In Jason Hough’s recent letter, he posits that the reason most Ames area listeners do not listen to the KURE is that we have a lot of “no-name bands” and “made-up genres.” I am disappointed in his fascination with corporate radio’s playlists that repeat identical songs to no end.

Furthermore, the assertion that “every time I tune into 88.5, I hear crap,” is so inherently ludicrous that I refuse to refute it.

But does he think, just maybe, there could be many bands out there that have just as much talent as all of the mainstream bands, but refuse to either sell out to corporate America, or explore sounds that are less conducive to mainstream formats? Perhaps there are bands who demand to explore new sonic territory, or who actually have enough respect for song-writing craft to display in their art form an understanding of the incredible history of music?

In fact, these are the “made-up genres” to which you refer. They exist because artists and listeners alike have more of a love for music and just how amazing it can be than you could ever know.

Nearly every person I know listens to KURE. But does that matter? You say “if no one is listening, what’s the point.” I say, if I have to sacrifice the integrity of college radio to get a few more listeners, than I quit.

So you want a show? Ask yourself if you really have something to offer. The show you outlined seems to be nothing more than a rehashing of what can by found on those stations you mentioned.

So why would you need a show? The major labels dictate what gets played on all of your stations through funding of the FCC and all of the corporate giants (Clear Channel probably owns every station you listen to).

We are the last hope for non-money driven music. But what does that matter if we only play obscure, unpleasant noise?

I doubt that you have actually given us a chance, seeing as we actually have formats for nearly every style imaginable, running the gamut of music styles, from hip-hop to Japanese, from alt-folk to metal. Why don’t you, and everyone else who is skeptical, try listening? In fact, go to www.kure885.org, find a show you might like, and try it out. Expand your horizons a little, and try to realize that the musical sun does not fall and set with MTV.

James Bishop

Junior

Electrical engineering

KURE program director