• Format
  • Publications (documents)
• Type
  • Text
• Source institution
  • Western Carolina University
• Identifier
  • HL_WesternCarolinian_1993-02-25_Vol58_No21_04

The Western Carolinian Page 4 Thursday, February 25, 1993 Voices Volume 58 Number 21 ' Top 40 music is throwaway culture'' To the Editor. Afterreading the letters from ; DaveWilliamsandtheresponsefrom ' the staff of WWCU in the last two " Carolinians, I could not help but notice that they weren' t really about the ! same thing. The major discrepancy | between the two is that while Mr. ! Williams is discussing the radio ■ station'sformatandchoiceofrnusic, the station is discussing Williams' ! dismissal. So in order to deny them i another easy way out of responding j to the wishes of the students they I supposedly serve, letmemake itclear that I am not crusading for Dave's reinstatement. If WWCU wishes to base its hiring and firing decisions on i whether of not someone uses a naughty word or on the complaints of j a bunch of teary-eyed Madonna wanna-bes who can't stand the I thought that other people don't take ; their bubble-gum music seriously, that's their problem. My problem, and that of everyone I have talked to, ! is that the music played on the radio station is damn near unbearable. What's wrong with a constant parade of remixed disco and processed pop on the only station you can get in our little valley, you ask? Well, try this little experiment. Listen to WWCU for an hour or two and write down the all the artists who are played. Now check out your collection of tapes/records/CDs. If you're like most of us, there is little or no conelation between the two. Seems to me like that's a clear case of not giving the audience what it wants to hear. Why is that, do you think? If you'd like an answer to that question, go check out the cutout bins at most record stores. What you will find among the small time bands that never got anywhere is a collection of the Top 40 music of yesteryear. They are there because the "artists" in question have used up their richly undeserved 15 minutes of fame. If you don't believe it, try to find something by such musical geniuses as Vanilla Ice, Men Without Hats, Ray Parker, Jr., the Mary Jane Girls, the New Kids on the Block, or Tone Loc in the regular full price racks. (If you think it's unfair to expect such old acts to remain popular, try to find Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon," released in 1973, or Metallica's "Kill 'Em All," released in 1983 in the discount bins. Good music will last and it will continue to sell.) Although there was a time when you couldn't get away from any of this stuff (and God knows I've tried), today most people couldn't identify them at gunpoint, and this is not an accident. The artists mentioned above are shining examples of the worst thing that ever happened to rock music, namely the takeover of an art form by a bunch of corporate giants. The people who produce this stuff and inflict it upon an unsuspecting public are about as interested in putting out good music as GE is in making light bulbs that never burn out or GM is in making cars that run past their warranty. Not only is it not worth the trouble, it is actually bad for their business. Top 40 music is throwaway culture. What they want is for you to pay $15 to $20 for a CD by Joe Disco, listen to it two or three times, and put it on the shelf and go drop that much again on a new CD by Jack Disco, which is doomed to a similar fate. The music industry chews these guys up and spits them out, and while they probably get better than they deserve, the rest of us get much less. Besides the annoyance of having to listen to this seemingly endless parade of formula-dependent, over-produced, moronic no-talents whose greatest aspiration is to come up with a good beat that you can dance to and to look good in the video, there is a much more serious problem with this kind of music. It crowds out truly innovative, original, and talented artists who aren' t so hungry for money that they'd record TV show theme music if their producer Top 40 music WWCU required to follow playlists To the Editor of the Western Carolinian, In the past few weeks your editorial page has appeared as a sounding board for all of the complaints that our student populace has against our campus radio station, WWCU- FM. I am a former volunteer at the station who has his own personal disagreements with the format of our station, but as a licensed operator of a radio station, I also see that the station is regulated in its ways of operation. In thismatter, do not misunderstand me. The station is not regulated to play Top 40 music, yet, it is licensed as a contemporary hit radio station. This designation requires that (he station's primary format be that of the CHR. Those students, and remember all employees of WWCU-FM are students, who work at the station are required to follow play lists that regulate the types of music to be played and the Executive Staff is set to enforce those policies. There are many ways that the student populace here at Western can make their desires known as to the changing of the station's format. The General Manager of the station is the key student to aim all correspondence at, yet he is limited by a governing board that controls