R.I.P. KTXT (1961 - 2008) Options

[blaarg]

KTXT is no more. Student Media Department didn't inform anyone on staff and changed the locks during the "final" broadcast before pulling the plug on the last day of finals.

http://www.kcbd.com/global/story.asp?s=9502063

[cmac]

this is an absolute outrage

[Hartmann]

Financial reasons?! What is so expensive? The annual AM costs?

[cmac]

Expenditures for KTXT-FM's equipment and maintenance operations over the past four years, on average, have consumed more than 41 percent of Student Media's financial resources. During that same time period, the station has generated less than one-quarter of 1 percent of the department's revenues.

http://media.www.ktxt.net/media/storage/pa...7077.shtml#more

But changing the locks and doing it during a time where the UD, DT, or whatever it's called, isn't in publication. Shutting out the student's voices. Pathetic

[rabble]

I sent a strongly worded email to the office of student media, and the president of the university. I plan to follow up with a phone call to both parties.

[blaarg]

Yeah I sent them a e-mail to Michael Shonrock (VP of Student Affairs) and they sent a reply back:
"THANKS for your most thoughtful comments below regarding KTXT-FM … I am copying both Susan Peterson and Dr. Jan Childress … "

[Mommy]

I think that the reasons "cutting off the student voice" and "KTXT had great programming" are the GAYEST reasons EVER to keep that radio station up and running.

First off, the students still have the free speech zone. Secondly, the newspaper isn't going anywhere for a while, and if it does it will be replaced with a web version of the news. Finally, KTXT played really crappy music that nobody gave a damn about except the few people that worked there and their friends.

The ONLY valid reason to keep that station up and running is that it is excellent training for those majoring in radio and tv broadcast or whatever they call it. It's great experience. That's the sad part. Now those students won't have anywhere to work or intern because I am sure the few local stations are already scraping the bottom of the barrel to get by. Radio and TV are a dying industry. So are newspapers. What they SHOULD look into is an internet broadcast. How many students sit there and listen to music on their computer while they type a paper? Internet is the way to go. If they weren't generating a profit, than it is because they were being poorly managed. They should have started other advertising schemes and other broadcast methods. Hell, even Podcasting so students could put it on their mp3 player and listen to it. They also should have stopped being so artsy fartsy. It's cool to play obscure. It's not cool to play a bunch of trance music that no one even likes.

[Mommy]

"First off, the students still have the free speech zone."

It's laughable that you think free speech should be relegated to a small "zone". You fail at basic human rights. The founding fathers would put a dunce hat on you and make you stand in the corner.

It seems kind of suspicious that they shut the station down without notifying the students or even telling the KTXT employees of their plans. They just changed the locks? Yeah, something is fishy.

Campuses in general are a mostly free speech area. Personally, other than religious and political points, I can't think of anything that wouldn't be allowed in other places on campus. Guess what? Unless a religious or political group buys time on a radio station, they aren't allowed to talk about it on radio either. In fact, I don't see how radio even allows for free speech since radio is under the domain of the FCC, and the FCC is strict as shit. Don't talk to me about basic human rights. That's just nonsense when it comes to radio.

[cmac]

Finally, KTXT played really crappy music that nobody gave a damn about except the few people that worked there and their friends.

this is highly subjective. i think if you took a look at some of their listener numbers you would be surprised. i read an article a while back about how ktxt was 4th, maybe 5th in terms of listener ratings in Lubbock. i'll try to find that...

[Oasis]

In the one summer session I listened to KTXT when my friend was a DJ, I heard exactly one decent song - some Thrice song. Nothing they talked about on-air was ever worth listening to. When I went to some of their parties are the house on the other side of University, it was a bunch of counterculture emo nerds dressed in way-too-tight-for-their-waifish-bodies-sweaters, way-too-tight-for-their-waifish-bodies-jeans, and way-too-pseudo-intellectual-wannabe-black-framed-glasses. They were losers who hung out with other losers of similar ilk

Who cares

[Mommy]

this is highly subjective. i think if you took a look at some of their listener numbers you would be surprised. i read an article a while back about how ktxt was 4th, maybe 5th in terms of listener ratings in Lubbock. i'll try to find that...

And how many radio stations play music in Lubbock? 4th or 5th is actually really bad in that area if you think about it.

[Oasis]

this is highly subjective. i think if you took a look at some of their listener numbers you would be surprised. i read an article a while back about how ktxt was 4th, maybe 5th in terms of listener ratings in Lubbock. i'll try to find that...

4th or 5th sounds right. That's second-to-last or last out of the English speaking radio stations in Lubbock

[Mommy]

4th or 5th sounds right. That's second-to-last or last out of the English speaking radio stations in Lubbock

lol

[cmac]

93.7
94.5
96.3
98.1
101.1
102.5
105.7
106.1

just some of the popular ones i can remember. i think 4th or 5th, for a college radio station, with no clear channel support, and very little advertising is more than exceptional. still looking for that article....

[Hartmann]

I think campus radio is important, not just because it gives students a "voice" but because neither print or radio journalism are going anywhere anytime soon.

Maybe the professors need a lesson in monetizing their station and getting ads. I'm sorry but Ralph's Records ads aren't going to keep a station afloat. The overall production of the station needed work and I tried to get this point across in a few e-mails. KVRX (UT's student media station) and KLSU (LSU's station) have decent listener numbers.

KTXT was trying not to be "mainstream" but maybe they needed a little of that to get people interested.

I'm sure someone will blame it on iPods or something...

[cmac]

posted in facebook group....

We're winning!
I just got a call from KTXT Station Manager Blake Porter. He said that KOHM has agreed to let 88.1 transmit and broadcast!

ALL WE NEED IS TWO THINGS:
SPACE and MONEY

This is not as daunting as it sounds. Texas Tech is one of the largest campuses in America. Space there surely is.

As for money.
This is the Texas Tech Budget for Fiscal Year 2008:
http://www.irs.ttu.edu/Reports/StateReport...8SkinnyBook.pdf
It can be found here:
http://www.irs.ttu.edu/Reports/StateReport...get/default.htm

FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE, I'VE POSTED SCREENSHOTS FROM THE BUDGET PDF HERE:
http://sites.google.com/site/save881/money
I'll upload them to the group photos as well.

I'll summarize what the budget tell us:

Let's say that the University was about to go into the red. We could make up some of this on our own.
But Texas Tech isn't about to go into the red.
Far from it.

Keep in mind that what the University had $164.35 million appropriated to them from the state for FY 2008.
Total current Funds Revenues for FY 2008?
$218,898,035

Let me say that again:

218 million, 898 thousand, 35 dollars.

Did you know they spend 2 million dollars on the golf course?

That's right. $218.9 million dollars -- a fifth of a BILLION -- and Texas Tech can't find a few dimes to squeeze together to keep their half-century old radio station on air.

For some reason, I'm reminded of The Big Three and AIG. But I digress.

