Community classic rock

KUNM is asking for money again. This is not out the ordinary for a public radio station, except that they're saying that they need it to finish the renovations they started on their offices.

Which begs the question, "Why didn't they make sure they had enough money before they started the renovations?"

My wife and I give money to KUNM, usually once a year. We even donated our old car. We do it in the hopes that someday KUNM will air something we want to listen to.

Which begs the question, "Why are we such suckers?"

OK, maybe that's a little harsh. Let me put it in a different way. Other college radio stations encourage students to have their own shows. It makes for interesting programming. You might even call it "community" programming. KUNM doesn't seem to do this. Their schedule is made up of large blocks devoted to programs that have a certain staid quality to them. There's the NPR stuff. There's the classical show. The jazz show. The blues show. And the classic rock show. And the reggae show. And the alternative rock show. And the salsa show.

Sir! All forms of popular music accounted for, SIR!

Except country music, sir!

So anytime I get in the mood to find out what's going on in the world of classic or alternative rock, there it is. Please help me to contain my enthusiasm.

My wife is even less with the program than I am. Whenever I get into her car, the radio is always tuned to The Peak. "We're community radio listeners," I tell her, again and again as I tune back to KUNM. "We listen to KUNM. Remember how we gave them our old car? Here we go. Here's the reggae show you enjoy so much."

OK, OK, let's be fair to KUNM. We should be nice to them. They're a volunteer organization. They are nothing if not diverse. And they do a good job of serving the community, hence the classic rock show.

I have nothing against any particular programming. (Except the classical show. I hate the classical show. And Bioneers.) But like I said before, I just wish they would air something I want to listen to. Besides Home of Happy Feet. I love Home of Happy Feet. Thank you, KUNM, for Happy Feet.

When I give money during the next pledge drive, I hope they use it to hire an accountant who can tell them if they can afford the next renovations or not.