Dear Editor,
I have stated before that I’m not a regular and avid fan of the Linden Radio Station 104.3, except for the Sunday night ‘Golden Oldies and Retro Show’ hosted by Winston ‘Czar’ Caesar of ‘Cannon Ball’ fame, which is easily 104.3’s most popular show for the elderly and not so young, and which I make a special effort to tune in to.
My take still is that it is virtually a young people’s radio station, with the general drift not all that far-reaching and programmed to their fancy. Check it yourself. Now nothing is wrong with that in itself if that’s its mission, and therefore it ought not to cause a fuss; after all, what a thing is, it is.
Editor, I need to repeat – notwithstanding what was mentioned before and what will follow – that 104.3 is not doing such a bad job; they are ‘working’ and will get better once they pay attention – yes pay attention – move about and feel the pulse of the community/region if indeed it’s an all-people station and not a young people station. If it is, let it so be tailored, understanding that radio can cross many boundaries with programmes for varying ages. And this is why, though my take on this station has not quite changed, I have of late made a not-so-hard resolve to connect more frequently to it. Having said that, let me here and now commend the DJ/selector who presented that Monday January 5th afternoon musical treat. This young man did a splendid job in playing a variety of conscious, profound and rocky, scintillating songs. However, I now have a bone to pick.
On the Saturday, January 12th ‘Glow Show’ the topic in question was ‘Gossip’, which I thought wasn’t too bad a topic for some leisurely indulgence. Why not lighten-up a bit? After all, it’s part of our human behaviour, our environment, a world culture that will not ever go away from us, never ever! The two young women who presented the programme informed listeners to play a part in it by calling in and sharing their views: “Call us on 664-9435 and let us hear you comment.” When I tuned-in I heard the above number but wasn’t that attentive so I lost it and was waiting on them to give it as the programme rolled along. Please believe me, it was a wait like eternity; that call-in number was never mentioned until almost three-quarters of an hour later. Those two young women rambled on and on almost lost in themselves, though others who knew the number were calling in – I suspect texting more than calling as they were sharing their views. I thought they took for granted that all listening knew the number as they ‘lectured’ listeners on the merits and demerits of gossip. And while the views of those calling/texting were told to listeners, except where some people didn’t want their voices to be on air, I think those who don’t mind should be heard since there is a kind of intimacy which is often felt when hearing the voices of contributors.
When I finally got through and inquired about a landline number I was told there was none, and this is another reason why I say it is geared generally for the young. Though they continually say all Lindeners, many grown folks won’t and or can’t afford cell phone calls to air their views, in which case varied, valid and in-depth contributions could be lost. I wanted to make a contribution in a slightly different way other than the one they were rolling along; some of the views shared were nothing new, merely run-of-the-mill stuff from friends and folks familiar to the hosts and who were at times mentioned. I have to repeat, however, that though a topic may offer leisurely indulgence we still need to reach beyond the mundane, and being young doesn’t warrant automatic exception. But then again, on second thoughts, why am I tossed up on this? The word ‘glow’ says it all: “Girls leading our world,” and that’s exactly the way they ran it – confined to themselves. Then say so! Still I think the ‘Glow Show’ girls really got ahead of themselves somewhat, which reminds me of a smart comment once made by John Lennon of Beetles fame: “Nothing is wrong with letting yourself go once you can get it back.”
Yours faithfully,
Frank Fyffe