Station Manager Porter says we're close to our goal. But we have to tell the head people that we won't stand for this. That KTXT can't be killed this way. Tell them all that you've been telling the Group and the newspapers; that this station is a part of your life, a part of your past, that it's a part of Lubbock.

We have to keep up the pressure for the station to live.

Remember: a call is better than an email, and both a call AND email is best.

-------- CONTACT --------------

TEXAS TECH PRESIDENT:
Guy Bailey
techpres@ttu.edu
Office of the President
Texas Tech University
150 Administration Building
Box 42005
Lubbock, Texas 79409-2005
(806) 742-2121
(806) 742-2138

TEXAS TECH PROVOST:
Jane L. Winer, Ph.D.
jane.winer@ttu.edu
Interim Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs
Office of the Provost
TTU
PO Box 42019
Lubbock, TX 79409-2019
(806) 742-2184 Office
(806) 742-1331 Fax

TEXAS TECH CHANCELLOR:
Office of the Chancellor
124 Administration Building
Mailstop 42013 Lubbock, TX 79409
(806) 742-0012 | (806) 742-8050 fax
Chancellor@ttu.edu

[woody]

I'm sure someone will blame it on iPods or something...

Shifts in broadcast media in recent years have allowed for fewer jobs in radio broadcasting and more opportunities in new media: Webcasting, podcasting and video. This has prompted changes within Student Media, which is dedicated to promoting student learning experiences through practical applications.

http://media.www.ktxt.net/media/storage/pa...7077.shtml#more

[woody]

BAILOUT KTXT!!!


oh ya, they complain $2mil on a golf course. how much $ does the gold course bring in?

KTXT:
Expenditures for KTXT-FM's equipment and maintenance operations over the past four years, on average, have consumed more than 41 percent of Student Media's financial resources. During that same time period, the station has generated less than one-quarter of 1 percent of the department's revenues.

And i agree with Will & Jess, no one but the workers and their friends listened to that station

This post has been edited by woody: Dec 11 2008, 03:55 PM

[The Fanatic]

What kind of shitty big 12 school doesn't have a radio station...


oh yeah Texas Tech...

[blaarg]

Concerning the advertisement: because the station is technically listed as "educational" under their FCC license, they are VERY strict rules rules for what can be said during advertisement over the air. From what I can glean from the discussion, they can only "advertise" a company/slogan/address/phone# and NOT anything concerning sales or "deals" with the business (basically a typical "advertisement" would be: this portion of KTXT is brought to you by... type stuff).

Putting ad revenue aside, why not allow fundraising drives to at least off set the costs of the station. From what I've gleaned as well, all attempts to recently implement this was shot down by Student Media.

Even if it is something that you think was lame/stupid/dumb at Tech, it is something that has HISTORY and TRADITION attached to it (I mean it has been around for 47 years). I for one could probably not care less if the Saddle Tramps existed, but it is one of the very few things that Tech has going for a LONG time -- so yeah I support the "concept" of the Saddle Tramps wholeheartedly even though I might not care about the people so much. Similarity, regardless if you like ktxt music, it is something that makes the campus at least unique and somewhat respectable -- at the very least something to tell potential students visiting Tech for a tour "Over there we have our student run and operated campus radio station"

[Epic]

things could have changed, but most of the people that i knew that worked at ktxt when i was in school were pretty big music snobs. I wanted to be a DJ and they said "don't worry if you don't know what good music is. we'll teach you what good music is." and controlled your playlists. So they themselves were pretty big fans of censorship.

They were also usually pretty lazy when it came to fundraising. Their advertising always struggled and their "guerrilla publicity" was lost among the rest of the "guerrilla publicity" that every other indie scene was pushing. They didn't commit to the survival of the station by taking care of the one issue that has been brought up for years, that they were costing far more than they were bringing in. It costs money to run a radio station if you want to broadcast, and you have to have the leadership and listening base to have solid advertising. If any other entity on campus was that cost ineffective it would have been shut down too. Yeah, maybe they didn't do it the right way, but i remember threats of closing down KTXT as far back as 5 years ago.

So for me, it's sad, but it was coming.

Play snobby music and say that you know better than the listener nets you a limited and isolated fan base. Without strong ratings, you don't get advertising dollars. No ad revenue, and you're stuck without a budget.

[blaarg]

Financial reasons?! What is so expensive? The annual AM costs?

They are using one of the largest transmitters for ANY campus radio station in the nation (that big one by the Spirit Arena -- yeah they bum off that). Other than that, I know they have 5 paid board members, and that's it. Powering it is the big sink hole of $$$. That is actually one of the suggestions they had was to transmit at a lower power and/or reduce the 24 hour format. If only Student Media heard of the word compromise before pulling the plug so abruptly...

[plusthebear]

Whether or not you enjoyed the music played on KTXT (and if you didn't, why bother posting in here? don't you have other things to do?) shutting it off in such a shitty way was completely unnecessary. At least give notice so they could have a final show.. but that would probably go against their whole plan of turning it off after classes were over. This whole situation is ridiculous.

[SLBBT]

I think that the reasons "cutting off the student voice" and "KTXT had great programming" are the GAYEST reasons EVER to keep that radio station up and running.

First off, the students still have the free speech zone. Secondly, the newspaper isn't going anywhere for a while, and if it does it will be replaced with a web version of the news. Finally, KTXT played really crappy music that nobody gave a damn about except the few people that worked there and their friends.

The ONLY valid reason to keep that station up and running is that it is excellent training for those majoring in radio and tv broadcast or whatever they call it. It's great experience. That's the sad part. Now those students won't have anywhere to work or intern because I am sure the few local stations are already scraping the bottom of the barrel to get by. Radio and TV are a dying industry. So are newspapers. What they SHOULD look into is an internet broadcast. How many students sit there and listen to music on their computer while they type a paper? Internet is the way to go. If they weren't generating a profit, than it is because they were being poorly managed. They should have started other advertising schemes and other broadcast methods. Hell, even Podcasting so students could put it on their mp3 player and listen to it. They also should have stopped being so artsy fartsy. It's cool to play obscure. It's not cool to play a bunch of trance music that no one even likes.

The whole notion of a free speech zone is ridiculous--and would only exist in the "backassward zone" that is Lubbock, Texas. That's why many people--not just a few--mourn and fight the passing of KTXT: it was the only radio station that didn't play the same old bs that some people in this town consider to represent the whole universe of music. I agree with you that some of their music was artsy-fartsy, and some of it was trance--which I also hate--but there was plenty of other stuff on there too. In fact, KTXT was as diverse as the dozens and dozens of DJs I have heard there over the year. No other radio station can claim to haved allowed so many people with such diverse tastes to play what they want. In another city, I agree, KTXT would have been just another shitty, weird college radio station. Here it was the only place to turn when you were sick of the same TOP 40 songs playing over and over again.