all activities of the radio station. This board does not interfere in daily operations, but only controls the monetary situation and sets forth guidelines that the station is to follow. The most accessible figure on this board is the Vice Chancellor of Student Development, Dr. Glenn W. Stillion. I invite all other students that share a viewpoint that the radio station needs to undergo change, to join me in approaching the problem from an indirect approach. Write to Dr. Stillion in 460 H.F. Robinson Administration Bldg., and express your dissatisfaction in the format of the station, or call him at 7147. It is only by going to those who set the policies that change can be made. Personal attacks on the students who work at the station are wholly wrong and unwarranted. Poli- Low temperature burning not permitted In my last letter, I mentioned high temperature incineration when I should have called it low temperature incineration. The low temperature burning process is no longer permitted to be constructed or placed into operation. The older incinerators, when properly maintained, will be permitted to be used for the remainder of their useful life. Since last week, I have discovered the new Sieverville, Tenn., plant that is just now being finished. Unas been in the design and building stages for approximately 5 years, and shows how the state of the art has exceeded our ability to make changes tokeepupwithbuilding. Thisopera- tion will compost and recycle about 63% of the trash and garbage, which leaves a large tonnage each day for otherwise handling. At the time of the design and approval, this high temperature reduction engineering was neither ready nor approved for use. Sieverville is still being faced with burying, even before the plant has received its final approval for use. If we go into an ideal disposal system, which eventually we will have to do, it will be a mixture of composting, recycling, and high temperature reduction. This appears to be the only completely total system at this time. This will probably take five to ten years of legislation in order to make the final progress. It must also be noted that all of the college textbooks are between two and five years behind current high-tech progress. For students wishing toenterhigh-tech fields, they should try for summer jobs therein, and possibly obtain the manuals which are put out by the manufacturer of high-tech equipment. This will keep one up to date as much as possible. For now, we are still tied to composting, recycling wherever possible, and high temp burning. Thank you, Frank Young tics is rampant on any job location and must be handled professionally. In my semester and a half at the station I found that the political situation was tricky but that all members of the Executive Staff, including General Manger McCanless and Program Directors Chad Ledford (A.K.A. Eddie Foxx) and Jeff Cress were extremely fair and equal in all infractions that I incuned as well as other during my tenure. These students deserve the respect of their peers for the job they do in running a top-notch college radio station that is comparable to any college format, nationwide. Make your voice heard and use the university hierarchy to make your feelings known, write the Vice Chancellor and exact change the way that was granted us by the United States Constitution, petition for that change. Michael Sean Francisco Cullowhee, NC told them to do so. It strangles creativity, because creativity is a chancy thing and that makes corporations nervous. They'd rather you sounded just like these guys that are popular right now, because they know people will buy that kind of stuff. There are at least five garage bands in this tiny little valley that could blow the doors off almost everybody WWCU will let on the air, but their chances of making it are slim without selling out. The idea that music is an art is actually considered funny to a lot of the people in charge of putting it out, and if the people at WWCU don't share that attitude, they're doing a damn good imitation of it. As a matter of fact, in a very important way, WWCU is worse that most stations. Business in America doesn't exactly have a long and distinguished track record of worrying about art. Stations like KISS-FM in Asheville have bills to pay, people's families to support, and stockholders to satisfy. They're in it to make money and since you need it to live, it's understandable, although contemptible, that they're afraid to take chances. WWCU, however, is not a profit making enterprise (if I'm not mistaken, that's another of the precious laws the station must follow). Most college radio stations are that way and that's why most of the innovative and creative music first becomes recognized at college stations. This fact, the great freedom that is open to them, is lost on the powers thatbeatZ-91. WWCU does not sell ads, it does not make money. The school, the state, and in the end all of us pay for it. If nobody in range listens to it or if everybody in range listens to it, it's effectively the same as far as what happens to the station. Therefore they have no excuse. They chose to shove their crap down our throats. Food service started to straighten up (a little) when people stopped sitting around and taking it, the