WLJS finds big names, more students
Doran Smith
Issue date: 1/28/10 Section: News
Jacksonville State University's radio station, WLJS 92J, is growing. While the growth may not be obvious to new listeners, long time listeners to WLJS have noticed an obvious growth over the past few semesters.
The radio station's growth is attributed to the new requirement in the Communication Department, a media workshop. The workshop requires students to have a practicum in one of the department's forms of student media.
"Now, to be in the Communication Department, you actually have to be involved in the department," said Zach Childree, Editor and Chief of the Chanticleer.
The university's radio station has benefited greatly from the media workshop. Where program directors once found it difficult to find disc jockeys, WLJS now has a solid workforce.
"Right now, we have over fourty DJs," said Billy Ramsey, Program Director for WLJS. "We are looking to expand to sixty during the spring semester. Some program directors in the past have had trouble getting students to volunteer. With this new requirement for media workshop, we can pick and choose."
The media workshop's first semester to be required was this past spring semester. Already, the varying influences can be heard from the growing WLJS station.
"Our shows range from alternative country with Cigarettes and Train Wrecks, to death metal with The Descent, to adult contemporary with Adam and Friends."
Another welcome symptom of the radio station's growth spurt is an equipment upgrade for WLJS.
"We are looking at using actual automation software in our radio station, as opposed to just playing music off of itunes or CDs," Ramsey said. "With this, we make our students more marketable to big radio stations."
The station is also adding variety to the content the air. Since the beginning of the school year, Ramsey has been coordinating several interviews with big-mane bands to air for student entertainment.
"We have already interviewed Hinder, Decipher down and August Burns Red," said Ramsey. "Coming up, we have Blackeyed Peas, John Mayer, Eric Clapton, Owl City and Devil Wears Prada."
These interviews are all scheduled throughout the next month and coincide with the musicians' concert tour through the south. Also scheduled for an interview is Casting Crowns, Edwin McCain, Alice in Chains and the Used.
"In the past, I have been handling artists with kid gloves; not really getting to deep" Ramsey said. "That is over. It is time to get to the heart of it."
Another reason for conversing with big-name bands, according to Ramsey, is to get the names of local artists featured on WLJS out and about.
"Some of the local musicians we have, like Lindsey Hinkle and Dustin Benifield, are very talented," Ramsey said. "By doing interviews with big name bands, I can maybe help those musicians to get signed on with a label."
The radio station's growth is attributed to the new requirement in the Communication Department, a media workshop. The workshop requires students to have a practicum in one of the department's forms of student media.
"Now, to be in the Communication Department, you actually have to be involved in the department," said Zach Childree, Editor and Chief of the Chanticleer.
The university's radio station has benefited greatly from the media workshop. Where program directors once found it difficult to find disc jockeys, WLJS now has a solid workforce.
"Right now, we have over fourty DJs," said Billy Ramsey, Program Director for WLJS. "We are looking to expand to sixty during the spring semester. Some program directors in the past have had trouble getting students to volunteer. With this new requirement for media workshop, we can pick and choose."
The media workshop's first semester to be required was this past spring semester. Already, the varying influences can be heard from the growing WLJS station.
"Our shows range from alternative country with Cigarettes and Train Wrecks, to death metal with The Descent, to adult contemporary with Adam and Friends."
Another welcome symptom of the radio station's growth spurt is an equipment upgrade for WLJS.
"We are looking at using actual automation software in our radio station, as opposed to just playing music off of itunes or CDs," Ramsey said. "With this, we make our students more marketable to big radio stations."
The station is also adding variety to the content the air. Since the beginning of the school year, Ramsey has been coordinating several interviews with big-mane bands to air for student entertainment.
"We have already interviewed Hinder, Decipher down and August Burns Red," said Ramsey. "Coming up, we have Blackeyed Peas, John Mayer, Eric Clapton, Owl City and Devil Wears Prada."
These interviews are all scheduled throughout the next month and coincide with the musicians' concert tour through the south. Also scheduled for an interview is Casting Crowns, Edwin McCain, Alice in Chains and the Used.
"In the past, I have been handling artists with kid gloves; not really getting to deep" Ramsey said. "That is over. It is time to get to the heart of it."
Another reason for conversing with big-name bands, according to Ramsey, is to get the names of local artists featured on WLJS out and about.
"Some of the local musicians we have, like Lindsey Hinkle and Dustin Benifield, are very talented," Ramsey said. "By doing interviews with big name bands, I can maybe help those musicians to get signed on with a label."
Viewing Comments 1 - 5 of 5
friendsofwljs
posted 1/30/10 @ 3:50 PM CST
Where to begin?
Media Workshop requirement:
Positive: Good to have a bigger pool of volunteers to choose from. The station is now able to fill shifts they would have otherwise filled with UnderCurrents or other outside pre-recorded programming. (Continued…)
Tiberius
posted 1/31/10 @ 12:11 AM CST
Why the hell do you insist on doing our job for us?
thatguy
posted 2/09/10 @ 10:12 AM CST
Well, the thing is Tiberius, that FriendsofWLJS is right on a lot of things. I have noticed a lot of hate toward our "friend," but little things have been piling up at the station. (Continued…)
Christiano Ronaldo
posted 2/11/10 @ 6:31 AM CST
Friendsofwljs and thatguy make some strong points. "Obvious growth" doesn't immediately equal a similar growth in quality. The key for WLJS should be smart planning for the growth. (Continued…)
Tiberius
posted 2/11/10 @ 11:55 AM CST
Someone making suggestions is one thing. Peddling crappy music and bashing peoples shows is completely different. Yeah, I agree the music needs tweaking. (Continued…)
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