By the way, you're "gayest" reason thing is fairly offensive to me.

[Epic]

yeah, i agree that it could have been handled differently, but i personally choose to believe that there were signs and indication prior that if they didn't start turning revenue to support their intentions then they wouldn't be around much longer. i remember reading about it in the UD 5 years ago.

and why post in here if i didn't like the music? my answer is simple: if people are going to bad mouth my alma mater because they chose to stop funding a money sink that caters to a small listening audience while we find ourselves in a recession, i'm going to say something.

[Hartmann]

things could have changed, but most of the people that i knew that worked at ktxt when i was in school were pretty big music snobs. I wanted to be a DJ and they said "don't worry if you don't know what good music is. we'll teach you what good music is." and controlled your playlists. So they themselves were pretty big fans of censorship.

They were also usually pretty lazy when it came to fundraising. Their advertising always struggled and their "guerrilla publicity" was lost among the rest of the "guerrilla publicity" that every other indie scene was pushing. They didn't commit to the survival of the station by taking care of the one issue that has been brought up for years, that they were costing far more than they were bringing in. It costs money to run a radio station if you want to broadcast, and you have to have the leadership and listening base to have solid advertising. If any other entity on campus was that cost ineffective it would have been shut down too. Yeah, maybe they didn't do it the right way, but i remember threats of closing down KTXT as far back as 5 years ago.

So for me, it's sad, but it was coming.

Play snobby music and say that you know better than the listener nets you a limited and isolated fan base. Without strong ratings, you don't get advertising dollars. No ad revenue, and you're stuck without a budget.

Sounds like a day at Championship Vinyl.

Barry's Customer: Hi, do you have the song "I Just Called To Say I Love You?" It's for my daughter's birthday.
Barry: Yea we have it.
Barry's Customer: Great, Great, can I have it?
Barry: No, no, you can't.
Barry's Customer: Why not?
Barry: Well, it's sentimental tacky crap. Do we look like the kind of store that sells I Just Called to Say I Love You? Go to the mall.

Louis: I don't have that record... I'll buy it for forty.
Rob: Sold.
Louis: Now why would you sell it to me and not to him?
Barry: Because you're not a geek, Louis.
Louis: You guys are snobs.
Dick: No, we're not.
Louis: Yeah, seriously, you're totally elitist. You feel like the unappreciated scholars, so you shit onto people who know lesser than you.
Rob, Barry, Dick: No!
Louis: Which is everybody...
Rob, Barry, Dick: Yeah...
Louis: That's so sad.

[Mommy]

Let me clarify a few things.

Stephan, print and broadcast journalism are suffering big time, especially newspapers and radio stations. It is not too far fetched a notion that these start to disappear. CBS, ABC, NBC, and FOX are struggling as well. NBC is having big money problems this year, so much so that they are canceling all tv shows at the prime time spot 9:00 and moving Jay Leno to that spot 5 nights a week. Why? Because production costs of new television shows to fill those spots is too expensive for them to afford. He will now come on BEFORE the nightly news instead of after. Media outlets have to make an internet presence to stay afloat. That is why college radio is struggling. They need an internet presence. They need to make their programming available for Podcast. Yes, they need new advertising strategies, but they also need new programming outlet ideas. We are at a day and age where mp3 players and satellite radio are very popular and are overtaking local radio stations. At Texas State, they were expanding their student-run paper to include an internet presence. That means new advertising outlets and a broader readership. In fact, most papers are only staying alive because of their Web sites and the ad revenue the sites generate. KTXT needs to get with the times.

Secondly, SLBBT, I NEVER said that KTXT needed to start playing Top 40. It wouldn't kill them to play music that people actually liked. Whenever I listened to them, they were either playing dance and trance or some other funky type of music. In fact, I never even programmed them on my radio because nothing good was ever on. I have no problem with them playing more obscure rock or more obscure hip hop (not my fav, but I realize some out there like that kind of stuff). Hell, even Texas country. They don't need to play pop songs, but they do need to play popular GENRES of music.

Thirdly, free speech doesn't exist. To think that student radio stations help generate a student voice is nonsense. All it does is help move students' careers forward by giving them valuable experience at working at a radio station.

Finally, I don't care if the word "gay" offends you or anyone else.

[chook]

and if you didn't, why bother posting in here? don't you have other things to do

Because the internet is for ranting. I listened to KTXT my sophmore and part of my junior year. What I hated is when modest mouse had their hit Float On. KTXT all of a sudden wouldn't play any of their stuff because it wasn't indie enough.

I went to the station a couple of times for Sgt. Steve Monday and went to a couple of ktxt house parties. Some people were cool some weird, but they all thought their music taste was better than you. Its sad to see it, but just like Blue, I am not suprised.

Grego was a DJ there I think. Remember when he "made" that song and posted it here.

[chook]

Oh yeah, their hip hop was pretty cool. Got to see that Lubbock hip hop scene actually existed.

"Gotta Make em beleive"

[Epic]

maybe alumni support could be pursued to support KTXT. they employed dozens of students every year ya? so i assume they have jobs and that may be part of the solution.

i'm being completely serious.

[Oasis]

Whether or not you enjoyed the music played on KTXT (and if you didn't, why bother posting in here? don't you have other things to do?) shutting it off in such a shitty way was completely unnecessary. At least give notice so they could have a final show.. but that would probably go against their whole plan of turning it off after classes were over. This whole situation is ridiculous.

It was handled in a cowardly manner, I don't think anyone will dispute that. What else would you expect from Tech?

[Spectatrix]

You can donate to KTXT here: http://www.techsans.net/ktxt_donate.html

Subtle.

[Epic]

i'm proud of Lance. I've read a lot of the comments on facebook related to this issue, and Lance appears to be the only one actually tackling the issue that someone other than Tech is going to have to pay for this.

the university decided they didnt' want to pay for it anymore, so there has to be some substantial fundraising to take place. way to go lance.

[blaarg]

i'm proud of Lance. I've read a lot of the comments on facebook related to this issue, and Lance appears to be the only one actually tackling the issue that someone other than Tech is going to have to pay for this.

the university decided they didnt' want to pay for it anymore, so there has to be some substantial fundraising to take place. way to go lance.

I think everyone is banking on a "reinstatement" at this point -- as it only JUST happened a few days ago. I'm sure if after a week or two has gone by, a donation site would have been set up once they can get an idea of how to go from here in the event the station doesn't get University funding and can get back on the air. As for now, I am saving my donation money until I can get a better assessment of how the University handles this massive student support for the station.

It seems like everyone is just in a state of shock and there is really little organization at this point (other than e-mail/phone officials) for a wide range protest/organization/etc... No doubt if no immediate turn-around happens these things would come.

[blaarg]

Is the donation page down?

[Mommy]

Is the donation page down?

works 4 me

[blaarg]

this is what I get:


"We are no longer accepting donations, and all donations that were received will be returned to the original donator.

