| The untimely and tragic termination of art radio
in southern California took place in 1995 after a brave struggle for survival.
The death certificate was signed by Mark Schubb, newly appointed General
Manager at KPFK-FM, Pacifica radio, Los Angeles. The cause of death as
stated by Schubb was the failure of artists and their audiences to make
substantial enough payments to the station to merit their continued life
on the air.
This is one more instance when the cultural health of both individuals and the community are subject to the values of the marketplace, furthering the ever-increasing crisis which puts those of lower incomes at greater risk. Unlike in more enlightened countries where artists are actually paid to air their work, in America they are now being asked to pay. This suggests that the sudden death of art radio in southern California was due to a new mutant virus introduced into the public broadcasting system that resembles a perverse form of "payola." The withdrawal of government funding necessary to maintain non-commercial endeavors will only increase the spread of this corrupting epidemic. Under such circumstances it is apparent that the death at KPFK was not of "natural causes," nor was it induced by damaging verbal habits, poor content nutrition, or lack of creative innovation. Thus Schubb's termination of life support without the consent of the parent/producer raises questions of foul play. In the case of Soundings, the 14 year old acclaimed weekly program featuring audio art, radio art, sound art, performance art, and experimental music from around the world, a Grievance Committee hearing was called by producer/host Jacki Apple prior to Schubb's official pulling of the plug, and no cause for termination could be cited. It now appears both due process and rights under the station by-laws have been superceded by executive decree. Soundings' long list of guest interviews and live performances featured an impressive array of talent including Rachel Rosenthal, Lee Breuer and Bob Telson, Spalding Gray, David Moss, Terry Allen, Rinde Eckert, John Fleck, Anna Homler, David Antin, Keith Antar Mason, Guillermo Gomez-Pena, Larry Miller and William de Ridder, Harold Budd, and many many more. Also featured were works from the New American Radio series. The death of Soundings, along with Jay Kugelman's Poetic License leave a barren broadcast landscape behind in southern California. They are survived by no relatives or offspring. No services were held. In lieu of flowers or donations letters of protest and calls for an investigation may be sent to the Pacifica National Board in Washington, D.C. Petitions by artists and arts organizations are also welcome. |