial.

For the past few decades KDVS has been pumping out a virtual cornucopia of high-quality programming. On any given night students can tune in and let their ears bear witness to music that covers rock to hip-hop to punk to Latin to jazz. Sound like the average radio station? I think not.

The variety doesn’t stop here. For the early risers, students can listen to DJs play music as well as tackle social, environmental, and political issues in the Sacramento community and areas around the globe. Who said educational programming only existed on AM radio?

What’s so refreshing about the hosts is that they select the type of music and programming that they want the audience to vibe to. These DJs don’t try to sell the latest song and album or promote the latest music trend. Plain and simple, these VOLUNTEER DJs know their stuff and they are not afraid to put their skills on display.

“This is a station dedicated to independent, underground, and more importantly, non-commercial, free-form music,” said program director Eric Christopherson.

Although KDVS is located in Davis, Christopherson maintains that a majority of their support comes from CSUS and the surrounding Sacramento area, a sure sign that the word is out about the station.

“We work really hard to keep the programming. It’s good to see people appreciate what we’re trying to do,” Christopherson said.

A surefire way to find out about what’s going on at KDVS is to pick up its programming guide, which comes out once a quarter. “KDViations,” as it is called, is the ultimate fix for the independent radio junkie. Packed with music schedules, information on local shows, and guest DJ writers, the guide serves as a map for travelers on the experimental music freeway called KDVS.

The station also has a Web site that will fulfill the needs of any avid browser with schedules, program archives, and merchandise information.

If commercial programming is considered the “main course” of American music, then I’d rather have the side dish of an independent radio. At least we won’t get full of one thing and have to listen to it again and again like next day’s leftovers.

To further whet students’ musical appetite, students can call KDVS at (530) 752-0728 or visit their Web site at www.kdvs.org.