For all the latest news and updates on the KTXT ordeal please visit the "Save KTXT 88.1 FM" Facebook group.

Total amount raised so far: $500.00"

[chook]

Nice try lance.

[Mommy]

Am I the only one that has problems giving money over the internet to people I don't know? I mean, how do we know that giving money to them will solve the problem? If they still don't start up KTXT again, what will become of the money?

[KTXTStaff]

I'm Blake Porter, Station Manager of 88.1 KTXT. First off, I would love to tell you where this money is going (this is the reason I held off on taking donations for the moment). We are not actively fund raising yet, but we are accepting donations if people wish to offer them. First off it is going to making promotional materials to help our effort and educate more people about the shut down. If a process in our reactivation needs to raise money, those funds will be transferred to that effort. If we are re-instated without the need for independent funds the money will go to a charity organization within Texas Tech. If we are permanently shut down (a situation that is becoming more and more unlikely with every hour) the fund will be donated to an outside charity that promotes multimedia education.
I would also like to let everyone know where they can find more information about the effort to save 88.1 KTXT. The central "hub" of information is the facebook group ( http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=4009...gid=40095606811 ). And if they have any questions for me personally they can contact me at ktxtfm@gmail.com or give me a phone call at 972-310-9619.

Thank you all for all of your support and I would like to let you know I have very high faith that KTXT will live on.

-Blake Porter <Station Manager>

[Mommy]

Mr. Porter,
Some of us on here are blunt to the extent of being rude (myself included); however, there are some excellent suggestions in this thread. If KTXT is reinstated, I think some serious changes are in order. Good luck.

-Jessica

[rabble]

Mr. Porter,
Some of us on here are blunt to the extent of being rude (myself included); however, there are some excellent suggestions in this thread. If KTXT is reinstated, I think some serious changes are in order. Good luck.

-Jessica

As a former KTXT DJ, I agree that there needs to be changes to the format of KTXT. The idea of a completely student run radio station is amazing however I feel that sometimes the whole of the university population is not fully appreciated in the play lists.

I think that the student media department would be very receptive to reopening the station if instead of focusing mainly on alternative "indy" music, the format was expanded to include pop/rock hip-hop/rap (even though it feels like selling out, sometimes you need to compromise) and focusing on sports and university events as they occur (sports talk shows for pre/post games) to more fully cover what the students of the university want.

Also, think about partnering with the DT to bring some news updates and news talk I think would do wonders to smooth over relations with student media.

[blaarg]

As a former KTXT DJ, I agree that there needs to be changes to the format of KTXT. The idea of a completely student run radio station is amazing however I feel that sometimes the whole of the university population is not fully appreciated in the play lists.

I think that the student media department would be very receptive to reopening the station if instead of focusing mainly on alternative "indy" music, the format was expanded to include pop/rock hip-hop/rap (even though it feels like selling out, sometimes you need to compromise) and focusing on sports and university events as they occur (sports talk shows for pre/post games) to more fully cover what the students of the university want.

Also, think about partnering with the DT to bring some news updates and news talk I think would do wonders to smooth over relations with student media.

They do/did have a hip-hop show -- didn't play the "Lil Wayne" but some underground acts that were pretty good. As for news updates, they did have a weekly (or possibly twice a week) show where they discussed headlines and events for two hours. In the same vain they had a sports show as well.

I agree with you though, something pre-game would be nice, but it seems like there is already a more established Tech pre/post-game show already on air, however a student run one would be interesting. I also agree with advertising/focusing on Texas Tech events that are out of the realm of the "indie" crowd.

[chook]

They do/did have a hip-hop show -- didn't play the "Lil Wayne" but some underground acts that were pretty good. As for news updates, they did have a weekly (or possibly twice a week) show where they discussed headlines and events for two hours. In the same vain they had a sports show as well.

I agree with you though, something pre-game would be nice, but it seems like there is already a more established Tech pre/post-game show already on air, however a student run one would be interesting. I also agree with advertising/focusing on Texas Tech events that are out of the realm of the "indie" crowd.

Like doing a show from Raidergate.

The hiphop was good, whenever they had it. I didn't hear it my last year. They had metropolis talking about comic books more than they talked about sports. That is when I would turn them off.

[blaarg]

i put up http://www.savektxt.com with a copy of the donation page

Nice job with the site Lance. Very concise and to the point.

[blaarg]

How do you update the "total raised" -- is it automatically or do you have to manually to it each day?

[rabble]

Like doing a show from Raidergate.

The hiphop was good, whenever they had it. I didn't hear it my last year. They had metropolis talking about comic books more than they talked about sports. That is when I would turn them off.

Yeah, metropolis was really lame, and the radergate idea is amazing.

[SaveKTXT!]

I think that the reasons "cutting off the student voice" and "KTXT had great programming" are the GAYEST reasons EVER to keep that radio station up and running.

First off, the students still have the free speech zone. Secondly, the newspaper isn't going anywhere for a while, and if it does it will be replaced with a web version of the news. Finally, KTXT played really crappy music that nobody gave a damn about except the few people that worked there and their friends.

The ONLY valid reason to keep that station up and running is that it is excellent training for those majoring in radio and tv broadcast or whatever they call it. It's great experience. That's the sad part. Now those students won't have anywhere to work or intern because I am sure the few local stations are already scraping the bottom of the barrel to get by. Radio and TV are a dying industry. So are newspapers. What they SHOULD look into is an internet broadcast. How many students sit there and listen to music on their computer while they type a paper? Internet is the way to go. If they weren't generating a profit, than it is because they were being poorly managed. They should have started other advertising schemes and other broadcast methods. Hell, even Podcasting so students could put it on their mp3 player and listen to it. They also should have stopped being so artsy fartsy. It's cool to play obscure. It's not cool to play a bunch of trance music that no one even likes.

KTXT is the only radio station I listen to in Lubbock and I am not an employee nor do I have a single friend that is. So to sum up: you're wrong.

They are totally “artsy fartsy” though. That point I won’t argue. Them with their damn art, always trying to generate societal progress! Don't they understand money is paramount?!

Also calling something "GAY" is far less offensive than it is simply sophomoric. As far as their "crappy" music, your auditory palate is obviously is as puerile as your choice in avatar expression.

[cmac]

haha

[Oasis]

They are totally “artsy fartsy” though. That point I won’t argue. Them with their damn art, always trying to generate societal progress! Don't they understand money is paramount?!

How on earth is playing emo and indie music considered societal progress? They aren't on the cutting edge of societal progress. They're a college radio station playing the same faux "underground" college radio station music that every other college radio station in the country is playing.