radio station is no different. For those of you who think that nothing can ever change the station's policies, let me tell you that you are wrong. I've been in Cullowhee a while, and while I don't really rememeber a time when the station was great, I remember when you could at least listen to it occasionally. At one time, each night of the week was devoted to a different kind of music. There was dance music, classic rock, hard rock, country, light rock, a little something for everyone. It wasn' t a great system, but it sure as hell served the students better than the current format, which is at best a rotten imitation of one of our only alternative radio choices, KISS-FM. This is a relatively recent experiment, and it has failed miserably. If you'd like to see more diversity, more attention to the needs of all the students instead of just those who wish to numb themselves to the music that they'll have to stomach in order to make it in radio, and just more music that will make it possible for you to stand it when your car tape player dies, then do something about it. Call the station and complain. Complain in the paper. Gripe to the DJ's you know. The people at the radio station have proven their devotion to the status quo and will continue to pledge their allegiance to it if you let them. Don't be placated by fairy tales about surveys that they hope to do something about sometime before the turn of the century, demand action now! Thank you, Curtis Pate Z-91 has "flexible formafduring daytime Dear Editor, Due to the recent negative responses toward our radio station, Z-91 (WWCU), I feel that it is my obligation to put forth my opinion on the matter. I think that many would agree with me that this constant bashing and harassing of Z-91 is a bit on the immature and shallow side. If a change is what is wanted, then the way to achieve it is to support, not tear down, WWCU. It is unfair to say that Z-91 is a bad station, the DJ's taste is numb, and the whole operation is mentally slow. I can see reasons why some students say they do not like Z-91. Most of the time it plays Top 40, which is a type of music that lacks new wave music, and whenever I turn on the radio I do not hear what I Children must be supervised, Chancellor Coulter writes Dear Editor, The following letter was sent out as a memo to some of the University's offices and was signed by Chancellor Coulter. I work for the University and due to my position I would prefer that this copy run in your newspaper as an unsigned editorial. For obvious reasons, I feel that not only the University community but also members of the local community who might also have children visiting the campus should be , aware of the words and policies afftecing their children. The memo read as follows: "There have come to my attention several instances in which young children have been brought to campus and left without supervision for extended periods of time. In some cases, it appears that the children accompanied family members who are engaged in organized University activities and courses; in other cases, they accompanied University faculty and staff members to work. Additionally, there have been instances of older children in certain campus buildings (particularly Reid Gymnasium) who attempt to use the facilities during periods when classes and other scheduled activities are being carried out. Unsupervised children appear on campus most frequently in Summer School, on snow days in the Winter, and on public school holidays. These, of course, may be times when parents find it most difficult to arrange supervisory care for their children. Nevertheless, for several compelling reasons the University cannot permit the presence of unsupervised children on campus. First is the risk of injury. There are on campus a great many automobiles, a great deal of mechani cal equipment, and many high places from which a child might fall. The risk of very serious injury to an unattended child on the campus is real and present. Second, there have been instances of classes and other University operations disrupted by children running through hallways, classrooms, and offices. Three, effective job performance has suffered in some instances as a result of faculty and staff members attempting to supervise their own or other employees' children while at work. For these reasons, you are asked to observe the following policies: 1) Children under the age of 14, when on campus, must be accompanied by a responsible older person or be engaged in a supervised University activity; 2) Children of University employees should not be present in their parents' work areas for extended periods of time or in other campus facilities unless involved in an organized University activity or have the permission of the person in charge of the facility. I recognize that parents frequently have a difficult time anang- ing for the care of their children, particularly when the need is unexpected. However, I am sure that you will understand the University's concern for the safety of children on the campus and the need for preserving a proper environment for the conduct of University business." I feel that my children have to the basic right to be where they want at whatever time they may choose to be there. I hope other parents will