And they're elitists about it. They aren't cutting edge hipsters for listening to music no one else has heard about, because this is 2008, not 1998. Underground music ceased to exist when worldwide mp3 filesharing programs came in to popularity in 1999-2000. Before then, very few people knew who bands like Jimmy Eat World were because their music wasn't readily available on Napster, Audiogalaxy, Myspace, Purevolume, etc. You could only hear it through friends, indie record stores, local shows, mags like Maximumrockandroll, and word of mouth. Gone are the days when people only knew about music if it was played on MTV or pop radio

But the "artsy fartsy" KTXT hipster douchebags don't seem to realize this. The only reason they're counter culture is because no one else but them wants any part of their latte sipping, black rimmed glasses, sweater vested, indie culture. Sorry. It's not that people don't know about their lifestyle; people know about it, they're just not interested in it.

And yes, money is paramount if your radio station isn't making any money and is draining a large portion of Student Media's financial resources.

[Mommy]

KTXT is the only radio station I listen to in Lubbock and I am not an employee nor do I have a single friend that is. So to sum up: you're wrong.

They are totally "artsy fartsy" though. That point I won't argue. Them with their damn art, always trying to generate societal progress! Don't they understand money is paramount?!

Also calling something "GAY" is far less offensive than it is simply sophomoric. As far as their "crappy" music, your auditory palate is obviously is as puerile as your choice in avatar expression.

Um... I'm going to be "sophomoric" here and guess that you're gay.

[Mommy]

And my avatar expresses that I am happy about a recent event in my life. You're just reaching for bones, sir.

[SaveKTXT!]

How on earth is playing emo and indie music considered societal progress? They aren't on the cutting edge of societal progress. They're a college radio station playing the same faux "underground" college radio station music that every other college radio station in the country is playing.

And they're elitists about it. They aren't cutting edge hipsters for listening to music no one else has heard about, because this is 2008, not 1998. Underground music ceased to exist when worldwide mp3 filesharing programs came in to popularity in 1999-2000. Before then, very few people knew who bands like Jimmy Eat World were because their music wasn't readily available on Napster, Audiogalaxy, Myspace, Purevolume, etc. You could only hear it through friends, indie record stores, local shows, mags like Maximumrockandroll, and word of mouth. Gone are the days when people only knew about music if it was played on MTV or pop radio

But the "artsy fartsy" KTXT hipster douchebags don't seem to realize this. The only reason they're counter culture is because no one else but them wants any part of their latte sipping, black rimmed glasses, sweater vested, indie culture. Sorry. It's not that people don't know about their lifestyle; people know about it, they're just not interested in it.

And yes, money is paramount if your radio station isn't making any money and is draining a large portion of Student Media's financial resources.

Art by its very definition facilitates societal progress. It pushes boundaries. It rejects conformity. It expresses that which is otherwise inexpressible. It is never fully accepted by the mainstream. KTXT plays music that you cannot hear anywhere else in Lubbock. Hell, anywhere within a 500 mile radius of Lubbock. It embraces diversity and plays music that challenges our very idea of what music is. The term “artsy fartsy” is infantile, but it is hardly an insult.

There are hundreds of examples I could give on how and why KTXT is a “cultural beacon” to this area, but I’ll use a small yet straight-forward illustration. Every Monday night KTXT has a program called “Rhythm Rue.” During this program the station’s playlist is restricted to songs from other regions of the world. Tribal beats from Africa, French hip-hop, ect. There is no question that cultures can learn about and find commonality with one another through their music. This acceptance, however small, of cultural differences assists in our evolution as a society.

As far as your obvious distain for the imaginary, stereotypical “KTXT hipster douchebags,” I completely agree. I always see them at the coffee shop sipping lattes, wearing their glasses and sweater vests, as they proclaim their melodic superiority. They’re usually sitting right next to the blacks wearing their sagging pants, eating chicken and watermelon, as they conspire to trick our impressionable white women. On a completely unrelated note, I also enjoy asserting blanket generalizations about diverse groups of people.

[SaveKTXT!]

Um... I'm going to be "sophomoric" here and guess that you're gay.

A clever, yet empty response.

And my avatar expresses that I am happy about a recent event in my life. You're just reaching for bones, sir.

There is some truth to this statement. However, the word is there are some on this board who are blunt to the point of being rude. I'm just falling inline.

[SaveKTXT!]

i like this guy

Thanks man. I promise I'm not actually a dick. That radio-station is just something for which I have unyeilding passion. And those motherfuckers are trying to take it.

[Oasis]

KTXT plays music that you cannot hear anywhere else in Lubbock.

Yeah

Unless you have a computer with internet access.

Again, the cutting edge schtick died years ago. Bury it.

[Oasis]

As far as your obvious distain for the imaginary, stereotypical “KTXT hipster douchebags,” I completely agree. I always see them at the coffee shop sipping lattes, wearing their glasses and sweater vests, as they proclaim their melodic superiority. They’re usually sitting right next to the blacks wearing their sagging pants, eating chicken and watermelon, as they conspire to trick our impressionable white women. On a completely unrelated note, I also enjoy asserting blanket generalizations about diverse groups of people.

I don't know if I can find one black person who fits that stereotype

However, I can find some KTXT fans who fit that stereotype. Nearly all of them, actually

It's a generalization because generally, it's a true assessment.

[blaarg]

Whoa, looks like an AP article has been picked up by some big time Texas newspapers (DFW, Houston Chronicle, Austin Statesmen, etc...) Seems the movement is picking up steam:

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=%...=N&filter=0

[chook]

As far as your obvious distain for the imaginary, stereotypical “KTXT hipster douchebags,” I completely agree. I always see them at the coffee shop sipping lattes, wearing their glasses and sweater vests, as they proclaim their melodic superiority. They’re usually sitting right next to the blacks wearing their sagging pants, eating chicken and watermelon, as they conspire to trick our impressionable white women. On a completely unrelated note, I also enjoy asserting blanket generalizations about diverse groups of people.

Bad analogies. Association of genetic disposition and behavior with just pure behavior. I like the station, but it does tend to attract the "hipster" crowd.

I hope you get it back, but with a more mainstream. I don't think I've ever heard a Built to Spill or E-40 on KTXT, and you'll never hear them on the clear channel crap. I do give kudos, because of KTXT I have heard of Drive By Truckers, Richard Buckner, the D-plan and Ted Leo among others. It gets too "hipster" when you guys play 20 minutes of Mogwai.

And the shows generally suck. The hiphop one in 03 or 04 was the best show you guys had. I think the shows and their lame bytes are what make people think of ktxt being "hipster".

Keep fighting the good fight tough.

[cmac]

Yeah

Unless you have a computer with internet access.

you have internet access in your vehicle?

[The Fanatic]

As far as your obvious distain for the imaginary, stereotypical “KTXT hipster douchebags,” I completely agree. I always see them at the coffee shop sipping lattes, wearing their glasses and sweater vests, as they proclaim their melodic superiority. They’re usually sitting right next to the blacks wearing their sagging pants, eating chicken and watermelon, as they conspire to trick our impressionable white women. On a completely unrelated note, I also enjoy asserting blanket generalizations about diverse groups of people.

HAHA


On that note I used to listen to KTXT and i enjoy watermelon and fried chicken...

This post has been edited by The Fanatic: Dec 18 2008, 09:42 AM

[Mommy]

i like this guy

yeah, he has a huge e-penis

[woody]

SaveKTXT, do you have any stats on the number of listeners that KTXT actually had for the past 5 years?

[rabble]

Well, I actually worked at the radio station, and I can confirm that even though the hipster douche bag assessment is not 100% accurate, the type of person who would work and listen to the station seemed to lean towards the "flavor of the month" type of anti-establishment anti-conformity type.
As for me, I actually didn't like a lot of the music we played, but I had always wanted to be on the radio, so thats my reason for working there, I actually didn't listen to it in my car at all except for when I was driving into Lubbock(I would use the signal strength on the radio station to mark my final approach towards Lubbock)

I would have loved nothing more than to play 2 hours of straight classic rock, but the station administration was very strict towards the volunteer DJs, so much so that even if I had brought in a 2 hour set to be approved they would have outright denied me without even listening to my ideas. I could only choose one song an hour that was "my choice" and even then it was limited to the list of songs in the system. They were extremely elitist in what could get played and I felt it alienated some of the DJs who weren't on board with the indy scene shit.

Don't fucking tell me what "art" is, thats a bullshit excuse to rationalize playing unpopular music to a non-existent audience.

[NaomiK]

I don't know if I can find one black person who fits that stereotype

However, I can find some KTXT fans who fit that stereotype. Nearly all of them, actually

It's a generalization because generally, it's a true assessment.

How many KTXT fans and staff do you actually know? Because I know quite a few of them, and I can promise you that a diverse group of people listen to the radio station. Not all of us (I am a listener and, yes, a dj) sit in coffee shops all day long drinking over-priced drinks. And, I'm not sure who made this comment earlier, not all of us wear clothing that's too tight and black-framed glasses. (In fact, my glasses have a metal frame...) So, yes, there are some who may fit the generalizations you and others have made, but there are many others who do not. And besides, this should not be the focus of what's going on. The main topic should be the station getting shut down and the manner in which it occurred. The conversations should revolve around people's opinions concerning the station being put back on air (which I'm doing my part to help make happen), suggestions, criticism/critique of current methods, etc. Simply blasting people involved with the station and the music that is played is not constructive in either way. Suggestions for changes in music format is one thing, but negative comments with no suggestions is another.

Also... to the guy who posted and said he hasn't heard Built to Spill or E-40. I've played both. I actually made sure and got Built to Spill on air every week during my own shift, and requested it during others. (Oh yeah, it was also my first show as a college student at Jake's). Good taste.

[Mommy]

The point is that there are good ways to run a business and there are bad ways. Obviously, we have all learned that even the running of a college radio station is a business venture. You don't have to play Britney Spears, Garth Brooks, and Jonas Brothers (don't know who the hell they are but keep hearing their name) to generate profit. You need to play stuff like Mudvayne, Tool, Pat Green, Metallica, Slipknot, etc. You could even venture off a bit and play The Black Keys, The Postal Service, Death Cab for Cutie, Modest Mouse... other music that people may not have heard before, but would enjoy. The pre-game show idea is great. Broadcasting live from the football games would be cool too, but I know you would probably not be able to do that because another radio station plays the game already. Also, put up a damn website where people can learn about the DJ's, listen to the a live stream of the station, daily poll questions, send in suggestions, view information on the top 10 requested songs. THIS IS A BUSINESS, not a club. That's what the radio station did wrong. I think to get your radio station back, you guys need to make a business plan detailing what you did wrong, how you plan to fix it, how you plan to generate profit, advertising schemes, etc. That would be really impressive to the university.

[blaarg]

The point is that there are good ways to run a business and there are bad ways. Obviously, we have all learned that even the running of a college radio station is a business venture....
Also, put up a damn website where people can learn about the DJ's, listen to the a live stream of the station, daily poll questions, send in suggestions, view information on the top 10 requested songs. THIS IS A BUSINESS, not a club. That's what the radio station did wrong. I think to get your radio station back, you guys need to make a business plan detailing what you did wrong, how you plan to fix it, how you plan to generate profit, advertising schemes, etc. That would be really impressive to the university.

See I think Student Media has only recently decided that "it was a business" and didn't quite inform the staff about this change from club to business. To me, I don't think it is a business and shouldn't be viewed as that -- it is an educational program, but then I am not footing the bill. Sure there is business element involved with the station, but traditionally it is only in the sense of getting the students educated on that part of broadcasting (selling ads, etc...). I don't think KTXT on its inception was ever considered to be a money making prospect and only until VERY recently they decided it should be. It's a shame that there was just no dialogue about this with the staff and all of this "preparing plans to fix it/coming up with new advertising schemes" have to occur post-mortem rather than giving the staff time to brainstorm/implement them while it was still on the air. Should have some of it occured on their own, absolutely; but with this abruptness that they pulled the plug, they didn't allow staff ANY chance to make changes. I'm sure if they knew how dire the situation at any time last year they wouldn't have been so passive about raising funds/getting ads.

As for the website, they did have one to listen to the live stream/send in suggestions and were actually in the process of revamping it (Student Media, ironically, paid for a years worth of hosting in November -- kind of funny since they were also discussing pulling the plug then) to make it better.

And as for creating a new model, I know they are actively doing that. They've come up with a tiered donation system that I think is a very good idea (stemming from donating $88.10 annually) as well as proposing new measures to implement. Stuff is definitely being done, but again, it's a shame it has to happen while the station is off the air.

[Epic]

yeah, it is a shame, but when i read the article i wasn't surprised they pulled the plug. I remember reading articles and hearing that it was on the chopping block for awhile now. There were signs.

As far as the stereotyping of the listeners/djs goes, it doesn't really matter how diverse they are at this point, but they are VIEWED as the elitist indie sceneters etc... They've been cast as such, and that's just the way it is. Whether or not Dirk was playing indie country or indie pop, it was still Dirk, and everyone knew what to expect.

[Mommy]

It's a shame that the students no longer have such a valuable source for learning the radio industry. What Blarqq said is nonsense though. Part of learning to run a station is learning to make a profit and entertain an audience.

[chook]

It's a shame that the students no longer have such a valuable source for learning the radio industry. What Blarqq said is nonsense though. Part of learning to run a station is learning to make a profit and entertain an audience.

From what I know there was a webstream and the "top albums" of the week. How to vote for this, I have no clue.

I will say just like Blue, I am not surprised about the station being shut down. How they shut it down was really bad. I wonder if an expensive component in the transmitter broke and they decided to call it quits then. I don't know.

What needs to change for popularity is the talk shows and the choice of music available to the DJs. I don't think of Rabble as a music elitist, and he didn't have much to choose from. I went to the volunteer meeting one year and decided not to be a DJ because I saw the elitists views from those presenting their station experiences to us.