join me in my concern and voice this to the leaders of WCU. A concerned parent. want to listen to. There is a lot of underground music that people want to hear that the radio station is passing by. Although some DJs play some of what I want to hear, they usually test the bounds of WWCU on a kind of no-holds barred attitude and get themselves fired. Besides all of the negative opinions of those not directly affiliated with Z-91, the DJs really do an excellent job. Where else can you get free prizes and free laughs? These guys are funny and I know a few of them personally. They are just crazy DJs who have great personalities for radio. Z-91 lays out a clear and somewhat flexible format for their DJs to present to you, their Cocaine: A sad look into empty eyes Dear Editor, This past Saturday afternoon, I went to a rest home along with other members of the Spanish Club to deliver Valentine's Day cards. Each resident has a different reaction to the cards, some were appreciative and others really had no reaction at all. Then the attendant lead us to the last room at the end of the hall and opened the door. She told the woman inside that there were some young people delivering Valentine cards. I could not see her yet, but I certainly heard her reply which was, "I don't give a sh—." When she came to the door, after the attendant reprimanded her, as if she were a rebellious teenager, I was surprised to see an attractive young woman, in her thirties. At first glance, she seemed not to belong to this place full of the elderly, but at a closer look, I noticed that she had a strange, wasted look in her eyes. They were empty of life. She seemed hostile and also confused like a lost child. I handed her a card wondering if she was going to slam the door in my face, instead she looked at me for half a second, lowered her eyes, then grunted a "thank you." The door closed. We found out why she was in a rest home. COCAINE. The attendant told us simply that cocaine had fried her brain. Her life has practically ended at the age of thirty-five and now her mother visits her, instead of the other way around. For as long as I live, I know I will never forget her face, the face of cocaine.. fellow students, throughout the day. Some students seem to feel that WWCU is biased and/or fascist. Technically, Z-91 does not have to play what the students want. Actually, the station is there for educational purposes and the students should be thankful it does not play Glenn Miller. Aside from music, Z- 91 is run for two purposes. 1) To give students who are interested in radio an opportunity to work in a "real" radio station atmosphere and 2) to provide the students with information and entertainment. Z-91 has an additional purpose: Think of it as a live "you're on the air" class. If the student staff atZ-91 is doing such a wonderful job, then where is the problem? Let's take the survey situation for an example. Z- 91 has completed the writing of the* survey as requested and has turned it in to the market department. It is completely out of WWCU's hands. You cannot blame the student DJs at WWCU, but you can protest the marketing department. You have the say, the tuition money, and the drive to take the station in any direction you want if you do it properly. You cannot just shoot it down with words and opinions. Let's see some action, because of right now "all is quiet on the Western front." Maybe the Top 40 format has got you all fouled up. You're: probably asking yourself "Should I write nasty, empty letters to the editor? Should I force feed my friends, with my opinions?" For those of you ! who find it necessary to change or begin a revolution against Z-91, I ■ think that constructive planning (not j ababy's babbling cry) will do the job. Let's start a Musical Revolution at Western Carolina University. It is. happening all over the world; why | can't Cullowhee be part of it? Of' course Z-91 is afraid of change, but j change is something that cannot be avoided. Listeners and non-listeners, we can change either by debasing the radio station or by supporting it. Let's - support it for a change. We need to give the station a slow, mature, and professional change which the sta- don cannot resist, thereby molding it to Catamount standards. We need a j radio station that we can listen to, not: avoid. Sincerely, David C. Driscoll

The Western Carolinian is Western Carolina University's student-run newspaper. The paper was published as the Cullowhee Yodel from 1924 to 1931 before changing its name to The Western Carolinian in 1933.

• Creator
  • Western Carolina University
• Format
  • Publications (documents)
• Type
  • Text
• Date
  • Date original: 1993-02-25
  • Date digitized: 2019-10-23
• Extent
  • Dimension: 22.75" x 14.25"
  • Pages: 10 pages
• Subject - Topic
  • College student newspapers and periodicals
  • Cullowhee (N.C.) -- Newspapers
  • Universities and colleges -- North Carolina -- Cullowhee -- Newspapers
  • Western Carolina University -- Periodicals
• Location
  • Jackson County (N.C.)
  • Cullowhee (N.C.)
• Source institution
  • Western Carolina University
• Source Collection
  • WCU Students Newspapers Collection
• Identifier
  • HL_WesternCarolinian_1993-02-25_Vol58_No21
• Repository
  • Western Carolina University Hunter Library