Naomi, you may not be elistist but the common view of the student body is that all the DJs are. Problem is the most vocal of the DJs I met would call all pop trash. If I didn't know the "flavor of the month" like Rabble said, they would say that I wasn't worthy to hear it. After that crap, I didn't want to be a DJ with the station.

It always seemed that the DJs who were less vocal when I went to the KTXT parties seemed more open to non-indie music.

Even though I thought some of the DJs were tools, the station was overall good. Keep up with the good work, just be open to hearing reasons the station sucked.

[SaveKTXT!]

SaveKTXT, do you have any stats on the number of listeners that KTXT actually had for the past 5 years?

Honestly, I have absolutely no idea. I'm certain the numbers are low; however, I think we should keep in mind that popularity isn't necessarily indicative of quality.

Don't fucking tell me what "art" is, thats a bullshit excuse to rationalize playing unpopular music to a non-existent audience.

Contrary to your request, I must clue you in on one more thing about art. It doesnt need to be popular. College radio is supposed to be different. This is true of all colleges. Mainstream media even issue a completely separate top 10 list for college radio each month. Alternative media is the point. It provides a unique alternative to Clear-channel's obedience.

Different perspectives are important. This is especially true in here. I love Lubbock, but this isn't exactly a cultural utopia. That is why we should save this radio station. Because it's worth saving, and because some things should be more important than money.

[NaomiK]

You could even venture off a bit and play The Black Keys, The Postal Service, Death Cab for Cutie, Modest Mouse... other music that people may not have heard before, but would enjoy. The pre-game show idea is great. Broadcasting live from the football games would be cool too, but I know you would probably not be able to do that because another radio station plays the game already. Also, put up a damn website where people can learn about the DJ's, listen to the a live stream of the station, daily poll questions, send in suggestions, view information on the top 10 requested songs.

We actually do play The Black Keys, The Postal Service, Death Cab for Cutie, and Modest Mouse. I will admit, however, that we don't play the other bands you listed first. But, those bands can be heard on stations such as 101.1 or 94.5, so that is already covered. The purpose of the radio station was to play music you couldn't hear anywhere else, but I admit some of the music we played wasn't my favorite (Example: I really don't like Bjork or Bongos Bass and Bob...). But, if someone requested it, I would usually play regardless of what I personally thought about the band, just because a listener requested it.

As for the website, we do have one. www.ktxt.net. Many of the specialty shows also have MySpace pages, and there were also profiles on some of the djs. And a blog. We also have/had live streaming. The only problem was that many people didn't know about it, so we were trying to get the word out. And we also had a poll question, although I'm not sure how often it was updated. I do agree with your advice on what the station should do to get back on air and I think that's what the head guys at the station are trying to do.

(I know my tenses are all mixed up in my sentences, but it's weird to talk about the station in past tense).

[Epic]

Honestly, I have absolutely no idea. I'm certain the numbers are low; however, I think we should keep in mind that popularity isn't necessarily indicative of quality.



Contrary to your request, I must clue you in on one more thing about art. It doesnt need to be popular. College radio is supposed to be different. This is true of all colleges. Mainstream media even issue a completely separate top 10 list for college radio each month. Alternative media is the point. It provides a unique alternative from Clear-channel's obedience.

Different perspectives are important. This is especially true in here. I love Lubbock, but this isn't exactly a cultural utopia. That is why we should save this radio station. Because it's worth saving, and because some things should be more important than money.

Yes, but it isn't your money. Please show me another venture supported by Tech that sucks up so much money without providing much money back that is there to support the institutional values and goals. In the most recent data that I read on the Save KTXT facebook group, it just cost too much money to operate for the low number of listeners that you catered to. I am willing to bet that Tech would be more keen to "meet in the middle" given commitment by the current and future KTXT staff to underwrite shows and host fundraisers.

And yes, it is an educational experience, but I don't know many other programs that cost so much money to give a select number of students real world experience. Education is subsidized throughout all the students enrolled, but I disagree that the University as a whole should be responsible for funding an elitist attitude that employees a handful of individuals who want radio experience.

Again, I do think this was handled very poorly, and it is a loss of a valuable campus experience for some. It does not sit completely well with me, but I support Tech and after seeing the numbers available, I feel that they had to make a business decision. If the choices are 1) shut down the station or 2) pass the additional cost on to the student, I'm going to choose option two. We're in a recession, and a college experience is a privilege, not a right. Having this experience was a luxury that Tech can't afford right now. The moment that KTXT accepts responsibility to take on some of the funding issues themselves in a real way will be a great sign. I know there are plans now, and I think Tech will listen to them and accept them with conditions, so best of luck to all you.

But I want to reiterate, it is always very easy to say "money isn't everything" when it isn't your cash.

[zetec]

There's a lot of shit flying around, I keep hearing "elitist" being tossed around, and I honestly don't think I would call any of the DJs I know and/or have met or worked with "elitist". Anyone that actually spent any time as part of the station I think would concur.

I just felt like throwing in my 2 cents, considering many people on here seem to think they speak for the entire student body and their view of KTXT as superindie/elitist.

I have to wonder exactly how much most of you actually listened to the station, seeing as a lot of you seem to know next to nothing about how they run or what they were involved in, the kind of music they played (for the record, they played pretty much everything), or anything about the website or the other things put together by KTXT (the numerous shows, parties, etc).

[Mommy]

I listened to it off and on, but I graduated 3 years ago. I remember my thoughts on their programming, but I don't remember the DJ's names or what shows were on when or any of that crap.

[FORSAKENR320]

And my avatar expresses that I am happy about a recent event in my life. You're just reaching for bones, sir.

i think reaching for bones is what got you into your avatar expressive predicament

[Mommy]

i think reaching for bones is what got you into your avatar expressive predicament

definitely not a predicament to be happily married and have a baby together.

[SaveKTXT!]

Yes, but it isn't your money. Please show me another venture supported by Tech that sucks up so much money without providing much money back that is there to support the institutional values and goals. In the most recent data that I read on the Save KTXT facebook group, it just cost too much money to operate for the low number of listeners that you catered to. I am willing to bet that Tech would be more keen to "meet in the middle" given commitment by the current and future KTXT staff to underwrite shows and host fundraisers.

And yes, it is an educational experience, but I don't know many other programs that cost so much money to give a select number of students real world experience. Education is subsidized throughout all the students enrolled, but I disagree that the University as a whole should be responsible for funding an elitist attitude that employees a handful of individuals who want radio experience.

Again, I do think this was handled very poorly, and it is a loss of a valuable campus experience for some. It does not sit completely well with me, but I support Tech and after seeing the numbers available, I feel that they had to make a business decision. If the choices are 1) shut down the station or 2) pass the additional cost on to the student, I'm going to choose option two. We're in a recession, and a college experience is a privilege, not a right. Having this experience was a luxury that Tech can't afford right now. The moment that KTXT accepts responsibility to take on some of the funding issues themselves in a real way will be a great sign. I know there are plans now, and I think Tech will listen to them and accept them with conditions, so best of luck to all you.

But I want to reiterate, it is always very easy to say "money isn't everything" when it isn't your cash.

Absolutely true. It is easy to dismiss money when it isn't yours, but that doesn't make the point that some things SHOULD be more important than money, incorrect. Culture, education, hands on experience, art, and originality all transcend money. This is especially true on a college campus where individual thinking and creativity should be nurtured. KTXT presents these things to an area that is lacking in each.

The flip side of your statement should also be mentioned. It's easy to cite financial reasons for shutting the station down when you give the students no notice that money is an issue. No one is suggesting a college radio station is a right. However, it is inexcusable students were given no opportunity to argue their case, examine alternatives, or propose solutions for the continuation of this privilege. The station has been around since 1961. It deserves better than that.

[Epic]

I believe notice was given. I remember reading about it in the university paper six years ago that the station was expensive to run and was being viewed by the Trustees as not cost efficient. They probably didnt give the ultimatum that should have been delivered, with a time table and conditions. I agree with you on that.

And yes, a college campus should provide those values you listed, but KTXT isn't the only avenue. And I don't think KTXT is the cultural beacon that everyone was making it out to be.

It still sucks, but as a Tech supporter, i do believe there are other things that student funds can be spent on to support the university as a whole.

Now that i think about it, whatever happened to the Perversity Weekly? That's a great example of counter culture trying to succeed and I know Kevin worked his ass off trying to get advertising support to keep his paper alive. They fought tooth and nail to get rights and privileges that the University Daily had, and we said they as long as they met matching funds for their efforts.

Any news on strong alumni support yet? Certainly there are bound to be more than a few rich alumni willing to donate a few grand to the cause.

[Mommy]

I believe notice was given. I remember reading about it in the university paper six years ago that the station was expensive to run and was being viewed by the Trustees as not cost efficient. They probably didnt give the ultimatum that should have been delivered, with a time table and conditions. I agree with you on that.

And yes, a college campus should provide those values you listed, but KTXT isn't the only avenue. And I don't think KTXT is the cultural beacon that everyone was making it out to be.

It still sucks, but as a Tech supporter, i do believe there are other things that student funds can be spent on to support the university as a whole.

Now that i think about it, whatever happened to the Perversity Weekly? That's a great example of counter culture trying to succeed and I know Kevin worked his ass off trying to get advertising support to keep his paper alive. They fought tooth and nail to get rights and privileges that the University Daily had, and we said they as long as they met matching funds for their efforts.

Any news on strong alumni support yet? Certainly there are bound to be more than a few rich alumni willing to donate a few grand to the cause.

All the alumni who are rich wouldn't support to an artsy fartsy station like that. You will find alumni who listened to KTXT working minimum wage jobs just to "stick it to the man" and not give in the the popularity of having a job that actually pays.

[Mommy]

Let me give you KTXT kids just an idea of what a college radio station should do. The radio station for Texas State University held a special event featuring Bobby Bones, a morning radio show host based out of Austin. Bobby Bones has had enormous success and is now syndicated in several markets across the country. They invited Bobby Bones to come speak in the Communications dept, but whoever wanted to attend could. The crowd was way too big for the room. They had about 50 seats out, but a couple hundred people showed up. People couldn't even fit in the door and were listening from the hallway. This is an example of appealing to what listeners want and providing an educational experience for students. Bobby Bones shared a lot of useful information with students and shared how he got his start. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I think that is the type of things college radio stations should do. Yeah, this wasn't an on-air thing, but it was put on by the radio station.

[FORSAKENR320]

Let me give you KTXT kids just an idea of what a college radio station should do. The radio station for Texas State University held a special event featuring Bobby Bones, a morning radio show host based out of Austin. Bobby Bones has had enormous success and is now syndicated in several markets across the country. They invited Bobby Bones to come speak in the Communications dept, but whoever wanted to attend could. The crowd was way too big for the room. They had about 50 seats out, but a couple hundred people showed up. People couldn't even fit in the door and were listening from the hallway. This is an example of appealing to what listeners want and providing an educational experience for students. Bobby Bones shared a lot of useful information with students and shared how he got his start. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I think that is the type of things college radio stations should do. Yeah, this wasn't an on-air thing, but it was put on by the radio station.

so a radio station is supposed to be a unique experience that succeeds by being like everyone else...

gaddammit jessica, you hurt my brain-meats

[The Fanatic]

If we are hurting for money then why is the university building that god damn waste of space "leisure pool". I'm sure that really enriches the educational experience on campus.

[Epic]

From what I heard from one of my friends in the VPSA office, the leisure pool was heavily debated but was strongly supported by a rich alum who made a sizable donation and part of it had to be spent on the REC. Another rumor was that the money had to be spent on the REC as they plan to being an NCAA swim team, so they would need a student option and use the old pool for a training facility. There are also plans to use it for alumni fundraising options and making it available to be rented out for private parties.

So that looks much different than a radio station with an estimated fan base of 2k (I read that on the facebook group somewhere)

[chook]

I wish they had an NCAA swim team at Tech. I like swimming but hate spending 4+ hours in the pool a day.

Epic is right, a string alumni is needed for the station and more mainstream support. Arguements need to be ones that a "closed minded" regent would agree with. Art is free speach should not appeal to everyone. But I am pissed off when i have to pay for something that I think is useless.

Win the arguement that the station is useful and benificial to Tech (untimately in monetary form, even with circular logic) and you'll win the arguement. Keep saying its art and transcends any cost, and KTXT will never be back on the air.

[Mommy]

so a radio station is supposed to be a unique experience that succeeds by being like everyone else...

gaddammit jessica, you hurt my brain-meats

Where the fuck did I say that? You don't have any brain meats to hurt.

[FORSAKENR320]

Where the fuck did I say that? You don't have any brain meats to hurt.

you shut your face-hole... you ill-begotten wench of the night.

[Dogmeat]

you shut your face-hole... you ill-begotten wench of the night.

Jessica is a opossum-ostrich ...

[Mommy]

Jessica is a opossum-ostrich ...

[chook]

keep the tread on track. I wanna hear the fate of KTXT.

[blaarg]

Lance, what's the fate of the savektxt.com site?

[Psykopath]

KTXT died like Techsans. ='(

[chook]

Anything happen with the station?

[blaarg]

They've spun off an online version of the station at http://www.thellanoidea.com/.

They were able to keep the massive music library and they've actually done a pretty nice job in the first two months they've had the site up. They have regular columnists and maintain an average of 8-10 posts a week -- highlighting everything from local music and upcoming shows to just random articles. Anyways, check it out -- although not the same as terrestrial radio, at least they are trying to get SOMETHING back.